Recent content by DJ

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    How detrimental is it to not have a recent body of work?

    Sounds good. Someone "disliked" my first post, so I just wanted to come back and clarify what I meant so people didn't think I was being rude. I think taking the GRE could definitely help. Some require it (or they used to) and others don't, but I think all programs will at least look at your...
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    How detrimental is it to not have a recent body of work?

    And just FYI -- I didn't mean my post to come across as ultra-negative, just realistic. Just trying to give some insight from my own personal experiences having gone through this process before. What I meant was, if you don't have a portfolio or good grades, go out and create the portfolio...
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    How detrimental is it to not have a recent body of work?

    Just thought I'd chime in here with some thoughts. If your grades aren't great and you don't have a strong portfolio, it's probably going to be tough to get into one of the top programs. It's very competitive and every year more and more people apply, especially with Hollywood Reporter coming...
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    LMU vs Chapman Film School MFA

    There are actually a lot of notable alums: The Duffer Brothers, Justin Simien, John Swetnam (sells multiple specs a year), Ben York Jones & Michael Mohan (creators of Everything Sucks on Netflix), Carlos Lopez Estrada (directed Blindspotting), Kelly Galuska (writer on Bojack Horseman), Scott...
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    How to get Letters of Rec?

    You can probably use the same letters for all your applications. Some professors might also just say that they don't want to do it, not because they don't think they've got anything good to say, but they just might not feel like they know you enough. This isn't necessarily a bad thing because...
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    Thoughts on Chapman's Grad Directing program?

    Again, on paper, I've got to assume that all the students Dodge accepts are stellar. They only accept 100 or so (give or take) for all tracks, which usually equates to about 15-20 directors. Yes, there are slackers in all tracks, but I think you find that at any school studying toward any...
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    Thoughts on Chapman's Grad Directing program?

    I think film school overall is really as good as you make it. The teachers and peers at all the top film schools are supposed to be the cream of the crop, so by taking advantage of the facilities offered, professional advice, classes in different tracks to become as well-rounded as possible...
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    MFA Financing: Anyone have leads on what each school offers?

    Chapman offers up to $5k per semester as a "fellowship." You don't have to do anything extra to earn the money. (I know some schools require you to TA or something to earn the money. Chapman doesn't.) I was told they select about 30% of the incoming MFA candidates for these fellowships. I...
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    Admission to Competitive Producing Programs w/ GPA under 3.0?

    This is pretty much spot on. The top programs are looking for good storytellers, and having a lower GPA doesn't automatically make you a bad one. I think if your GPA is under 3.0, then you'll be required to take the GRE (some require it anyway). If that's the case, just do your best to crush...
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    Need advice. Chapman or AFI (Producing emphasis)

    Hi Carole, glad to hear my posts have been at least somewhat helpful in your decision. There actually weren't any international students in my year's producing track. I believe there were 15 of us. There were a number of international students in my year, but I never had any experience...
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    Interning as a grad student?

    There are tons of MFA students at the schools in and around LA and most programs, if not all, require at least one internship. Companies specify junior or senior year because they don't want freshman and sophomores applying. Trust me, all these companies want free work. People who claim not...
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    Working During Graduate School

    Since this thread was about working during graduate school, that's why I was addressing that. Personally, I don't think anyone should work during grad school. Someone who wants to become a pro screenwriter should be writing in all their free time. Someone attempting to become a producer...
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    Interning as a grad student?

    Yes, as long as you're in school, you can intern. You have to be earning school credit, otherwise it would be illegal for a company to have you work completely for free. There are internships everywhere. Figure out what you're most interested in: being an agent / manager, film sales...
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    Need advice. Chapman or AFI (Producing emphasis)

    I graduated from Chapman's MFA Producing track in 2012. I had a great experience there and have been a working producer since I graduated (actually since before I graduated). I've produced reality TV and several features. Chapman has a growing reputation, and is cheaper than AFI (at least...
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    2015 Fall Producing Master degree application

    Hey Haisu, I went through the producing program at Chapman and graduated in 2012. From my experience, they look mostly at recommendations and all the writing samples you have to submit. They want to know that you can analyze, pick out, and tell a good story. In one of my first producing...
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