AFI Screenwriting Fall 2021

[Chris W]

Interest can accrue *only* on the loan amount. For example, you borrow $100. Interest is 1% monthly

Ahh you're right. I had a brain fart. Yeah definitely try and steer away from a compounding loan if you can. If that's even possible I don't know.

 

[Chiarizka]

Did they send you a financial decision last year?

I didn't ask for a scholarship last year!! So I was starting to panicking but another fellow contacted me and told me that she's waiting too for their final decision sooo, let's wait!

 

[katiebonnie]

I didn't ask for a scholarship last year!! So I was starting to panicking but another fellow contacted me and told me that she's waiting too for their final decision sooo, let's wait!

Ahhh I see! Well, fingers crossed for you!

 

[Abbey Normal]

Hi everyone, it's Chiara here, a deferred screenwriting fellow from last year

Do you happen to know how many screenwriting fellows deferred? I know they usually take in 28 screenwriting fellows/year. So far there's you and an Aussie girl (don't ask how I know haha). I'm just curious to see if the cohort will be more than usual this year because of the pandemic.

 

[Chiarizka]

Do you happen to know how many screenwriting fellows deferred? I know they usually take in 28 screenwriting fellows/year. So far there's you and an Aussie girl (don't ask how I know haha). I'm just curious to see if the cohort will be more than usual this year because of the pandemic.

Well I didn't know about this girl honestly ahaha I thought I was the only deferred one from screenwriting ahah so I think just the two of us?

 

[katiebonnie]

Okay so I'm pretty sure I will have to turn down the offer. There is simply no way of me getting enough money that isn't considered 'debt' by the government and so I won't be able to get a visa. AFI told me I wouldn't be able to work in my first year because of my visa limitations and when I asked how international students manage to survive with no income they said this:

"The reason working isn’t allowed in the first year is because you have essentially already shown that you have the necessary funds to support yourself for the first year."

Which is some elitist bull**** in my opinion hahaha . I dunno, I've not been given the best impression tbh but as an international I guess it's a different experience! We'll see if they say anything extra on the 27th (apologies for the rant!)

 

[Abbey Normal]

"The reason working isn’t allowed in the first year is because you have essentially already shown that you have the necessary funds to support yourself for the first year."

Which is some elitist bull**** in my opinion hahaha . I dunno, I've not been given the best impression tbh but as an international I guess it's a different experience! We'll see if they say anything extra on the 27th (apologies for the rant!)

Please rant!!! haha

It appears most graduate film programs forbid students to work, especially in their first year, esp at AFI. My friend was a TA in his second year at UCLA for his MFA and he told me it was super stressful having to crank out new pages every week on top of grading a ton of paperwork. Then again UCLA is significanlty cheaper.

FWIW, when you're a top 5 film school it's okay to be elitist lol.

I hope it all works out for you! I'd say start doing your research and apply to as many outside scholarships as you can possibly find.

 

[katiebonnie]

Please rant!!! haha

It appears most graduate film programs forbid students to work, especially in their first year, esp at AFI. My friend was a TA in his second year at UCLA for his MFA and he told me it was super stressful having to crank out new pages every week on top of grading a ton of paperwork. Then again UCLA is significanlty cheaper.

FWIW, when you're a top 5 film school it's okay to be elitist lol.

I hope it all works out for you! I'd say start doing your research and apply to as many outside scholarships as you can possibly find.

Honestly that is baffling to me!! When I was 19 I legit worked 8 jobs at the same time and cannot imagine just not working at all?! maybe I'm weird I dunno hahaha

Yeah, I just hoped that they also had actual real people working for them who weren't that way but yikes that phrasing just did not sit right with me. If I ever win the lottery or something and get to be a rich old lady, I want to pay for a load of low-income students to go to all these schools like, off you go, fight the system kids

But yeah, I'm still researching scholarships and I might give have a ton of questions on the 27th so apologies in advance!!

 

[Abbey Normal]

But yeah, I'm still researching scholarships and I might give have a ton of questions on the 27th so apologies in advance!!

Just keep your questions to a minimum during the info-session. I don't want AFI to put you on their "Annoying International Student Keeps Asking Questions, So She's Definitley Not Getting A Scholarship" list.

