AFI Fellows 2009

[Kelly]

I just wanted to say hello. I was accepted into the screenwriting program at AFI for Fall 2009. My name is Kelly Rothberger and I guess I will see you in August!

 

[Hernan]

Hey guys, got accepted today, just wanted to say hi, and I'm really looking forward to meeting everybody and getting to work with you as well.

 

[AviQ]

Congratulations Hernan!Which discipline will you be getting into??

 

[Hernan]

I'm a directing fellow, and you?

 

[AviQ]

Im a producing fellow, so I look forward to working with ya!

 

[Ryan Serey]

Whew! I just got the call. I have been accepted into the screenwriting program. I look forward to meeting the other fellows.

 

[jean-paul]

Congratulations, Ryan!

There's an American Film Institute Fellows 2009 group on facebook, if you haven't checked it out yet.

 

[Ryan Serey]

Thanks! Do any of you know when the semester actually starts?

 

[Hernan]

yep Ryan, August 21st

 

[Fox]

Can anyone tell me how many directors AFI accept each year? I'm arguing about this with a friend, and he told me each year, there will be 28 directors and 28 producers, 14 editors, is that ture?

Btw, I think my friend is waitlisted by the directing program and once he got the proper TOFEL score, he can get in

 

[AviQ]

indeed there will be 28 directors & producers while production designers and editors only get 14 spots.

 

[simondebrun]

Hi Wyeth,

Yeah, the cost of attendance is pretty big. Regarding the second year...

From the AFI website -
"The cost of attendance budget for first year Fellows will be adjusted in their second year for thesis tuition of $375 per unit or up to a total of $7,500, and increased costs if approved by the AFI Board of Trustees. First year Fellows in 2009-2010 should expect increased costs for their second year of at least their thesis tuition up to a maximum of $7,500."

So it'll be a bit more. There's the thesis film aw well. That seems to be mostly covered by donations ... though I'm guessing it's reasonable to expect each thesis team-member to have to contribute something if donations don't make it.

I guess it will be a good incentive to work hard!

 

[simondebrun]

I guess it's worth pointing out the positive too

AFI completely funds each of the three first year cycle projects, it's $3200 I think. This is a 'hard' limit and can't be added to, which is great. The thesis project's are give $12k to start. Most end up being in the $35-$50k range, though some can go to a special circumstances max of $65 if given permission.


Anyway, I've been thinking about these issues too. Is it worth it? It's a hard call. If your alternative is not working at getting ahead in your discipline, most likely yes, especially if you work hard.

I've been debating film-school vs pursuing commercial directing. Regardless of the route my aim is features directing. For me film school would give me the chance to concentrate 100% on studying and shooting narrative films. My alternative would mean some income, vs debt, but perhaps a more uphill climb to develop films. Who knows though ...

All the best with your decision, I completely relate.

 

[Jayimess]

FYI, the cycle film hard limit applies to what the school will provide. If your budget goes over, which has happened on all SIX of my roommate's cycles this year (she's an editor, they and the PDs do twice as many films), every crew member has to pay the remainder. This is done on a sliding scale, based on crew position. As an editor, she tends to pay the least, usually no more than $100.

It's an amazing program.

 

[simondebrun]

Hmm, that's interesting. That's different to what I thought. Any idea on what kind of scale they tend to go over?

 

[Jordan M.]

Hey Guys,

Jordan here, AFI Producing fellow for Fall 2009 I am relocating from the east coast (new jersey) and am looking for housing (like so many other out of state people). The issue is, is as I am taking out loans, I have to wait for the school to take their money out of my loan package, and then they give the rest back to me as a check, which I will then use for housing, living expenses, etc. That said, I'd be certainly up to any ideas or suggestions, or ways to connect with other fellows (as maybe rooming together would be a great idea). That said, anyone interested should feel free to email me at my email address:

vetdr2011@aim.com

And I look forward to meet all of my talented classmates in the fall term

Thank You, and Congratulations To All!

Jordan Michael