2014' Acceptance / Interviews / Rejections

[umikami]

What I mean by awards at school, is cash awards. Like I think some schools give awards of $30k to make a thesis film.

Even if you are saying Tiny Furniture is cool, and I just watched the trailer, it still took $65k to make. I heard about it before. The barrier is dropping enormously to make films, that being cost. I've already made two myself. I heard about Tiny Furniture before. For me the film to emulate is Primer, 2004. But even that guy who made what I consider a brilliant film hasn't even made it yet. He got his breaks and attention from everyone, but fizzled out, although I'd like to see his second film which was in festivals last year I think.

For me MFA will equal better job. I've even been told already by a few employers that it would be the case for me, and I already know it's true.

As far as making the successful movie, MFA may or may not help. And the other issue is leaving a good job to go back to school is always a risk.

 

[JFSWLA]

What I mean by awards at school, is cash awards. Like I think some schools give awards of $30k to make a thesis film.

Even if you are saying Tiny Furniture is cool, and I just watched the trailer, it still took $65k to make. I heard about it before. The barrier is dropping enormously to make films, that being cost. I've already made two myself. I heard about Tiny Furniture before. For me the film to emulate is Primer, 2004. But even that guy who made what I consider a brilliant film hasn't even made it yet. He got his breaks and attention from everyone, but fizzled out, although I'd like to see his second film which was in festivals last year I think.

For me MFA will equal better job. I've even been told already by a few employers that it would be the case for me, and I already know it's true.

As far as making the successful movie, MFA may or may not help. And the other issue is leaving a good job to go back to school is always a risk.

Agreed on the risk and the statement about the MFA may or may not help you in your goals...I'm sure it's a fear we all have really.

As for grants, etc, schools give grants, scholarships, etc for a great thesis film but only if your film idea wins accolades against your peer's ideas (whom could also take the money as in any competition)...that said, not everyone gets the money...not knocking anyone's movie making abilities but that's just fact.

What I was trying to say is there are fellowships (Nicholls, Sundance, etc) as well as private investors that can help you get your film made without the MFA...because by focusing on getting your idea "produced" rather than trying to get into a school in an attempt to win a "grant," you may find trying to earn a fellowship (through Nicholls or Sundance) taking you in the direction that you really want to go per your comments. Trying to get into a school for a "grant" in a way is almost like paying a school with the hopes of getting some money back from the tuition you're already paying to make your movie, whereas you can take the money you have now and spend it towards your film right away. Which you've stated and I agree with.

Good luck to all of us, eh?

 

[umikami]

Yep, exactly, we are on the same page! That's why paying say $150k tuition to USC is ridiculous even if they give you a $20k award for your thesis. And when you can make said film for $65k Tiny Furniture is pretty good for what it is. But we'll see how it shakes out. Even given the money, making a successful film isn't easy. I, Frankenstein had plenty of money and reviews gave it a 5% rating. Those are the movies that frustrate me a lot.

 

[JFSWLA]

Well beyond all the "money what ifs," I, personally, am still looking forward to hearing back from the schools I applied to soon (fingers crossed!).

Any updates from viewers?

 

[JFadley]

No updates. But then again, 2 of the 4 schools I applied to haven't ended their deadlines. Columbia College sent me a "Now that your App is complete, come visit our school on this open day event we're having. Hotdogs, candy and fun will be had...or else!" Sadly, I'm too busy fighting for freedom at the moment, so I won't attend. So I got that going for me, which is nice.

Glad to see the post expand. I don't know about you guys, but I'm jittery. The excited kind, not the shut in and pull your eyelashes out while muttering about the cat who steals your toenail clippers. Nervous of course, but glad to have this as a venting area. Kinda like an internet bar, a place where you wanna go. Where everyone is the same. Yes, you want to go to where troubles are all the same. Fill your minds with the theme song as you read it. Your mind is awash of old timey pictures. Now I want to watch Cheers.

Lena Dunham financed her film with her parents connections and affluence of name. Robert Rodriguez shot El' Mariachi for 7k but Columbia spent over 100k in post to clean of the dirty 16mm print, correct sound, and evesn gasp re-shoot portions of the film. Source: David Bordwell The Way Hollywood Tells It. Just my two cents on Dunham; films and TV about sad rich white people and their problems don't stand the test of time. Think about the lasting power of Art School Confidential or Igby Goes Down. Girls is critically acclaimed but brings in the lowest share in ratings of all their shows. But that's not important. It's the amount of controversy, press, and overall buzz the show generates that justifies it staying around. This is in response to those that believe it's money that gets deals done, pictures made, and pays your rent. Nope, it's influence. Money is just a tool that helps you wield that power or keeps the status quo.