 

[katiebonnie]

Just keep your questions to a minimum during the info-session. I don't want AFI to put you on their "Annoying International Student Keeps Asking Questions, So She's Definitley Not Getting A Scholarship" list.

Think I am probably already the unintentional founder of this list

 

[Abbey Normal]

Did anyone get a text/call from their interviewer? I just got a text from Ed Decter to set up a Zoom call to talk about AFI and how they want me in the fall. Guess I'm going to ask him about getting some of that sweet AFI money that's sitting in the vault haha.

AFI = Affordable Film Institute

 

[KDonthescene]

Did anyone get a text/call from their interviewer? I just got a text from Ed Decter to set up a Zoom call to talk about AFI and how they want me in the fall. Guess I'm going to ask him about getting some of that sweet AFI money that's sitting in the vault haha.

AFI = Affordable Film Institute

Yes, I got a call, partly to remind me of the Zoom info session on Saturday. Did you get the email with the link for that? I know they said some folks didn’t...

 

[Abbey Normal]

Yes, I got a call, partly to remind me of the Zoom info session on Saturday. Did you get the email with the link for that? I know they said some folks didn’t...

Just finished my call. It was more or less a "Hey, congrats again we hope to see you this fall." He did mention that this year was by far the most competitive (they received roughly 80% more applicants). So everyone that got in -- go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back. I did ask about the number of cohorts for screenwriting and it looks like we'll have around 31-32, including deferrals.

Ed did stress that writers should begin to brainstorm ideas/pitches for potential projects (pilots/features) so that come fall, we have lots of materials to workshop. If you're already doing that, then great! And if you're not doing that, then you better be reading screenplays and tv pilots!

Re: link - Yes, I received the zoom link for the info-session. I have a lot of questions that I hope will be answered this weekend haha.

 

[Chris W]

He did mention that this year was by far the most competitive (they received roughly 80% more applicants). So everyone that got in -- go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back.

Wow. I wonder how many applicants that actually is?

 

[Abbey Normal]

Wow. I wonder how many applicants that actually is?

I imagine A SHIT TON!!! Probably the same case for other schools, too.

 

[Chris W]

I imagine A SHIT TON!!! Probably the same case for other schools, too.

But how much IS a shit ton? I know it's a technical term.

 

[Abbey Normal]

But how much IS a shit ton? I know it's a technical term.

Can't really say. But...I'll let you know after the info-session.

 

[catmom]

He did mention that this year was by far the most competitive (they received roughly 80% more applicants).

Oh my gosh though, this makes me feel a lot better about being waitlisted/rejected everywhere.

 

[sallyfilm]

Okay so I'm pretty sure I will have to turn down the offer. There is simply no way of me getting enough money that isn't considered 'debt' by the government and so I won't be able to get a visa. AFI told me I wouldn't be able to work in my first year because of my visa limitations and when I asked how international students manage to survive with no income they said this:

"The reason working isn’t allowed in the first year is because you have essentially already shown that you have the necessary funds to support yourself for the first year."

Which is some elitist bull**** in my opinion hahaha . I dunno, I've not been given the best impression tbh but as an international I guess it's a different experience! We'll see if they say anything extra on the 27th (apologies for the rant!)

I know this from friends, but the student visa doesn't allow you to work, though, at outside employment other than at the school. AFI only offers TA positions during the Second Year with a small stipend, unfortunately. To get a student visa, you need to have full proof of tuition and living expenses, so that's not really on AFI but visa restrictions, etc., from the US government

 

[nvf101]

Okay so I'm pretty sure I will have to turn down the offer. There is simply no way of me getting enough money that isn't considered 'debt' by the government and so I won't be able to get a visa. AFI told me I wouldn't be able to work in my first year because of my visa limitations and when I asked how international students manage to survive with no income they said this:

"The reason working isn’t allowed in the first year is because you have essentially already shown that you have the necessary funds to support yourself for the first year."

Which is some elitist bull**** in my opinion hahaha . I dunno, I've not been given the best impression tbh but as an international I guess it's a different experience! We'll see if they say anything extra on the 27th (apologies for the rant!)

Hey @katiebonnie , I am also an international student (London, UK). I've been looking at funding a decent chunk of my tuition through a private loan. But are you saying that this would mean I am unlikely to be approved for a visa?
I hope not as currently that was my only hope...