Latest questions

How about now after a whole year? How are the connections plus the production side of the sets?

Does anyone know the acceptance rate for the MFA in PFV and/or the Film Directing programs? Im thinking of applying for 2026

Hey there!

I'm considering applying for 2026 class, and was wondering about the 120pg guideline, is it expected we hit 120pages for the full length play? Or is it wise to go off an idea of 90-120?

Much love from Australia!

it's wise to write a good story and to hit the minimum page count, after that it's all about the quality of your writing

That is so fair, thank you!

hi, I am a returning student to Uc Berkeley and I am really committed to being a film major when I do return. I think all I really wanna know I think all I really wanna know is why do you value that more than what you might’ve gone in a different school that focuses on production? And how many opportunities have you had to create your own films because of the resources and connections at Berkeley.

I applied for USC Peter Stark Producing Program- its my dream degree. I haven't applied to other schools, missed the date for Columbia. (Most programs need a script and just not quite there in my writing journey)
I did apply for Cinematic Studies at USC - just got rejected.

I haven't heard anything for the Peter Stark Program, but seems like some people have heard/ even had interviews. Is it possible they reach out later? fingers crossed.

if there are any alums on here or admitted students, I'd love to hear from you- get some advice perhaps. I'm an Australian Indian girl in Sydney with a background in Fashion, business & hospitality.

Does anyone know the number of people they usually interview vs accept for cinematography?

Usually they interview ~100 people in each discipline and narrow that down to 24-25 people for admission with a few alternates because usually a few people end up not attending but they try to have the same amount of people in writing, producing, directing, and cinematography because of how teaming works.

That info is on the acceptance data page for AFI cinematography.

I applied for cinematography- I got my interview notification yesterday. Is there an advantage to being notified in the first wave?

No. When I was going through this process last year I was definitely worried about this because I heard back in the second wave for writing, but there were people from the first wave who didn’t get in or were waitlisted and I got in.

It really comes down to the holistic view of applicants. They want diverse and unique fellows who will compliment each other since the first year is spent on cycle and the program is so small.

I do have a question-- I know the program is totally all-consuming and will take over your entire life, but- and this may seem an odd question- what about pets? Are there students who have pets? I guess what I mean is, can one be in the program and also maintain the life of another being who lives at their home?

What a great question! There are definitely students with pets. I have 2 dogs but also am married so my spouse has definitely picked up the slack there and life generally.

I think it sort of depends on you and also your pets needs. The screenwriting program definitely gives the most room to be home because they have to bake in writing time. Producing on the other hand might be more challenging depending on pet needs.

If you’re only doing school (which I’d highly highly recommend) it’s about equal to a full time job with occasional weekends. So, if you think you could provide adequate pet care with that then it’s doable.

Very helpful! Thank you!!

@kingofsweaters

@kingofsweaters Do you have a sample of what a weekly schedule looks like for a producing student?

I can't find any independent reviews or insights about their MFA Film and TV programs online, does anyone on here have any idea about what the programs are like?

Hello! I am considering different MFAs to apply to and have come across Duke's Experimental Documentary Film Programme. Does anyone know how this compares to a programme like Chapman that seems to be less academic?

Would be great to hear any reflections from someone who has attended this programme!

I got waitlisted by UCB film major (undergrad). If I get off the waitlist, I'll definitely commit to UCB. So, how likely would I get off the waitlist? Did anybody know the probable waitlist acceptance rate for this major?

It's a little difficult to say. With Berkeley, if you get accepted/rejected/waitlisted and the major you applied to was in the College of Letters and Sciences, you're in that whole pool with other people in the college. I think it's a first-come, first-serve and I'm not sure exactly how much the actual program gets a say. I'd wait it out, people are still sending their responses on whether or not they accept their offers and I'm sure once the college gets an idea of how many admits there are, they'll see what kind of room they have in each program. I don't think it's actually very hard to get off the waitlist with the school but with the college's involvement, it may be different. Sorry if that's a confusing answer, but I have a feeling everything will work out and you'll be in soon!

hi, wanted to chat with people who are applying too and discuss the application process

I have heard that the class size is really small. So, do they offer financial assistance to most of the admitted students? Otherwise, the fees there are sky-high.