TL;DR: No updates, Cheers is cool, Lena Dunham is boring but influential

 

[JFSWLA]

No updates. But then again, 2 of the 4 schools I applied to haven't ended their deadlines. Columbia College sent me a "Now that your App is complete, come visit our school on this open day event we're having. Hotdogs, candy and fun will be had...or else!" Sadly, I'm too busy fighting for freedom at the moment, so I won't attend. So I got that going for me, which is nice.

Glad to see the post expand. I don't know about you guys, but I'm jittery. The excited kind, not the shut in and pull your eyelashes out while muttering about the cat who steals your toenail clippers. Nervous of course, but glad to have this as a venting area. Kinda like an internet bar, a place where you wanna go. Where everyone is the same. Yes, you want to go to where troubles are all the same. Fill your minds with the theme song as you read it. Your mind is awash of old timey pictures. Now I want to watch Cheers.

Lena Dunham financed her film with her parents connections and affluence of name. Robert Rodriguez shot El' Mariachi for 7k but Columbia spent over 100k in post to clean of the dirty 16mm print, correct sound, and evesn gasp re-shoot portions of the film. Source: David Bordwell The Way Hollywood Tells It. Just my two cents on Dunham; films and TV about sad rich white people and their problems don't stand the test of time. Think about the lasting power of Art School Confidential or Igby Goes Down. Girls is critically acclaimed but brings in the lowest share in ratings of all their shows. But that's not important. It's the amount of controversy, press, and overall buzz the show generates that justifies it staying around. This is in response to those that believe it's money that gets deals done, pictures made, and pays your rent. Nope, it's influence. Money is just a tool that helps you wield that power or keeps the status quo.

TL;DR: No updates, Cheers is cool, Lena Dunham is boring but influential

Dude, no doubt Dunham's work is nothing to write home about but it was done "relatively" cheaply - pun intended (hate that phrase man). I didn't realize how much of her family was involved on the project, honestly (her mom, sister - not hating, I think that's rad), until looking it up on Wikipedia (HA). Whoever did her color and post work though did a great job which is why it stuck out in my mind knowing that simple animated trailers can cost more than 65K. Story-wise, yeah, I kinda look at it the same way...not very compelling...and I felt more sorry for who the character became (a post-college wreck) rather than who she actually is (a delusional, kinda stuck-up, and self-absorbed girl which came out well in the writing I thought). I only brought the movie up because it lives as (is disguised as?) a lower-budget film that is currently having a decent run on Netflix (don't quote me but now it's cheaper than El Mariachi, eh?). On that note: did not know El Mariachi was original shot for $7k...impressive...but once again the post work ($100k) brought it to light...so again, much props to the post people! Agreed on the buzz factor/influence BTW...My thought is most of what gets stuff made to justify a BIG budget (ask any producer whose job it is to turn a profit) is what residual income can be made from it monetarily or buzz-worthy-ily - it's all dollars at the end whether it's cash value or future value of influence...wish I had some of either...and currently money pays my rent.

Anyway, I'm still excited as hell.

Man, anyone notice these conversations have become mad serious (in a good way though)?

 

[Ciara17]

Very serious! I'm just excited for everyone to find out and share!

 

[umikami]

Got an email from UCLA that they have received app and its under review. Likely the schedule is early Feb. give to faculty for review. Mid Feb invite for interviews. Decide mid-March.

 

[knav19]

Hi all, I ve applied to USC, columbia college, loyola marymount n columbia univ.
JFadley really good vid

 

[Ovsanna]

Columbia Applicants, has anyone got an interview invitation????

 

[Ciara17]

Columbia Applicants, has anyone got an interview invitation????

No... Still waiting! I'm going crazy!

 

[Ovsanna]

No... Still waiting! I'm going crazy!

yeah, me too

 

[JFadley]

After doing some digging, I found that the earliest post about receiving a letter/email/phone call on Feb 6, from FSU last year. Moira posted on Feb 11:

Hey Guys,

got accepted at Columbia College, Chicago! Together with a Graduate Follett Merit Award, which covers most of tuition. Still waiting to hear back from other schools, but with that scholarship, it is very likely I go to Chicago, money-wise...

