The Second City

Comedy Filmmaking

Academic Programs
  • Comedy Filmmaking

In collaboration with The Second City, DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts offers graduate and undergraduate programs in comedy filmmaking.

The master’s concentration in Comedy, housed within DePaul’s celebrated MFA Screenwriting program, is the first terminal degree of its kind in the world, while the BFA in Film and Television with a Comedy Filmmaking concentration is the most comprehensive undergraduate degree in Comedy Filmmaking in the country. Students take classes at both The Second City and DePaul University.

These innovative programs enable students to develop their own comedy voice and original material through a methodology honed over decades by The Second City. Upon completion of either degree, students will have a rich portfolio of original scripts and films to prepare them for a career in the industry following graduation.

Comedy Filmmaking Programs

Faculty

Work side-by-side with accomplished faculty who've shaped the industry.

View All School of Cinematic Arts Faculty
DePaul CDM Faculty Christopher Parrish
Chris Parrish
Professional Lecturer
Chris is a screenwriter whose television credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The King of Queens, and American Dragon. His feature film, Thrill Ride, was released nationally in 2017.
DePaul CDM Faculty Anna Hozian
Anna Hozian
Associate Professor
Anna’s scripts have been chosen for Meryl Streep’s New York Women in Film and Television Writer’s Lab, placed in the semifinals and quarterfinals of the Academy’s Nicholl Fellowship, and won Gold in the Page International Screenwriting Awards.
DePaul CDM Faculty Jeff Griggs
Jeff Griggs
Adjunct
Jeff Griggs is the Director-At-Large for Second City Theater and author of the book "Guru: My Days with Del Close." He is also the director for the Second City National Touring Company and a faculty member in the training centers for Second City and IO Theater.
DePaul CDM Faculty Brad Riddell
Brad Riddell
Professor
Brad is a professional screenwriter and Writers Guild of America member whose film credits include Crooked Arrows, Road Trip II, Slap Shot: The Junior League, and American Pie: Band Camp.
DePaul CDM Faculty Dionna Griffin
Dionna Griffin
Adjunct 
Dionna is a writer, producer and Director of Talent Diversity and Development for The Second City U.S. and Canada. A Second City Detroit alumnus with 18+ years of experience as a performer, producer and facilitator, she has taught 200+ workshops in various settings.
DePaul CDM Faculty Scott Myers
Scott Myers
Associate Professor
Scott has written over 30 movie and TV projects, including K-9 (Universal), Alaska (Sony/Castle Rock), and Trojan War (Warner Brothers). He currently hosts GoIntotheStory.com, the official screenwriting blog of The Black List.