2016 Interviews- Acceptances- Rejections

[marzillanyu]

I'm an international student from China

That's cool I love China! Hope we get in and if you decide to come to NY I can show you around

 

[Boethius]

@katavi08 Very happy you got accepted! Been hoping for you!

@marzillanyu My NYU dramatic writing sample was a feature-length young adult coming-of-age contemporary fantasy (to borrow publishing terms) and a short coming-of-age rural drama. I asked if I could include the short as well because I knew it would be more polished than the feature, and I was given the go-ahead.

 

[ever]

Sounds wonderful! I do hope that we would both get accepted into this program. Good luck!

 

[marzillanyu]

@katavi08 Very happy you got accepted! Been hoping for you!

@marzillanyu My NYU dramatic writing sample was a feature-length young adult coming-of-age contemporary fantasy (to borrow publishing terms) and a short coming-of-age rural drama. I asked if I could include the short as well because I knew it would be more polished than the feature, and I was given the go-ahead.

Mine was also leaning towards fantasy wow I hope we get in, I think we would get along! When you get in are you willing to relocate to NY?

 

[Boethius]

@marzillanyu I'm definitely willing to relocate to LA or NYC if I get accepted and a program is right for me. Part of me wishes to get started right away instead of waiting until fall! Just have to keep writing to meet my own deadlines now.

 

[marzillanyu]

@marzillanyu I'm definitely willing to relocate to LA or NYC if I get accepted and a program is right for me. Part of me wishes to get started right away instead of waiting until fall! Just have to keep writing to meet my own deadlines now.

Me too I have start apartment hunting in NY. I already live here and I just want to find a place of my own so that I have a quiet place to write. So far it's tought in NY to find something affordable. Every apartment I search gets snatched shortly. I guess I have to keep looking lol!

 

[Manatee]

Good news! I finally heard from the University of Miami and I am ACCEPTED!! I was a little worried since there was no interview process with them, but I'm so happy! At least now I know I'll be going somewhere in the fall!

Congrats!!!

 

[XD_TAT]

You've got it right. It's a two minute pitch for a potential five minute film. Basically if you can't tell the story in two minutes or less, then it's too long.

Good luck!

Thank you! But still feel confused because she replied me that 5 minutes is the time to talk about the film idea not the length of the film. Getting crazy now, maybe she's wrong?

 

[XD_TAT]

Admittedly, I've been lurking for sometime, and wanted to sign on once finishing an interview at NYU to hopefully help out some other folks. I appreciate all those of you who have been so open and vulnerable about the process thus far, and I feel like it's only right to continue with the trend; see if there is anything I can offer as we all continue this nerve racking adventure....

Currently I have finished two interviews: UCLA & NYU

UCLA Interview:
3 panelists
Vibe: Conversational
Questions Included:
1) What have you been doing since undergrad?
2) Top 5 films? but don't say why
3) Is there a common thread that pops out to you about your top 5 films?
4) If you could pick one of those films, would any of them be similar to the types of films you want to make?
5) Pitch your short film idea

*I apologize, that's all I can remember at the moment, if more questions come to mind I shall post them up

NYU Interview:
3 panelists
Vibe: Conversational
Questions Included:
1) Why apply to film school?
2) Tell us a story from your childhood that resonates with you
3) What are you looking to get out of the program?
4) Why NY, why NYU?

I hope this helps some people! Continued luck to everyone.

Thanks for sharing this!! Good luck to you!

I'm also doing the interview with UCLA on March, 3, but I'm really confused about pitching the film idea at the moment. The requirement goes like this:
1. The pitch should take no more than 2 minutes.
2. The film idea should not exceed 5 minutes in length.

What I thought was I can use 2 minutes to pitch a film idea whose length is less than 5 minutes. I sent an email to confirm this, but I got the answer like this: This（5 minutes）refers to the time talking about the film idea not the length of the film.