Keep in mind FSU had a DEC 1 cutoff and CCC originally had theirs at Jan 1. This year it was extended to 15 Jan. It's circumstantial, but one can surmise that with those deadlines and the date of acceptance, 5-6 weeks is normal. Caveat to this, Moira said she received the Follett Merit, which indicates CCC wanted her the most and she was heads and shoulders better than the rest of their candidates. Minimal debating, if any, between the faculty just a we need this person, they're going to do something big and we want to claim them as a product of this school.

We're all nervous. We're all anxious. Shit, I'm having Cronenburg-esque dreams about rejection letters and interviewing. But this is why we have the forum. It's a great place to lay our fears out. Let them rest here, and continue the grind of the experience called life. I don't know if you guys are into Joseph Campbell or not, but he once said that it's a common misconception that all humans seek the meaning of life. Our stories mislead this, but on further examination we discover that people aren't searching for meaning in life but trying to experience it.

 

[JFSWLA]

What's weird is that after freaking out for two straight time-wasting weeks about whether I will receive two rejections and/or acceptances (or one of each), a wave of calmness has washed over me and I'm finally back at writing...thankfully. Coming back to reality is great.

I, too, had "the dream" but mine was more "Hey check out this letter...it says you're in - maybe." Hilarious, but not really.

Anyone else notice this forum has become a ghost town vs. year's past...weird, right? Kinda bums me out after checking out the hundreds of posts of support, etc. from back in the day.

For sure, so far, we know a fortunate (and well-deserved per background descriptions) two have had requests for interviews for UCLA which is awesome but other than that...nada.

JFadley - Very-Buddha and well said. Life, man, life.

Real quick valeskarod or utahfilmgirl - would either of you recommend a writer's group out here in the LAh?

 

[JFadley]

JFSWLA

http://giphy.com/gifs/w3WVaNw8uZEEU

Mathematical!

 

[Jennifer Hightower]

Hello all,

applied to USC and Chapman for screenwriting.

 

[utahfilmgirl]

It does seem in years' past current graduate students would come onto these threads and offer support and guidance. I wonder why it's so quiet as of now.

I just received an invitation for a Skype interview for a school in Europe that I applied to. Excited for that interview as well, although it's going to be at 4am my time, due to the time difference. Yikes!

Nothing more yet on an interview date from UCLA. Hoping to hear from them again soon. Any new updates from anyone? Good luck to all of us!

 

[utahfilmgirl]

Also, does anyone know about scholarships/fellowships/financial aid? Should one apply for these prior to being accepted, or after you receive acceptance into a program? I'm not sure how the whole financial aid/assistance thing works, so any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[JFSWLA]

Also, does anyone know about scholarships/fellowships/financial aid? Should one apply for these prior to being accepted, or after you receive acceptance into a program? I'm not sure how the whole financial aid/assistance thing works, so any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

For USC a scholarship application for prospective students went out a few weeks ago and needs to be returned by Feb. 12. From what I've heard it is rare to receive a scholarship in the first semester there unless you were to be awarded the Annenberg but it's always possible. The scholarship application (USC) will be used for the second semester going forward in most cases. I haven't heard anything about any other schools though.

Right now you can apply for the FAFSA (domestic students) even before your taxes are due just as long as you update the information before May...I think...after you're accepted and before you have to finalize your school's financial aid packages. The FAFSA is going to give you your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) which will help the schools of your choice/loan agencies determine your needs for the years ahead (loans, aid scholarships, work study as well (maybe). Just go to FAFSA.ed.gov. It's an easy few minutes if you have your tax docs from last year ready.

 

[utahfilmgirl]

For USC a scholarship application for prospective students went out a few weeks ago and needs to be returned by Feb. 12. From what I've heard it is rare to receive a scholarship in the first semester there unless you were to be awarded the Annenberg but it's always possible. The scholarship application (USC) will be used for the second semester going forward in most cases. I haven't heard anything about any other schools though.

Right now you can apply for the FAFSA (domestic students) even before your taxes are due just as long as you update the information before May...I think...after you're accepted and before you have to finalize your school's financial aid packages. The FAFSA is going to give you your EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) which will help the schools of your choice/loan agencies determine your needs for the years ahead (loans, aid scholarships, work study as well (maybe). Just go to FAFSA.ed.gov. It's an easy few minutes if you have your tax docs from last year ready.

Thanks so much for the info! Much appreciated!