AFI 2019 Screenwriting (2 Viewers)

[BuddernScotch]

Just wanted to chime in on the BlacKKKlansman discussion to say I disagree with y'all, which I can do because I'm not trying to impress any of you, so HA!

I think the film very deliberately sets up the Klansman as idiots because A) they largely are, even in real life, which if anything makes them even scarier and B) it was trying to play upon audience expectations on how these "feel good racism" movies (NOT NAMING ANY FELLOW OSCAR NOMINEE NAMES, BUT YOU KNOW THE ONE) sets up the idea of racism as something that can be conquered, and stopped. And if the film ended with that notion, I would agree with you all. But the actual ending (which rather spectacularly took my breath away) is very much arguing that these Hollywood endings are bullshit, and this issues can't just go away because of one successful police crackdown. It was a bold, chilling way to end the film, and I appreciate the hell out of the movie for it. One of my Top 10 films of last year, personally.

That being said, there were better films on racism and corrupt institutions relessed last year. The Hate U Give, Blindspotting (which is so damn good) and ESPECIALLY If Beale Street Could Talk were all quite fantastic takes on the subject. And, hey, bringing it back to AFI for a second: I actually brought up Beale Street during my interview (they asked me about the last Oscar movie I saw, so I got ranting), and I mentioned how it was my second favorite film of the year, and lauded Barry Jenkins as one of our most brilliant filmmakers. Neither Thomas nor Kennedy had seen the film, and expressed little interest in it from what I could tell. Which bummed me out, while also somewhat explaining how the Oscar's could have so blindly snubbed it this year

Interesting i interpretation. I rather got the opposite - making the KKK seem like idiots almost dismisses them. Real-life people that had been dismissed as idiots at first do quite awful things (Hitler. And... others).

And to me the ending felt exactly what you said it shouldn't feel like. As if racism is that easy to fool and deal with, As if it only happens in a bubble, and only heinous idiots carry it with them. Equating current events to the humorous tone of the rest of the film could have been a great juxtaposition but it felt too unorganic. What's terrifying about that level of hate is not that it comes from idiots and outliers in society but that it comes from people that will shake your hand when you meet them and are functioning parts of society with friends, family, dreams, intelligence... just like those they are being racist towards.

because I play games online, I've made some friends that are the exact opposite on the political spectrum from me. And if they knew from the start that I didn't look like them we probably wouldn't be friends. We're so much alike, yet when they learned I wasn't white ("but you sooouuund like such a white girl") they pulled away at first. This is such a little thing, but I'm using the example to highlight that if we met in real life, we may never have talked and never became friends, despite being so similar otherwise.

 

[kreativesoul]

Just wanted to chime in on the BlacKKKlansman discussion to say I disagree with y'all, which I can do because I'm not trying to impress any of you, so HA!

I think the film very deliberately sets up the Klansman as idiots because A) they largely are, even in real life, which if anything makes them even scarier and B) it was trying to play upon audience expectations on how these "feel good racism" movies (NOT NAMING ANY FELLOW OSCAR NOMINEE NAMES, BUT YOU KNOW THE ONE) sets up the idea of racism as something that can be conquered, and stopped. And if the film ended with that notion, I would agree with you all. But the actual ending (which rather spectacularly took my breath away) is very much arguing that these Hollywood endings are bullshit, and this issues can't just go away because of one successful police crackdown. It was a bold, chilling way to end the film, and I appreciate the hell out of the movie for it. One of my Top 10 films of last year, personally.

That being said, there were better films on racism and corrupt institutions relessed last year. The Hate U Give, Blindspotting (which is so damn good) and ESPECIALLY If Beale Street Could Talk were all quite fantastic takes on the subject. And, hey, bringing it back to AFI for a second: I actually brought up Beale Street during my interview (they asked me about the last Oscar movie I saw, so I got ranting), and I mentioned how it was my second favorite film of the year, and lauded Barry Jenkins as one of our most brilliant filmmakers. Neither Thomas nor Kennedy had seen the film, and expressed little interest in it from what I could tell. Which bummed me out, while also somewhat explaining how the Oscar's could have so blindly snubbed it this year

It's actually crazy. There are a lot of movies they haven't seen. I brought up Crazy Rich Asians, Into the Spiderverse, A Star is Born, Instant Family, Jurassic World, Blindspotting(the only one Anna had seen),and a few more and nothing.