The person contacted me always only reply me one or two sentence, which makes me feel even more confused.

Did you use 2 min to pitch and use 5 min to talk about the idea, or use 2 min to pitch a 5 min film idea?

Getting crazy now, help me out please!

 

[Simone30]

@XD_TAT Thank you and same to you!

When I pitched my idea it was my understanding that you had 2 minutes to pitch a 5 minute film, which sounds like it is in line with what you heard as well.

When that questions comes up in the interview, the interviewer will preface you into it by saying something along the lines of , 'Now we would like you to pitch a short film idea to us, that should take no longer than 2 minutes.' Before you begin speaking they will ask you to keep in mind that they just want to hear sounds and visuals. Give to them what you would see.

Also, these were the instructions in my interview confirmation email: 'The admissions committee would like you to prepare a short film idea (different from the one in your application) to briefly discuss during the interview. The pitch should take no more than two minutes – describe a short film (under five minutes in length) that you might make. We recommend that you focus on one event that has an emotional arc, and give it the elements of good story structure - with a build up, climax and resolution.'

I hope this helps!

 

[ashleyH14]

I just had my interview with the Dramatic Writing program of NYU. It felt a bit strange though, because all the time was used for me to ask any questions I might have. I asked if the professor had any questions for me, and he said no. So I was not asked to answer anything at all... The professor explained that my portfolio was impressive and the interview was meant to show their level of interest in me. Still, I felt a little confused, considering a majority of applicants on this forum have received interview invitations.

Anyone else wants to talk about their interview experience with DW of NYU?

That's very different from my DW interview. It probably varies by professor and their personal style though. Mine was very much a traditional interview. He asked me about my portfolio, my normal writing process, my undergrad majors (International studies and history), what I want to write, how I knew I wanted to do screenwriting, and basic questions about where I am from and what I hope to get out of the program. It was a 40 minute interview over Skype. I only had time to ask a couple questions at the end. But I think the fact that you got an interview is a good sign, even if it seemed strange.

 

[FranklyMyDear]

Currently preparing responses for an AFI Screenwriting interview.

Researching questions from previous years, it seems candidates are almost always asked --

"What other schools are you applying to?"

Unsure why they ask this so consistently.

Is the question just a formality for their personal notes? Or am I meant to give a thoughtful description of my interest in each program? Won't mentioning other programs at all hurt my chances with AFI? Why are my other applications even relevant to them, exactly? Most importantly, what is the perfect answer / what do they want to hear?

Would love to hear from anybody who's already gotten this question during our current application cycle.

 

[Mis]

Currently preparing responses for an AFI Screenwriting interview.

Researching questions from previous years, it seems candidates are almost always asked --

"What other schools are you applying to?"

Unsure why they ask this so consistently.

Is the question just a formality for their personal notes? Or am I meant to give a thoughtful description of my interest in each program? Won't mentioning other programs at all hurt my chances with AFI? Why are my other applications even relevant to them, exactly? Most importantly, what is the perfect answer / what do they want to hear?

Would love to hear from anybody who's already gotten this question during our current application cycle.

I feel like the purpose of asking candidates about where else they are applying to has many uses for the interviewers.

1. Have you done your homework? Can you have a thoughtful conversation about why you would want to go to AFI vs. UCLA or USC?
2. How bad do you want it? Are you casting a wide net to see what schools respond and where does AFI fall in your selection process.
3. If they are interested in you and want to sway you away from attending another school I feel like it would be to their advantage to know who their competition is and what they would have to offer you (financially) to make a favorable impact.

I think the interview process works both ways. Some schools are actively seeking certain voices or certain candidates may be more attractive and they want to compete for your attention.

Some schools want to know that they are a priority to you and not just a fall back option.

Are you playing the field or are you looking to find someone special...so to speak.

Just my thoughts.

 

[XD_TAT]

@XD_TAT Thank you and same to you!

