AFI Directing Narrative statement - Does it have to be in essay format? Or can I experiment with a different approach to the text?

macieekt

New Member
Hi all!
I'm applying to AFI Directing for the first time and have a question regarding the Narrative Statement.
Does it have to be in essay format? Or can I experiment with a different approach to the text?

If anyone has an insight, please let me know. Thanks!
 
Hi all!
I'm applying to AFI Directing for the first time and have a question regarding the Narrative Statement.
Does it have to be in essay format? Or can I experiment with a different approach to the text?

If anyone has an insight, please let me know. Thanks!
Hey. I'm applying to the AFI Screenwriting program. First timer, too. My Narrative Statement is in essay format, sprinkled with comedic moments since I come from a comedy writing background. You can probably be creative so long as it's 1-3 pages and double spaced.
 
I would agree largely with what's been said so far, with a caveat - I did mine in kind of a traditional essay style. I heard of others who went different with it. That's fine. But I would seriously consider the "why" of it if you decide to do something more oddball - I can't tell you for sure since you don't mention what exactly the alternate format would be, but basically it has to have a point and accomplish something that a standard essay wouldn't, in order for it to shine positively on you. Otherwise, it will be a distracting flourish that is likely to turn them off more than it does increase your chances. But as long as you thought through it and it accomplishes a creative goal, then you should be good to roll with it. One thing for sure - they won't disqualify you automatically for deciding to make it more of a screenplay structure or something like that. But it can hurt you too, as much as it has the potential to make you stand out.
 
Log your film school application with our Application Database so that we can improve our admissions statistics.




Latest Accepted Applications


Acceptance Data
For up to date Film School Acceptance Rates, including Minimum GPAs, Minimum Test Scores, After Interview and Off-Waitlist Acceptance Rates, Film Experience and Undergraduate degrees of accepted applicants, Age data, and other acceptance statistics for your film program of choice simply navigate to the Acceptance Rates tab on each film school's page in our Film School Database.

For example:
Log your own Application with our application database to help improve the site's acceptance data.

Latest Film School Reviews

  • ArtCenter College of Design
    2.00 star(s)
    Safety school, last resort
    Good faith tl;dr: ArtCenter should be your last resort safety school. Only go here if you are willing to blow the money and didn't get into any...
    • Anonymous
  • UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT)
    3.00 star(s)
    UCLA on Downturn
    When I applied to the Production MFA, I definitely hadn’t expected to get in. Much of the process and its student body hasn’t demystified and for...
    • Anonymous
  • California College of ASU (formerly Columbia College Hollywood)
    2.00 star(s)
    A few solid professors and peers, but an otherwise underwhelming experience
    I graduated in the early 2010's, so this review may not be entirely relevant to the state of the program/institution as it is now. With that said...
    • Anonymous
  • Carnegie Mellon University
    1.00 star(s)
    Program deliberately misrepresents itself
    After finishing my MFA at CMU, I, like many of my peers, was unable to do anything with my career. The program was a nightmare because it...
    • Anonymous
  • Stony Brook University (SUNY)
    5.00 star(s)
    Challenging and Fabulous!
    2 things stand out in my second year of film school. #1: In my directing class, the professor insists everyone does their own camera work (we...
    • Supernegro

Latest Applications

Latest questions

  • AFI Conservatory
    Does anyone know the number of people they usually interview vs accept for cinematography?
    • JaredFilms378
  • AFI Conservatory
    I applied for cinematography- I got my interview notification yesterday. Is there an advantage to being notified in the first wave?
    • pandaexpresss
  • AFI Conservatory
    I do have a question-- I know the program is totally all-consuming and will take over your entire life, but- and this may seem an odd question-...
    • HatsOnHatsOnHats
  • Mount Saint Mary's University - Film, Media and Communication
    I can't find any independent reviews or insights about their MFA Film and TV programs online, does anyone on here have any idea about what the...
    • freesoup
  • Duke University - MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts
    Hello! I am considering different MFAs to apply to and have come across Duke's Experimental Documentary Film Programme. Does anyone know how this...
    • arcen.o

Latest Articles

Latest Accepted Applications

Applications
Articles
Forums
Film Schools
Scholarships
Back
Top