The UGA MFA screenwriting program brings new vision to my life and career purpose. My voice is always honored and my writing is always nurtured. I have an amazing mentor who not only guides me to my optimal potential but Ramin Serry provides a wholistic perspective of the film and television industry to make sure I feel supported while on this professional journey.

The minute I arrive at Hotel Indigo for residency week I am reminded what elation feels like. Those seven days with the MFA Grady faculty, staff, and cohort is absolutely therapeutic and empowering for me. In all my academic years, I have never been more excited to learn, network, and create. I book my hotel months in advance looking forward to continue building lifelong relationships with the talented and passionate people associated with the MFA UGA Grady screenwriting program.

I am a professional actor, writer, and comedian who lives in North Carolina with my husband and two sons. I am rebuilding my career after being a stay-at-home mom for nine years. Financially, it has been a struggle for my family. There are other students who have immersed themselves in the film and television industry also to insure success with independent projects and networking. This creates financial struggles to attend residency week and screenwriting research.

People who know me know I will find an issue with something and make it my mission to solve it. When people ask me how I like the UGA MFA screenwriting program I list all of the reasons why this was one of the best decisions I ever made. My husband, mother, and friends all see how this program has healed me and kept me out of a shame spiral. I’ve never felt so comfortable to be authentically me. My close friends and family realize how beneficial this program is because I have nothing negative to say about it.

We are so much more than a writing program. We are literary innovators.

Rebecca Jackson-Artis is currently enrolled in the University of Georgia Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Narrative Media Wrting where she will graduate in 2018.