AFI 2011

[BBQshow]

@xtrmn8ngangl

Wellcome to the paranoid room! Everybody here feels that satelites are watching our moves and reading our dark stories and expecting someday we will recieve a call from the school and saying to us "you have talked too much, when you shut the **** up, apply again".

No, seriously, we are just being carefull, we don't want to reveal much information until they make their last decision, at least me.

Anyway I don't mind showing my stuff through a private message. I also applied for directing so if you feel like, send me your stuff on private and I will send mine.

Bye

 

[cinegirl1999]

I would love to share my portfolio materials (my short films and narrative statement.) Please message me privately with yours and I'll respond with links to mine. I am also interviewing for directing.

 

[xtrmn8ngangl]

satellites? revealing too much?

it does sound a little paranoid. but i don't really do forums, so i am also quite naïve”¦(i actually just learned some interesting forum jargon. for example i would be a great example of a lurker, not because im scared, or secretive, but i have two kids and little free time).

at the risk of ruining my entire life with one post”¦ here are the 2 films i submitted to AFI, as is(which includes a number of typos, and other undesirable mistakes that i didn't have time to correct before the deadline).

http://showmethelight.net/EDF/.../WZSK_ENG_01_WEB.mov

http://showmethelight.net/MOVs/WH_big.mov

i tried to preserve at least some of the original quality, so the files are not small(around 200MB each i think), so please be patient, let the file load, and enjoy them if you can”¦

i would love to see your work as well fellow candidates, future fellows, and rejects alike”¦ (in private if you like).

i would appreciate any and all feedback, as long as it is truthful.

and please fill me in if there is any other negative potential "side effect" to publicly posting film links”¦ thanks.

 

[BBQshow]

@xtrmn8ngangl

Hahah it was obviously a joke!

I'll have a look at your films. I am sending you now my short film in private. The quality sucks because the limit was 500mb, but it's fine.

I would like to know what you think!


@cinegirl1999

I am also sending you the link on a private message. Send me yours as well!

 

[cinegirl1999]

Originally posted by xtrmn8ngangl:
satellites? revealing too much?

it does sound a little paranoid. but i don't really do forums, so i am also quite naïve”¦(i actually just learned some interesting forum jargon. for example i would be a great example of a lurker, not because im scared, or secretive, but i have two kids and little free time).

at the risk of ruining my entire life with one post”¦ here are the 2 films i submitted to AFI, as is(which includes a number of typos, and other undesirable mistakes that i didn't have time to correct before the deadline).

http://showmethelight.net/EDF/.../WZSK_ENG_01_WEB.mov

http://showmethelight.net/MOVs/WH_big.mov

i tried to preserve at least some of the original quality, so the files are not small(around 200MB each i think), so please be patient, let the file load, and enjoy them if you can”¦

i would love to see your work as well fellow candidates, future fellows, and rejects alike”¦ (in private if you like).

i would appreciate any and all feedback, as long as it is truthful.

and please fill me in if there is any other negative potential "side effect" to publicly posting film links”¦ thanks.

I think you'll definitely get in, xtrmn8ngangl, because they need action directors and it seems like you like the genre. it was very good. The cinematography was inconsistent but overall it was fun. the acting was good, too. It was unpretentious.

 

[filmdirector2011]

Out of curiosity, how many pages was everyone's narrative statement? I read that the maximum we could have was 5 pages.

 

[FilmSchoolDad]

Originally posted by bryanh:
Hi UCFfilmgirl,

I too am an accepted Producing Fellow at AFI!

I actually just registered to this forum and also just wanted to say hello to everyone!

I'm curious to know why you feel that AFI has the best producing program. Did you apply to any other film school, and if so, were you accepted to any other one? In your opinion, why do you feel that AFI is the best "fit" for you as a producer?

 

[FilmSchoolDad]

Originally posted by bryanh:
Hi UCFfilmgirl,

I too am an accepted Producing Fellow at AFI!

