Hi! I'm new to this site. 
I really wish I had found this forum sooner, because I've found a lot of great information on here already!
I did my BA at the University of Chicago a few years ago in Art History and Cinema & Media Studies, but unfortunately didn't get any production experience because I was focused on museum work at the time. My thesis (on Murnau's Nosferatu!) discussed the intersection between the two disciplines, but I'm not sure that's going to be of much help for MFA programs. This year I'm applying for MFA programs in film production (my primary interests are directing and editing), and I think I've crafted a fairly strong personal statement. However, I really don't have a portfolio aside from what I'm scrambling to put together based on application prompts. I know that this is going to be the main thing holding me back, but I'm curious what kind of experiences you all have had. For schools with video and photo options, would it be better to submit photos if I don't have a strong video? For video optional schools, would it be better not to submit anything at all if I'm not extremely confident in the visual materials I have? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Also, what are your thoughts on attending less well-known schools rather than waiting for the next application cycle? I'm feeling a lot like I want to get the ball rolling career-wise, and it seems like maybe it would be better to just start getting experience and training right away rather than waiting around another year (or longer). Help!
By the way, if anyone would like to swap essays, short stories, screenplays, etc., I would love to get some feedback!
I really wish I had found this forum sooner, because I've found a lot of great information on here already!I did my BA at the University of Chicago a few years ago in Art History and Cinema & Media Studies, but unfortunately didn't get any production experience because I was focused on museum work at the time. My thesis (on Murnau's Nosferatu!) discussed the intersection between the two disciplines, but I'm not sure that's going to be of much help for MFA programs. This year I'm applying for MFA programs in film production (my primary interests are directing and editing), and I think I've crafted a fairly strong personal statement. However, I really don't have a portfolio aside from what I'm scrambling to put together based on application prompts. I know that this is going to be the main thing holding me back, but I'm curious what kind of experiences you all have had. For schools with video and photo options, would it be better to submit photos if I don't have a strong video? For video optional schools, would it be better not to submit anything at all if I'm not extremely confident in the visual materials I have? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Also, what are your thoughts on attending less well-known schools rather than waiting for the next application cycle? I'm feeling a lot like I want to get the ball rolling career-wise, and it seems like maybe it would be better to just start getting experience and training right away rather than waiting around another year (or longer). Help!
By the way, if anyone would like to swap essays, short stories, screenplays, etc., I would love to get some feedback!
