AFI 2012

[alidir08]

Hey whats up guys and girls I am applying to AFI for directing and it's the only school that I am applying to and I am so pumped and ready for the long process! I plan on sending out my application by the first week of November waiting on my LOR's.

What discipline are you guys submitting to?

 

[Gustavo Lucciola]

I'm applying for directing as well, but i still haven't sent anything.
I'm finishing a tv pilot here and I want to send it.

 

[alidir08]

Nice man I wish you the best of luck! I am sending out my application on Tuesday I just have to put the finishing touches on my narrative statement.

 

[monkeysontoast]

Hey!

Mailed my application about a week ago (was waiting on my last LOR). I applied for Editing. =)

Where are the rest of the AFI 2012 hopefuls?

 

[Mtfield]

Just thought I'd jump into the conversation as well. I'm based in Chicago, but I decided in the middle of november to make the jump towards my MFA and only applied to AFI for directing. Now starting to make plans for my move to LA (regardless of the outcome) and settling in for the long wait...

 

[DocumentaryTube]

Here's hoping you can get in. I hear this college is pretty tough to get in, but if you're good at what you do I bet you'll get in. Good luck! And tell us if you get in. I want to hear how it's like there.

 

[Michael Rose]

Does everyone want to direct? Don't some want to produce?

 

[Aglick]

Anyone receive their post cards yet?

 

[Jerry Bruckheimer Fan]

Hey guys, I'm a 1st year fellow at AFI. Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer them.

 

[Willi]

Originally posted by Michael Rose:
Does everyone want to direct? Don't some want to produce?

I originally wanted to produce but found out it is not for me.
Question for Jerry- I cam op when I direct(mostly handheld and Steadicam). Is this acceptable at AFI or do they want you to focus exclusively on directing?

 

[Jerry Bruckheimer Fan]

Willi, if you're directing, you need to be at video village and looking through the monitor. There is a camera department to handle camera-related tasks.

 

[Willi]

I see the exact same thing on my Steadicam monitor that I will see in the video village.
I find I get my shots in 1-2 takes when I cam op myself. Not the case when there is an operator I have to explain things to.

 

[Willi]

And my 1st AC takes care of everything. Between takes I am working with the actors. The only time the camera is in my hand is when I am shooting.

 

[Mike_V]

Willi, the fact is, if you're the director, you should be focusing on the actors not camera opping.
It does not matter if you are brilliant at camera opping because if you're not doing your job as a director and trying to get the best performance out of your actors, you're not directing.

There's a reason there's a camera team. Let them do their job and you do your part as the director. Trust me, a director who is focused on the acting will get much better results than a director who is cam opping AND focusing on the actors.

 

[Willi]

Sorry my fault for letting it get to "this is how I work."

I was just wondering how directing cameramen are viewed at AFI.

 

[Mike_V]

there are plenty of people who want to cam op and direct at the same time, but if you think you can do both at the same time without sacrificing directing or cam opping, then go for it.

But the only thing I see from that is you're trying to do too much.
I've known directors who claim they will work with an editor and when principle shooting is done, they start editing behind the editor's back. As an editor, to see a director do this is completely unprofessional and pathetic. (ofcourse in this case, he was doing it behind my back). All I am saying is that if you want to go do your masters in directing, then make use of that money and focus on directing rather than cam opping.

 

[alidir08]

@Jerry Bruckheimer Fan: I only applied to AFI for Directing. I graduated from the Los Angeles Film School with a 3.37 GPA. As for my directing work I have Directed an independent Feature Film "Addicts" that features Michael Kenneth Williams from HBO's "The Wire" and "Boardwalk Empire". I also directed a short film that got into this years past 64th Cannes Film Fest.

I had two strong LOR's, my GPA is strong with a concentration in Film making, for my directing samples, I sent in footage from both of my films. But like anyone I am still nervous about weather or not I will get an interview or get accepted. What was your application looking like when you applied?

http://pro.imdb.com/name/nm3068369/: MY IMDB page

http://vimeo.com/user4078881 MY VIMEO PAGE

 

[Jerry Bruckheimer Fan]

Alidir08: Don't worry about comparing yourself to anyone else, which is what I think your question is really trying to get at. If you get invited for one, just be yourself. The purpose of the interview is for them to get to know you beyond (or at least in more detail) what you've already submitted. Just let them know what kind of stories you want to tell and why you are so passionate about telling them. They want a class that is diverse in life experiences, artistic taste, and creative approaches to telling a story. Let them know what makes you unique, rather than trying to convince them why you think you're better at certain criteria than others. I guess that's all the advice I give about that.

 

[@RyanLosh]

I have Applied for Editing , I have been recently graduated form the film school with the 2.75 GPA ,
So guys is their any hope , btw i have already send the application still am very nervous.

 

[Jerry Bruckheimer Fan]

I've noticed that GPA is brought up quite a bit. All I can say is, your GPA is not too relevant for AFI admissions. They care more about your portfolio of work which demonstrates talent/creativity and potential, along with your narrative statement.