Build Your Screenwriting Portfolio at NYFA
At NYFA’s Screenwriting School, students complete a variety of scripts and projects to prepare them for the unique challenges of screenwriting. Students learn the tools and techniques required to craft compelling stories, building up discipline as a writer and mastering the screenwriting process.
In longer programs, students build a wealth of work and experience in screenwriting, gradually crafting a screenwriting portfolio. The degree programs also allow students to branch out into topics such as comic books, game design, and graphic novels. In shorter programs, students learn the fundamentals of the craft, developing content such as a treatment and a script.
The screenwriting programs are available at multiple campuses. The projects listed below are examples of the type of work that students complete at NYFA and not an all-encompassing list. Projects will vary by location and are subject to change. For more information, please see our course catalog.
Projects By Degree Program
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Fully Revised Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A second draft of a feature film screenplay, revised based on notes received in workshop classes.
Short Genre Feature Screenplay Treatment
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an as of yet unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process. This treatment is for a film of a specific genre, one that was covered in the genre studies class.
Adaptation Treatment or Outline
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an as of yet unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process. This treatment is for a film adapted from source material – such as a novel, play, or comic.
TV Series One-Hour Episode Spec Script
A one-hour television drama spec script is a 60 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing one-hour drama television series. Please note that in the BFA, AFA, and 1-Year Certificate program, students may need to choose between completing a One-Hour Episode Script and a Half-Hour Episode Script. MFA students complete both projects.
TV Series Half-Hour Episode Spec Script
A half-hour television comedy spec script is a 30-35 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing half-hour comedy television series.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
TV Series Short Proposal
The short proposals are less detailed series proposals/bibles for additional one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. These focus on the core idea central characters and the series story engine (source for recurring conflicts).
Short Film Script and Film (3-5 Min)
Students write a short 3-5 page script, then produce and edit their own short film.
Original Transmedia Franchise Bible
A transmedia franchise is a story world that can sustain stories across multiple media platforms – such as web series, comic, game, and more. The transmedia bible includes proposals for the different media planned for a story world franchise. This transmedia bible must contain the web series bible as well as one-sheet proposals for either a comic book or game.
Web Series Proposal
A proposal for a web series laying out the world (which should be part of the Franchise story world), characters, and storylines.
One-Sheet Comic Book Proposal
A short proposal for a comic book, graphic novel, web comic, or manga that can be supported by the transmedia franchise. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Full Comic Book Proposal and Script
The proposal contains a one-sheet overview and outlines the project or series. The comic book script is formatted to communicate with a comic book artist, and lays out the pages, panels, descriptions, and lettering for all pages. The comic issue or chapter makes up 18-24 pages of comic book material. For students in our degree programs, this project is only completed in this elective.
One-Sheet Game Proposal
A short proposal for a board, video, roleplaying, card or other game that can be supported by the transmedia franchise. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Full Game Proposal
The proposal lays out the world, mechanics, and details of a proposed game. This game can be a video game, a board game, a card game, a roleplaying game, or any other type of game. For students in our degree programs, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Web Series Script and Pilot
A filmed and edited web series pilot with an original script. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Podcast Script and Pilot
A complete pilot script for an original podcast that is recorded and edited by the student, creating their first podcast pilot. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Unscripted Series Pitch Deck
A pitch deck is a presentation aid that shows the look and feel of a project while laying out the core concepts and details. It can be in power point format or in booklet format. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Original Comedy Project
The student generates an original comedy project. It can be a sketch (of the type done on shows like Saturday Night Live), a stand-up monologue, or a short film (3-7 pages/minutes). In degree programs, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
One Act or Short Play
The play is written for the theatrical stage. It can either be a one-act play, or a micro play of 10 minutes or shorter. For the MFA, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Service Learning Script
A public service announcement for a non-profit, a script for a DEI initiative, or other short project in any of the forms covered in the program, where students use the skills they have learned to create a narrative project towards a community aims.
Thesis Project (Feature Film or TV Pilot Script)
The thesis project is a final piece for the AFA (where it is called a Capstone Project), BFA, and MFA students, and they may choose between a Feature Film or TV Series focused thesis project. For the TV series thesis, students demonstrate their skills in writing a teleplay and telling a cohesive narrative. For this thesis project, students create the necessary components of a TV Series Pilot, including an outline, blueprint, beat sheet, proposal, as well as first and second revised drafts. The final pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (30-35 pages).
