MFA Resources and Links
Columbia University Film Festival (CUFF)
ESL Copy Editor
The Film Program has initiated an ESL tutoring program, designed to assist MFA Film students from all concentrations with the preparation of script pages for delivery to classes. This service is open to students for whom English is a second language, and is intended to assist with issues including grammar, usage, syntax, punctuation, and colloquial expression, as well as writing in proper screenplay form. Priority is for first-year students working on short scripts in Screenwriting I, although second-year students are also welcome to apply.
How It Works: Students will deliver screenplay work of no more than 15 pages total. Pages must be delivered 5 (five) days before they are due in class. Students must specify for which class the pages are intended, with name of instructor and class day/time. Pages must be delivered in either Final Draft or Celtx. Pages that are not delivered in either of these screenwriting programs will not be accepted. You can send your pages for ESL Copy Editor review to: [email protected] (You must send from Lionmail to access this group).
Pages will be edited in order of delivery. There is no guarantee that submission of work means the pages will be edited. Tutors work a specific number of hours per week, and are not obligated to take on additional work beyond that. Students will be notified within 24 hours whether the work is accepted or not.
The ESL tutor will then edit the pages remotely and return them by email to the student within 5 (five) days. Students are to study the work done to their pages and apply the lessons to their writing going forward. A student may submit pages more than once, but priority will go to those students who have not yet benefited from this service.
If a student submits pages twice and cannot demonstrate that the suggested changes have been adequately incorporated into the writing, the tutor may opt to not make identical edits a second time, and return the work to the student.
The point of this service is to use the ESL tutor’s time with the pages as a learning tool to be carried forward into future screenplay deliveries.
If a student feels they need additional time or assistance, that student may request an in-person tutoring session, which may be scheduled at the discretion of the tutor, based on availability.
MFA Film Forms
Registrar Forms (Registration Adjustment, Application for Degree, etc.)