MA Serial Storytelling

The Master’s program »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, students analyze 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 program 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. For their major writing assignments, students have the opportunity to write either in English or in German, focusing on international or German series markets respectively.

 

This unique combination of local and international qualities, combined with a strong focus on collaboration skills and innovative strategies 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 formats

Hands-on Experience

• developing 4-5 series projects in different formats over four semesters (see project overview for moe details)
• 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, showrunners and executives such as James Manos (»Sopranos«, »Dexter«), Kath Lingenfelter (»Westworld«, »The Leftovers«), Lisa Albert (»Mad Men«), Jane Espenson (»Game of Thrones«, »Battlestar Gallactica«), Matthew Graham (»Life on Mars«), Frank Spotnitz (»X-Files«, »The Man in the High Castle«), Hagai Levi (»The Affair«, »In Treatment«), Dorte Høgh und Ida Rydén (»When the Dust Settles«), Annette Hess (»Ku’damm 56/59/63«), Oliver Kienle (»Bad Banks«), Jeppe Gjervig Gram (»Borgen«, »Follow the Money«), John Yorke (»Life on Mars« / »Into the Woods«), Morgan Gendel (»The 100«, »Drop Dead Diva«), Peter Nadermann (»The Killing«, »The Team«), Janna Nandzik (»About: Kate«), Keith Cunningham (»The Soul of Screenwriting«), Johnathan Young (HBO Europe), Jens Richter (Fremantle), and many more (see lecturers and guest speakers for more details)
• enjoying privileged networking and pitching opportunities, e.g. at international series festivals such as Seriencamp Munich, Série Series in Fontainebleau or Series Mania in Lille

Artistic Research and the Social Responsibility of the Storyteller

• exploring philosophical and ethical topics and expanding their knowledge of serial storytelling in academic as well as artistic research projects
• discussing 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
• transforming these findings into exciting, innovative, and relevant serial narratives.

Studying in Germany’s Buzzing Media Hub

• Cologne, a city with a 2000 year heritage, is a buzzing media hub. A third of Germany’s TV programs is produced in Cologne. Key TV and radio stations, numerous renowned film and TV production companies, and more than 70 print and digital publishing companies are based in the city, drawing a creative and artistic crowd. In addition, a large and still growing number of exciting international productions are made in Cologne and NRW.
• The ifs is located in the creative and media quarter Schanzenstraße in Cologne-Mülheim – next door to TV production companies, studio facilities, publishing houses, a radio station and the municipal theater.

Curriculum
By intertwining theory and practice – and in frequent exchange with the series industry – the MA Serial Storytelling sets out to combine screenwriting craft with collaborative story development techniques and artistic research with creative experimentation and socially relevant topics.

Here you can find the event directory and module handbook.

For a more detailed overview of the curriculum see degree structure.

Focus:
Screenwriting Craft, Collaborative Story Development for Series, Artistic Research

Duration:
2 years (4 semesters)

Degree:
Master of Arts (M.A.), 120 ECTS

Residency:
14 weeks in semesters 1-3,
6 weeks in semester 4

Target Group
Talented aspiring series writers with advanced team working skills, an interest in artistic research and experiment and at least one year of relevant work experience.

Group Size:
16 students
(max. 6 students in the German-language track, max. 10 students in the international track)

International and German-Language Tracks
For the majority of courses, the group of 16 students joins together. Thus, this program mostly takes place 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 write in English for international audiences, while students of the German-language track study and write in German with a focus on German-language series markets.

Workload
The MA Serial Storytelling is a full-time master’s program with 120 credit points over two years. In the first three semesters, attendance on campus is required for a period of 14 weeks per semester, with courses running five days a week from 10 am till 4 or 5 pm. In-between lecture periods there are extensive writing assignments. During the fourth semester, which is dedicated to writing the master’s project, there are approximately six weeks of obligatory attendance, including colloquia and presentations.

The MA Serial Storytelling is headed by Prof. Dr. Joachim Friedmann, a German screenwriter (»Der letzte Bulle / The Last Cop«, »Die Lindenstraße«), comic writer (»Donald Duck«, »Lais and Ben«), developer of online formats (»Paule«, »Die Schlaumäuse«), and media scholar (»Transmedia Storytelling: Narrative Design in Literature, Film, Graphic Novel and Game« / »Storytelling«).

