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Yes!

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!

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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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!

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!