FTMA: Screenwriting

The FTMA: Screenwriting – Certificate of Achievement (COA) introduces students to the fundamentals of writing for the various mediums in the Entertainment Industry.

The training provided for this certificate may lead to positions in management or in other creative branches of the Entertainment Industry. Study is focused toward developing competence in specific areas of writing. After successfully completing this certificate, a student could be hired as: Production Assistant, Script Supervisor, Development Assistant, Agency Assistant, Talent Assistant, Studio Assistant, Script Reader, Podcast Writer and other positions on the production team.

According to data from the 2021-2022 academic year there were 57 students that received a degree or certificate from FTMA. This certificate will add significantly to these completers.

With the advancement of streaming technologies, how we consume media has changed. There is now a proliferation of content and therefore a proliferation of jobs to develop and write this content. This certificate will help make our students more competitive for those jobs.

During the February 22, 2022 FTMA Advisory Committee meeting it was suggested that "a writing certificate be developed and also that the current film certificate be changed to create two specific certificates – one for film and another for television. This would bring the total certificates offered by FTMA up to six. This notion was supported by the committee, noting that offering a “potpourri” of choices would be helpful for students. Community colleges are a place where many students get their first taste of production – and therefore it is important that they try everything.”

Also, there are universities that now have majors specifically in media writing, including California State University, Northridge. This certificate will make our students more competitive for those transfer opportunities.

The program goals and objectives are aligned with the mission of the college, and the courses in this certificate are part of both the AS-T and AA Degree. A Screenwriting - Certificate of Achievement (COA) from the Film, Television & Media Arts discipline creates a valid Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway for students. By completing this COA students will obtain vocational expertise in media writing and will enable them to work in entry-level television, cable, or streaming jobs.

A FTMA: Screenwriting Certificate of Achievement (COA) may lead to a broad range of employment opportunities in the entertainment industry. The award offers an education to students who seek careers in the Entertainment Industry:

SOC 27-4011.00 Audio and Video Equipment Technicians

SOC 27-4012.00 Broadcast Technicians

SOC 27-4031.00 Camera Operators for Television and Motion Pictures

SOC 27-2012.00 Producers and Directors

SOC 27-2012.01 Producers

SOC 27-4032.00 Film and Video Editors

SOC 27-3099.00 Media and Communication Workers

SOC 27-4014.00 Sound Engineers