AFI 2013/2014 Applicants!

[ath579]

I've already interviewed in NYC.

 

[RWF]

Cool. My NY interview is on Tuesday 5th. If there are any tips or helpful info you can give me I'd be so grateful.

 

[ath579]

Well I interviewed for screenwriting, but the entire thing was more like a conversation. As cliche as it is, just be yourself and show that you're passionate about this and that it's definitely what you want to do and you can't imagine yourself doing anything else. They'll ask you some individual questions that have to do with your resume. Also, make sure to be up to date on current films. They asked me what was the last film I'd seen in theaters and we bonded over how awesome it was, and then we spent a large amount of time talking about the best films that we saw this year. Don't be nervous. It's pretty laid back but conduct yourself professionally, speak clearly, and you'll be fine. If you have any worries/questions though, feel free to send me a private message =) This entire process is incredibly stressful.

 

[RWF]

Thanks for the help ath579!

 

[pinsandneedles]

Got a call for a directing interview today! March 7 at 10am in NYC.

 

[pinsandneedles]

Also, a question about the directing program:

I have heard from current and previous students that the directing programs allows for some writing, whereas the other disciplines are extremely focused with little bleed-over (i.e., a cinematographer will never write a screenplay, and a screenwriter will never take a cinematography class).

Is it true that the directing students can take writing classes, or direct their own scripts?

I had a screenwriting interview for AFI and they told me that now screenwriters do all of the pitching for project ideas, so I wonder if that means that the writing aspect of directing is now removed?

 

[dusty_rose]

@pinsandneedles good question! I'm curious to know too.

Congrats by the way

 

[pinsandneedles]

Originally posted by pinsandneedles:
Also, a question about the directing program:

I have heard from current and previous students that the directing program allows for some writing, whereas the other disciplines are extremely focused with little bleed-over (i.e., a cinematographer will never write a screenplay, and a screenwriter will never take a cinematography class).

Is it true that the directing students can take writing classes, or direct their own scripts?

I had a screenwriting interview for AFI and they told me that now screenwriters do all of the pitching for project ideas, so I wonder if that means that the writing aspect of directing is now removed?

 

[AnimalMother]

Originally posted by pinsandneedles:
Also, a question about the directing program:

I have heard from current and previous students that the directing program allows for some writing, whereas the other disciplines are extremely focused with little bleed-over (i.e., a cinematographer will never write a screenplay, and a screenwriter will never take a cinematography class).

Is it true that the directing students can take writing classes, or direct their own scripts?

I had a screenwriting interview for AFI and they told me that now screenwriters do all of the pitching for project ideas, so I wonder if that means that the writing aspect of directing is now removed?

Of your three first year cycle films, the only film that you are required to make with a Writing Fellow is cycle one. Other students can pitch ideas and collaborate on cycle one, but a Writing Fellow has to write the screenplay. For cycles two and three, the team can choose to make their cycle film based on one of the Screenwriting Fellows scripts, however anybody may write them, Producers, Directors, even a Cinematographer I suppose should they be so inclined to pitch something to a Director/Producer and have them want to make it. There is no requirement on who writes cycle two and three, and many of the Screenwriting Fellows are busy working on their features anyway and may not be interested in using their time on a short film anyway.

For Thesis Films, again, anybody may submit a script to the Production Office, however, a Thesis script has to be greenlit to go into production, and you only get once chance at getting it approved (unless you get creative). So a Producer, a Director, a Writer, anybody could submit their Thesis Script for approval, then a team could pair up around the script if they wanted to make it.

So to answer your question, yes, the Directing program does allow for writing, as does any fellow who wanted to pitch and try and write at AFI, the best stories and scripts will win out. Also, yes, Directing Fellows, or any Fellow could attend writing classes, or any other classes not in their discipline at AFI from what I understand.

 

[bshap]

Hi all,

Firstly want to wish everyone good luck!

I'm looking at applying for the directing discipline this year, so for fall of 2014.

I wanted to ask any current fellows and those who got interviews if there was someplace I could view the shorts that you submitted.

I'm finishing post on a short now (200 VFX shots, all sets were green screen) and planning another for this summer.

I'm trying to get an idea of what projects are being accepted.

I know the typical answer is always, just have a good story, and, they are usually high quality. However, I find that rather subjective.

So if anyone has their work posted anywhere or would feel comfortable sharing via Dropbox I'd really appreciate it.

Here is a little bit about the school sponsored project I shot and am finishing post on.

SFUAD Shoot The Stars

 

[dusty_rose]

thanks @AnimalMother that was helpful

 

[visualEyes]

Hello guys,

just got an email from Robert Taylor, it says the following

Hello Applicant!

We are currently in the process of scheduling appointments, by discipline, for those individuals who have been selected for an interview, by the AFI Conservatory Admissions Committee. IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW, you will be contacted, via telephone, by an AFI Admissions Office Processor. We are also continuing the review process with our rolling admissions policy this year, so rest assured, your application is being considered.

