Story is at the heart of our mission as a Catholic school. Stories have an incredible power in opening us to a new way of perceiving reality and in helping us understand important truths with more clarity. To fulfill our mission to Impact Culture for Christ, we teach you to create compelling mainstream movies that can reach wide audiences and bring them closer to truth, beauty, and goodness.
You'll have an outstanding real-world education in the art and business of screenwriting, where you'll create a TV script and get personal mentorship in polishing, pitching, and selling it. The head of the screenwriting program, Chris Riley, managed the script department at Warner Brothers and wrote The Hollywood standard, which is used at most film schools as the authoritative source for screenplay format and style.
Grow in faith and understanding with a rich sequence of coursework in Scripture, Theology, and Philosophy.
Prepare yourself for the industry with foundational skills in marketing, management, and entrepreneurial thinking.
Study the human condition by actively engaging in an exploration of art, literature, culture, politics, economics, and more
Our campus is a place where students can grow both professionally and spiritually. We’re a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Immerse yourself in an abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, including Daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, Retreats, and Service Projects.
Learn MoreOur campus is a place where students can grow both professionally and spiritually. We’re a unique community of artists and innovators, centered around our faith in Jesus Christ and the beauty of the Catholic faith. Immerse yourself in an abundance of opportunities for spiritual growth, including Daily Mass, Confession, Adoration, Rosary, Retreats, and Service Projects.
Learn MoreIn our Film programs, you’ll hone the critical skills you will need to flourish in your career as a director, cinematographer, writer, editor, or other media professional. Our hands-on curriculum focuses on creativity and action, bringing your ideas to life with excellence in every aspect of production. You’ll start creating projects in your freshman year, giving you abundant opportunities to develop your craft.
SEE STUDENT SHOWCASEOur creative arts programs emphasize hands-on experience when it comes to learning your craft— that’s why we give you access to cutting-edge equipment and software starting your freshman year. You’ll have access to all the tools you need to make your vision a reality, including a Motion Capture suit, Wacom tablets, a Drawing Studio, and a professionally equipped Media Lab.
See equipment & facilitiesBring together everything you’ve learned with a capstone project over your entire senior year. Take your production values to the next level by raising money, hiring actors, and collaborating with your talented peers. Whether you choose a short film, TV pilot, web series, or documentary, you’ll graduate with a high quality project to submit to festivals and use as a calling card in the industry.
LEARN MOREAs upperclassmen, film students have the opportunity to live in Burbank for a quarter, located right up the street from the Warner Bros. studio lot. These 8 weeks open up a host of new opportunities for internships, networking, and experiencing life in the entertainment capital of the world.
Learn MoreWith a total student body under 300, JPCatholic offers a warm, tight-knit campus community. Foster lifelong friendships, form creative partnerships, and surround yourself with a supportive environment that encourages your growth in both virtue and artistic excellence.
See Student LifeWith a total student body under 300, JPCatholic offers a warm, tight-knit campus community. Foster lifelong friendships, form creative partnerships, and surround yourself with a supportive environment that encourages your growth in both virtue and artistic excellence.
See Student LifeOur unique academic model prepares students for the real-world pace of professional life in the industry, with a focus on hands-on projects, internships, and portfolio preparation. The program is structured on a year-round quarter system, and you graduate with your Bachelors Degree in just 12 quarters. Each quarter is 10 weeks long, with about 3 weeks of break between each quarter.
Learn MoreJPCatholic alumni have found success in a variety of paths, ranging from Hollywood to independent media organizations, and from large corporations to nonprofits to their own entrepreneurial start-ups. View our placement rate and alumni jobs by clicking below.
Learn MoreJPCatholic alumni have found success in a variety of paths, ranging from Hollywood to independent media organizations, and from large corporations to nonprofits to their own entrepreneurial start-ups. View our placement rate and alumni jobs by clicking below.
Learn MoreJohn Paul the Great Catholic University is centered in north county San Diego, just a 35-minute drive from downtown in America's Finest City. Southern California is famous for its fantastic weather, beautiful beaches and mountains, and bustling metropolitan areas. Our campus is just 15 miles from the beach, a short trip by car or train. And with Los Angeles and Hollywood within striking distance, students have even more opportunities for internships and networking.
Learn MoreFilm Programs: Screenwriting
Adapting a Dollar Baby Short Story: Behind the Scenes of "Gray Matters"
Joshua David MG: Writing to Express Yourself | Why We Create
Chris Riley | Faculty Insights
Professor Nathan Scoggins: Why do stories impact us? | Crash Course in Storytelling
Translating Visual Style from Script to Screen: Behind the Scenes with Merrick Carlyle Has a Problem
JPCatholic’s professors have a wealth of experience, and many still actively work in the industry.
Chris Riley
Professor of Story
George Simon
Professor of Film Production
Vernon Mortensen
Professor of Film Producing & Distribution
Colin Brady
Adjunct Professor of Animation
Nathan Scoggins
Professor of Film
Bill Marsilii
Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting
Tom Dunn
Professor of Film Production
Sheryl Anderson
Adjunct Professor of Screenwriting
Shun Lee Fong
Adjunct Professor of Media Law
Nate Sjogren
Adjunct Professor of Cinematic Visual Effects
Paul Rugg
Adjunct Professor of Comedy Writing