AFI 2011

[Captain Dogneck]

Hi everybody. I have been lurking around these boards for a while and I felt it my responsibility to let people know that I too received an email today informing me that I was awarded a spot as an AFI Producing Fellow. Congratulations UCFfilmgirl! Good luck to everyone!!

 

[okaction]

Hey Prducers, Did u all send film or script to them?

 

[jacqinvan]

Hi Captain Dogneck and UCFfilmgirl, I was contacted for another skype video call with Neil Canton again this morning (I'm in Taiwan). He asked me 2 questions that he already asked during interview: 1. why AFI? 2. what's your career plan after AFI. And I got an acceptance email 30 minutes after the phone call.

Are you both attending AFI? I'm still waiting for NYU's announcement.

 

[Colin Oh]

I was accepted into AFI for Cinematography this year! If any of you want to meet up before school starts, I'll be down. I live in LA.

 

[Colin Oh]

Originally posted by KrisKelvin:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by filmdirector2011:
lol, KrisKelvin, you need to change your attitude! I'm sure you're talented, but whether or not you get accepted to any of these schools, you can't let that (or them) define you.

Haha, I know I can be melodramatic sometimes. I'm absolutely not letting these decisions affect how I think of myself as a writer--and I'd encourage others to do likewise. Like any kind of application process, there's so much arbitrariness and subjectivity that goes in to the decision-making (and I'd be saying this even if I'd been accepted). Spielberg was rejected from USC three times, and I'd say he's probably done better than at least a few people who were accepted over him.

But I am graduating in about 2 months, and if I don't get in any of these programs I'm not quite sure what I'll do. That, more than simply not being accepted, is what concerns me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Also, AFI rarely takes people straight out of undergrad. Don't let it get you down. You just need to get out into the real world and work a for a while and then apply again. They like people who re-apply.

 

[birdude]

Originally posted by Colin Oh:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KrisKelvin:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by filmdirector2011:
lol, KrisKelvin, you need to change your attitude! I'm sure you're talented, but whether or not you get accepted to any of these schools, you can't let that (or them) define you.

Haha, I know I can be melodramatic sometimes. I'm absolutely not letting these decisions affect how I think of myself as a writer--and I'd encourage others to do likewise. Like any kind of application process, there's so much arbitrariness and subjectivity that goes in to the decision-making (and I'd be saying this even if I'd been accepted). Spielberg was rejected from USC three times, and I'd say he's probably done better than at least a few people who were accepted over him.

But I am graduating in about 2 months, and if I don't get in any of these programs I'm not quite sure what I'll do. That, more than simply not being accepted, is what concerns me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Also, AFI rarely takes people straight out of undergrad. Don't let it get you down. You just need to get out into the real world and work a for a while and then apply again. They like people who re-apply. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I am in the same boat ”” straight out of undergrad. The first thing my interviewers told me was that they rarely take students straight out of undergrad.

I did get a phone call from AFI today... from the financial office, regarding a question I had from last week. I told them that applicants were hearing back today and that I was hoping for a different phone call haha.

So yeah, nothing. I'm starting to lose hope now.

 

[AmiraAlexandria]

Hey guys. I got my acceptance email to AFI's Screenwriting program. I graduated from undergrad in May 2010 with a major in Communication so I don't think that should scare away any hope for recent undergrads. As far as what I did to get in, I just had a unique story to tell, which is a Muslim growing up in America. I dont have experience in film. I just picked up books on screenwriting and taught myself.
Also, I didnt get into NYU Tisch School Dramatic Writing but I think it's because my script wasn't fully developed.I am still waiting on Columbia. Good luck all.

 

[filmdirector2011]

It's not just about age. It's about experience. When I was 21 I had a lot of hubris and thought I knew everything. Now, years later, I realized that there was so much I had to learn in order to get to where I am today. I think AFI expects their fellows to be a little wise and humble.

