AFI Screenwriting Fall 2021

[equus_auctor]

Mine started about a half hour late which threw me off a little and had a ripple effect on my tightly scheduled day. I think it went well overall, hard to know tbh. They were very personable and easy to talk to. Though only Anna really spoke/asked questions.

They asked a lot about my background and about certain things from my resume and whether or not I’d taken any screenwriting classes.

They also asked if I had any ideas for future projects. This is where I felt a bit ambushed, because it seemed like they were interested in me breaking the actual story, which I didn't feel entirely prepared to do. I had plenty of concepts/characters/arcs/central conflict ideas for specific projects but it seemed like they thought I was being too abstract or something. After that, there was time for me to ask questions.

It’s odd, I felt really solid and confident about my writing samples but the interview has actually heightened my overall neuroses a little bit. Having said that, I'm definitely one of those people who's prone to replay the thing over and over in my head looking for all my subtle missteps.

Glad it’s over, though. Onward!

 

[Abbey Normal]

Mine started about a half hour late which threw me off a little and had a ripple effect on my tightly scheduled day. I think it went well overall, hard to know tbh. They were very personable and easy to talk to. Though only Anna really spoke/asked questions.

They asked a lot about my background and about certain things from my resume and whether or not I’d taken any screenwriting classes.

They also asked if I had any ideas for future projects. This is where I felt a bit ambushed, because it seemed like they were interested in me breaking the actual story, which I didn't feel entirely prepared to do. I had plenty of concepts/characters/arcs/central conflict ideas for specific projects but it seemed like they thought I was being too abstract or something. After that, there was time for me to ask questions.

It’s odd, I felt really solid and confident about my writing samples but the interview has actually heightened my overall neuroses a little bit. Having said that, I'm definitely one of those people who's prone to replay the thing over and over in my head looking for all my subtle missteps.

Glad it’s over, though. Onward!

Thanks for sharing!!! I've heard similar stories about pitching to Anna so I have a few loglines/concepts ready. Hopefully I don't blow it.

I'm sure after my interview I'll probably replay it over and over in my head. You're not the only one. I think it's a writer thing

Until then...fingers crossed : )

 

[its_me_mari]

Hey guys!
I want to let everybody know about my interview! I was on Saturday (I took some days off the internet -and my email) and I interviewed with Anna Thomas and Paola Villegas Soruco.

The interview was super great and way more friendly than I thought.
They started with the question "Where are you?" and from that, it all flowed naturally. I was super happy that they mention my personal statement and my sample and the whole conversation kinda went about the things I wrote and stories I wanted to tell.
They asked me to pitch something and I ended up talking about stories I had in my family that I wanted to write and we had a great laugh about it. I remember they asked me about my influences and movies I liked and also, as a Brazilian, they wanted to know what type of stories I wanted to tell that embraced my country's culture which I thought was great a question.

We also acknowledge some mistakes I have made in my samples and that I need to work on some things related to the structure to get to their level, but even if I don't get in, it was amazing to hear some feedback from them (that made me super excited to work on it, to be honest)! Saying that I'm not like... super confident, but talking to them was such a great experience in itself that I'm honestly happy about my interview.

I sending good vibes for us! Hope we can all get in!

 

[kcgam]

Hey guys!
I want to let everybody know about my interview! I was on Saturday (I took some days off the internet -and my email) and I interviewed with Anna Thomas and Paola Villegas Soruco.

The interview was super great and way more friendly than I thought.
They started with the question "Where are you?" and from that, it all flowed naturally. I was super happy that they mention my personal statement and my sample and the whole conversation kinda went about the things I wrote and stories I wanted to tell.
They asked me to pitch something and I ended up talking about stories I had in my family that I wanted to write and we had a great laugh about it. I remember they asked me about my influences and movies I liked and also, as a Brazilian, they wanted to know what type of stories I wanted to tell that embraced my country's culture which I thought was great a question.

We also acknowledge some mistakes I have made in my samples and that I need to work on some things related to the structure to get to their level, but even if I don't get in, it was amazing to hear some feedback from them (that made me super excited to work on it, to be honest)! Saying that I'm not like... super confident, but talking to them was such a great experience in itself that I'm honestly happy about my interview.

I sending good vibes for us! Hope we can all get in!

