Skip to main content
Apply Request Info

Screenwriting

Steel City High School Film and Animation Festival
Monday, June 9, 2025 The festival will include a keynote speaker, workshops and panels, film screenings and an awards ceremony, all taking place in the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Point Park University film and animation students on set during COPA Experience Day.
Pittsburgh Playhouse Marks Return of STARMAKERS Gala With Previews of Both ASCEND and the 2025-26 Season
Thursday, April 17, 2025 After nearly 15 years, the beloved STARMAKERS Gala has returned to Pittsburgh, celebrating the Pittsburgh Playhouse’s enduring legacy in Pittsburgh and sets the stage for the next era of groundbreaking performances and artistic excellence.
The STARMAKERS logo.
Pioneers on the Road: Students Explore the Capital on Annual Trip to Washington D.C.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 “I felt like a kid in a candy shop! As someone who has always been fascinated with U.S. presidents and American politics, being in D.C. was an amazing experience." - Austin Cairns
The Washington Monument
Conservatory of Performing Arts Establishes School of Dance and School of Theatre, Film and Animation
Monday, January 6, 2025 Garfield Lemonius, Kiesha Lalama tapped to lead Point Park’s new schools.
Conservatory of Performing Arts students perform RENT at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
Film and Animation Pre-College Programs Provide Hands-On Experience to High School Students
Friday, August 23, 2024 Students explored the basic principles and practices of film production, the process, fundamentals and art of animation, and the elements of storytelling at Film Intensive, 2D and 3D Animation Intensive and Screenwriting Intensive.
Professional Camera Workshop with The Camera Department
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 The Camera Department's Alex Andres and Benedict Baldauff '11 led a Professional Camera Workshop for the Intermediate and Advanced Cinematography classes during the spring semester.
Point Park Offers Complete in Four Years B.F.A. to MBA Program
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 This program gives students an affordable opportunity to earn both a B.F.A. degree from the Conservatory of Performing Arts — and an MBA from the Rowland School of Business — in four years plus one additional semester in the summer.
A student in PPG Place.
Nicky Snyder Supports Students and Faculty as Assistant to the Chair of the Department of Film and Animation
Monday, September 11, 2023 "I think the fact that students are working with equipment and also substantial software in their first year is the biggest advantage of being a film or animation major at Point Park."
Pictured is Nicky Snyder.
Film Faculty Feature: Meet Andrew Swensen, Professional Arts Administrator and Producer
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 "My experience at Point Park has been one of great reward, discovery and collaboration. Because I'm also a professional arts administrator and producer, I'm regularly looking for artists for works in development, and it's a pleasure to work with students as artist colleagues."
Pictured is Andrew Swensen. Photo | John Altdorfer
MovieMaker Magazine Ranks Pittsburgh as a Best Place to Live and Work as a Movie Maker
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 "This impacts our students in terms of employment opportunities to work in the Pittsburgh area. On productions from as far back as the filming of the Dark Knight Rises in 2011 up through the recent production of Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount+, faculty would pass by one of the many sets around the city and see alumni working on them," said Professor Andrew Halasz.
Cinema students on set.
Faculty Feature: Meet Laura J. Boyd, Cinema Arts Chair
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 "My experience managing national and international productions — both from the home office of National Geographic or while traveling and working in the field — informs everything I teach ... Filmmaking is hard work, but the rewards and opportunities make every minute worth it."
Pictured is Laura Boyd.
Point Park Announces Summer in the City Programs for Youth and High School Students
Monday, April 11, 2022 “Our Summer in the City programs are a great way for younger students to get a taste of academic college life, experience the excitement of Downtown Pittsburgh and find out what motivates them about learning,” said Heidi Ward, director of community and summer education.
Student Profile
B.F.A. Screenwriting Major's Work Awarded at Pittsburgh Independent Film Festival
"The greatest experience I've had at Point Park is meeting so many people dedicated to the craft. It's one thing to know how to write a script, but it's another to have people to fall back on for input and support."
Pictured is JW Nicikowski. Submitted photo.
Garfield Lemonius Named Dean and Artistic Director
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A., has been appointed dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts (COPA) at Point Park University and artistic director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Lemonius was previously appointed acting dean and artistic director, and prior to that served as chair of the Department of Dance.
Pictured is Garfield Lemonius, M.F.A.
Faculty Feature: Andrew Halasz, Film and Animation
Thursday, August 12, 2021 "All that we teach, the training we give, the projects we assign, have the end goal of engaging students in the experiential process of making work. This is what best prepares students to succeed in the industry."
Pictured is Andrew Halasz. Photo | Nathaniel Holzer
Film Instructor Receives Oscar Nomination for Her Work on "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"
Friday, April 2, 2021 "The production class [at Point Park] is a very practical experience. We try to expose the students to the tools used in the industry," said Diana Stoughton.
Pictured is Diana Stoughton.
Student Profile
Nathaniel Holzer '22
"The program is so welcoming of everybody no matter what walk of life you are from. It is a breeding ground for creativity and the honing of the craft with a philosophy that everyone should implore: there are no bad ideas."