I actually just registered to this forum and also just wanted to say hello to everyone!

Hi Bryanh,
I'm curious to know why you feel that AFI has the best MFA in producing? Did you apply to any other schools, and if so, were you accepted to any others? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[FilmSchoolDad]

Originally posted by shiniun:
Hello everyone! I just got the admission from AFI,too. My discipline is Producing. Can't wait to see you guys!



<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bryanh:
Hi UCFfilmgirl,

I too am an accepted Producing Fellow at AFI!

I actually just registered to this forum and also just wanted to say hello to everyone!

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi shiniun,
I'm curious to hear why you feel that AFI has the best producer's program? Did you apply to any other film school, and if so, which ones, and did you get accepted to any others. What makes AFI the best in your opinion?

 

[bryanh]

Hi FilmSchoolDad

I like AFI's producers program because it offers the opportunity to be very hands-on with the production aspect of film. AFI, in general, differs from other film schools because it implements a conservatory model, which demands a very rigorous academic and production curriculum. This aspect is why AFI was my top choice for film school because it allows me to really learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be a producer. The program is designed for you to specifically specialize in the field of film producing and by immersing you in this constant production environment, you really have the opportunity to learn and directly apply what you learned. I guess you could say that the program kind of emphasizes the "learn by doing" concept, which I believe is very important factor in how you grow as a filmmaker.

The other schools I applied to were just UCLA and Chapman. I applied to the UCLA MFA Directing program but didn't get in (I heard the directing program there is extremely competitive) and Chapman's producing program has not notified me yet. I think they notify end of this month. However, AFI was my top choice over these two schools and is a school I've always wanted to come to which is why I didn't really apply to a lot of schools.

If you have any other questions, please let me know and I'd be more than happy to discuss them with you!

 

[filmdirector2011]

Having crewed on a number of AFI films, I truly believe it is THE best film school in the world. I know that sounds like a grand statement but you really have to experience it to understand.

 

[FilmSchoolDad]

Originally posted by bryanh:
Hi FilmSchoolDad

I like AFI's producers program because it offers the opportunity to be very hands-on with the production aspect of film. AFI, in general, differs from other film schools because it implements a conservatory model, which demands a very rigorous academic and production curriculum. This aspect is why AFI was my top choice for film school because it allows me to really learn the ins and outs of what it takes to be a producer. The program is designed for you to specifically specialize in the field of film producing and by immersing you in this constant production environment, you really have the opportunity to learn and directly apply what you learned. I guess you could say that the program kind of emphasizes the "learn by doing" concept, which I believe is very important factor in how you grow as a filmmaker.

The other schools I applied to were just UCLA and Chapman. I applied to the UCLA MFA Directing program but didn't get in (I heard the directing program there is extremely competitive) and Chapman's producing program has not notified me yet. I think they notify end of this month. However, AFI was my top choice over these two schools and is a school I've always wanted to come to which is why I didn't really apply to a lot of schools.

If you have any other questions, please let me know and I'd be more than happy to discuss them with you!

Hi bryanh
Thank you very much for your extremely articulate comments and opinions about AFI. The reasons you've given for making AFI your top choice are extremely valuable. However, if you had not been accepted to AFI, but were accepted to Chapman's or UCLA's producing programs, which one of those would you have chosen and why? In your opinion, from what you know, what are the positives and negatives of Chapman's program? Do you have an undergraduate B.F.A. degree in film production? If so, was it from any of the top film schools (e.g., UCLA, USC, NYU, FSU, Chapman, Columbia, Cal-Arts, etc.)? To what extent did your undergraduate or work experience prepare you for the intensity of AFI's producer's program?

 

[RobbieBlock]

Hi FIlmschooldad, out of curiosity what are you doing with all of the information you are compiling? You seem to be developing a wealth of knowledge, to compliment a lot of facts that I have seen from you on the forum already, and I was curious if you were planning on writing this somewhere for others to read or if this was purely personal.

Thanks for being so helpful.

