Chapman heads up

[Astantax]

Wise words, Cabezon. Consider your advice heeded!

@jamrie6287: Not to sound paranoid, but my logic went as follows - if they're going to list a specific page window, why give 'em any reason to fault your screenplay (even though I'm sure that if you write something amazing, by rights it shouldn't matter if you're a couple of pages over or under)?

 

[jesster]

omg theres a page limit?? how come i dont see it??? AGH THIS SUCKS.

 

[SimAlex]

i submitted a short script that was 13 pgs long. i actually emailed them specifically about this very thing, and their was response was, and i quote:

"The page requirements listed in the attached addendum are just recommendations. If you have a screenplay that is more or less pages, you are welcome to submit it as is, without being penalized. You are only required to submit one screenplay."

hope this helps.

 

[jmarie6287]

wow thanks so much, SimAlex!
i figured they wouldn't say anything, since not everyone is writing something specifically for their app and instead submitting preexisting material. thanks again!

 

[Blakeh]

this might be too late to be of much help, but when I spoke with the grad admissions people about the screenplay assignment, they told me a good 20-25 page piece, or an absolutely outstanding 15-20 page work. Basically, as I was told, they want to see that you have the ability to tell a compelling story, in this case through a screenplay as the medium. So, send your best work, I'd say, even if it doesn't make the page count. Good luck.

 

[Fox]

has anyone here on the forum applied to MFA editing program? do you guys know how many ppl they accpet each year? and when they are sending out admission decisions? some ppl told me it'll be past April 15, but I sitll need to reply to other schools before that deadline, I really don't know what I should do..

 

[Jayimess]

@Fox:

My roommate applied as an editor last year...I just asked her, they take about 13-14 editors...she got in around the 17th of March...they wanted an answer by early April, but she needed to hear from other schools as well. She called and asked for an extension, and they waited for her...which any school should be willing to do.

Best of luck!

 

[Fox]

Thank you so much, Jayimess!!! It is really a relief for me. I've been worrying about whether I need to reply to UT Austin or SCAD, I'm just waiting anxiously everyday...hope good results will come some day soon...and your roommate chose USC at the end? well, I didn't apply to USC, assuming it is way too competitive for an animation undergraduate from China...LOL

 

[Jayimess]

No, she chose AFI. I attend USC. We went to undergrad together, and don't assume anything, because we went to an open enrollment state school, and I don't know about hers, but my grades were less than impressive.

There is no such thing as "always" in film, much less film school. Except for always working on something, I suppose?

 

[Fox]

thanks for your advice, Jayimess! I will let you know more when I get more responses from schools next month. I really need your advince on school decision.

 

[Winterreverie]

Wow. I missed a lot on this forum. If you have any specific Chapman questions you can definitely direct them to me.

Sorry about the late addition of the screenplay assignment-- yikes! And Chapman already had a pretty demanding application! A couple of things I've noticed were mentioned: is it better to send a feature vs a short?-- I think either will work. Shorts are often harder to accomplish successfully. I would say give them your strongest work.

Also, it is DOUBTFUL that they will not consider you for not filling out a last minute add on to the application. In fact, if your other materials were strong and you were missing the script, chances are they will notice that and request it from you later. They can't blame you for their last minute changes.

And someone wrote about an overly prosy script. Remember screenplays are often "read down the middle" so you may be doing yourself a disservice by going too light on the dialogue. Make sure your prose is active and visual-- MANY people overwrite the prose to where the piece reads more like a novel than a screenplay. Without having seen your script I can't comment more.

If I am missing from the forums and you have really pressing Chapman questions, please PM me. I may not be able to write back right away, but I will get back to you.

 

[tabbycat]

Hey all, I decided not to start a new thread because technically this is a Chapman heads up... so I recently got a letter from the university basically telling me they were missing everything from me. I called them and they told me to check on WebAdvisor on the Chapman website, using the username and password they sent me on a green piece of paper. I checked WebAdvisor and turns out they thought they were missing my undergrad transcript and a letter of rec... two of the earliest things they should have gotten from me. I called them again and they could not find these items, so I am having my letter writer resend his letter, and had to order another transcript

They told me that technically I have now missed the priority deadline because of this, but that it's a rolling deadline anyway - they process your app as soon as they have everything so check WebAdvisor and make sure they didn't lose your stuff!!

 

[SimAlex]

holy ****, tabby, that sucks. i'm really sorry to hear that.

thanks for the reminder to activate that account, though.

 

[tabbycat]

It's ok.. I'm mostly angry about having to pay for another transcript, not as much about missing the priority deadline I suppose... heh..

I totally skimmed over that letter about setting up my account, thinking it wasn't really that important.. oops!

 

[Fox]

glad to hear that students in the US also has to pay for their official transcripts!

Well, I just asked their admission office, they are considering to send out decisions on late March. and as an international student, they have to send my transcript to a place for special evaluation...

 

[Winterreverie]

Tabbycat:

Did you hear from the film school or the university? ANd did you apply to a double program, Film school and law school? Or Film school and Business? If that is the case, check the other department for your missing transcripts. Also, email ALex Rose (Or whoever is running film school admissions this year. Joe Slowensky?) and let them know your transcript was lost by the university and that you are worried you will lose your priority deadline status. Maybe they can push you app forward quicker because of this.

 

[tabbycat]

I originally heard from the university that they were missing everything.. come to think of it I also called the university admissions office to ask about it, not specifically dodge college. I'm not applying to any double programs though...

I'm pretty sure something got screwed up on their end because those were the two earliest things they would have gotten from me, and I sent them long before I sent any of my app stuff so they would have had to create a file for me.. I even had them look under common misspellings of my last name and they couldn't find it...
ironic that all the stuff that got sent last minute is what they have!

That's a good idea though, to e-mail them - I think I will do that now.
They currently have my letter of rec that was resent, they got it yesterday, and should be getting my transcript today but I would love to be considered for the priority deadline.. I'm worried that, assuming I get in, I won't be able to get any aid because of this..

 

[tabbycat]

I just called dodge college and told them what happened, and they were about to transfer me to the admissions office, who I already talked to. They also told me that if they do get any materials they forward them to the admissions office, so it's not possible that they would have any of my stuff that got lost. I'll probably still e-mail them about the priority deadline though, but I was more hoping that my transcript would turn up at the dodge office.

 

[solojones]

This situation was frustrating, no doubt about it. I had the mailed application which didn't include this bit. But thankfully I'd called them the week before the ap was due and they mentioned it, so I sent in a feature I wrote last year.

Anyway, I got a call this weekend about going in for an interview, which I guess is a good sign. But I'm not sure whether to get my hopes up or not. Directing was my first choice and I know it's competitive, and Chapman is my first choice school so I'm pretty nervous. Has anyone else heard anything back from them?

 

[tabbycat]

My app still isn't complete... they STILL haven't received my transcript, which I re-ordered last week and paid extra for rush service. So I haven't heard from them because technically I haven't finished applying yet Time to give them another call


Congrats on the interview! I'm guessing that's a good sign too