Having dedicated the last 15 years to the due diligence industry, enrolling in UCLA’s screenwriting program was a transformative leap of faith. Completing my first screenplay filled me with confidence and a sense of achievement, but it was my second screenplay—a masterfully structured and character-driven piece—that revealed the true gift I had given myself. UCLA became the birthplace of my unique screenwriting voice. In just a few months, I gained a wealth of knowledge and skills that reached beyond the craft itself, offering invaluable self-discovery. Collaborating with inspiring mentors and fellow writers was an extraordinary privilege, fueling my gratitude for the experiences and personal growth I encountered throughout this educational journey.  

From the very first week, I had a strong sense that I was embarking on a program which would not only pivot my acting skills, but would positively transform who I am. I discovered that I have a great power within to push past my fears, to become vulnerable, and to trust God and myself on a deeper level. My appreciation goes out to the organizers of this program, and in a truly special way, my heart is full of gratitude to all our teachers! They each brought their unique approach to acting, which collectively, has given me a wealth of knowledge to excel. Lastly, I thank God for the wonderful actors in this program. We were truly blessed to have bonded in such a loving and respectful way! This program reinforced my love of Acting. What an honor to bring the beauty of humanity to life!  

I was more challenged in this program than I ever was in my filmmaking undergrad. To my disbelief, I successfully completed two feature-length scripts and developed writing habits that will stick with me throughout my career. I learned more in this class’s lecture series and weekly workshops than I ever did on my own. The workshops were small and the instructors and lecturers gave tailored and focused screenwriting advice. I love that UCLA Professional Program gave me a chance to take this class, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in a fun, practical, and skill-advancing course.  

UCLA was such a game-changer for me! While I was fortunate to act in the indie world, I always wanted to formally study acting so that I could take it to the next level but having gone to law school and practicing for a few years, I didn’t think it was feasible to enter UCLA! I finally have technique to go with the talent and am forever grateful to the program for the exposure to amazing decision-makers in the industry as well as the friendships forged. It has been life changing!  

UCLA’s Producing Program was truly eye-opening. With little knowledge of the inner workings of Hollywood, receiving a crash course in content production provided a perfect starting point. A traditional film and television professional, I found the video game production class incredibly interesting; the amount of storytelling and creative development that goes into the medium was fascinating. Hearing from various industry-wide experts gave me a solid glimpse into the daily process of creating path-breaking content. Would recommend this program to everyone interested in breaking into the film business!

Between the practical knowledge I received during lectures and the hands-on experience I gained in my workshop, I came out of the program not only as a more polished screenwriter but as a better storyteller in general. The Professional Program helped to strengthen my writing skills overall and hone in on my specific talents as a writer for the screen.

Coming from a micro-state, the Republic of San Marino, Europe, it was thrilling for me to be part of such a huge and prestigious institution like UCLA. One of my best memories is walking across campus to go to class. I truly enjoyed my time at UCLA, and tried to live the campus life as much as I could. I think that my program was extremely valid and comprehensive, and left me with knowledge, curiosity, and valuable material for my future career.

Applying for the Professional Program in Producing was one of the best decisions in my life. To my knowledge there is no existing program like it, providing such firsthand insight into the business of the entertainment industry. Day by day I learned from dedicated and experienced professionals about all aspects of the filmmaking process. I gained deeper knowledge in various fields of producing as well as my personal strengths. Thanks to the program, I am thrilled and confident to take the next steps toward my career goals.

As a professional in the Bollywood industry, my exposure to UCLA has been richly rewarding. The art, the technique and the methodology that I experienced in the Acting for the Camera program has widened my horizons in pursuit of improving my skills and performance. While I got the benefit of guidance and handholding by the in-house faulty, the guest lectures have added much to my understanding. Overall, the learning at UCLA TFT has been very productive and I recommend it as a must for every aspirant in the film industry.