USC School of Cinematic Arts SCA MFA Film & TV Production Fall 2020

[rach_mason]

Just had my interview! The professor who interviewed me was (like mentioned above) very kind and easy to talk to. Aside from the expected, "Why do you want to go to graduate school?" the professor spent a great deal of time asking questions about my personal interests and passions. This made the conversation flow pretty nicely, considering that I got to talk about something I already love to talk about! My advice on interview prep: bullet point a couple thoughts/ talking points that you feel comfortable discussing, but to the best of your ability, stay calm and allow yourself the freedom to speak candidly! Good luck everyone!

 

[Chris W]

Just had my interview! The professor who interviewed me was (like mentioned above) very kind and easy to talk to. Aside from the expected, "Why do you want to go to graduate school?" the professor spent a great deal of time asking questions about my personal interests and passions. This made the conversation flow pretty nicely, considering that I got to talk about something I already love to talk about! My advice on interview prep: bullet point a couple thoughts/ talking points that you feel comfortable discussing, but to the best of your ability, stay calm and allow yourself the freedom to speak candidly! Good luck everyone!

Awesome! Be sure to update your application with how the interview went as well in the notes section.

 

[KelseyMcGee]

Wondering if this happened to anyone or anyone has experience with this! On Thursday I got a random phone call from a LA phone number. When I answered, it was a USC SCA professor!! He complemented me on my app and asked a few questions, he wanted to "put a voice to the application." Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[addik]

I think you may have just had an interview but this is the first time I've heard of a professor jumping right in to an interview without making a prior schedule?

 

[green-scarf]

I think you may have just had an interview but this is the first time I've heard of a professor jumping right in to an interview without making a prior schedule?

I believe this happened last year as well! I think it’s in last year’s thread

 

[charlottehuang]

I just had my interview few days ago too. Did the professor mentioned when the result comes out?

 

[addik]

I just had my interview few days ago too. Did the professor mentioned when the result comes out?

Mine mentioned the latest we could get them in April, but she did tell me that they're trying to make expedite the process so we might know them on March and Feb as well.

Last year, those who got accepted got their letters mid-Feb.

I believe this happened last year as well! I think it’s in last year’s thread

Oh cool! I was just reading the thread yesterday (trying to see how many of those interviewed got in/waitlisted), and I totally missed it!

 

[Chris W]

I just had my interview few days ago too. Did the professor mentioned when the result comes out?

Awesome! Be sure to add your application to the site with that info.

 

[OzymandiasVII]

Hi everyone. Will have my interview today as well. Professor's name is Pablo and he wrote in the email that he wants to talk for a few minutes about my app. I wonder what exactly he may ask? It's important for me to prepare somehow because I'm not a native speaker and unexpected questions may take me while to process actually. Never done English-language interviews by phone ever before

 

[truffleshuffle]

I'd say to just think about who you are, as in what drives you, what moves you, and what your 10-yr or 20-yr goals look like. What kinds of films and which filmmakers really affect you most... and also how you would handle some difficult situations in a collaboration. With the large amount of successful international students every year, I'm positive the "smoothness" of English or how quickly you deliver your responses will not be a factor at all.

 

[addik]

Was about to reply when I saw truffleshuffle's response!

Yeah, the way the faculty member approached our interview/conversation was pretty informal, so just be yourself! As for the questions, I used this page as a reference and tried to prepare answers to some of the questions there. Film School Interview Questions

I think most of the questions asked are what truffleshuffle said: What are your goals? What kinds of films do you watch? What films do you want to watch? (Mine was phrased differently, what stories do I like? What stories do I want to make? So, I was able to talk about video games too). What is your background in film? Questions on collaboration, how to pay for your education, and why USC of all schools.

Also as an international applicant who isn't a native speaker, don't be afraid to pause and clarify the question. I'm sure the interviewer will understand that English is not your first language so it might take some time for you to process your answers.

Good luck, you got this!

 

[OzymandiasVII]

I'd say to just think about who you are, as in what drives you, what moves you, and what your 10-yr or 20-yr goals look like. What kinds of films and which filmmakers really affect you most... and also how you would handle some difficult situations in a collaboration. With the large amount of successful international students every year, I'm positive the "smoothness" of English or how quickly you deliver your responses will not be a factor at all.

Happy to hear that. Thanks for the quick answers.

So, as I understood, not every applicant goes through this interviews. I wonder how exactly and why they choose some of us to speak on phone. I mean is this a good or rather a bad sign that you have this additional conversation?

 

[truffleshuffle]

Happy to hear that. Thanks for the quick answers.

So, as I understood, not every applicant goes through this interviews. I wonder how exactly and why they choose some of us to speak on phone. I mean is this a good or rather a bad sign that you have this additional conversation?

It's hard to say. It seems many admitted applicants do get interviewed eventually (even as late as March), but not all. It really comes down to the preference of the faculty reviewer who happens to get your portfolio, if they want to interview their candidates or not. But I don't see how it's possible that an interview is ever a bad sign in this scenario.

 

[addik]

To add to that, I don't think the faculty member interviewing you is actually the final deciding body. My interviewer explicitly said that they send their "notes" to a panel which would be the one to decide. So, it's really hard to say if it's a good sign or bad. That said, the interview is a chance for you to dazzle USC and to win them over.

I think most of the people who got interviewed, at the very least, had impressed the faculty member reviewing their dossier, which means an interview may be a good sign. But yes, it's hard to say exactly, because I think the reason why a professor chooses to interview an applicant is entirely dependent on the professor.

 

[OzymandiasVII]

Ok, so the key is to stay calm. It's just a talk on topics I like and I'm interested in after all. Thank you, guys

Has anyone shared their video samples? I wonder where I can watch some of the works that were sent as part of the portfolio. Did not find even a single one on the forum.

 

[truffleshuffle]

Search on YouTube with "USC admitted" and you should find a bunch.

 

[Chris W]

Ok, so the key is to stay calm. It's just a talk on topics I like and I'm interested in after all. Thank you, guys

Has anyone shared their video samples? I wonder where I can watch some of the works that were sent as part of the portfolio. Did not find even a single one on the forum.

A couple added them to their applications on this site.

Like this one:

USC - Production Fall 2020

First time applying

www.filmschool.org

 

[OzymandiasVII]

A couple added them to their applications on this site.

Like this one:

USC - Production Fall 2020

First time applying

www.filmschool.org

Will upgrade my acc to a "supporting member" and check this one. Thanks!

 

[Chris W]

A couple added them to their applications on this site.

Like this one:

USC - Production Fall 2020

First time applying

www.filmschool.org

This portfolio film is also AWESOME. Really well done @Lily Yang .

USC - 2020 MFA Production - Directing

first time applying

www.filmschool.org

 

[lotsofquestions]

Hey everyone! I'm new here, and in looking through the thread, it appears that a lot of folks got a call from an interviewer from USC. First off, congrats that you're moving forward (hopefully) in the process! I was just wondering if those who didn't get a call or (god forbid) accidentally missed a possible call, will lose out on the chance to be admitted to the program? I apologize if this causes anxiety for any folks. II've just been feeling some myself, and was looking for some clarification on this. Thanks for your time, and I';m wishing you all the best of luck with your applications!