Screenwriting March 2014 Needs Assessment

Screenwriting March 2014 Needs Assessment Prepared by Danielle Pearson Date: March 3, 2014 Screenwriting 1

Scope Data compiled in this report covers San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and Los Angeles counties. Data were drawn from external sources, including the Employment Development Department s California Labor Market Information and the U.S. Department of Education s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), as well as Chaffey College s Colleague Administrative database. Data Sources and Calculations Educational Program Data TOP Code Program of Study 0601.00 Media and Communications, General The Taxonomy of Programs (TOP) is a standardized system used at the state level to classify programs and courses that are intended to achieve the same outcome at different colleges throughout the state. Media and Communications, General is under the TOP code 0601.00. CIP Code Program of Study 09.0102 Mass Communications/Media Studies The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is a standardized coding system used at the federal level to facilitate accurate tracking, assessment, and reporting of fields of study and program completion at educational institutions throughout the country. The CIP code for Mass Communications/Media Studies is 09.0102. Completions Data Degree and certificate data for all comparison schools were collected from the U.S. Department of Education s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). All comparison institutions included in this report are postsecondary and have provided data to IPEDS. IPEDS defines postsecondary education as a formal program designed primarily for students beyond high school age. These include academic, vocational, and continuing professional education, and exclude avocational and adult basic education programs. Occupational Data SOC Code Occupational Title 25-1122 Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 27-3022 Reporters and Correspondents 27-3041 Editors 27-3043 Writers and Authors The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories. The Mass Communications/Media Studies CIP code was mapped to the four SOC codes listed in the table above using the crosswalk described in the paragraph below. As the proposed certificate focuses specifically on screenwriting, SOC code 27-3043, Writers and Authors, will be the focus of this needs assessment. 2

Educational Program to Occupation Crosswalk The TOP-CIP-SOC Crosswalk (Employment Development Department, 2009) was used in this report to map TOP codes to CIP and SOC codes. This crosswalk allows the user to estimate labor market demand for California Community College program completers using SOC-based projections from the California Labor Market Information Division. Industry Data The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is used by federal statistical agencies to classify business establishments for the purpose of conducting and reporting research on the U.S. business economy. The Standard Occupation Classification codes are mapped to industry data by the California Labor Market Information Division. Industry information is used to observe trends across the industries that employ the occupations identified above. 3

Introduction and Contents Contents Background Information 5 Regional Job Outlook 6 Largest and Fastest Growing Industry Employers 8 Regional Graduation Summary 10 Sample Screenwriting Program 11 Enrollment and Completion in a Similar Program at Chaffey College 12 Purpose and Goals Chaffey College does not currently offer a Screenwriting program. The proposed Screenwriting Certificate program is intended to train students for career paths in the field of motion picture and television screenwriting. Screenwriting for motion picture, television, and new media prepares students to work in the story preparation and idea-development areas. Courses include the study of screenplay structure, characterization, theme, scene execution, and writing dialog. Courses assist students in developing communication skills, computer skills, problem-solving skills, and technical skills needed for employment in the motion picture and entertainment industries. The purpose of this report is to integrate and analyze data from multiple sources to determine labor market needs for the addition of a Screenwriting program at Chaffey College. The report describes the regional job outlook and compares it to the number of recent graduates at other regional institutions. Regional Definitions Inland Empire includes the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Los Angeles County includes the Los Angeles- Long Beach-Glendale Metro Division Orange County includes the Santa Ana- Anaheim-Irvine Metro Division Key Terms and Concepts Replacement Jobs: Replacement jobs refer to the number of job openings due to workers leaving an occupation. Annual Openings: Annual openings are calculated by adding the number of new jobs to the number of replacement jobs, divided by the number of years in the projection period. Projections: Projections of employment are calculated by the Employment Development Department and are based on a mathematical formula that includes historical employment and economic indicators along with national, state, and local trends. Occupation: Jobs are grouped into occupations using the federal Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. Industry: Occupations are grouped into industries using the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Wages: Hourly wages are reported in percentiles and averages. The 25 th percentile is a useful proxy of entry-level wages and the 75 th percentile of experienced-level wages. 4