 

[filmdirector2011]

If I get accepted I'll have to take out a massive student loan. Anyone else in the same position? Do you think it's worth it to be in debt?

 

[AmyLoreen]

I got accepted a few weeks ago to AFI's screenwriting program and I couldn't be more excited! I'm a forum virgin, so I wanted to lay myself out here! Hi everyone! I started a facebook group called American Film Institute Upcoming 2011 Fellows, so if you get accepted, you should join and drink the punch!

 

[filmdirector2011]

Originally posted by xtrmn8ngangl:
Hello,

I had an interview last week in LA for directing. It was very much like what BBQshow mentioned and very much like my 2 pervious interviews at AFI. Very casual, but you do have to sit up straight if you know what i mean.

I was caught off guard by a couple questions but at the same time no difficult questions, just my opinion on things that came up during the conversation.

It is like any other interview for a creative profession, if you ask me.

unfortunately, I do not feel that i knocked their socks off. which is a disappointment, but last time i interviewed i thought we were soul mates, i walked out glowing, and i didn't even get waitlisted”¦

i wanted to post links to my visual submission films, but i was just curious about all this secrecy”¦ is everyone super paranoid or is that just my imagination?

why hasn't anyone posted their work?

i know im curious to see what everyone is making”¦

hi xtrmn8ngangl, who did you interview with? I interviewed with Peter and Andrew. It did feel like any other interview. I would not use the word casual. It went well though.

 

[afi_ian]

Accepted as producing fellow back on 3/15.

(Also went for interview at NYU in February but have yet to hear back. Applied for March deadline instead of the reccommend January for Stern so likely that is holding up my application since they confer on acceptance for producing program).

First choice, has been and remains AFI so in all likelyhood (95% sure)will be attending this fall. Though will wait til I hear back from NYU before making my final decision (mainly because I feel Stern MBA provides a solid backup plan should a film career not work out).

A bit about my application experience, which some may hopefully find useful.

Last year applied to UCLA, Peter Stark and AFI. Rejected from first two and waitlisted at AFI. The waitlist experience was quite grueling. They say they will let you know by April 15, but that gets pushed bacy to May 15, June 15, July 15 and finally Aug 28 when classes began.
When I spoke to them about it in my interview this year they said that some people who are accepted don't wind up attending cause they choose to go to a different school, can't get a visa if coming from abroad, or can't get together the $ or fin aid to be able to afford it. I have heard though that though they can accept up to 28 producing fellows, they don't necessarily admit 28 each year. This is why, though people have been accepted and some waitlisted yet they are still accepting applications for producing candidates as indicated by the website.
I don't have hard figures on the number of people on the waitlist, how many get in off of it etc. but heard it is not many.
Don't mean to discourage anyone on the waitlist, but just thought I'd pass along what I have heard and/or experienced.
Also I have heard and read in "Film School Confidential" that often times people are rejected or waitlisted on their first application, particularly when coming from a non-film background. They want to know that you are serious about film. My advise to those on the waitlist who don't wind up getting in this year is to redouble your efforts. Do whatever you can granted your schedule to get more involved with film. Taking classes, crewing on AFI productions or other productions, etc. If you were waitlisted it means they think you have the qualifications but want to see the committment. If you put in the effort over the year and apply again you'll likely have a more favorable result the next year.
Don't envy those on the waitlist. Almost worse than rejection when you stay on the waitlist for month cause it is hard to move on with life and you start to crave a definitive answer even if it is a no. But I am proof that it can be done.

 

[xtrmn8ngangl]

i was interviewed by Peter Markham and Robert Mandel.

they were nice, i was nervous.

 

[R. Sid]

Havent heard back from AFI yet. Does that mean reject?

 

[BBQshow]

@R.Sid

When did you interview? I interviewed the 18th of march, I think everyone interviewed after the 15th of march they will know something by the 15th of april, it's been said here in the forum and by the interviewers.

Anyway you will hear something even if you are rejected, waitlisted or accepted (trough email)