Besides Prof. Friedmann and other core ifs-faculty, MA Serial Storytelling students work with acclaimed international guest speakers and scholars such as
James Manos (»Sopranos«, »Dexter«), Kath Lingenfelter (»Westworld«, »The Leftovers«), Lisa Albert (»Mad Men«), Jane Espenson (»Game of Thrones«, »Battlestar Gallactica«), Matthew Graham (»Life on Mars«), Frank Spotnitz (»X-Files«, »The Man in the High Castle«), Hagai Levi (»The Affair«, »In Treatment«), Dorte Høgh und Ida Rydén (»When the Dust Settles«), Annette Hess (»Ku’damm 56/59/63«), Oliver Kienle (»Bad Banks«), Jeppe Gjervig Gram (»Borgen«, »Follow the Money«) Morgan Gendel (»The 100«, »Drop Dead Diva«), Peter Nadermann (»The Killing«, »The Team«), Janna Nandzik (»About: Kate«), Johnathan Young (HBO Europe), Jens Richter (Fremantle), Nicola Lusuardi (»The Young Pope«, »Gomorrha«), John Yorke (»Life on Mars / Into the Woods«), Tatjana Samopjan (Fractal Volcano), Keith Cunningham (»The Soul of Screenwriting«), Prof. Dr. Janet McCabe (Birbek University London), Prof. Dr. Lisa Gotto (University of Vienna), Prof. Sylke Rene Meyer (Cal State University, LA), and many more.

For more detailed information on all lecturers please see overview.

For visual insights into a few of the MA Serial Storytelling’s highlights, please click on the Picture Galeries below.

Picture Gallery: Field Trips & Festivals

Picture Gallery: Classes & Case Studies

Picture Gallery: Project Work

Picture Gallery: Pitches & Networking

Alumni of the MA Serial Storytelling have gone on to work as screenwriters, staff writers and series creators, game writers, transmedia and VR-creators, script consultants and commissioning editors in various markets and for various platforms.

Alumni activities include frequent meetings at series festivals, mentoring programs, and advanced classes.

The Writers’ Guide of the classes 2015-2021 can be found here.

Class of 2015

David Gruber (Germany), Jude Akwetey (Ghana), Elina Gakou-Gomba (France), Mats Frey (Germany), Juliana Lima Dehne (Brazil/USA), Peter Furrer (Germany), Corinne Le Hong (Germany), Krisi Olivero (USA)  
For CVs, Projects and Contacts please see Class of 2015

Class of 2017

Yael Brunnert (Germany), Julian Brink (Germany), Javiera Risco (Chile), Eric Bitencourt (Brazil), Daniel Chaves Gomez (Costa Rica), Lilly Bogenberger (Germany), Nadine Schweigardt (Germany), Cedric Kieffer (Luxembourg) †…, Paula Bateman (Columbia), Ana Katchikian (Argentina), Fernando Alvarez (Columbia), Eric List (USA), Ugne Pikutyte (Lithuania), Marina Bendocchi-Alves (Brazil/Germany)
For CVs, Projects and Contacts please see Class of 2017

Class of 2019

Michel Kiwic (Schweiz), Natalie Thomas (USA), Michael Grießler (Österreich), Matija Dragojevic (Serbien), Motaz Matar (Vereinigte Arabische Emirate),
Helena Lucas (Deutschland), Marina Cardozo (Brasilien), Ljubica Lukovic (Serbien),  July Rodriguez (Colombia), Roma Raju (Indien)

For CVs, Projects and Contacts please see Class of 2019

What alumni & lecturers say about the MA Serial Storytelling:

Not a day goes by where I don’t access the tools I learned in the Serial Storytelling Program. I’m not exaggerating when I say that ifs completely prepared me for the real world by teaching writers room skills, television structure and dramaturgy, as well as providing top tier networking opportunities – basically all the essentials to make it in the industry. The school is absolutely the reason that I have the writing career that I do today.
Natalie Thomas, screenwriter, USA, (»How To Sell Drugs Online (Fast)«, Season 2 and 3)