Background Information Media and Communications, General General Media and Communications programs in California Community Colleges include combinations or overviews of the media arts and technologies categories included in this discipline. 1 The Writers and Authors occupational category provides employment opportunities for completers of General Media and Communications programs. The description of job duties is provided by the Occupational Information Network. 2 The Writers and Authors SOC 27-3043 includes the more specific occupational listing of 27-3043.02, Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers, under which the occupation of Screenwriting falls. Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers 2 Writers and Authors originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other materials. Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers create original written works, such as scripts, essays, prose, poetry or song lyrics, for publication or performance. Typical Tasks Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers. Choose subject matter and suitable form to express personal feelings and experiences or ideas, or to narrate stories or events. Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly. Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers. Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work. Write fiction or nonfiction prose such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays. Develop factors such as themes, plots, characterizations, psychological analyses, historical environments, action, and dialogue, to create material. Confer with clients, editors, publishers, or producers to discuss changes or revisions to written material. Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews. Write narrative, dramatic, lyric, or other types of poetry for publication. 1 California Community Colleges, Chancellor s Office, Taxonomy of Programs, Sixth Edition (Corrected Version). 2 O*Net Online: http://www.onetonline.org/find/ 5

Regional Job Outlook Projected Regional Job Outlook The table below displays 2010 employment estimates and 2020 projections for Writers and Authors. Writers and Authors jobs are expected to decrease slightly in the Inland Empire, remain fairly static in Orange County, and increase slightly in Los Angeles County. Total Estimated 2010 Jobs Total Projected 2020 Jobs Projected Growth (%) Ave. Annual New Job Openings Ave. Annual Replacement Job Openings Ave. Annual Total Job Openings Writers and Authors State of California 20,900 22,300 1,400 (6.7%) 140 550 690 Inland Empire 580 560-20 (-3.4%) -2 17 15 Los Angeles CO 11,400 12,160 760 (6.7%) 76 298 374 Orange CO 850 860 10 (1.2%) 1 22 23 Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Occupation Profile, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited March 3, 2014). Projected Regional Job Growth The graph below displays the projected growth of Writer and Author occupations from 2010 to 2020. Slight growth is expected across California and in Los Angeles. Jobs for Writers and Authors are expected to stay roughly the same in Orange County, but decline slightly in the Inland Empire. Writers and Authors 20 % Growth 10 0-10 -20 California Inland Empire Los Angeles County Orange County Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited March 3, 2014). 6

Regional Hourly Wages This table displays the first quarter 2013 hourly wage statistics for Writers and Authors. Wages in the Los Angeles area are the highest, even in comparison to the state as a whole. Wages in the Inland Empire are somewhat lower than in Orange and Los Angeles counties, ranging from approximately $16 to $41 per hour. Mean Hourly Rate 25 th Percentile Median Hourly Rate 75 th Percentile Writers and Authors State of California $47.61 $23.21 $35.21 $56.03 Inland Empire $36.85 $16.17 $22.20 $40.90 Los Angeles CO $58.25 $26.92 $44.97 -- Orange CO $38.03 $26.17 $34.30 $46.28 Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited March 3, 2014). 7

Largest and Fastest Growing Industry Employers Largest Industry Employers of Screenwriting Occupations The graph below displays the 2010 staffing patterns of the ten largest industries employing Writers and Authors across the state of California. As indicated below, Motion Picture and Video Industries employed the most Writers and Authors, followed by Newspaper, Book, & Directory Publishers and Independent Artists/Writers/Performers. 1,600 Writers and Authors 1,400 Number of Employees 1,200 1,000 800 600 400 200 0 Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Staffing Patterns, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp (visited March 3, 2014). 8

Change Over Time of the Largest Industry Employers of Screenwriting Occupations The graph below displays the growth patterns from 2010 to 2020 of the ten largest industries employing Writers and Authors in the state of California. The data indicate that job opportunities for Writers and Authors within Management and Technical Consulting Services are expecting the most growth. Growth is also expected among Motion Picture and Video Industries, Independent Artists/Writers/Performers, Advertising and Related Services, and Radio and Television Broadcasting. A reduction in jobs for Writers and Authors among Newspaper, Book, & Directory Publishers is expected. Writers and Authors 40% 33% 30% 20% 13% 14% 17% 20% Percent Change 10% 0% -10% 0% 0% 0% 0% -20% -30% -40% -29% Source: Labor Market Information Division, Employment Development Department, Staffing Patterns, on the Internet at: http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/iomatrix/staffing-patterns1.asp (visited March 3, 2014). 9

