2007 Accepted? Rejected? (1 Viewer)

[surlymonkey]

Regarding housing for transplants:

AFI: Closest to Hollywood and Los Feliz. Highly recommend Los Feliz. Young, hip crowd, cute neighborhood but with impossible parking. Also try Larchmont Village/Hancock Park (where I live -- right by Paramount Studio) for nice/slightly pricier housing. Koreatown for more affordable housing. AFI's actually got the most "central location", so you have a lot of options.

UCLA: Westwood is very expensive, but it's very convenient if you live there. My husband lived in Palms while he was a student. It's not as nice, but it's fairly close and much more affordable. I think there's also a bus that runs directly to campus from there. Culver City is also pretty close/accessible. Brentwood is near but pricey.

USC: Is in the ghetto. Get a place in Hollywood or elsewhere and drive.

Craigslist is good if you have a fairly clear idea of what you're searching for. Westside Rentals (which actually covers all of LA) often has nicer listings, and landlords tend to think you're less likely to be flaky because you were willing to pay the service fee (my husband and I own a rental property, so that's from personal experience!)

 

[surlymonkey]

Lily -- congrats!

RE: East vs. West, I think you have to go with your heart. But as an example, I've done quite well as a theater artist in LA (playwright and actress). But it's almost impossible to make a living at it here. For that, I would realistically have to go to New York (which I'm not willing to do--I am most definitely a West Coast gal!) On the flip side, the majority of film/TV jobs are in Los Angeles. If you're planning to move out here eventually, it might not hurt to do it sooner rather than later. But that said, a lot of New Yorkers have made the transition perfectly fine, especially if they've gone to a top tier school.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[Lily]

Originally posted by surlymonkey:

I got into USC and UCLA for screenwriting.

SurlyMonkey-Kudos on USC!!! It is the industry's 'mafia' and I'm sure it will be fantastic and lucrative for you! I know if I'd have gotten in there, it would have trumped all the other schools.

Until I heard all this positive feedback about UCLA I hadn't even really given it much serious thought... I'm surprised I was that in-the-dark about it. (actually, my interview didn't leave a positive impression on me either)

I really am having an INCREDIBLY hard time chosing between NYU/UCLA/Columbia... it's all i've been thinking about and I'm making myself a bit ragged with this. I think I'm gonna start a
NY vs. LA thread and see who says what...

 

[JL]

Thanks Surly,

You made some really good points about the USC program that definitely have me intrigued. I've written a couple of tv scripts and really love the medium, but at the moment I'm gravitating towards features. I do really like that they offer classes in alternative storytelling, like the interactive media stuff and the mobisodes. I've also always wondered about video game storytelling.

I know all about UCLA's hectic writing pace as I'm in the midst of writing a script at the moment to be finished within this last quarter (all ten weeks of it) of the professional program. I think it's great to push yourself to get a high turn out of a bunch of first drafts, but I see the positives in focusing on a few scripts and getting them fully polished. I think I'm leaning towards USC, but I'm still gonna wait until I hear back from AFI and UCLA.

I'll absolutely will let you know when I make my decision and will be in touch. I tried to minor in schmoozing as an undergrad, but I never finished. Too much work...Obviously, I'm not a comedy writer.

 

[Jayimess]

Surly, we must become friends once I get out to LA. Once I make my decision and my current film is in the can, I plan on flying out to start a prelim apartment search.

I was looking on craigslist the other day, and I actually broke out in hives, I got so panicked.

Every time I come to this site, I see some new information that challenges everything I thought I knew.

If AFI rejects me, my decision will be made for me...UCLA.

Though it's tempting to wait and see what happens with that USC 'list' I'm on...


Ayiyiyi.

Tima, I'm kinda short on time, I'll check my PMs later this evening, okay?

 

[surlymonkey]

Lily-- It's not that surprising that you feel a little "in-the-dark" about UCLA; I just have the perspective of being a "native". My husband works for one of the major studios and many of our friends are working writers/actors/directors/production staff, and several have gone to each of the big 3 programs in town (at 31, I'm older than most people on this forum, so I just happen to know more people that have already finished school and/or established their careers). It's very illuminating to hear first-hand accounts!

JL-- Seriously, I suck at schmoozing too. Y'know what they say about becoming a writer so you can work alone...

 

[Lily]

Originally posted by surlymonkey:
at 31, I'm older than most people on this forum,

I'm right behind you at 30 so watch out!


Must be nice to have your hubby in the biz-he's a resource. Mine is a jazz drummer and he's applying to grad programs in NYC and LA... he's actually another major factor in this whole east /west toss up.
For him, East is the first choice.

 

[Philly]

Me too!...30 year olds unite!

 

[Lily]

Yes Philly! Unite and Conquer!

So which schools are you applying/have been accepted/are considering?

 

[Tima]

Lily,

I am not at all worried about my transition from NY to LA. It seriously depends on what you want and how much you believe in yourself. For example a good story is transnational, it does not matter where you created it, it will sell even if you are in NY. Look at "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" the screenwriter was a 1st year grad student at Columbia's film program when he met the guy (turned out to be a professor at Columbia) who really bought his script and worked with him, connected him, etc, etc. And like, Surlymonkey quoted "especially if they've gone to a top tier school," which Columbia and NYU are, you will not have trouble with the transition or finding a job.

Listen to your heart (lol, and I know how vague and cliche that sounds, but its so true when it comes to art).

 

[Philly]

Lily,

I'm planning on attending Chapman or USC...for directing. You??

 

[Lily]

philly-
i'm still at a stand still with no final decision-but it will be Screenwriting and either at NYU or UCLA... although Columbia still pulls at my heart strings.

Tima-
Funny thing is I reference Simon Kinberg in another thread here too! And I totally want to listen to my heart buy my other organs have been so loud lately, it's difficult to hear!

 

[techie1902]

Every time I come to this site, I see some new information that challenges everything I thought I knew.

Hahaha that is so true! I'm still a year away from even starting an undergrad program and I've already gone on about 5 million rollercoasters regarding college because of this site...Seriously, I don't think some people realize how much one post can affect someone else...

And after reading through this forum I'm starting to feel your guys' stress...Good luck to everyone who applied to AFI! The judgement day is almost here...Only one more day of complete and utter suffering...

I'm interested to see where you're all going to end up.

 

[Tima]

Yeah this site is def. cool. I wish it was this organized last year when I was deciding what to do with my life. I think it really became helpful after they divided up the forum into 'grad' and 'undergrad'. And I will proudly take credit for that

Yes, Monday is the BIG day for those of us who applied to AFI... YIKES

 

[Jayimess]

Knowing the people on this site, most will get in, a few will get listed, and possibly a couple will get rejected on Monday.

We'll all scurry to our keyboards until we get the call to see if anyone else got it before us, then we'll stay glued to them as we wait for those who will get the call after us.



Eeek.

 

[Kurt Wagner]

Tima that was definitely a great idea of dividing up the forum...

I sent you an email requesting to see your work after you suggested emailing you, and same with Jayimess (PM you), but haven't heard back from you both.

 

[jeremy227]

oh geez. I'm dreading tomorrow. I'll be close to my phone the entire day. However, I can't let it drive me too crazy. You know what they say, "A watched pot never beeps". So I just need to keep myself occupied.

Good luck everyone!

 

[Crackery]

Good luck awaiting your calls y'all.

I'm gonna start an LA moving thread so people can share their moving tips.

 

[Lily]

Just got a phone message from AFI on saturday??? That seems kinda weird...

 

[jeremy227]

whatchoo talkin' 'bout Lily?