Need some advice - every MFA program needs a creative portfolio but I don't have one

[GaryBhangu]

Here's my background, I'm 25 a recent graduate with a degree in Finance, I recently decided that I want to become a filmmaker. In regards to that, I have no creative portfolio, I have limited experience a complete beginner other than being on someone else's film set a few times. I have ideas on films to make and my end goal is to make my own features. I'm confused as to where to start, I'm thinking of getting a MFA in Film Production but don't know where. A problem that I've come across is that every MFA program needs a creative portfolio but I don't have one.

 

[Chris W]

I'm confused as to where to start, I'm thinking of getting a MFA in Film Production but don't know where. A problem that I've come across is that every MFA program needs a creative portfolio but I don't have one.

Filmmaking is really just storytelling. Your portfolio just needs to show your storytelling chops and instincts.

There are some programs where the portfolio can be a series of stills that tells a story which you can do on your smartphone. I think USC is one and there are probably others but I can't think of any off of the top of my head.

Check out our admissions department interviews for more tips and insights. Having no experience is a good thing sometimes. (No preconceived notions or ways of doing things) Our admissions stats you can see that an ok portion of people accepted to programs have little or no experience.

Admissions Dept. Interviews

FilmSchool.org interviews with film school admissions departments

www.filmschool.org

 

[cooljproductions06]

Here's my background, I'm 25 a recent graduate with a degree in Finance, I recently decided that I want to become a filmmaker. In regards to that, I have no creative portfolio, I have limited experience a complete beginner other than being on someone else's film set a few times. I have ideas on films to make and my end goal is to make my own features. I'm confused as to where to start, I'm thinking of getting a MFA in Film Production but don't know where. A problem that I've come across is that every MFA program needs a creative portfolio but I don't have one.

I had no creative portfolio prior to applying to multiple film schools and got accepted into three to include USC, NYU, & Chapman. These schools along with other film schools aren’t so big on your resume and portfolio while it does help and make you potentially a stronger candidate, it’s not an end all be all. They look for creative potential more than anything. Most require a short film showcasing your talent and potential as part of the application. Focus on creativity and telling a good story in this. You don’t need fancy equipment or great actors/actresses to do that. I shot my application film with my iPhone. Where you can make up where you lack in portfolio is in the writing prompts and your personal statement. Schools look for people with no background a lot of times when applying. I’m at Chapman right now as a directing grad student and a few of my cohort came from different backgrounds other than film.

 

[Chris W]

There are some programs where the portfolio can be a series of stills that tells a story which you can do on your smartphone.

From our USC interview:

How to get Into USC SCA: Advice from an Admissions Committee Member - Tips for the USC Film School Application

In your opinion, what are the most important things to focus on in an application to SCA? Is there any aspect that kind of weighs a little bit more than other components? Yes, there is. Your personal statement is the equalizer. If everything else is great and [the personal statement] is bad, it...

• Svaja Paka
• Mar 5, 2020

Jumping back to the visual sample: can you go into further detail on what you’re looking for there?

So they have two options. Basically, option one is turn in a five-minute video. Option number two is you turn in a series of eight photographs that tell a story– you put them together in a sequence along with a one-page narrative description.

So, again, you don't need to make a movie to get in. And, in fact, here's a little pro tip for you:

Typically speaking, like this year, I don't think I got a single person who elected to do the photograph option. For [the applications that I read], everybody was doing the video. But, typically speaking, I think it’s more likely that we will respond positively to the photo one. Here's why, for those applicants out there that want to know:

First of all, it'll set you apart a little bit, because most people don't do that. And we'll remember it a little bit more; we'll be excited to see that. Number two: it's harder. You have to tell a story in eight frames, whereas if you're telling it in five minutes, that's several thousand frames, right? So if you can go out and take eight photos and tell that story and we get it, great! You've risen to the challenge. And by the way, like I said, you get the writing with it so you can describe it. The third reason is this: we spend all day long watching great short films and we're teaching our students how to make them and we've made them and we've seen them on applications-- chances are good that when we watch your film, it's not going to blow us away. We're not expecting to be blown away, we're not expecting to be super impressed . . . We're mostly looking for potential, like I’ve said before. But the things that you're probably really proud of are things that were probably like . . . oh, you know . . . used to. When you go into that other realm, that's something that we don't spend as much time in and are more likely to get surprised by. And . . . and we kind of step back in terms of being the film critic that we have learned to be and just enjoy your art. So that is why I suggest people try to do that photo one, especially if they don't have a short film that they're confident in.