Screenwriters make a mark on society with their complex storytelling through visual media. At Emerson, our graduate students in the Writing for Film and Television MFA program work tirelessly to make their words jump off the page. Read along as we interview two Writing for Film and Television students to learn more about their time at Emerson, their writing process, and their advice for aspiring screenwriters.
Meet Katherine Begeron: Katherine, a local Bostonian, will graduate from the Writing for Film and Television MFA program at the end of the 2025 spring semester.
Meet Kadin Smith: Kadin is a second-year MFA student in the Writing for Film and Television program, graduating this May. He is from Bridgeport, Connecticut but currently resides in the Washington D.C./Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area.
What drew you to the world of screenwriting, and how did that lead you to pursue an MFA at Emerson?
Katherine: “I wanted to be a storyteller from a young age—I would read aloud Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark to my friends to make them scream, and later I got into making up such stories myself. Trying to learn a more technical way of storytelling, I got my BA in Film at Emerson. But I realize my strength is still the written word. I will say, writing for the screen is a different sort of challenge than for fiction—your descriptions get a lot shorter!”
Kadin: “What led me to screenwriting was a bit of trial and error during undergrad at Howard University, where I received my BA in Media, Journalism and Film Communication. My studies included exploring most areas of television and film production including cinematography, editing, and audio. But I felt that I didn’t really find my niche and it led me to a bit of an epiphany. I reminisced on my love for writing little stories for my English classes. Whether it was short stories or little plays, I enjoyed it. And since there weren’t any available advanced scriptwriting and producing classes in my department, [in undergrad] I would thrive in my playwriting minor program in the Theatre Arts Department, where I attribute the improvement of my writing. Hungry to further my writing skills, I was set on pursuing a MFA.
“What led me to Emerson was a bit of a full circle moment. Emerson came to my school’s career fair during my sophomore and junior year [of undergrad]. Curious about MFA programs, I instantly liked the close-knit environment and resources that Emerson had for their MFA students. Once application decisions came back, I received admission to some of the other top screenwriting MFA programs. However, due to the costs being exuberant, I felt that Emerson was the best choice for me, especially with the low-residency component.”
Can you share a bit about your writing process and how it has evolved since joining the program?
Katherine: “I write a lot faster, and I’m better at presenting material that’s ‘not ready’ by my own (insane) standards. Done is better than perfect, perfection holds a lot of artists back. Often what an artist sees as ‘wrong’ with their work isn’t even a problem!”
Kadin: “My writing process is a bit unhealthy; I feel I work best at night under the pressure of deadlines. But when I’m not stressing over a deadline, I typically get an idea in my head randomly. I’ll write it in my notes app where I keep every little idea that comes into my head—whether it’s a certain line, a scene, a whole synopsis, or just a song that I think could work for a scene. I still use this strategy! However, since joining the program, I feel that my outlining and formatting skills have blossomed immensely, as my professors have equipped me with the resources to develop my ideas further.“
How has the collaborative environment at Emerson shaped your growth as a screenwriter?
Katherine: “Your writing gets 1000% better working with other writers. If you are hung up on your own work, having a sounding board helps. Your classmates want you to succeed!”
Kadin: “Going into screenwriting, I initially saw it as a solitary craft that aligned with my introverted and autonomous nature—spending hours alone immersed in my scripts. However, my cohort at Emerson has been an invaluable part of my journey, transforming that perception. From our first residency to now, I’ve witnessed incredible growth in our writing throughout our matriculation, which included many workshops and table reads. Engaging with such talented and unique writers has pushed me to step outside my own perspective and refine my projects in ways I couldn’t have alone. What makes this collaborative environment truly special is our deep understanding of each other’s styles. This allows us to provide feedback that strengthens our individual visions, rather than compromising them.”
Can you tell us about a project you’re currently working on or have recently completed?
Katherine: “It’s considered bad luck to share a budding project, but I will say I’m happy with a noir script I finished this past semester.”
Kadin: “I recently completed my first feature script, Damned to Do, last semester! It’s a historical drama that centers on a Black man in South Carolina who embarks on a perilous journey to fulfill his dreams of opening a jazz club in New York, during the Harlem Renaissance.
“I am currently working on my thesis script, Breathe Again. It’s a romantic comedy about two queer career-minded Black men trying to find love in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
If you could collaborate with any screenwriter, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Katherine: “I’d love to work with Guillermo del Toro! He works in the spaces between genres (sci-fi, fantasy, horror,etc.) in a way that I adore.”
Kadin: “I would love to collaborate with Issa Rae! As a total Insecure stan, I admire Issa’s growth from Awkward Black Girl to now, maintaining a distinct voice that encapsulates the complexities of young Black adulthood, which I can relate to. I also love how she has maintained autonomy in her work through her production company, Hoorae, and her other business ventures. Her first feature-producing credit, One Of Them Days, just came out and I loved it! Her ability to produce, show run, and act, in addition to writing, are skills I want to tap into as a writer.”
What advice would you give to aspiring screenwriters who are considering pursuing an MFA?
Katherine: “Make sure you are ready for the commitment to reading/writing a lot! Be ready to fall in and out of love with writing during the program.”
Kadin: “To get that degree! As writers, you should always strive to continue learning and growing your craft. An MFA program (preferably at Emerson) is the perfect incubator to elevate your portfolio and expand your perspective as a writer.
“There tends to be quite a bit of apprehension (I blame you, Reddit) regarding the value of MFAs in the screenwriting world, especially with finding work and breaking into the industry. This stigma is shared across the humanities and arts, which speaks to the rise in anti-intellectualism in our society which puts work and wages over learning.
“As such, it is imperative that you approach an MFA as an opportunity to grow your knowledge and network as a writer, and an investment in your journey as a writer rather than instant gratification. As honorary auntie Jenifer Lewis said: ‘The elevator to success is broken, take the stairs.’”
How do you see your work contributing to the future of film and television?
Katherine: “Hopefully I’m here to open the doors for film/television to get a lot weirder.”
Kadin: “My passion for storytelling remains rooted in capturing the beauty and complexities of Black lives in their full humanity. I aim to become a leading force in the entertainment industry by creating narratives that inspire, challenge, and foster meaningful cultural dialogue.
“Through television and film, I want to chronicle Black queer experiences across different decades—whether modern-day or historical. My goal is to tell stories expanding the scope of Black and queer narratives beyond the confines of trauma. By challenging stereotypes and fostering understanding, I hope to carve out a space where marginalized voices are uplifted in mainstream media.”
Thank you to Katherine and Kadin for their incredibly thoughtful insight into the life of a Writing for Film and Television MFA student! Screenwriters have the power to change the world, and at Emerson, passionate faculty and courses with hands-on experience put students on the path toward success. Interested in learning more? Read more about the Writing for Film and Television MFA here.
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