 

[filmdirector2011]

Hope it didn't seem like I was attacking you, KrisKelvin. I'd like to add though that filmmaking is a collaborative art, and working well with others, as well as having strong interpersonal communication skills, is absolutely essential. I think this takes more time to develop.

 

[soulcraft]

Dearest fellow AFI alternates, my sympathies to all of you as I too face the bittersweet waiting list. Now I know they refuse to reveal placement, but has anyone discovered roughly where they fall on the list? Top, middle, etc...
I feel like that answer could inform us how to anchor the grief. As we have all learned, over extended hope can hurt more than defeat. So in the spirit of closure, call, don't be shy and find out where you are on the list. And please share your results so we learn wether AFI gives generic answers or wether indeed there are levels to being waitlisted.
I will share my results as they surface and I hope you all do too. Together we can make a little sense out of the esoteric nature of AFI's waiting list and maybe, dare I say, catch some shut eye

 

[Munky the robot]

Originally posted by soulcraft:
Dearest fellow AFI alternates, my sympathies to all of you as I too face the bittersweet waiting list. Now I know they refuse to reveal placement, but has anyone discovered roughly where they fall on the list? Top, middle, etc...
I feel like that answer could inform us how to anchor the grief. As we have all learned, over extended hope can hurt more than defeat. So in the spirit of closure, call, don't be shy and find out where you are on the list. And please share your results so we learn wether AFI gives generic answers or wether indeed there are levels to being waitlisted.
I will share my results as they surface and I hope you all do too. Together we can make a little sense out of the esoteric nature of AFI's waiting list and maybe, dare I say, catch some shut eye

Thats a beautiful thought there you got but I seriously doubt they reveal that kind of info. They never really tell you where you are placed in the waiting line. I will not call them and ask this as I dont want to jeopardize whatever little chances I have of getting in
Any one else who does and manages to get an answer can enlighten the rest of us.

I know a lot of us here are disappointed. But what I want to say is that there is a whole bunch of people who will be accepted to AFI and probably USC/UCLA /another college of their first choice. Remember guys a lot of people dont have AFI as their number one for various reasons. As the colleges begin to hand out decisions, I am sure no one will want to hold on to two colleges.
Our situation right now is like a grid locked traffic jam. We all know it is messy but it eventually clears out.
I am actually a very pessimistic person, but I speak out of the optimism that was infused in me by the people here who have been speaking to me time and again.

SO, phew! Long post. Guys I know even in a bad scenario atleast 3-4 people here will get in. Oh and btw its not a lottery system. They will review our files to see who goes.Thats what I ve been reading.

SO lets relax n wait n watch...

 

[soulcraft]

ax n wait n watc[/quote)

The office staff in admin are not going to penalize you for asking a considerate and understandable question. Why theorize off what you have read? As we all know there are too many commentaries on procedure floating around and the staff have most likely been handed a list of ALT in sequence of priority. They are not petty and harsh judges looking for an excuse. They're people. Many of em' sweet people in fact. Let not superstition and anxiety dismay you. No polite question will ever dwarf your achievements and merits as a writer.
And besides, there's a reason they left Karen Tucker's number at the botton of the e-mail. It wasn't a booby trapped test. It was so you could call her.

 

[Munky the robot]

Originally posted by soulcraft:

ax n wait n watc[/quote)

The office staff in admin are not going to penalize you for asking a considerate and understandable question. Why theorize off what you have read? As we all know there are too many commentaries on procedure floating around and the staff have most likely been handed a list of ALT in sequence of priority. They are not petty and harsh judges looking for an excuse. They're people. Many of em' sweet people in fact. Let not superstition and anxiety dismay you. No polite question will ever dwarf your achievements and merits as a writer.
And besides, there's a reason they left Karen Tucker's number at the botton of the e-mail. It wasn't a booby trapped test. It was so you could call her.

Just called them They said they cannot divulge that kind of info.

But yea no harm done. I spoke to Barbara cos Karin had not yet come to office. She also said that people sometimes change their mind even after their deposit etc is paid so people drop out in the summer as well sometimes due to financial reasons and stuff.

