Das Master-Studium
»How to be a staff writer; or, why there is no I in team.«
Lawrence Meyers, Inside the TV Writers’ Room
The MA Serial Storytelling at the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is Europe’s first and only international Master’s Programme focusing on collaborative writing for series.
Focusing on both local and international series markets, this intensive two-year master's degree programme combines story development skills, collaboration techniques (»Writers’ Room«), and the innovative approach of artistic research.
Students work with highly acclaimed international guest speakers and scholars, such as James Manos (Sopranos, Dexter), Jane Espenson (Game of Thrones, Battlestar Galactica), Matt Hastings (The Handmaid’s Tale), Bob Konrad (Kleo), Denise Harkavy (The Expanse), Philip Käßbohrer and Matthias Murmann (How To Sell Drugs Online [Fast]), Annette Hess (The Interpreter of Silence, Ku’damm 56/59/63), Tyron Ricketts (Sam – A Saxon), Frank Spotnitz (X-Files, The Man in the High Castle), Hagai Levi (The Affair, In Treatment), Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Borgen, Follow the Money), Pilar Alessandra (On the Page), Laurie Hutzler (Nine Powers), and many more.
The programme is supported by industry partners such as RTL Media Group, ZDF, Paramount+, btf bildundtonfabrik, Network Movie, Series Mania, Seriencamp, and the Film Festival Cologne.
Zielgruppe
Talented aspiring series writers with advanced team working skills, an interest in academic and creative research and at least one year of relevant work experience.
Studienplan und Studienschwerpunkte
The Master's programme »Serial Storytelling« guides young professionals in exploring, conquering, and expanding forms and methods of serial narration for TV and digital platforms. Accompanied by renowned series creators, script consultants, and media scholars, the students analyse the secrets behind the success of popular series and develop their own innovative series concepts. Series dramaturgy, character development, and collaborative writing processes (»Writers' Room«) are at the center of their practical work.
In addition to narrative and media-theoretical content, the programme conveys the basics of transnational markets and new media platforms, and it supports the students in exploring innovative narrative forms, work structures, and distribution channels.
With a strong focus on collaboration skills and innovative strategies, this Master’s program provides aspiring series writers with exceptional learning experiences:
Relevant Skills for a Wide Range of Career Paths
- acquiring a wide-ranging skill set that combines the tools of professional screenwriters and an in-depth knowledge of creative teamwork
- mastering models and methods of serial storytelling format
Hands-on Experience
- developing 4-5 series projects in different formats over four semesters
- creating fascinating characters, compelling ensembles, surprising plots, and sustainable concepts
- mastering key soft skills such as pitching, networking and negotiating
- gaining hands-on experience in collaborative as well as individual screenwriting, including the creation of a complete drama series within a writers’ room led by an expert professional showrunner
Industry Insights and Networking Opportunities
- learning from highly acclaimed international writers, producers,
- enjoying privileged networking and pitching opportunities, e.g. at international series festivals such as Seriencamp and Series Mania
Artistic Research and the Social Responsibility of the Storyteller
- explor philosophical and ethical topics and expanding the knowledge of serial storytelling in academic as well as artistic research projects
- discuss pressing social issues as well as current trends and visions of future series markets, formats and ways of distribution with acclaimed experts from various fields
- transform these findings into exciting, innovative, and relevant serial narratives.
Internationaler und deutschsprachiger Track
For most courses, the group of 16 students comes together. Consequently, the vast majority of classes in this programme are conducted in English.
However, for more elaborate writing projects and for classes geared to specific series markets, students may split into two tracks: In these specific cases, students of the international track study in English, targeting international audiences, while students of the German-language track study and write in German, with a focus on German-language series markets.
Aufnahme und Zugangsvoraussetzungen
Academic Requirements
To obtain a Master’s degree, applicants must have an undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree) with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits or a higher degree (e.g. a German »Magister« or »Diplom«) from an accredited university. The ifs welcomes talented applicants who have received degrees in unrelated fields.
In justified exceptional cases, applicants with exceptional artistic skills whose CVs lack one or more of these formal requirements may request to enroll in the program as advanced training participants.
Work Experience
Applicants must have worked in the field of media production for at least one year. (see FAQ for more details)
Language Skills
Very good knowledge of English.
B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. by a TOEFL score of a minimum of 72 points (internet-based) or equivalent test results. Native English speakers are exempted from this.
German language skills are only required for students in the German track.
Screenwriting Skills
A solid understanding of the basics of screenwriting and dramaturgy in theory and practice is a prerequisite for this programme. This is assessed in the application process. If an applicant’s knowledge and skills in this field prove to be yet insufficient at the time of selection, the applicant may be required to enroll in the ifs’ »Summer School Screenwriting« (or in a comparable course) before the start of the Master’s Programme (additional costs apply). In these cases, admission is pending until the missing proof has been provided.
Gebühren
One time registration fee
400 Euro
Tuiton fee per semester
Non-EU students: 3.750 Euro
EU students: 2.750 Euro
Semester fee TH Köln
330,20 Euro
The tuition fees for the MA Serial Storytelling are 2,750 euros per semester for EU citizens and 3,750 euros for non-EU citizens.
The ifs is a cooperation partner of the TH Köln and all ifs students are enrolled at the TH Köln and can use the services offered by the TH, such as the semester ticket for public transport, access to the TH's International Office or to the sports courses and facilities.
