Director’s Cut: Emerging Screenwriters

We are no longer accepting applications for this program at this time.

Deadline to apply has been extended to Monday, July 22, 2024. 

In collaboration with NYU Tisch School of the Arts, the Jacob Burns Film Center is pleased to offer a screenwriting intensive for 10th and 11th grade high school students in fall 2024. Led by NYU Tisch Adjunct Instructor Jeremy J. Kamps, Director’s Cut: Emerging Screenwriters will be a nine-week course consisting of fifteen engaging sessions on the JBFC Campus.

Through this intensive program, students will gain a strong foundation in screenwriting, learn the elements of a film pitch, and develop collaborative skills within a workshop setting. Over the course of the program, students will also develop their own individual short film scripts, which will be performed by professional actors during a culminating table read, followed by a reception at the JBFC Theater.

Students must apply for this program. Admission will be based on a complete review of the entire application, personal statement, creative résumé, and unofficial transcript. There is no cost to participate in this program. Complete application details are below and the deadline to apply is Monday, July 22, 2024.  All students accepted into the program will receive a stipend for transportation and deferred wages. We encourage all students with an interest in screenwriting that are entering 10th and 11th grade in the fall of 2024 to apply.

Director’s Cut: Emerging Screenwriters includes several key features designed to nurture and support students’ growth:

• $1000 stipend for transportation and deferred wages
• Access to industry-standard equipment and software
• Mentorship from NYU Tisch instructor
• Polished portfolio of professional-grade work for college applications and scholarship opportunities

PROGRAM DETAILS

Location: The Jacob Burns Film Center Media Arts Lab

*405 Manville Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570

Program Dates: September 17—November 14 (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

*Culminating table read will take place on Thursday, November 14

Time: 5:00 PM—8:00 PM

*Final class will run from 5:00 PM—6:00 PM / Showcase (Table Read): 6:30 PM—8:30 PM / Reception: 8:30 PM—9:15 PM

Capacity: 10 Students (Max)

Grade Level: Students entering grades 10 and 11 in fall 2024

APPLICATION PROCESS/INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

• Step 1 – Requirements and Eligibility
• Step 2 – Online Application
• Step 3 – Verification
• Step 4 – Notification
• Step 5 – Confirmation

STEP 1: REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY

• This program is open to all rising 10th and 11th grade high school students in fall 2024 who did not participate in the JBFC Emerging Screenwriter Fellowship in 2023.
• There is no GPA minimum requirement to participate in this program.
• You must agree to be available and make the commitment to attend 2 classes per week from September 17, 2024 to November 14, 2024 (Tuesdays and Thursdays), from 5:00 PM—8:00 PM. The final class on November 14, 2024 will be followed by a table read and showcase, and will be held from 5:00 PM—9:15 PM.
• The deadline to apply for the program is Monday, July 22, 2024. Admission decision is based on a review of entire application, including personal statement, creative résumé, and unofficial high school transcript. All communications regarding your application, including your admission decision, will be communicated to you via the email address you have provided on your application. Please note, you will be receiving time sensitive communication via email that will require a response.

STEP 2: ONLINE APPLICATION

Please submit the following:

• A Completed Application Form (Google Form)
• Personal Statement
  • Please upload your Personal Statement to the application. Your Personal Statement should be a 500 word statement that demonstrates who you are, your values, and what inspires you.
• Creative Résumé
  • Please upload your Creative Résumé to the application. Your Creative Résumé should demonstrate your achievements, interests, and showcase anything that creatively expresses who you are as an individual.
• Unofficial High School Transcript
  • Please upload your unofficial high school transcript. There is no GPA minimum requirement to participate in this program.
  • Homeschooled Applicants Only: Please have your parent/guardian in charge of your homeschooling provide a document detailing the following:
    • Summary of courses
    • Explanation of academic achievement in each course
    • If you have previously attended a high school, please also submit a copy of that transcript

STEP 3: VERIFICATION

• Our primary method of communication is email. Please be sure to allow emails from edujbfc@gmail.com and registrar@burnsfilmcenter.org to be viewed.
• Once your application is submitted, you will receive an automated email from edujbfc@gmail.com confirming your application has been received. If any information on your application is missing or incomplete, you will receive an email notifying you to submit those items.
• Once your application is verified as complete, ALL follow up emails will come from registrar@burnsfilmcenter.org. You will be evaluated by NYU Tisch and JBFC faculty and staff. Both group interviews and individual Zoom interviews will be conducted and you may be asked to provide references to be contacted. Once all evaluations are complete, you will receive final status notification and further details will be provided to you about the course structure and stipend.

STEP 4: NOTIFICATION

• Final status notification will be sent via email from registrar@burnsfilmcenter.org.

STEP 5: CONFIRMATION

If accepted into the program, you will be asked via email to confirm your participation by the deadline found in your acceptance email.