 

I have to say the program is great. We all came out feeling confident in our series writing skills. We also truly learned to work in teams and leave our egos aside – and, as a work dynamic, that’s invaluable. Also in terms of outcome the MA Serial Storytelling is really, really good. The school makes you meet a lot of the major producers.  
Elina Gakou-Gomba, screenwriter, France (»SKAM France«, Season 8)

 

The ifs gave me a chance to explore all the incredible ways in which I can use my writing – from soaps to high end series, from comic books to theme park rides. Now I feel like I have all the tools I need to write that awesome show I always wanted to see on TV but nobody wanted to make (spoiler alert: my first series is about to debut in my home country)
Ljubica Luković, screenwriter, Serbia (»Kljun«)

 

The ifs and the ‘Serial Storytelling’ program helped me very much to get into the film business as a writer. Especially through all the networking opportunities, external lecturers, festival attendances and pitching sessions I made valuable contacts. The ifs will help you in every way they can to succeed in your career.
Helena Lucas, screenwriter, Germany

 

The insightful courses at the ifs and the people I got to know there still have a great influence on my work as a screenwriter today.
Peter Furrer, screenwriter, Germany (»How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)«, Season 3)

 

The tools and skills I learned in the MA Serial Storytelling definitely improved the way I work and are really in demand in the market right now. The connections the program provided us with have caused me to find work as a writer in Germany immediately after graduation, even though my German isn’t fluent. If it wasn’t for the MA Serial Storytelling, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.   
Marina Cardozo, screenwriter, Brazil

 

Even though the learning never stops, the MA Serial Storytelling has equipped me with the skills and experience necessary to launch me into a career as Serial Storyteller. The best thing about this program is that the support and network remains long after graduation.
Marina Bendocchi Alves, screenwriter, Germany

 

I have such fond memories of my two brief stints teaching workshops for you. The students were so fresh and open and game-for-anything – it was a pleasure working with them! And the place itself is so impressive: I remember seeing the prop department and the costume department and thinking what an incredible resource it is. I also remember that very scary elevator with no doors that you had to hurl yourself out of! that seemed like a metaphor for SOMEthing!

Lisa Albert, Author and Producer (»Mad Men«, »Halt and Catch Fire«, »UnReal«, »Paper Girls«)

My wife and I moved to Washington D.C. a couple of years ago from Los Angeles. Motivated to have a shorter trip to Europe. And a lot of that had to do with my ongoing afilliation with the international filmschool. I’ve taught at the MA Serial Storytelling department. I’ve mentored students from that program and I’ve led many workshops and seminars. Here is what keeps me coming back. Ifs is like a family. Not just to me. But as far as I can see to the students and staff and faculty as well. It’s more than a school. It’s a community. I’ve stayed in touch with many of my former students and I’m so pleased with how well they’re doing in the tv industry. I’m also impressed with how they look back so fondly at their time at ifs. It’s because you’re not only doing a great job with the academics. You care. A lot.

Morgan Gendel, Creator, Author and Producer (»Star Trek«,»Law & Order«, »The 100«, »Drop Dead Diva«)

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
Applicants need to provide proof of sufficient English language skills (B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. by a TOEFL score of 87 points (internet-based) or equivalent test results. Native English speakers are exempted from this requirement.

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 program. 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 Program (additional costs apply). In these cases, admission is pending until the missing proof has been provided.

Study fees 

EU Citizen:
Tuition fee per semester:       2,500 euros (including study funds)
Semester fee at TH Köln:       280.50 euros (including the ticket for local public transportation)
One-time registration fee:     400 euros

Non-EU Citizen: 
Tuition fee per semester:      3,500 euros (including study funds)
Semester fee at TH Köln:      280.50 euros (including the ticket for local public transportation)
One-time registration fee:    400 euros

Student Loans

For financial assistance to cover tuition fees and/or living expenses, students may apply from their first semester for an interest-free loan from the Student Education Fund, which is run by »The Friends of the ifs internationale filmschule köln Society«. Approval of the interest-free loans is based on the applicant’s financial situation and the funds available. Repayment of the loans begins six months after graduation/termination of studies.

