AFI 2012 (2 Viewers)

[pdhopeful]

TDub, are you doing a phone or in-person interview?

 

[TDub]

I will be doing an in-person interview.

 

[Smiley]

I have my interview tomorrow for Screenwriting. Do you know what kind of questions they ask?

Thanks!!

 

[khomya]

Which is better - Skype interview or LA/NYC in-person interview?

I am in Russia...
What are the disadvantages (or advantages) of Skype interview?

 

[Miguel Angel]

As far as I know there is none!.

As for your question about the in - person interview, I would say that you might want to go where your Tutor is, because he / she is the person whom you have to convince.

Anyway, that is what I was said about the interviews, as I didn't do any.. my advice is "be yourself".

All the best!.

 

[Directnews]

I applied fo directing dec 1 and havent heard anything, anyone know if i should think its a wrap for me?

 

[Guest]

Smiley: Good luck for tomorrow!!!

 

[wonderpony]

While we wait... anyone wanna give some feedback on my reel? Any advice would be appreciated.

Ladies' Night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yahPUFUU_t8

Babysitter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh2xQAxvLrE

Shower

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTucfUUmGO4

Music Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL3bnc6uwPk

 

[Smiley]

Thanks Kaschko! I'm trying to find out which is the best place of my flat to do the skype, my flatmates think I'm crazy

 

[alidir08]

ALL RIGHT GUYS IT'S THE BIG DAY I HAVE MY INTERVIEW FOR DIRECTING TODAY AT AFI @ 11:10 AM I LIVE IN STUDIO CITY LIKE 10 MINUTES AWAY. I AM PRETTY CALM AND NOT NERVOUS. I DONT KNOW WHO WILL BE INTERVIEWING ME BUT I THINK GILL DENNIS WILL BE THERE MAYBE. ONE OF MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS IS CURRENTLY @ AFI FOR EDITING AND HE GAVE ME SOME GREAT ADVICE FOR THE INTERVIEW. GOOD LUCK ON YOURS GUYS AND JUST BE CALM AND REMEMBER IT'S JUST A CONVERSATION ABOUT US!

 

[graffiti281]

Smiley!

Hi. First, goood luck for the interview. Hope it goes brilliantly.

Second, I have my interview for Screenwriting on Thursday. It would be great if you could share your experience, so I'd know how to prepare.

Best.

 

[pdhopeful]

Would love an update from those of you who've had interviews already! Anything interesting to share? Who did you speak with? Congrats & good luck!

 

[Smiley]

Hey graffiti and pdhopeful!

I had my interview yesterday and it went great! I was very nervous and after all it was not such big deal. Really, don't worry, it's very casual and friendly. They only asked me two questions: Why I want to go to AFI specifically and how I feel about writing in english (I'm spanish). The rest was more like a casual conversation about the school, Los Angeles, the screenwriting program and the screenplays I was working on right now (I'm already working as a screenwriter in Spain).
What surprised me the most is that they talked like I was going to go there for sure!

Hope this makes you feel better. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[graffiti281]

Hi!

I'm glad your interview went well! It doesn't sound quite so bad. I'm a lot less nervous now (though I don't know how I'll be tomorrow).

Anyway, thanks a TON! And good luck! Maybe some of us will be classmates!

 

[Mtfield]

Originally posted by Directnews:
I applied fo directing dec 1 and havent heard anything, anyone know if i should think its a wrap for me?

Hey Directnews,
From this thread and last years it seems that they typically interview screenwriters and producers first as they have to make those decisions earlier, and then the directors seem to come after that. I too applied to directing, and so did a friend of mine. Neither of us have heard yet. I'm not worrying yet. From last year it looks like they were making calls all through feb.

 

[pdhopeful]

Agreed. It seems in previous years they've interviewed directors through March.

Smiley - sounds like you got a good vibe! I think they interview to get a sense of our personalities - to determine if we'll collaborate well with others. Sounds like you have a good chance!

Looking forward to more updates! This thread is slow compared to previous years.

 

[alidir08]

Okay guys so I had my Directing interview on Tuesday Feburary 7th at 11:10am. I arrived to AFI at 10:40 with plenty of time. I live by the motto if your early your on time if your on time your late. I wore a black suit with a white shirt, black vest and a pink tie. I like to dress up and it doesn't hurt. So I walk to the addmissions office at 10:45 (parking can take a while). I was greetted by Jeffery who called me and schedule my interview, offered my some water but I had my own. Then I met Karin Tucker who is the manager of admissions. She was very nice as well.

I was given a page on the two people interviewing me which was a huge plus! Before I could look over the paper they took me down the hall to take your picture (they take everyone's picture who interviews). I looked over the paper and saw that I was interviewing with Peter Markham who is the senior filmmaker he directed 2nd unit on Gangs of new york. As well as Kevin Jones who is a thesis mentor and was vice president at Paramount in the early 90's where he over saw films "Coming to America", "Ghost", "Hunt for Red October" and more. So then 11:10 arrived and both Karin and Jefferey escorted me upstairs to a long hall way and a little room on towards the end and in this room were Peter and Kevin. They stood up once I entered the room, I shook Karin and Jeffery's hand said thank you they wished me good luck, I shut the door and greeted the two men with a firm handshake.

Then came 45 minutes of slightly nerve racking, yet quite comfortable conversation with two adults. I noticed they had my application right there in front of them, with my narrative statement and a note pad with notes on it about me but I couldn't read Peter's handwriting upside down (I hope it was positive). One of the first questions they asked me were what type of director's I like, Have I seen any recent films. I commented on my thoughts for "The Artist" and "Drive" (Nicolas Winding Refn is my favorite director right now). Peter ran the interview it was almost like good cop bad cop with Peter being the tougher one. he asked if I read books, favorite films, why I wanted to attend AFI, they asked about me making my debut feature film at 20. How it was working with Michael Kenneth Williams from HBO's "Boradwalk Empire", also asked about my trip to Cannes where my thesis film got into the short film corner. Then asked why if I went to film school, made a feature, got into Cannes why do I want to attend another film school or just make my 2nd feature film. I answered very honestly and they will get very personal with your questions guys, just be honest. Asked what I learned from making my first feature film, They asked about your personal goals for the school and then they asked me if I have any questions, I had a few. They were both very nice and I believe I made a good impression. Then Peter told me something interesting about the "selection process".

So I interviewed the first week of Feb they probably will still be doing interviews till the last week of March. Notification date is supposed to be APRIL 2nd for Directing students!!! Peter told me that once we end the interview process the faculty will pick there TOP candidates and ALL of the faculty go away for a weekend and they basically compare all of us that they think are the best and screen are work again look over everything again and will make the decision down to the TOP 28!!!

Hope this helps guys GREAT LUCK ON YOUR INTERVIEWS!!!

 

[pdhopeful]

alidir08 - Best interview description ever! I feel like I need to go study! And I think everyone in the industry goes by that motto, or so I've heard.

 

[freakyfreddy]

alidir08- Great post!
Wow, you directed a short that got into Cannes? Talk about tough competition. Good luck and maybe I'll see you this fall.

 

[HI FILM]

hey guys, is Shawn sending the emails for interview invitation to Directing applicants ?