Congrats on a successful interview! Sounds like it went well and most of all that you enjoyed the experience. Great to get feedback as well!! Best of luck!

 

[kcgam]

Mine started about a half hour late which threw me off a little and had a ripple effect on my tightly scheduled day. I think it went well overall, hard to know tbh. They were very personable and easy to talk to. Though only Anna really spoke/asked questions.

They asked a lot about my background and about certain things from my resume and whether or not I’d taken any screenwriting classes.

They also asked if I had any ideas for future projects. This is where I felt a bit ambushed, because it seemed like they were interested in me breaking the actual story, which I didn't feel entirely prepared to do. I had plenty of concepts/characters/arcs/central conflict ideas for specific projects but it seemed like they thought I was being too abstract or something. After that, there was time for me to ask questions.

It’s odd, I felt really solid and confident about my writing samples but the interview has actually heightened my overall neuroses a little bit. Having said that, I'm definitely one of those people who's prone to replay the thing over and over in my head looking for all my subtle missteps.

Glad it’s over, though. Onward!

You did it!! Congrats! Best of luck moving forward

 

[Abbey Normal]

Hey guys!
I want to let everybody know about my interview! I was on Saturday (I took some days off the internet -and my email) and I interviewed with Anna Thomas and Paola Villegas Soruco.

The interview was super great and way more friendly than I thought.
They started with the question "Where are you?" and from that, it all flowed naturally. I was super happy that they mention my personal statement and my sample and the whole conversation kinda went about the things I wrote and stories I wanted to tell.
They asked me to pitch something and I ended up talking about stories I had in my family that I wanted to write and we had a great laugh about it. I remember they asked me about my influences and movies I liked and also, as a Brazilian, they wanted to know what type of stories I wanted to tell that embraced my country's culture which I thought was great a question.

We also acknowledge some mistakes I have made in my samples and that I need to work on some things related to the structure to get to their level, but even if I don't get in, it was amazing to hear some feedback from them (that made me super excited to work on it, to be honest)! Saying that I'm not like... super confident, but talking to them was such a great experience in itself that I'm honestly happy about my interview.

I sending good vibes for us! Hope we can all get in!

Thank you for sharing! Sounds like it went well

Fingers crossed! Rooting for you! Would love to see all of us together come fall (assuming I don't blow my interview).

Cheers!!!

 

[ezli]

Has anyone gotten an interview request recently? Curious if they've finished deciding who they're interviewing

 

[its_me_mari]

Thank you for sharing! Sounds like it went well

Fingers crossed! Rooting for you! Would love to see all of us together come fall (assuming I don't blow my interview).

Cheers!!!

I'm sure you'll do great!
Don't worry too much about it! I'm super anxious (especially "in advance") but as soon as it started, I got better.

Waiting is definitely (before and after) the worst part.

 

[katiebonnie]

Hey everyone! As your interview experiences were so helpful and genuinely calmed my anxiety, I thought I'd share mine too

I interviewed with Anna Thomas and Ed Decter. They had some Zoom issues which was actually a nice icebreaker and gave me a chance to calm down while they sorted that out. They spoke a lot about my sample which was amazing to hear. Then they asked me:

1. Are you in London right now, whereabouts and a little bit about that.
2. So what happened with acting? (I had previously been in drama school)
3. They wanted me to explain my life chronologically haha, so how I got into writing from acting and then into screenwriting.
4. What do you want to write about?
5. Do you have any questions for us?

It lasted around 40 minutes but with the zoom trouble I think maybe 35 mins? I really felt like they were selling AFI to me which I don't know if that's a good thing?? It didn't feel long at all though.

I honestly have no idea how it went, they were so, so lovely and we were laughing the whole way through but that doesn't mean anything All I would say for anyone that hasn't had theirs yet is just be yourself and come prepared with questions *writtendown* because my mind literally blanked despite having a list of questions prepped

Fingers crossed for everyone!

 

[Abbey Normal]

Hey guys!