Regional Graduation Summary Education and Training Employers typically look for candidates with a Bachelor s degree. 3 Writers and Authors must have knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 4 They should also have knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods, including ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. They should also have knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture. Regional Completers in Mass Communication/Media Studies Programs The table below displays the number of program completers in the 2011-12 school year at regional institutions offering an Associate s Degree or certificate in Mass Communication/Media Studies Programs. Institution Name Award Level < 1 Year Certificate 1 to < 2 Year Associate s Degree Certificate 2 to < 4 Year Certificate College of the Desert -- -- 8 -- Fullerton College -- -- 5 -- Los Angeles Valley College -- 9 6 -- Moorpark College -- -- 2 -- Orange Coast College -- -- 49 -- Total -- 9 70 -- Note: -- indicates that this type of degree is not offered or no degrees or certificates were granted. Source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, on the Internet at: http://www.nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ 3 http://www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/ (visited March 3, 2014). 4 O*Net Online: http://www.onetonline.org/find/ (visited March 3, 2014). 10

Sample Screenwriting Program Screenwriting Program at Other Regional Institutions Los Angeles Valley College offers an Associate s Degree and a Certificate in Media Arts: Screenwriting Media and Communications. The table below illustrates the Los Angeles Valley College courses required to earn a Certificate in Media Arts: Screenwriting Media and Communications, as well as comparable Chaffey College courses. LAVC Course LAVC Course Description LAVC Class Units Comparable Chaffey Course Media Arts Core BRDCSTG 1 Fundamentals of Radio and Television Broadcasting 3 BRDCAST-3: Introduction to Electronic Media BRDCSTG 25 Radio/TV/Film Writing 3 CINEMA-22: Introduction to Media Writing* BRDCSTG 26 TV/Film Aesthetics 3 BRDCAST-74: High Definition Cinematography CINEMA 105 History of Motion Pictures 3 CINEMA-25: Survey of World Cinemas CINEMA 107 Understanding Motion Pictures 3 MEDIART 100 Introduction to Media Arts 3 ART-8: Contemporary Media, Art and Visual Language Screenwriting Option MEDIART 101 Introduction to Digital Film/Video Production 3 CINEMA-30: Cinema Production CINEMA 111 Developing Content for Movies/TV 3 MEDIART 130 Advanced Screenwriting 3 CINEMA-20: Screenwriting - Cinema MEDIART 129 Mythology, Spirituality & the Art of Story 3 ENGL-68: Mythology *Proposed course 11

Enrollment and Completion in a Similar Program at Chaffey College Description of Broadcasting and Cinema Chaffey College currently offers an Associate s Degree and a Certificate in Broadcasting and Cinema, which draws on much of the same knowledge as involved in Screenwriting. A description of the Broadcasting and Cinema Certificate in the 2013-14 Course Catalog reads: The Broadcasting and Cinema certificate program is for students to learn and apply the processes involved in the creative collaborative business of producing radio, motion picture, and television productions. Focus is on how to craft ideas into storytelling materials, put them together, and manage the process through completion. This certificate prepares students for various career opportunities in screenwriting, directing, producing, announcing, audio recording, cinematography, camera operation, and other vocations in the motion picture, radio, television, and broadcast industries. Aspects that are similar to the Screenwriting training currently in place at Los Angeles Valley College include various courses and seminars in broadcasting, production, cinema, and screenwriting. This program might be used as a model for the addition of a Screenwriting program at Chaffey College. Certificate and Enrollment Data for Broadcasting and Cinema Enrollment To estimate the annual student enrollment in a Screenwriting program at Chaffey College, the enrollments of students in related courses were identified. The table below depicts the number of students at Chaffey College enrolled in courses that might be required to earn a Certificate in Screenwriting. Course Course Description Fall Term 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 CINEMA 20 Screenwriting - Cinema 58 60 64 73 56 CINEMA 25 Survey of World Cinemas 323 151 204 220 341 BRDCAST 3 Introduction to Electronic Media 53 0 51 61 54 Note: Enrollment numbers reflect all students who either enrolled after the start date, enrolled prior to the start date, or dropped after the start date. Certificate Completion The annual student completers from the 2010-11 through the 2012-13 Academic Year in the Broadcasting and Cinema program at Chaffey College were also identified to estimate the number of completers that might be expected in a Screenwriting program. Award Type Academic Year Total 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Degree 2 4 4 10 Certificate 3 5 3 11 12