 

[Qingyue]

Will have a skype interview! just have a question from the email..."please print the attached placard to use for your photo and have ready during the Admissions portion of the interview" i'm so confused. What does this mean though?

 

[AdvancedGrapefruit]

Will have a skype interview! just have a question from the email..."please print the attached placard to use for your photo and have ready during the Admissions portion of the interview" i'm so confused. What does this mean though?

Admissions needs to be able to verify your identity for later in the process when they deliberate over your application. In person, they take a photo of you holding a placard for reference. Since you are conducting your interview over Skype, I imagine they want to take a screenshot of you. The email should come with an attachment; print that attachment out and then at some point admissions will ask you to hold it up so that they can take a screenshot of your face and of the identifying placard for their records.

 

[Buusey]

Just had my interview. Like everyone said, super relaxed and I felt like I really, really killed it. Optimistic since Giovanni also mentioned the final interview number was very close to the final 28. Anna and Kevin mentioned their go-to being the Oscar movie question but since it was over, what I thought of it. Mentioned me not having seen Green Book but having been tuned into the online discourse. Anna said it was just a “safe” movie and Kevin liked that my favorites were Roma and The Favourite. A bit of trepidation on my part when the two thought I was referring to the “outrage machine”, which I’ll chalk up to being more of a generational thing, when I talked about the discourse of Green Book but IMO, I agree with all the talking points against the film about it not being a perspective that should be celebrated on the Oscar stage when so many POC haven’t had a chance to tell their perspectives and the movie having a white savior complex. Talked all sorts of things like what I’m working on currently, why graduate school, etc. but it was all worked in very conversationally. Again, like everyone else, felt very good leaving and gave Giovanni his props.

 

[BuddernScotch]

Just had my interview. Like everyone said, super relaxed and I felt like I really, really killed it. Optimistic since Giovanni also mentioned the final interview number was very close to the final 28. Anna and Kevin mentioned their go-to being the Oscar movie question but since it was over, what I thought of it. Mentioned me not having seen Green Book but having been tuned into the online discourse. Anna said it was just a “safe” movie and Kevin liked that my favorites were Roma and The Favourite. A bit of trepidation on my part when the two thought I was referring to the “outrage machine”, which I’ll chalk up to being more of a generational thing, when I talked about the discourse of Green Book but IMO, I agree with all the talking points against the film about it not being a perspective that should be celebrated on the Oscar stage when so many POC haven’t had a chance to tell their perspectives and the movie having a white savior complex. Talked all sorts of things like what I’m working on currently, why graduate school, etc. but it was all worked in very conversationally. Again, like everyone else, felt very good leaving and gave Giovanni his props.

Wow that sounds amazing! And if the final number is close to the... eep ak jeepers+!!!!!! Really wish I didn't cry during my interview as soon as they opened with: "so does film mean a lot to you"? Then got so nervous at having cried that I laughed when they asked about my mother's illness that I wrote about in my autobio.........

Ah well! I'm so past sad anxious disappointment from radio silence after the first round of USC acceptances that I think it's great that I maybe made room for someone else!

I really can't wait until summer when I can go outside to be sad instead of having to stay inside while it hails to be sad.. ahk maybe I wont have to be sad maybe someone will pity take me. Maybe I'll go to Mars.

Anyways IM SUPER GREAT and your interview really does sound like it went splendidly. I just wish everyone could get in to their dream schools and do what they love. I truly wish....

 

[StarChild]

@Buusey congratulations on having a great interview! It sounds like it went well.

@BuddernScotch don't be so hard on yourself. It may not be how you intended to show it, but crying shows that film means a lot to you. There’s no way to tell what they were thinking, so just be proud of yourself that you got there and what will be will be. They’re professionals, I’m sure they look at many things in an interview.

 

[Buusey]

Wow that sounds amazing! And if the final number is close to the... eep ak jeepers+!!!!!! Really wish I didn't cry during my interview as soon as they opened with: "so does film mean a lot to you"? Then got so nervous at having cried that I laughed when they asked about my mother's illness that I wrote about in my autobio.........

Ah well! I'm so past sad anxious disappointment from radio silence after the first round of USC acceptances that I think it's great that I maybe made room for someone else!

I really can't wait until summer when I can go outside to be sad instead of having to stay inside while it hails to be sad.. ahk maybe I wont have to be sad maybe someone will pity take me. Maybe I'll go to Mars.