Portfolio Writing Logline List
In preparation for Pitch Fest, students complete a Portfolio Writing Longline List. Loglines are short descriptions that describe the core concept of a feature film or TV series. The loglines lay out the world, the central conflict or story engine, and the types of characters who must deal with these conflicts.
Thesis Project Pitch
In preparation for Pitch Fest, students complete a Thesis Project Pitch. The pitch for a feature sets up the story, world and characters and then takes the listener through the broad strokes of the story. The pitch for a TV series spends more time on the world, characters and story engine, then gives a brief overview of the pilot before setting up the future of the series. In both cases, the students prepare a 5 minute pitch to present to industry executives and producers.
NYFA Pitch Fest
Pitch Fest is an introduction to the entertainment industry. Students help select and target guests to be recruited for the event. Guests come and listen to the students’ pitches for their thesis projects. Each student gets approximately 10 minutes at each table, pitching their five-minute pitch, then engaging in discussion and Q & A, about that project, their other ideas, themselves, and their career plans. While students sometimes can have their thesis project set up this way, this is rare, and the real purpose of the event is for students to develop skill at pitching their ideas and themselves. Students can also make their first contacts in the industry this way.
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Fully Revised Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A second draft of a feature film screenplay, revised based on notes received in workshop classes.
Short Genre Feature Screenplay Treatment
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an as of yet unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process. This treatment is for a film of a specific genre, one that was covered in the genre studies class.
Adaptation Treatment or Outline
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an as of yet unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process. This treatment is for a film adapted from source material – such as a novel, play, or comic.
TV Series One-Hour Episode Spec Script
A one-hour television drama spec script is a 60 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing one-hour drama television series. Please note that in the BFA, AFA, and 1-Year Certificate program, students may need to choose between completing a One-Hour Episode Script and a Half-Hour Episode Script. MFA students complete both projects.
TV Series Half-Hour Episode Spec Script
A half-hour television comedy spec script is a 30-35 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing half-hour comedy television series.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
TV Series Short Proposal
The short proposals are less detailed series proposals/bibles for additional one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. These focus on the core idea central characters and the series story engine (source for recurring conflicts).
Short Film Script and Film (3-5 Min)
Students write a short 3-5 page script, then produce and edit their own short film.
Original Transmedia Franchise Bible
A transmedia franchise is a story world that can sustain stories across multiple media platforms – such as web series, comic, game, and more. The transmedia bible includes proposals for the different media planned for a story world franchise. This transmedia bible must contain the web series bible as well as one-sheet proposals for either a comic book or game.
Web Series Proposal
A proposal for a web series laying out the world (which should be part of the Franchise story world), characters, and storylines.
One-Sheet Comic Book Proposal
A short proposal for a comic book, graphic novel, web comic, or manga that can be supported by the transmedia franchise. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Full Comic Book Proposal and Script
The proposal contains a one-sheet overview and outlines the project or series. The comic book script is formatted to communicate with a comic book artist, and lays out the pages, panels, descriptions, and lettering for all pages. The comic issue or chapter makes up 18-24 pages of comic book material. For students in our degree programs, this project is only completed in this elective.
One Sheet Game Proposal
A short proposal for a board, video, roleplaying, card or other game that can be supported by the transmedia franchise. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Full Game Proposal
The proposal lays out the world, mechanics, and details of a proposed game. This game can be a video game, a board game, a card game, a roleplaying game, or any other type of game. For students in our degree programs, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Web Series Script and Pilot
A filmed and edited web series pilot with an original script. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Podcast Script and Pilot
A complete pilot script for an original podcast that is recorded and edited by the student, creating their first podcast pilot. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Unscripted Series Pitch Deck
A pitch deck is a presentation aid that shows the look and feel of a project while laying out the core concepts and details. It can be in power point format or in booklet format. This project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Original Comedy Project
The student generates an original comedy project. It can be a sketch (of the type done on shows like Saturday Night Live), a stand-up monologue, or a short film (3-7 pages/minutes). In degree programs, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
One Act or Short Play
The play is written for the theatrical stage. It can either be a one-act play, or a micro play of 10 minutes or shorter. For the MFA, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Service Learning Script
A public service announcement for a non-profit, a script for a DEI initiative, or other short project in any of the forms covered in the program, where students use the skills they have learned to create a narrative project towards a community aims.
