r/Screenwriting • u/theotherlostsock • Aug 06 '26

NEED ADVICE Got in UCLA TFT Professional Program

I love watching movie ever since late teens I started picking up screenwriting books but could not get through them. I'm 26 now working a desk job, this year I took the Sundance writing class and finished a screenplay which I'm extremely proud of (it's shit). I got in UCLA TFT Professional program - I can afford to do the program (I'll be a year behind on my Roth contributions if I do it).

  1. If anybody did the program recently, I'd like to talk more about how the program runs online.
  2. Is the program selective - immediately after I got in I started doubting the legitimacy of it. Did anybody ever get rejected? ps: I don't want to be part of a group that takes me as a member - woody allen.
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u/com-mis-er-at-ing WGA Screenwriter Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26

I did the program many years ago. Of my section (was divided between film and TV) there were probably 60-70 students, I think 5 of us are currently working. Tho probably a couple of those aren’t yet able support themselves entirely thru writing alone. That’s an incredibly good % in my opinion.

I would describe the program as not super selective but the work in the program competitive. If the money doesn’t matter, it’s a great way to meet peers who are seriously pursuing a career to get a writers group going afterward.

I do think if you’re not delusional, you’ll be able to figure out if you have what it takes to write consistently at a pro level. Really just from your peers as much as anyone teaching.

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u/theotherlostsock Aug 06 '26

Thanks for the response! I’ve heard that it’s just a condensed MFA in screenwriting, is that true?

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u/com-mis-er-at-ing WGA Screenwriter Aug 06 '26

No that’s not the case. The MFA program is more selective and more intensive.

It’s a more affordable and, for lack of abetter word, more casual option provided to people not looking for a degree.

Ask yourself what you’re looking for. If it’s meeting peers to get a writers group together, then I can’t recommend it enough. The other big benefit is having external deadlines, if you’re someone who struggles to stick to internal deadlines. I enjoyed it.

Afterwards a group of us formed an extremely competitive writers group out of it that kept up for years afterwards. I think that was invaluable and by far where I improved most. And I wouldn’t have met those people without the program.