@Chris W

Hey @Chris W ! I don't think it's on the website but the University of Iowa actually offers 2 undergrad degrees from the Department of Cinematic Arts, a B.A. in Cinema and a B.A. in Screenwriting (the latter of which was added around 4 years ago). I would be happy to write a review for the screenwriting program whenever a page becomes available.

Bachelor of Arts in Cinema

Learn to make film and understand it in new ways in one of the country's pioneering university programs in cinema. “Artists are scholars and scholars are artists." Nowhere is this guiding principle from our mission statement better embodied than in our Cinema B.A. By majoring in Cinema, you will not

cinematicarts.uiowa.edu

Bachelor of Arts in Screenwriting Arts

Learn to write for film and tv at a top writing university in one the country's greatest literary cities. The University of Iowa has long been recognized as one of the premier writing universities in the world, and Hawkeyes have helped to create many prestigious films and TV series of recent

cinematicarts.uiowa.edu

Awesome. I'm merging the film school review pages into one page for each program eventually so you can review it here as well.

I added the Screenwriting concentration as an option for the school.

Awesome! Tysm Chris!

Has anyone had an admission decision from FSU for Fall 2024? I applied last year and received my interview invitation on January 27, 2023. So I'd like to know if the timetables move from year to year, or if I can expect a decision soon.

I have a question for current or former students of the MFA program: I was told that students have to be selected to make a film in the second year of the MFA program, and that the thesis film is optional. What are you coming out of the Film Production (Directing) program with if you don't get selected to make your film, and if you don't make a thesis? What sort of opportunities do you have to create a body of work? How many opportunities do you have to make short films that are of such high quality, intentional, and deeply thought out (the way you would work on a thesis film for at least a year, for example) that they can potentially compete on the festival circuit?

Yeah it's really tricky, and has also changed (the requirements for projects as a directing track student) within the 2 years I've been here. So coming out of the program their hopes are that maybe you've found a different discipline that interests you other than directing, lol. It's not impossible to make a thesis honestly, as long as you have everything together for it. But yes, when we're talking about the possibility that you won't make a FILM per se, there is also the television track and they get a lot of money and there's opportunities to direct there.
In your first year, second semester you do make a 5 and a half minute film and that's the only only guaranteed film you get to make that's given the full filmmaking process but you're in a trio and have to help your other trio mates make their films as well.

DEFINITELY weigh out if USC is the right school for you because it's a great school for becoming a well rounded director, but they do not want you to think there's a directing program. They want you versed in multiple disciplines. You can also learn a lot about producing and writing within the program, I know other film schools don't have as good of writing programs if you're a directing student.

Super interesting - thank you so much for your detailed answers, I learned a lot here. Unfortunately, I never got a chance to attend an info session for USC during the application process in the fall so I haven't had a chance to learn more in depth about how their curriculum is set up - I just have been going off of the presumption that you know, USC is one of the top film schools in the country and I'll probably get a stellar education there. But you definitely shed some light on a lot of things for me and there's a lot to I have to think about (depending on if I even get in or not! haha). Thank you thank you!

Does anyone have tips for the portfolio?

Anyone has any comments about the undergrad program? My son is interested in film, mainly screenwriting but many schools seem to expensive for us and Brooklyn College seems to be an affordable option. I have not been able to find much info about how good their program is. Thank you.

Well it is an excellent film school. It allowed me to become Oscar Nominated. Prof Tutak is amazing and so is the rest of the faculty,

Thank you! My son applied and we will see what happens.

Congratulations on your Oscar nomination!

Hi! My question is, simply put, is it worth paying £36.000 on film studies? I can't imagine curator/festival programmer, or film school professor (at least in my native Norway) is especially high paying jobs, and I'd imagine I'll be left with quite a bit of debt at the end of the two years Masters-program. Could any previous students say if they think it was worth the cost?

Hello! does anybody know how big of a chance it is to get accepted at this course? How many students are in a year? I have a BA in animation and media design and would love to grow more into documentary, but it seems like UAL is such a competitive school. Can somebody please help me out? Thank you!

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