 

[soulcraft]

Did they let you know if you were high up on the list? Or she couldn't even tell ya that.
Cuz I also spoke to Barb but I am waiting to talk to karen because Barb is actually not informed of those details and is limited with her answers but sweet sweet Karen, well, she's a bit of the key master.
I know this because I snooped around. Also, here is some news, April 15 is the deadline for USC grads to accept. So anyone who got into both USC and AFI for writing can mill about, but come April 15th, anyone who accepts USC will let AFI know they are relinquishing their spot. So, rest assured, openings should surface around that time. Also, Chapman's has a funny system, from the moment they accept you, you are informed that within 10 days you must commit. This pressure aids us AFI ALT's because anyone who chooses Chapmans over AFI will do so sooner than the other folks allowing certain AFI alternates to wait less. Anyways that's what I've learned thus far and now I'm off to learn from NYU and Columbia when their cut off date is. I will keep you all updated.
And that ,dear friends, is all the news that's fit to print.

 

[Munky the robot]

Originally posted by soulcraft:
Did they let you know if you were high up on the list? Or she couldn't even tell ya that.
Cuz I also spoke to Barb but I am waiting to talk to karen because Barb is actually not informed of those details and is limited with her answers but sweet sweet Karen, well, she's a bit of the key master.
I know this because I snooped around. Also, here is some news, April 15 is the deadline for USC grads to accept. So anyone who got into both USC and AFI for writing can mill about, but come April 15th, anyone who accepts USC will let AFI know they are relinquishing their spot. So, rest assured, openings should surface around that time. Also, Chapman's has a funny system, from the moment they accept you, you are informed that within 10 days you must commit. This pressure aids us AFI ALT's because anyone who chooses Chapmans over AFI will do so sooner than the other folks allowing certain AFI alternates to wait less. Anyways that's what I've learned thus far and now I'm off to learn from NYU and Columbia when their cut off date is. I will keep you all updated.
And that ,dear friends, is all the news that's fit to print.

I asked her how many waitlisted and she said she cannot divulge that kinda info. So obviously I cudnt ask her how up or down I was.

NYU also has a 15th April deadline.

But hey if you do speak to Karin please do ask her how many people got waitlisted.

Thanks in advance!

 

[soulcraft]

NYU applicants have until April 15th as well.
UCLA I am awaiting the answer but I did learn the applications were due early november so I'm sure the deadline must be by april 15th or prior. So like I said, April 15th really opens the door for us eager alternates. Plus, if you wanna go zen for a moment, if you were a director, producer, editor, or cinematographer, you would be waiting to hear from AFI on April 15th. So for a bunch of us screenwriting ALT's, we really aren't waiting longer than most of the other applicants. Don't be discouraged. And ask away. Because I have learned that all schools have a priority list of ALTS. So for every new open spot, the office simply, goes to the list and follows the instructions. So judgement has passed. Noone is re-reviewing you. So make those calls, talk to Karen and see if you can surmise your place on the list. Even a generality like middle of list or upper middle, feels better than knowing nothing.

 

[dmtr]

One comment on the above. I know some schools do not have a single priority list and instead seek to retain the composition of the class. So when an accepted student declines they go to the list to match the next qualified candidate fitting that profile. How that profile is determined is up for debate, but I'd think they would want a certain number of international students, maybe a mix of comedic and dramatic writers, for programs like NYU that ask you to state your area of focus they would presumably try to replace a TV writing candidate with another, etc etc).

So, for programs that follow this process there may be several priority lists, but not a "hard" 1 to X ranking of waitlist candidates.

 

[Munky the robot]

DMTR!

Buddy you just hit the nail on the head.

 

[RobbieBlock]

I actually think in this case there is just one list. For NYU I am pretty sure you are right though DMTR.

 

[Colin Oh]

Also, some international students that have been accepted might not be able to get their visas in order in time, so they have to drop out. So do not be surprised if some of you get an acceptance call really late.