Columbia 2021 MFA Screenwriting/Directing Applicants (3 Viewers)

[CaDa]

It was with faculty — I’ve seen some other people say they interviewed with Eric and David, who were my interviewers as well. They’re so nice and easy to talk to, they really make you comfortable the moment they start the zoom call.

That's really great! What kind of questions did they ask you?

 

[svgis]

That's really great! What kind of questions did they ask you?

We talked a lot about my autobiographical essay. To echo @quarantini33 they dig deep into your portfolio, and are wildly familiar with what you've submitted -- they even brought up certain quotes from the essay that they liked/had questions about. A lot of discussion about themes and stylistic elements that are important to me. We also touched on the feature excerpt and my video submissions, but weren't able to get to everything. To be honest they didn't have too many big questions -- it was a pretty open dialogue that was specific to the portfolio!

 

[Nathalie Granger]

Guys! Just a question for you. International here and I don't know all the rules about interviews in USA. Would you ask them about scholarships during the interview? And they all insist on you to make questions. Sometimes I don't feel I have some questions, but I do it anyway, usually about the program. I've been thinking that it is maybe a stablished way to do interviews there, isn't it? What kind of questions "should" we ask? It would be great if someone could give a hand on this. Thanks a lot!

 

[valkyrie]

I have another thing I’m concerned about: did anyone see in the interview confirmation email they wrote to use an Ethernet cable? I don’t have one and now I’m panicking about how strong or weak my WiFi is

You can test your wifi speed online. Just google "internet speed test" and click the first link that pops up. Anything above 10mpbs is excellent for video calls (the higher the number, the better!)

 

[runningupthathill]

Were you all notified of who your interviewers were going to be in advance?

 

[Nathalie Granger]

Were you all notified of who your interviewers were going to be in advance?

No, I didn't know who was going to interview me. But it was Eric and David. They were really great and very generous.

 

[Bergmanbaby]

No, I didn't know who was going to interview me. But it was Eric and David. They were really great and very generous.

Congrats! Can you tell us about it?

 

[Nathalie Granger]

Congrats! Can you tell us about it?

Sure! The interview was casual and they were really nice and generous about everything. They knew my submited material really well. They asked me questions about the work I have submitted, my plans for the future and the stories I wanna tell. They also asked me if I had some questions about CU and about my film references. It lasted about 35 minutes. Good luck in interview!!

 

[Bergmanbaby]

Congrats to everyone who made it to interviews and good luck ! What advice would you guys give regarding the autobiographical essay? What do you think we should consider next year? Thank you

I’m not sure I can give you advice but I got very personal in my essay and wrote as much as I could about myself and all the events in my life that brought me to film. I think they’re looking for a strong and unique voice in the essay so the most I can say is avoid anything generic.

 

[Bergmanbaby]

Sure! The interview was casual and they were really nice and generous about everything. They knew my submited material really well. They asked me questions about the work I have submitted, my plans for the future and the stories I wanna tell. They also asked me if I had some questions about CU and about my film references. It lasted about 35 minutes. Good luck in interview!!

Did they tell you when we’re expected to hear back?

 

[Nathalie Granger]

Did they tell you when we’re expected to hear back?

No. And I didn't ask, actually.

 

[aaaaa]

I’m not sure I can give you advice but I got very personal in my essay and wrote as much as I could about myself and all the events in my life that brought me to film. I think they’re looking for a strong and unique voice in the essay so the most I can say is avoid anything generic.

You got personal in a personal statement? I'm shocked! ahahah jk

 

[judypoovy]

Had my interview! They were kind, funny, and had a lot of encouraging things to say about my writing. It was clear that they had both read my application very thoroughly. We mostly talked about films, my relationship to writing, and the kinds of stories I want to tell. Definitely the most relaxed interview I've had. They said I would find out very soon, but I reaaaally wish I had asked when that would be :O

 

[judypoovy]

We talked a lot about my autobiographical essay. To echo @quarantini33 they dig deep into your portfolio, and are wildly familiar with what you've submitted -- they even brought up certain quotes from the essay that they liked/had questions about. A lot of discussion about themes and stylistic elements that are important to me. We also touched on the feature excerpt and my video submissions, but weren't able to get to everything. To be honest they didn't have too many big questions -- it was a pretty open dialogue that was specific to the portfolio!

I had a very similar experience, who were your interviewers?

 

[runningupthathill]

Had my interview! They were kind, funny, and had a lot of encouraging things to say about my writing. It was clear that they had both read my application very thoroughly. We mostly talked about films, my relationship to writing, and the kinds of stories I want to tell. Definitely the most relaxed interview I've had. They said I would find out very soon, but I reaaaally wish I had asked when that would be :O

Congrats glad it went well

 

[malfeasanttoaster]

My guys said March 15th in the interview for acceptance notices. Which means AFI and Columbia announce on the same day this year....

 

[Bergmanbaby]

My guys said March 15th in the interview for acceptance notices. Which means AFI and Columbia announce on the same day this year....

Isn’t the last day of interviews March 15th though? That’s interesting. Who did you interview with?

 

[malfeasanttoaster]

Isn’t the last day of interviews March 15th though? That’s interesting. Who did you interview wi

 

[malfeasanttoaster]

.... I'm not totally sure. My technical issues were so bad I ended up having to just do a phone call.

 

[Bergmanbaby]

.... I'm not totally sure. My technical issues were so bad I ended up having to just do a phone call.

That sucks, I’m sorry