Thesis Project (Feature Film or TV Pilot Script)
The thesis project is a final piece for the AFA (where it is called a Capstone Project), BFA, and MFA students, and they may choose between a Feature Film or TV Series focused thesis project. For the TV series thesis, students demonstrate their skills in writing a teleplay and telling a cohesive narrative. For this thesis project, students create the necessary components of a TV Series Pilot, including an outline, blueprint, beat sheet, proposal, as well as first and second revised drafts. The final pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (30-35 pages).
Portfolio Writing Logline List
In preparation for Pitch Fest, students complete a Portfolio Writing Longline List. Loglines are short descriptions that describe the core concept of a feature film or TV series. The loglines lay out the world, the central conflict or story engine, and the types of characters who must deal with these conflicts.
Thesis Project Pitch for NYFA Pitch Fest
In preparation for Pitch Fest, students complete a Thesis Project Pitch. The pitch for a feature sets up the story, world and characters and then takes the listener through the broad strokes of the story. The pitch for a TV series spends more time on the world, characters and story engine, then gives a brief overview of the pilot before setting up the future of the series. In both cases, the students prepare a 5 minute pitch to present to industry executives and producers.
Projects By Degree Program
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Revised Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A second draft of a feature film screenplay, revised based on notes received in workshop classes.
Short Genre Feature Screenplay Treatment
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an as of yet unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process. This treatment is for a film of a specific genre, one that was covered in the genre studies class.
TV Series One-Hour Episode Spec Script
A one-hour television drama spec script is a 60 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing one-hour drama television series. Please note that in the BFA, AFA, and 1-Year Certificate program, students may need to choose between completing a One-Hour Episode Script and a Half-Hour Episode Script. MFA students complete both projects.
TV Series Half-Hour Episode Spec Script
A half-hour television comedy spec script is a 30-35 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing half-hour comedy television series.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
TV Series Short Proposal
The short proposals are less detailed series proposals/bibles for additional one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. These focus on the core idea central characters and the series story engine (source for recurring conflicts).
Short Film Script and Film (3-5 Min)
Students write a short 3-5 page script, then produce and edit their own short film.
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Fully Revised Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Short Genre Feature Screenplay Treatment
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an as of yet unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process. This treatment is for a film of a specific genre, one that was covered in the genre studies class.
TV Series One-Hour Episode Spec Script
A one-hour television drama spec script is a 60 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing one-hour drama television series. Please note that in the BFA, AFA, and 1-Year Certificate program, students may need to choose between completing a One-Hour Episode Script and a Half-Hour Episode Script. MFA students complete both projects.
TV Series Half-Hour Episode Spec Script
A half-hour television comedy spec script is a 30-35 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing half-hour comedy television series.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
TV Series Short Proposal
The short proposals are less detailed series proposals/bibles for additional one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. These focus on the core idea central characters and the series story engine (source for recurring conflicts).
Short Film Script and Film (3-5 Min)
Students write a short 3-5 page script, then produce and edit their own short film.
Full Comic Book Proposal and Script OR Full Game Proposal
The proposal contains a one-sheet overview and outlines the project or series. The comic book script is formatted to communicate with a comic book artist, and lays out the pages, panels, descriptions, and lettering for all pages. The comic issue or chapter makes up 18-24 pages of comic book material. For students in our degree programs, this project is only completed in this elective.
One Act or Short Play
The play is written for the theatrical stage. It can either be a one-act play, or a micro play of 10 minutes or shorter. For the MFA, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Thesis Project (Feature Film or TV Pilot Script)
The thesis project is a final piece for the AFA (where it is called a Capstone Project), BFA, and MFA students, and they may choose between a Feature Film or TV Series focused thesis project. For the TV series thesis, students demonstrate their skills in writing a teleplay and telling a cohesive narrative. For this thesis project, students create the necessary components of a TV Series Pilot, including an outline, blueprint, beat sheet, proposal, as well as first and second revised drafts. The final pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (30-35 pages).
