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  1. K

    Got into USC and AFI not sure which to choose

    Yes a handful of people get signed or pair up with producers every year for their projects. I agree no film school is but I do think many people have the idea that college=jobs and that’s not true, for basically all college barring technical degrees, but especially film school. So, I try to...
  2. K

    Got into USC and AFI not sure which to choose

    AFI has their pitch fest every fall where producers, agents and managers are invited and the writers each give a pitch. They also have the bridge to the future program which is similar to USCs first jobs program and is aimed at linking people up with production and assistant jobs. In...
  3. K

    Got into USC and AFI not sure which to choose

    This is my two cents as an admittedly biased AFI writing student, but I believe story is the biggest weakness of most aspiring directors I’ve met including within the AFI program. They have a tendency to focus more on the feeling they want to convey with a film rather than the breadth of the...
  4. K

    Choosing between NYU Tisch, Columbia, AFI, and USC for MFA Directing — would love input from anyone who's been through these programs

    Mostly will speak to AFI, but did want to echo the above with USC. They wont guarantee you a thesis so there is a chance that you pay all that money and don’t get to direct a project that can help be your career calling card out of school. That said they have great resources. AFI is a great...
  5. K

    Medical Student Pursuing TV Writing — Advice?

    Hi! I’m happy to give my insights, but truly everyone’s path in this biz is different so don’t take it as gospel. In terms of building a foundation I believe strongly that you just have to write and read scripts. If you know formatting already that’s a step up on many. What I would encourage...
  6. K

    fall 2026 film school applications - Has anyone gotten interview invites yet?

    Weird. Who did you email? Admissions? Feel free to PM me and I’m happy to answer your question if I can. And I can always ask the directors if I don’t know.
  7. K

    fall 2026 film school applications - Has anyone gotten interview invites yet?

    Hi! I enjoyed your film. I wanted to comment just to clarify some things I noticed so that you’re set up for success and not disappointment if you get in. I gather from your post that you consider yourself a writer director which is great, but depending on how set you are on that rather than...
  8. K

    fall 2026 film school applications - Has anyone gotten interview invites yet?

    When did you send it? And you don’t have to share the exact question but what was it? They usually respond but can be slow so I’d keep waiting. They also might not respond depending on the question and if it’s about results, etc. which is why I asked about the question.
  9. K

    fall 2026 film school applications - Has anyone gotten interview invites yet?

    Fun! Anna is great but sadly leaving at the end of the year. Marquita teaches Story Incubator which is a first year development class for your second year work.
  10. K

    fall 2026 film school applications - Has anyone gotten interview invites yet?

    I may be able to give some insight into the questions about features. The program is primarily a feature writing program. You will write 3 features while you’re there. My cohort has a decent amount of people who are more interested in TV but you only write a pilot, and a spec of an existing show...
  11. K

    fall 2026 film school applications - Has anyone gotten interview invites yet?

    Who were your interviewers?
  12. K

    Best MFA for TV writing?

    Depending on your financial situation I’d also look at AFI. The minimum you will finish with is three features, a spec episode, and a pilot. You do have the option of swapping one of those features for an additional pilot, but if you’re disciplined you can also definitely write more than that...
  13. K

    fall 2026 film school applications - Has anyone gotten interview invites yet?

    It’s usually 2 to 3 waves.
  14. K

    Preparation for a competitive MA/MFA Directing application (UK)

    For AFI it really is all about the portfolio, Narrative statement, and proving that you can collaborate and be open to learning with every film. You have to answer some questions in the application for directing and being very honest and self-critical will help to show that you can do that. Your...
  15. K

    Any other schools train auteur film directors like NYU TISCH?

    Yes this is true to a degree but you still have to work with a writer on your director led cycle film. Similarly, your thesis has to be chosen by the blind thesis committee and many directors do not get their scripts picked. For my year only about half of the directors had their thesis chosen...
  16. K

    Film school at 50?

    Like I said I hear you and I get your point, but OP has made clear they feel they lack knowledge in film. I have seen film schools like what you are talking about. That was my undergrad and spouses grad experience at a film school in Chicago. There much of the faculty has the same level of or...
  17. K

    Film school at 50?

    I don’t agree with this. There is a level of truth to what you’re saying but it’s certainly not a universal truth in film school. I’ve seen film programs like what you describe up close. However, I’m also studying at AFI currently and while it has its problems it has great faculty who are...
  18. K

    AFI Applicants 2025

    Tuition is due in full (or loans confirmed) by July 1st. So, yes, in full. The chances are that you won’t get off the waitlist at this point, BUT they’re also not zero that you do. Not sure if that’s better or worse to say. Last year we had a director drop in the middle of orientation and they...
  19. K

    AFI Applicants 2025

    I can’t say for sure, but I’d have to imagine that it can, but whether or not that is always the case is far beyond what I know. They obviously keep a waitlist for a reason so I wouldn’t count yourself out on the waitlist front.
  20. K

    AFI Applicants 2025

    They only offer deferment when they over admit. This is what happened with my writing cohort and the cinematography cohort the year prior. Otherwise they are strict about not letting people defer. It’s only if they mess up basically. Usually editing and production design have less than the rest...

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