If you are accepted for the 2013-2014 academic year, you can expect to receive an email, prior to an official notification letter, via US mail. Notification letters for CINEMATOGRAPHY, EDITING, PRODUCING, PRODUCTION DESIGN and SCREENWRITING will be mailed on or before March 15, 2013, if you applied by December 1, 2012. Notices for DIRECTING will be mailed on or before April 1, 2013.

For more information, please refer to AFI.edu, under the Review Process and Notification. Thank you and Best of luck!
------------------------------------------------
Did anyone else get this message? I feel like it's just a painkiller for the upcoming doom as I haven't received an interview request..

 

[TravMarsh]

Originally posted by visualEyes:
Hello guys,

just got an email from Robert Taylor, it says the following

Hello Applicant!

We are currently in the process of scheduling appointments, by discipline, for those individuals who have been selected for an interview, by the AFI Conservatory Admissions Committee. IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW, you will be contacted, via telephone, by an AFI Admissions Office Processor. We are also continuing the review process with our rolling admissions policy this year, so rest assured, your application is being considered.

If you are accepted for the 2013-2014 academic year, you can expect to receive an email, prior to an official notification letter, via US mail. Notification letters for CINEMATOGRAPHY, EDITING, PRODUCING, PRODUCTION DESIGN and SCREENWRITING will be mailed on or before March 15, 2013, if you applied by December 1, 2012. Notices for DIRECTING will be mailed on or before April 1, 2013.

For more information, please refer to AFI.edu, under the Review Process and Notification. Thank you and Best of luck!
------------------------------------------------
Did anyone else get this message? I feel like it's just a painkiller for the upcoming doom as I haven't received an interview request..

I got that same e-mail. I agree with you on the pending doom.

 

[TheRealSV]

Originally posted by TravMarsh:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by visualEyes:
Hello guys,

just got an email from Robert Taylor, it says the following

Hello Applicant!

We are currently in the process of scheduling appointments, by discipline, for those individuals who have been selected for an interview, by the AFI Conservatory Admissions Committee. IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW, you will be contacted, via telephone, by an AFI Admissions Office Processor. We are also continuing the review process with our rolling admissions policy this year, so rest assured, your application is being considered.

If you are accepted for the 2013-2014 academic year, you can expect to receive an email, prior to an official notification letter, via US mail. Notification letters for CINEMATOGRAPHY, EDITING, PRODUCING, PRODUCTION DESIGN and SCREENWRITING will be mailed on or before March 15, 2013, if you applied by December 1, 2012. Notices for DIRECTING will be mailed on or before April 1, 2013.

For more information, please refer to AFI.edu, under the Review Process and Notification. Thank you and Best of luck!
------------------------------------------------
Did anyone else get this message? I feel like it's just a painkiller for the upcoming doom as I haven't received an interview request..

I got that same e-mail. I agree with you on the pending doom. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I got it too and I interviewed first week of February so I think it's just being sent to all applicants so don't worry. You still have a whole month to get an interview if your director applicant and still interviews for other disciplines as well.

 

[ath579]

I got that email too, a couple days ago, and I also interviewed so I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[wannabe13]

Anyone had a directing interview and care to share deets?

 

[jonkeng]

Any cinematography applicants here? I'm in the midst of preparing my submission and I'm a bit confused about what the supporting materials bit.

From the AFI admissions page:

"Submit up to two different examples of original work that best demonstrate talent, ability and experience as a cinematographer. Montage or summary reels will be accepted, in addition."

Does this mean that it is possible to submit two short films, as well as a showreel?

 

[thisismyusername]

Hi jonkeng. I applied for Cinematography. I also found that wording a little confusing. I took it to mean that they would like you to submit two samples total, but one sample could be a montage of a series of clips, etc. Personally, I chose not to submit a "montage" because AFI is such a narrative based program, I felt like they'd rather see examples of telling a story visually, as opposed to just a series of beautiful unrelated shots.

Also, it sounds like they have so many applications to get through that I feel like they'd rather not watch two "narrative" clips AND a series of "beauty shots" on top of that.

I applied in early January and have not heard anything yet.

 

[tvb]

Originally posted by jonkeng:
Any cinematography applicants here? I'm in the midst of preparing my submission and I'm a bit confused about what the supporting materials bit.

From the AFI admissions page:

"Submit up to two different examples of original work that best demonstrate talent, ability and experience as a cinematographer. Montage or summary reels will be accepted, in addition."

Does this mean that it is possible to submit two short films, as well as a showreel?

Cinematography applicant here. I took that to mean two total so I submitted one short and a showreel, as well as a few still photographs.

Any other cinematography applicants on here? I can't recall seeing anyone else. Has anyone from cinematography gotten interviews yet?

I submitted my application about two weeks after Dec. 1, and didn't receive the confirmation until Jan. 22. Haven't heard anything regarding an interview, so I'm a bit worried.

 

[pinsandneedles]

Hey out there, anyone had a directing interview lately? Getting a bit nervous! One of the guys was on the writing team for Return to Oz and Walk the Line, both great films.


Any tips??