Capstone Project Pitch
From their Capstone Project, students construct a five minute pitch. The pitch for a feature sets up the story, world and characters and then takes the listener through the broad strokes of the story. The pitch for a TV series spends more time on the world, characters and story engine, then gives a brief overview of the pilot before setting up the future of the series. In both cases, the students prepare a five minute pitch that they would be able to present to industry executives and producers. They practice pitching this with faculty at the end of their program, to prepare them for pitching in professional settings after graduation.
1-Year Certificate Program
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Revised Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Short Genre Feature Screenplay Treatment
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an as of yet unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process. This treatment is for a film of a specific genre, one that was covered in the genre studies class.
TV Series One-Hour Episode Spec Script
A one-hour television drama spec script is a 60 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing one-hour drama television series. Please note that in the BFA, AFA, and 1-Year Certificate program, students may need to choose between completing a One-Hour Episode Script and a Half-Hour Episode Script. MFA students complete both projects.
TV Series Half-Hour Episode Spec Script
A half-hour television comedy spec script is a 30-35 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing half-hour comedy television series.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
TV Series Short Proposal
The short proposals are less detailed series proposals/bibles for additional one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. These focus on the core idea central characters and the series story engine (source for recurring conflicts).
Short Film Script and Film (3-5 Min)
Students write a short 3-5 page script, then produce and edit their own short film.
Projects By Workshop
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Fully Revised Feature Film Screenplay
A second draft of a feature film screenplay, revised based on notes received in workshop classes. For a full revision, students first build a revision blueprint (a detailed outline that incorporates notes given on a first draft into a plan for a rewrite of a feature script) before doing this rewrite.
TV Series One-Hour Episode Spec Script
A one-hour television drama spec script is a 60 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing one-hour drama television series. Please note that in the BFA, AFA, and 1-Year Certificate program, students may need to choose between completing a One-Hour Episode Script and a Half-Hour Episode Script. MFA students complete both projects.
TV Series Half-Hour Episode Spec Script
A half-hour television comedy spec script is a 30-35 page script for an episode that would fit into a pre-existing half-hour comedy television series.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
Series Proposal and Pilot Script Revision Blueprint
The thesis project is a final piece for the AFA (where it is called a Capstone Project), BFA, and MFA students, and they may choose between a Feature Film or TV Series focused thesis project. For the TV series thesis, students demonstrate their skills in writing a teleplay and telling a cohesive narrative. For this thesis project, students create the necessary components of a TV Series Pilot, including an outline, blueprint, beat sheet, proposal, as well as first and second revised drafts. The final pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (30-35 pages).
Full Comic Book Proposal and Script
The proposal contains a one-sheet overview and outlines the project or series. The comic book script is formatted to communicate with a comic book artist, and lays out the pages, panels, descriptions, and lettering for all pages. The comic issue or chapter makes up 18-24 pages of comic book material. For students in our degree programs, this project is only completed in this elective.
Full Comic Book Proposal and Script
The proposal contains a one-sheet overview and outlines the project or series. The comic book script is formatted to communicate with a comic book artist, and lays out the pages, panels, descriptions, and lettering for all pages. The comic issue or chapter makes up 18-24 pages of comic book material. For students in our degree programs, this project is only completed in this elective.
Original Comedy Project
The student generates an original comedy project. It can be a sketch (of the type done on shows like Saturday Night Live), a stand-up monologue, or a short film (3-7 pages/minutes). In degree programs, this project is only completed by students who choose this elective.
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
Short Feature Film Treatments
The short treatments are 3-7 page documents outlining the characters, themes, and plot of an unwritten feature film. It helps sell the idea to producers, but it also helps the writer map out what they intend to write before the start the script process.
Feature-Length Film Screenplay
A screenplay for a feature film that is usually between 90-120 pages of script.
Television Pilot Script and Series Bible
The series proposal/bible outlines the characters, themes, world, and story engine (the source of recurring conflicts) for an original one-hour drama or half-hour comedy television series. This document helps sell the idea and series to producers and helps the writer map out the series before they write the pilot. A pilot script is the first episode of the television series and is either for a one-hour drama (approximately 60 pages) or half-hour comedy script (approximately 30-35 pages).
Please note: Equipment, curriculum, and projects are subject to change and may vary depending on location. Students should consult the most recently published campus catalogue for the most up-to-date course information.