I also interviewed with Anna and Ed and it went very well. Not going to lie, I was nervous for like a minute prior to the Zoom, but they were both so nice. I spent the first 20 minutes talking about myself, my upbringing, and family background, which Anna and Ed loved. In fact, Ed even said if I attended AFI he wanted me to write the movie about my upbringing in the midwest haha. After that we talked about how I got into screenwriting and my writing sample (pilot and risk prompt), which they both enjoyed. The fact that an Oscar nominated writer and showrunner enjoyed my work was already a win! The conversation then led to me pitching a pilot idea. Thankfully, I've been practicing my pitch and rehearsing the hell out of it, so I was pretty confident when they asked for it. The last 5 minutes or so was questions or concerns I had about AFI.

Overall, it was so much fun talking to them. Here are some questions they asked:

1. Where are you currently?
2. Tell us about your background?
3. What do you like to write about / what type of stories are you interested in?
4. What's a personal project that you would like to write about at AFI?
5. Do you want to work in TV or Film, or both and why?
6. Do you have any questions for us?

My big advice - be yourself, be vulnerable, and just relax!

Fingers crossed y'all

 

[its_me_mari]

Hey guys!

I also interviewed with Anna and Ed and it went very well. Not going to lie, I was nervous for like a minute prior to the Zoom, but they were both so nice. I spent the first 20 minutes talking about myself, my upbringing, and family background, which Anna and Ed loved. In fact, Ed even said if I attended AFI he wanted me to write the movie about my upbringing in the midwest haha. After that we talked about how I got into screenwriting and my writing sample (pilot and risk prompt), which they both enjoyed. The fact that an Oscar nominated writer and showrunner enjoyed my work was already a win! The conversation then led to me pitching a pilot idea. Thankfully, I've been practicing my pitch and rehearsing the hell out of it, so I was pretty confident when they asked for it. The last 5 minutes or so was questions or concerns I had about AFI.

Overall, it was so much fun talking to them. Here are some questions they asked:

1. Where are you currently?
2. Tell us about your background?
3. What do you like to write about / what type of stories are you interested in?
4. What's a personal project that you would like to write about at AFI?
5. Do you want to work in TV or Film, or both and why?
6. Do you have any questions for us?

My big advice - be yourself, be vulnerable, and just relax!

Fingers crossed y'all

That's soo nice! So happy that I went well!!!!
Fingers crossed!!!

 

[kcgam]

@katiebonnie and @Abbey Normal sounds like you both had solid interviews. Congratulations!!! Crossing fingers and toes.

 

[Krmg]

Does anyone still need to interview for AFI Screenwriting?! When do y'all think acceptances/application notifications will start rolling out?

 

[katiebonnie]

Does anyone still need to interview for AFI Screenwriting?! When do y'all think acceptances/application notifications will start rolling out?

It said March 15th on the email so I reckon we've got time. The fees are so expensive I don't think I'd have a hope in hell of going even if I somehow got in

 

[Chris W]

Broke off money discussion to own thread as I think all applicants could find it helpful.

Paying for AFI? (And film school in general)

The fees are so expensive I don't think I'd have a hope in hell of going even if I somehow got in 🙃 😂

www.filmschool.org

 

[Chris W]

Anyone want to review AFI (and the other film schools you are applying to) as an applicant basically saying in the review what you like about the school and the pros and cons as to the WHY you are applying? It can be anonymous. Would love to have more reviews of schools on the site.

View film school 182

 

[Pautasso]

Hey guys!
First time longtime...I interviewed the beginning of this month. Wishing us all good luck.
"May the four winds blow you safely home"

 

[aaaaa]

Here is my interview experience:

They were very personable and nice. They asked:
Where did I live?
Have I taken screenwriting classes?
What are some movies I love?
What type of stories do I want to tell?
What is a film I'd like to write in my first year there?

 

[Abbey Normal]

Hey all!

Has anyone heard back from admissions? Someone on Twitter (an international applicant) posted that they were accepted into the Screenwriting program last week. However, 2020 notifications happened around mid-March. Maybe it's different for international applicants?

 

[katiebonnie]

Hey all!

Has anyone heard back from admissions? Someone on Twitter (an international applicant) posted that they were accepted into the Screenwriting program last week. However, 2020 notifications happened around mid-March. Maybe it's different for international applicants?

Hey, I think I saw that tweet too, the Australian girl? I think she was actually accepted last year (yes I did stalk her twitter haha) so maybe she deferred? Not sure though. I haven't heard anything yet but was told decisions would be released March 15th