Long known for a strong literary tradition and experimental approach to education, Bennington has produced notable alumni in prose, poetry, and more. To maintain this spirit, the College has recently launched its new Masters of Fine Arts in Screenwriting program. According to the College’s website: “The MFA in Screenwriting at Bennington College prepares writers for a life as creative and professional leaders in the evolving landscape of film and television.”
The program’s low-residency structure allows students to balance on-campus residencies with flexible weekly online classes. There will be two ten-day residencies on campus in Vermont and two in Los Angeles, where the talented students will immerse themselves in the world of screenwriting with the award-winning screenwriters and prospective faculty members Alexa Alemanni, David Hemingson, Janet Lin, Malia Scotch Marmo, and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas.
This week, The Lens interviewed the director of the MFA in Screenwriting program, Ted Braun, to gather more information about the program. Braun is a WGA nominated writer and director of the films Darfur Now (2007), Betting on Zero (2017), and Viva Maestro (2022). He received his B.A. in English at Amherst College, and his Master of Fine Arts in film and television production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, where he is now a professor of Screenwriting and Joseph Campbell Endowed Chair of Cinematic Ethics.
According to Braun, programs like this “stimulate great creative expression as visible in the mission of the college” because “at Bennington, creative work is part of who you are.” Approached by a member of the board of trustees, Braun grew interested in the idea of launching a graduate program in screenwriting at the college. “I’m not a stranger to Bennington. I grew up in Vermont and went to college two hours away,” he added. He mentioned the college’s institutional record in producing world-renowned creative writers, thinkers, and artists, something which further elevated his interests.
Braun mentioned that he is excited by the low-residency model because: “There is a mix of virtual interactions and a strong, intense personal time. This is how we live an experienced life from a pragmatic point of view. Some students can’t afford to move or live in a metropolitan area which is why the low-residency structure works. Unlike an education in film production, screenwriting is low-cost…we gather a cohort of people in a screening room,” he added.
It should be noted that Bennington’s program distinguishes itself from other screenwriting MFA programs nationally. “Bennington’s ambitions are to aim at the highest level,” said Braun. “Most of the top screenwriting programs like Columbia, UCLA, and USC are all residential. What makes Bennington’s program unique is that there has always already been a tradition of educating great writers, and the MFA is just an extension of that…sustained weekly online class meetings, and then group meetings with classmates adds to it further. The program isn’t simply a series of sequential paths through the degree, it has real stakes in developing progressive education as rooted in John Dewey’s ideologies,” he said.
The selection committee will be looking at various factors when choosing the twelve students for its first cohort. Writing samples from substantial work, and a series of short essays about the applicant’s life are some of the main materials required. The application for next academic year is due on December 15, 2025. Prospective students are welcome to sign up for the information sessions. Braun also encourages seniors at the college to consider applying to the program, as he’s interested in integrating undergraduate education into the MFA program. More details can be found on the Bennington website.
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