Film School 2016

[panda]

Screenwriting applicant checking in. Applying to USC this go-around, but planning on moving out to LA next summer regardless of admission results. Good luck everyone!

 

[Chris W]

Screenwriting applicant checking in. Applying to USC this go-around, but planning on moving out to LA next summer regardless of admission results. Good luck everyone!

Welcome to the community! (I love your avatar image btw - what is that?)

 

[panda]

Welcome to the community! (I love your avatar image btw - what is that?)

Thanks! Google search Tarepanda!

 

[lady-vengeance]

I'm submitting all my stuff for USC tomorrow so that'll knock out that school. That, by far, was the most demanding for the screenwriting applications..

 

[katavi08]

I will also be submitting my stuff to USC tomorrow. I found their application process to be the easiest for producing. NYU and Columbia have been the worst for me.

 

[Alison Hendrix]

I'm submitting all my stuff for USC tomorrow so that'll knock out that school. That, by far, was the most demanding for the screenwriting applications..

Agree! I submitted it the other day. The Most Challenging Moment was the hardest for me. Was trying to figure out what they were looking to take from that. Fingers crossed for us!

 

[lady-vengeance]

Oh god, yes. The Most Challenging moment is the only thing left for me to touch up on. It took me a while to formulate that one too. What screenwriting application is next for you?

What's next for everybody?

 

[Alison Hendrix]

Oh god, yes. The Most Challenging moment is the only thing left for me to touch up on. It took me a while to formulate that one too. What screenwriting application is next for you?

What's next for everybody?

Michener is next for me. The ULTIMATE reach reach reach.

 

[katavi08]

After USC I'll be focusing on Columbia, NYU, and Chapman as those are all due by December 1st. Good luck to everyone on finishing up your USC apps!

 

[Point Break]

Hey Screenwriters,

Hope your applications are going well. I'd like to say don't overthink it, but I was in the same boat last year, so I know how you feel.

As far as the most challenging moment, or the question about camera moments, I can say that you should try to be as honest and personal as you can with all of the writing challenges. There are people in my cohort who never wrote a screenplay. But their stories are a window into their personality and experience.

I think the most challenging moment is a test to see if you can tap into your emotions and make the reader feel something (since you'll be developing your own characters in the program).

Camera movement/direction should probably be avoided (or used sparingly), but if your story can't be told with a look/reaction/dialogue/action/inaction, then try it out. Although it's mainly a production tool to emphasize the words, you won't be docked in the admission process. Tell your story (personal), your way (honesty) and try to make sure that you like what you submit.

Hopefully, that's not too vague/long. Good luck to everyone!

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Hello!
I feel like I'm a bit behind pace. I'm applying to Columbia University and Northwestern for Screenwriting and to LMU for Writing and Producing for TV. Probably an unconventional cross-section from what I've seen, but I've already been working in the industry for a while. I've already got a certificate in producing from UCLA, I did the TFT Program back in 2012 after I finished my undergrad so I wanted to apply to UCLA but I missed that deadline so on to the rest of them. I also wanted to apply to Texas-Austin but I haven't taken a GRE, so if this year doesn't go well, I'll do that and add them to the list next go around.

I've really just been hammering at my submission materials but prioritizing Columbia, I have a nice draft of my 3pg prompt that I've been working on tonight that I'm really happy with so far.

 

[googoomuck]

I don't think you're so behind Elle. UCLA is just one school after all, and I think it's the earliest date. And I know I'm not the only one who puts off pressing "Submit" until the last minute!! (I didn't mail my physical UCLA submission until the 3 hour window the post office was open on Halloween morning...I might have waited until November 1 if it were open on Sundays!) I'm also applying to LMU for screenwriting and it feels weird knowing the deadline isn't until waaaaaay off in the middle of January. 2016?? I'm not convinced that day will ever come...

I'm still working on my USC materials (all of which are blessedly short). I think we can assume the application is so demanding because, unlike some of the other schools, they don't interview the applicants. Makes me grumble a bit you have to pay two different application fees :/ and I had to get transcripts from three different schools :/ :\ :/ but, eh

 

[dag]

Hey Dag!
Thanks for sharing your blog! It's helpful to read these types of experiences before applications are due...gives you a better idea of what to touch up and work on.

No problem! I hope it helps!

You can also review as an "applicant" or "accepted applicant". The review would be based on your research, interview, and tour.

And you're right Chris, but I have no experience with interview or tour.

 

[Chris W]

No problem! I hope it helps!

And you're right Chris, but I have no experience with interview or tour.

Well if you are ever ready to review that school or any other school listed on the site we'd love to hear your thoughts. It's also possible to review anonymously.

 

[Salva Figueroa]

I tried not to do it. I took undergrad screenwriting classes with a strict, writing professor, who constantly reminded us not to direct the script. That said if adding your direction to the script really enhances the material, I would add it very carefully trying not to take the reader out of the story.

I´ve only added those specific shots/frames who submerged you into the story, avoiding to turn all the thing into a technical script

 

[tzompantli]

Anyone else sweating it out to meet a December 1st deadline? I'm still piecing together my NYU application and while I'm sure I'll get it all sent in time, I keep wanting to redraft everything like crazy.

 

[katavi08]

Yes, I am working frantically to get things done and ready. I keep wanting to redo things, but time is not going to allow that to happen. Hoping to have everything done and submitted by November 28th.

 

[tzompantli]

I think that's a good, realistic goal. I know that I'll end up tinkering all the way until the 1st, but my hope is that I can get something approaching a complete application by the start of next week. That way I've got more time to fiddle if I have to.

 

[Boethius]

I just accepted the fact that I couldn't have a feature script drafted in time for the NYU Tisch deadline. It allows me to focus more on the applications for Columbia, AFI, and Chapman. I plan to have a feature written in time for LMU, but that deadline isn't until mid-January, so there's (a little) time.

 

[tzompantli]

I just accepted the fact that I couldn't have a feature script drafted in time for the NYU Tisch deadline. It allows me to focus more on the applications for Columbia, AFI, and Chapman. I plan to have a feature written in time for LMU, but that deadline isn't until mid-January, so there's (a little) time.

I think that's perfectly reasonable, something tells me it could be damaging to submit something that you rushed or didn't give 100% focus to just to make a deadline. How far are you into your feature script?