Students are generally eligible for BAföG, the Federal Student Financial Aid Program, if this is their first study program. The responsible Federal Student Financial Aid Office decides upon applications for student state loans or grants. A prerequisite for the application is the enrollment at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, the ifs cooperation partner (tuition fee for the Winter Semester 2020/2021: 280,50 euros). This grant includes all the services of the University of Applied Sciences Cologne as well as the semester fee at TH Köln. Both German and foreign students are eligible applicants. International students must observe: BAföG § 8

Another way to finance your studies is to apply for a repayable loan. The collection of links in the following is not exhaustive and is only sorted in alphabetical order.

Education and/or Student Loans:

• Bildungsfonds
• Bundesverwaltungsamt
• Career Concept AG
• CHE
• DAKA – Darlehenskasse der Studentenwerke im Land NRW
• Deutsche Bildung
• Deutsche Kreditbank
• Erasmus+ Master degree loans 
• KfW Bank

Scholarships

»The Friends of the ifs internationale filmschule köln Society« offers scholarships for Master’s students, honoring outstanding academic achievement. Beginning in the summer semester of 2022, for the MA Serial Storytelling one tuition fee scholarship may be awarded for a period of three semesters.

Beyond the ifs, several German and international study foundations offer scholarships to support tuition fees and costs of living during studies.

The requirements for the award of a scholarship vary between individual foundations.

The DAAD offers a scholarship for Fine Art, Design, Visual Communication and Film, to which you can apply to before the start of the Master’ Program.
The DAAD also has a database on available scholarships for international students.

For an overview of scholarship funds for M.A. study programs see Financing and funding opportunities

To ensure that the education certificates and diplomas acquired abroad comply with the admission requirements of the ifs (higher education qualifications), applicants can consult the following database: http://anabin.kmk.org. If your degree does not fulfill the ifs admissions requirements but you have a recognizable talent and previous adequate experience, you may be invited to a separate admissions procedure to demonstrate your individual artistic aptitude.

To obtain a residence permit, international students have to demonstrate sufficient funds to secure their livelihood. The amount required is equivalent to the BaföG (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act for university students) maximum rate of € 861 per month.

Citizens of member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) – that is Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – as well as Switzerland have the same access to the labor market as German students and are permitted to work as much as they would like to without having to obtain prior approval of German authorities. Students are advised, however, not to work more than 20 hours a week to avoid social insurance charges.

International students from countries which are NOT member states of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland are normally permitted to work 120 full or 240 half days per year if they are in possession of a valid residence permit for Germany. Students who wish to work more days per year, are required to obtain approval from the immigration office and the German Federal Employment Agency.

What is the regular tuition fee per semester?

Fees for EU citizens
Tuition fee per semester:       2,500 euros including study fund
Semester fee at TH Köln:       280.50 euros (including the ticket for local public transportation)
One-time registration fee:     400 Euro

Fees for non-EU citizens
Tuition fee per semester:      3,500 euros including study fund
Semester fee at TH Köln:      280.50 euros (including the ticket for local public transportation)
One-time registration fee:    400 Euro

Are there any funding opportunities for the program?
To finance tuition fees and to support living expenses, students may apply to the »Friends of the ifs Society« for interest-free loans and scholarships.

Application for student loans is possible after acceptance to the program. The granting of loans is dependent on the economic situation of the applicant and the resources available. Repayment of the loans begins six months after graduation.

In addition, MA students may apply for scholarships honoring outstanding academic achievement. The regulations for these scholarships are currently being updated. You will find more information here soon.

I plan to apply for the DAAD-Scholarship. Can you send me a preliminary certificate of acceptance?
If you are applying for a DAAD Scholarship, which requires an acceptance letter to be submitted, we are not always able you to provide you with this document. The reason for this is that our admission process usually starts after the application deadline for the DAAD scholarships has ended.
However, we are able to issue a different certificate before the scholarship’s application deadline. This document does not include personal information of the applicant and is not a certificate of acceptance. Instead, it details the entry requirements for the MA and the general information of the program. In the past, DAAD has accepted this kind of certificate for other prospective students’ scholarship applications.

For more information on funding opportunities see “FEES & FINANCING”.