When I pitched my idea it was my understanding that you had 2 minutes to pitch a 5 minute film, which sounds like it is in line with what you heard as well.

When that questions comes up in the interview, the interviewer will preface you into it by saying something along the lines of , 'Now we would like you to pitch a short film idea to us, that should take no longer than 2 minutes.' Before you begin speaking they will ask you to keep in mind that they just want to hear sounds and visuals. Give to them what you would see.

Also, these were the instructions in my interview confirmation email: 'The admissions committee would like you to prepare a short film idea (different from the one in your application) to briefly discuss during the interview. The pitch should take no more than two minutes – describe a short film (under five minutes in length) that you might make. We recommend that you focus on one event that has an emotional arc, and give it the elements of good story structure - with a build up, climax and resolution.'

I hope this helps!

This definitely helps! Thank you so much!

 

[sunshine]

Currently preparing responses for an AFI Screenwriting interview.

Researching questions from previous years, it seems candidates are almost always asked --

"What other schools are you applying to?"

Unsure why they ask this so consistently.

Is the question just a formality for their personal notes? Or am I meant to give a thoughtful description of my interest in each program? Won't mentioning other programs at all hurt my chances with AFI? Why are my other applications even relevant to them, exactly? Most importantly, what is the perfect answer / what do they want to hear?

Would love to hear from anybody who's already gotten this question during our current application cycle.

I wasn't asked this question during my AFI interview. They did ask why AFI though.

 

[marzillanyu]

I wasn't asked this question during my AFI interview. They did ask why AFI though.

Hey sunshine, maybe they didn't ask why Afi because you already live in La. Lol!

 

[Solomon_E]

For anyone who had an interview with Northwestern on 2/26, how did it go? Also, how many people were you interviewed by on your Skype call - was it five, or more? I'm having my interview on March 4th and would greatly appreciate any info you can provide.

 

[ever]

That's very different from my DW interview. It probably varies by professor and their personal style though. Mine was very much a traditional interview. He asked me about my portfolio, my normal writing process, my undergrad majors (International studies and history), what I want to write, how I knew I wanted to do screenwriting, and basic questions about where I am from and what I hope to get out of the program. It was a 40 minute interview over Skype. I only had time to ask a couple questions at the end. But I think the fact that you got an interview is a good sign, even if it seemed strange.

Thanks for sharing! A 40-minute interview sounds stressful...

 

[archbrenemy]

For anyone who had an interview with Northwestern on 2/26, how did it go? Also, how many people were you interviewed by on your Skype call - was it five, or more? I'm having my interview on March 4th and would greatly appreciate any info you can provide.

Hey there - honestly, it was a bit bewildering and intimidating (or maybe that's just me). There are five people on the call behind a table. They jump right into questions - very question/answer. More formal than conversational, the sort of usual interview questions like the list someone put at the beginning of this thread about your writing and what movies you like. Then they ask if you have any questions of them and then it's over. It's only 10 minutes, so it goes by really fast and I think that put the pressure on for me, so I was pretty nervous and think I did okay, but not great. Didn't feel like I got to really put my best foot forward.

 

[Solomon_E]

Hey there - honestly, it was a bit bewildering and intimidating (or maybe that's just me). There are five people on the call behind a table. They jump right into questions - very question/answer. More formal than conversational, the sort of usual interview questions like the list someone put at the beginning of this thread about your writing and what movies you like. Then they ask if you have any questions of them and then it's over. It's only 10 minutes, so it goes by really fast and I think that put the pressure on for me, so I was pretty nervous and think I did okay, but not great. Didn't feel like I got to really put my best foot forward.

Hi archbrenemy,

Thanks for the info! I got 10 minutes assigned to me too. It does seem difficult to put our best foot forward with only 10 minutes as well as five interviewers present. I'd kind of prefer 1-2 interviewers when there's only ten minutes, but I'm sure they have valid reasons for wanting to interview as a group.