Anyways IM SUPER GREAT and your interview really does sound like it went splendidly. I just wish everyone could get in to their dream schools and do what they love. I truly wish....

Remember, you were chosen because you have a specific voice that they were looking for— something different out of ~1,000 applicants. That is where most of your value as a screenwriter to them was and if the opening few minutes of your interview was the only part you weren’t sure of (maybe they even liked that FOR being different), I’m sure it wasn’t disqualifying at all!

 

[Qingyue]

Admissions needs to be able to verify your identity for later in the process when they deliberate over your application. In person, they take a photo of you holding a placard for reference. Since you are conducting your interview over Skype, I imagine they want to take a screenshot of you. The email should come with an attachment; print that attachment out and then at some point admissions will ask you to hold it up so that they can take a screenshot of your face and of the identifying placard for their records.

Thank You!!

 

[AdvancedGrapefruit]

Thank You!!

No problem! Best of luck in your interview.

 

[StarChild]

I know it's still 2 weeks away, but I have to admit I'm getting pretty excited about the countdown. I love that we know the day the admits drop, though it does make this group less chatty.

 

[Cody Young]

I know it's still 2 weeks away, but I have to admit I'm getting pretty excited about the countdown. I love that we know the day the admits drop, though it does make this group less chatty.

It certainly does kind of kill the thread. Like you, I’m beyond excited for March 15th!!

 

[Septopus7]

Yes, so much of these threads are slightly whiny, anxiety ridden posts about when the nightmare that is waiting for a decision can come to a close. As a writer of about 60% of them, can confirm.

 

[StarChild]

Let’s start a new trend-
What are people writing/outlining/rewriting currently? Or what else is taking up your creative time?

 

[StarChild]

Oops- didn’t answer my own question.
I’m working on a rewriting/reworking a Tv dramedy about vampires

 

[Chris W]

Let’s start a new trend-
What are people writing/outlining/rewriting currently? Or what else is taking up your creative time?

Feel free to start a new thread on this in the Lounge... I think there actually might be one already here:

Icebreakers - What’s everyone doing to keep sane?

With results approaching, what is everyone doing to stay sane? When I’m not refreshing my email constantly, I’m working on a new script and watching my boyfriend play Breath of the Wild. ?

www.filmschool.org

 

[brothap]

Hey guys, I did not know where to post this. They invited me for an interview for cinematography on Tuesday, and I have been doing some research on AFI here, there are almost no cinematographer applicants in this forum, so I'm looking for new info, hope that's ok!

Did they ask you more than what was listed on the forum as possible subjects? Did you guys felt prepared enough?

 

[StarChild]

Hey guys, I did not know where to post this. They invited me for an interview for cinematography on Tuesday, and I have been doing some research on AFI here, there are almost no cinematographer applicants in this forum, so I'm looking for new info, hope that's ok!

Did they ask you more than what was listed on the forum as possible subjects? Did you guys felt prepared enough?

CONGRATULATIONS on the interview!
I felt pretty prepared for mine. I think everything that was asked in my interview has been covered by others, but just in case. - I'm not sure how much the questions will cross-over to cinematography, but they basically asked me about my script and what inspired it - for you I'm sure that would be something like what inspired the look of your piece and just discussing styles you liked. We talked about where I'm from for a bit, partly because it specifically played into my script. We talked about why writing, and they told me some about the AFI program and how rigorous it is and discussed that and what I liked about it. We also did the standard "what did I like for best film in the Oscars" which now is likely what did you think of the Oscars. We discussed my favorite movie. Honestly, I agree with everyone on here, the interview was very laid back and I didn't feel as much pressure to perform as other interviews I've had. I think something that might be useful for you is to check what cinematographers applying to other programs are being asked as there may be cross-over. I'd guess they'll discuss visual storytelling or what you like about that and styles maybe which films you love or influence you. It'll probably be pretty free-flowing too.
I'm sorry this isn't very helpful, but GOOD LUCK! I'm sure you'll do great and I'm glad you posted on here. It's great to get to talk to people from different disciplines. Please let us know how it goes afterwards!

 

[d890]

Yes, so much of these threads are slightly whiny, anxiety ridden posts about when the nightmare that is waiting for a decision can come to a close. As a writer of about 60% of them, can confirm.

Hahaha totally true.

 

[StarChild]

Hey! Just checking, did anyone else get an email basically explaining financial aid and the cost of AFI today? Probably nothing, but I’m wanting this to be something positive.