2020 Raymond Laine Memorial One Acts Festival
Thursday, January 28, 2021 "The festival is a collaboration of one acts directed by the Advanced Directing class at Point Park University," said Emmy Masteller. "Normally they are produced and presented back-to-back in the Pittsburgh Playhouse. This year things changed because of COVID-19 and we all made short films."
Students and faculty in the advanced directing class 2020-21 semester. Submitted photo.
A Q&A With Rick Hawkins, Senior Teaching Artist and Emmy-Winning Screenwriter
Friday, June 19, 2020 "As an Emmy-winning screenwriter with three decades of writing and executive producing successful TV series, I helped to create a screenwriting program at Point Park that included all the practical and artistic opportunities that I wish had been available to me when I was a student. I consider it a joy and a privilege to be able to mentor and share with young writers their artistic journeys toward professionalism."
Point Park Offering Free Online Classes for Summer Learning, Movement and Fun
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 This summer season, don't distance yourself from learning. Join us for one of our many free virtual sessions. We can't wait to see what you create!
Photos from Point Park summer programs.
Cinema Arts Program Partners with the Sarah Jones Film Student Safety Program
Tuesday, October 15, 2019 Point Park University is just the fourth institution of higher education in the United States to qualify for the Sarah Jones Film Student Safety Program. The program is an initiative from the nonprofit Sarah Jones Film Foundation, which advocates for safe conditions on film sets.
The logo for the Sarah Jones Film Foundation, which advocates for safe conditions on film sets.
Student Profile
Screenwriting Major Gaining Professional Experience as Artistic Intern for Production with Pittsburgh CLO
"Point Park was the only undergraduate film program I applied to that focused solely on narrative filmmaking and storytelling. Being in a narrative program gives me the space to really flex my creativity, learn from my mistakes and grow as an artist."
Pictured is Rania Draklellis. Photo | Grace Ruiz
Film and Animation Faculty Feature: Meet Elise D’Haene
Friday, February 8, 2019 "I teach screenwriting for film and television, so the number one thing I do is make sure I’m also engaged in writing my own creative projects. I really believe strongly that I must stay active in the industry in order to be an effective teacher," she says.
Pictured is Elise D'Haene. Photo | Nick Koehler
Point Park University Freshman and Grandmother Organizes Wigs for Kids Fundraiser as Part of Class Assignment
Wednesday, January 30, 2019 "I needed to create a four-minute film for my screenwriting class and thought why not make a promotional film that an organization could use to increase awareness and donations."
Pictured is Christina Wonnacott. Photo | Nick Koehler
Hollywood Producers and Editors Attend 2018 Cinema Arts Showcase at Point Park
Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Bob Ducsay, Gray Frederickson and Robert Miller spent two days on Point Park's campus for this year's cinema arts showcase.
Bob Ducsay, Gray Frederickson and Robert Miller at Point Park University's 2018 Cinema Arts Showcase
Student Profile
#PittsburghMe: Meet Kris Chandler, Screenwriting Major
"Throughout my time in college I’ve participated in a few things here and there, but I have been predominantly involved in the Honors Program, the John P. Harris Film Society and the United Student Government," he said.
Pictured is Kris Chandler, Screenwriting Major
Fall 2017 Issue of The Point Now Online
Monday, October 16, 2017 Get a peek inside the magazine for alumni and friends of Point Park.
From Point Park to Pittsburgh CLO: Summer Season Casts Students, Alumni On-and-Off Stage
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Award-Winning Actor, Writer and Director Bryan Cranston Visits Point Park University
Monday, November 28, 2016 "To be successful in this business you need talent, persistence, patience and luck. If you do not love what you do, do not attempt to do it."
Bryan Cranston visits Point Park University.
Screenwriting Major Learns the Craft of Writing a Script and Storytelling at Point Park
Tuesday, September 27, 2016 "The screenwriting program at Point Park has taught me so many important, intricate details on not only the craft of writing a script, but the craft of storytelling as a whole, as well as how the cinema industry works."
Pictured is Paige Staudt.
Troy Centofanto Recruits Top Talent for Point Park's Conservatory of Performing Arts
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 "Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts is one of the top conservatories in the country. Having the opportunity to work with the current and future leaders of the industry is very exciting and rewarding."
Pictured is Troy Centofanto. Photo | Shayna Mendez
Screenwriting Major Lands Internship at Pittsburgh CLO with Help from Professor
Thursday, April 21, 2016 "My professors have come through for me time and time again. They helped me land my internships and are constantly invested in my development as a writer. Their input is invaluable and I am so thankful for their support."
Pictured is Jocelyn Rick.
Row House Cinema to Showcase Student Films
Monday, November 2, 2015
High School Students Learn the Elements of Storytelling at Screenwriting Camp
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Alumni and student win top prizes at NFFTY
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Students' Films to Screen at Shot for Shot Festival
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Point Park Welcomes High School Students for Summer Workshops
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
New Facilities and Equipment Provide Cinema Students Hands-on Training
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Assistant Professor of Screenwriting Steve Cuden Pens "Beating Broadway"
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Student film draws buzz at festivals
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Back to Top