Jonathon PehrsonMastery Journey Timeline

Creative Writing Master of Fine Arts Degree Program

My Goal:I chose to enroll in the Master’s Program because I have a relatively simple goal: I want to tell stories. I want to be able to speak to people like so many of my heroes have spoken to me. In order for me to do that, I have chosen to take advantage of every opportunity I have available. Not only do I want to tell stories, I want to tell stories in the best way imaginable. And the only acceptable way for me to get there: My Mastery Journey.

1. Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership

Goal: This class allows for all Master’s students to familiarize themselves with Full Sail’s programs, and gain an understanding of what it takes to succeed. Personally this class allowed me to understand what it really takes to become a Master, and honestly allowed me to understand that if I put my all into this I too can become a Master.

Strategies: “Mastery” by Robert Greene is required reading to understand the mastery journey. Learning about other masters’ journeys was the most inspiring thing about this course, and I look forward to researching more about other masters, especially those in my field. I also used this class to help prepare myself for the yearlong journey that lays ahead of me.

2. The Art of Visual Storytelling

Goal: The second course in my Mastery Journey is the first class that is related to my field: Creative Writing. My goal for this class is to understand the history of visual storytelling and to see where it is headed.Strategies: Analyzing scripts from past and present is the most crucial strategy for this course. I will also be visiting http://www.lynda.com/search?q=visual+storytelling for tutorials on visual storytelling.

3. Script Analysis and Criticism

Goal: The goal of this course is for students to learn the different types of scripts (film, television, games, etc.) and how each transfers to visual media. My goal for this course is better understand how to prepare my scripts for production.Strategies: I plan on utilizing this course in the sense of learning which questions to ask, because I feel I need help in better preparing my scripts for production. I will also watch the script writing videohttp://www.lynda.com/Flash-Professional-tutorials/Script-Writing-Fundamentals/11/8089-4.html

4. Character Creation and Development

Goal: Understanding the psychological foundation for characters and ensuring that they are well-rounded and three-dimensional. My personal goal for this class is to increase my understanding of character development and make my characters the strength of any of my stories.Strategies: I plan on utilizing the tools that are given to us within the class, as well as the Developing the Character video found at: http://www.lynda.com/Design-Color-tutorials/Developing-character/153984/157441-4.html

5. Episodic and Serial Writing

Goal: The goal of the Episodic and Serial Writing course is to gain a better understanding of television writing. My personal goal is to gain a great deal of progress when it comes to television writing, because I feel it is my worst area. Strategies: I think that the best strategy for this class is to completely engulf myself in the class, and also utilize every bit of help I can. There are many videos on Lynda.com when it comes to episodic writing, and I will be watching all of them.

6. Film ScreenwritingGoal: This course serves as a refresher to what students learned in the Bachelor’s Program, and it will introduce the concept of sequences to students. My personal goal is to further my understanding of script writing and polish my skills.Strategies: I will use my already-harnessed knowledge of screenwriting, plus the inclusion of the assets given to us throughout the class. There are also a cavalcade of videos dedicated to screenwriting on Lynda.com

7. Writing for GamesGoal: The goal for the Writing for Games course shows students how games are written and created from a storytelling view. This course also highlights comic and graphic novel writing, of which mastering is a personal goal.Strategies: I plan on immersing myself in the course by utilizing all of the course content. I also plan on looking more into the clubs that online students are eligible for at https://orgsync.com/50042/chapter

8. Storytelling and Storyboarding for Animation

Goal: This course will introduce students to storyboarding for many different types of animation and children’s programming. My personal goal for this class is to master the animated script, which is the main assignment for this month.Strategies: This course explains how to structure and create different animated worlds, and how the storytelling applies to different audiences.

9. Advanced Script Editing

Goal: This course focuses fully on the editing side of the creative writing world; an aspect that can be very resourceful for writers in our field. My personal goal is to gain a greater understanding of what producers and editing companies are looking for in editing.Strategies: The four stages of editing are highlighted in this course, and I think that is the strongest strategy that will be offered in this course. The Writing and Editing video I found at Lynda.com will be of great importance to me this month as well. http://www.lynda.com/Marketing-Lead-Generation-tutorials/Writing-editing/369044/386363-4.html

10. Creative Writing Portfolio I

Goal: This is when we get to decide which genre we would like our final thesis to be, and decide what distribution method we would like to follow. I think this course will be the kick-start for my career, and I plan on utilizing every ounce of content this course offers.Strategies: This course offers many different options and various strategies for the students to take advantage of. The “Pitch” process seems to be the most crucial piece of the course, as it allows the writer to experience a real-world distribution process.

11. Creative Writing Portfolio II

Goal: This course takes everything that was done in the previous course and gives it a second look. The student will re-evaluate all the work done on their script, and the instructor will revise and help prepare it for the pitch process upon graduation.Strategies: This course again provides help with guidance and help to prepare the script for real-world distribution, and how to present it to future employers.

12. Business of Creative Writing

Goals: This course will help cap off my Mastery Journey by teaching me about the business side of creative writing and the differences between in and other media genres. It will also help me prepare for distribution and preparing to gain a career in creative writing.Strategies: This course will provide all the necessary information to prepare for the professional world of creative writing. I plan on reaching out to all the professors I have at my disposal and utilizing the help found at https://orgsync.com/50443/chapter

Industry LeadersGeoff Johns: CCO of DC Entertainment and famed comic writer. Twitter: @GeoffJohnsDavid S. Goyer: Famed television and film screenwriter.Website:www.davidsgoyer.comMax Landis: famed screenwriter and directorTwitter: @Uptomyknees

Industry Leading Companies

MentorGeoff Johns began his journey as an apprentice under Richard Donner (the director of Superman) and eventually became his assistant. After learning from one of the biggest influences in the superhero entertainment, he began writing comics for Marvel Comics. Once he gained steam, he began at DC and never looked back. He has released many New York Times Best-Sellers, and is now the Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment.

Timeline

Beginning the Master’s Program Nov. 2015

Apply for Internships by the half-way point

Continue on the path to Mastery

Gain an understanding of which path I wish to pursue first

Complete my Mastery Journey in Nov. 2016

References:

Various articles from "New Skills. Improved Skills. Now." Lynda.com. Web. 21 Dec. 2015. "Geoff Johns." DC Comics. Web. 21 Dec. 2015.

"David S. Goyer." DavidSGoyer.com. Web. 21 Dec. 2015.

“Max Landis” Twitter.com Web. 21 Dec. 2015.

"WWE." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 21 Dec. 2015.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 21 Dec. 2015. "Warner Bros." Wookieepedia. Web. 21 Dec. 2015.

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 21 Dec. 2015.