Do I need to take an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS etc.)?
Applicants need to provide proof of their English language skills at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. by a TOEFL score of 87 points (internet-based) or equivalent test results. Native English speakers are exempted from this, as well as applicants holding an English high-school diploma or an English academic degree In addition, all applicants have to demonstrate the appropriate level of English during the selection process (interviews and writing assignments).

Do I need to speak German?
Only if you apply for the German track.

Can I submit texts in my native language?
Tasks 1 – 3 of the application tasks must be answered in English. Applicants for the international track are requested to submit also tasks 4 – 6 in English. Candidates for the German track are requested to submit tasks 4 – 6 in German language.

Can non-EU students apply?
Non-EU students are welcome to apply for the MA Serial Storytelling.

Can I submit completed scripts or films in addition to the application documents?
Yes, you may also submit your finished scripts. But depending on the volume of material received, we cannot guarantee that the jurors will be able to read the additional scripts.

Can I apply if I hold a German »Magister« degree?
Yes, you can apply with a Bachelor’s degree or a graduate-level diploma, which includes the Magister.

Is it possible to apply without a bachelor’s degree?
To earn the Master’s degree, you are required to hold a bachelor’s or equivalent degree. Applicants with outstanding artistic qualification may be allowed to enroll in this program without previous academic experience. In this case, no Master’s title is awarded on completion of the program.

How much theoretical and practical screenwriting experience do I need?
A basic training in screenwriting and dramaturgy is required. This will be assessed in the selection process. If your skills are not yet at the adequate level, you may be required to enroll in the ifs »Summer School Screenwriting« (or a comparable top-level screenwriting program) before the start of the MA Serial Storytelling.

Do I have to come to Germany for an interview? When do the interviews take place?
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an entrance exam in the second week of February. The exams will consist of interviews and writing tasks. Each applicant must be available for approximately one day during this period. Because of the pandemic, all entrance exams will take place online (e.g. via Skype or Zoom) in 2021. 

Do I have to have my BA certificates certified? Do I have to submit a translation of my BA certificates?
Yes, you must submit a certified copy of your undergraduate degree certificates. If your certificates were issued in a language other than German or English, they must be translated into German or English, and the translation must also be certified.

Do I need to have work experience?
Yes. Applicants must have gained relevant practical experience in the field of media or writing for at least one year. If you do not have a full year of practical professional experience yet, but expect to have completed a year of experience by September 2021 (i.e. before the beginning of the study program), please indicate this in your application. If you are unsure whether or not the type of experience you have might be deemed relevant, please check with the Serial Storytelling dept. (screenwriting(at)filmschule.de).

Will I be able to work during my studies?
This decision is up to you, but please be aware of the fact that the MA Serial Storytelling is a full-time 120 credits Master’s program.

In the first three semesters, we expect attendance for a period of about 14 weeks per semester, with mandatory courses running five days a week from 10 am till 4 pm or 5pm (even longer during project phases, etc.). In-between lecture periods there will be extensive writing assignments. During the fourth semester, which is dedicated to writing the master’s project, students are required to be in Cologne for a period of approximately six weeks to attend the oral exams, preparatory sessions, and presentations. Here, too, a considerable amount of time will need to be dedicated to the writing process.

Do I have to enroll at the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences as well?
Yes, MA students at ifs are required to enroll at the TH Köln. This provides students with low-cost tickets for public transportation and the opportunity to use the TH Köln libraries, the services of the international office, student sporting facilities etc. The semester fee at the TH Köln amounts to approx. 280 euros.

How do I find accommodation in Cologne?
Students who are accepted to the program will be provided with a list of useful links.

What’s the cost of living in Cologne?
For an estimation of the average costs of living in Cologne please see here.

If you have questions regarding the »MA Serial Storytelling«, please contact:

Carolin Grosse Hellmann
Head of Serial Storytelling / Professional Training Screenwriting
T +49 (0) 221.920188-261
screenwriting(at)filmschule.de

Andreas Gässler
Assistance Serial Storytelling / Professional Training Screenwriting
T +49 (0) 221.920188-267
screenwriting(at)filmschule.de

Janina Jansen
Office of Student Affairs
T +49 (0) 221.920188-226
studierendenservice(at)filmschule.de