Film School 2016

[katavi08]

Yeah, I think I have an idea where the thread might be located...I've stalked this forum enough times that I should know where it is!

 

[sdotkdotn]

OH MY GOD!! You guys!! I got an interview invite from COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY!!

Congratulations!! That's so exciting!!

 

[katavi08]

OK! I've started a new thread for us! I also found the interview questions post, and have posted the questions in the new forum as well.

 

[BadouBoy]

Hey guys, little off topic but are there any Cinema/Media Studies applicants here by any chance?

 

[Paul J.]

@dvxdm None have made any noise atleast. However there are 60 lurkers online even now so there is bound to be a few!

To you lurkers: remember to fill out our google spread sheet! Last year did a good job and we are trying to continue the tradition of gathering info for those seeking. We are about 200 shy from last year - so step it up! Don't worry about formatting and just put Anonymous (number x) as your name and fill out from the bottom, I'll clean it up later.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet...orJiTS1z-8vE-7uUttLDdxHtE0/edit#gid=296026242


p.s. sorry for constantly repeating myself but last years sheet has given so much to us and it is super helpful for us playing the waiting game to see who is in the same situation as we are.

 

[katavi08]

@Paul J. Thanks for cleaning up the spreadsheet!
I've had a couple requests from posters on here to talk about MFA interviews from the perspective of someone who works in admissions. I had a good discussion about interviews with one of our counselors this morning, and am glad to share what I know. I'll be posting that in the 2016 interviews thread!

 

[Kevin Wilson]

@katavi08 The thing is that I have a mix of both grades and pass/fails in the same transcripts. If they consider them as an A (or a 5 respectively) then score for me! Bummer that you have had so much issues with your transcripts but hopefully all gets sorted out and that it doesn't affect your application in any way.

People have filled out the google doc nicely - keep it up guys!

@Kevin Wilson did you do a studio piece or on location shooting? Was it a good shoot? Does Tisch have studio space btw?

Over the winter break we shoot a doc. I shot in Cuba with a classmate. Yes.. Lots of studio space. They'll give you a tour after your interview.

 

[Kevin Wilson]

Nice! How do group projects work? Do you guys split tasks based upon your individual interests, or are you assigned roles by the faculty?

During the first semester film, crews are assigned at random. Each person performs a different role on each crew member's film. Sound, DP, AD, AC, and of course you direct your own film. In the first semester you work on 5 to 6 films including your own. That doesn't include weekly directing exercises that you'll be working on and screening in class (your own and your crew members).

 

[Nic L. Kelly]

Aww, I haven't heard anything from Columbia

Don't stress over it, hopefully you will. Did you apply to any others?

 

[Al1]

Hello! I'm Al - I've been one of the many that have been stalking all your conversations for a while without coming forward. And I'm sorry - but thank you.

I am an AFI applicant - I'm just curious why there is such a dramatic decrease in interest in AFI this years "forumates" compared to last year? if anyone has any insight I'd be really interested.

 

[Sam R]

Hello! I'm Al - I've been one of the many that have been stalking all your conversations for a while without coming forward. And I'm sorry - but thank you.

I am an AFI applicant - I'm just curious why there is such a dramatic decrease in interest in AFI this years "forumates" compared to last year? if anyone has any insight I'd be really interested.

I can't speak for everyone, but I didn't apply to AFI because the application requirements changed sometime around October or November. I was trying to prepare for about 8 applications and out of nowhere AFI added a film requirement about a surprise or something. I just didn't have to time to do it without sacrificing the quality of the rest of my applications. AFI is still one of the best and really, maybe I should have put in the extra effort, but with a full time job and preparing essays and tweaking my other visual samples it was just a bit overwhelming.

 

[AxelBelle]

Don't stress over it, hopefully you will. Did you apply to any others?

Just USC's Peter Stark Program for Producing. So, it's safe to say my chances aren't great haha. I have a full time offer at a production company (think AMC/HBO) but I'm really hoping to go straight to film school from undergrad.

 

[Solomon_E]

Hello! I'm Al - I've been one of the many that have been stalking all your conversations for a while without coming forward. And I'm sorry - but thank you.

I am an AFI applicant - I'm just curious why there is such a dramatic decrease in interest in AFI this years "forumates" compared to last year? if anyone has any insight I'd be really interested.

I am guessing that there could be multiple factors to explain why this is. One thing I noticed was, AFI didn't make its application available as early as some other schools. This wouldn't have stopped me from applying by itself, but being able to look at the application earlier would have been helpful. I accessed all of my applications as early as possible to check out what I had to do.

Like Sam R, I found the requirements for applying to AFI were too much for me to take on at the time that the Screenwriting application was due. There were several screenwriting applications due on the same date and I had to choose between a few of them. If the deadline had been in January, I would have applied.

I'm kind of wishing I applied to the AFI screenwriting program now because it seems less popular than directing and could offer less competition than some other programs I applied to - but hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[googoomuck]

I had planned to apply to AFI but ultimately didn't. As I was researching different schools, it seemed to become clear to me that AFI is really interested in people who already have a film background. Somewhere I was reading on their official site, it said something like they "strongly prefer" that you have done your undergrad in film (which I did not). This is unlike some other schools which explicitly state that they welcome and encourage applicants with degrees in different fields. Solomon mentioned some of these points in an earlier post.

Another thing that leads me to believe they want industry professionals is the fact that you do not have to have a degree to attend. If you do not have a bachelor's degree you go through the exact same program as the MFA students but at the end your receipt says "certificate" instead of "degree". I don't have any professional experience and I think I'm probably younger than they would like. (I'm 25 and my undergrad degree is in psychology)

I still think it's awesome for anybody who does apply, I've heard nothing but amazing things about AFI.

 

[Al1]

Thanks for all the responses! They are all very insightful. I'm an International student so it's hard to gauge how different schools are perceived by applicants - I can only measure them off their online presence. I was a little freaked out when they changed the application, but AFI is the only school I'm applying for so it was ok.

 

[Paul J.]

I can't speak for everyone, but I didn't apply to AFI because the application requirements changed sometime around October or November.

<---- 100% my reason as well.

AFI was one of my top choices, if not no.1 but last minute changes in their requirement made it impossible for me to even consider them as an option. I was so dissapointed - and a tad pissed. Also a bit curious on how previous work (that is very likely more polished and therefore represents talent more clearly) is now off the table. One could argue that this way they put applicants with prior work and those with no prior work on the same level - but then again that kind of goes against their attitude against preferring some kind of prior experience in film. The change being last minute is what really pissed me off. I had gathered all application requirements for all the schools into one excel just to find out later that things had changed.

Tsk tsk AFI - hope your actions show in the application numbers.

With slightly faded love,
Bitter Paul J.

 

[Nic L. Kelly]

Just USC's Peter Stark Program for Producing. So, it's safe to say my chances aren't great haha. I have a full time offer at a production company (think AMC/HBO) but I'm really hoping to go straight to film school from undergrad.

Sounds like a great back up plan but, I hope you get in to your choices. This is my 3rd run at USC so it can take time and a bit of patience.

@Al1 I applied. They did change their app process which was at one point easy. The school is still top notch in my opinion and seeing that they swept the Student Academy Awards last year, I think others tend to agree.

 

[ThatDude]

I'm a producer applicant and decided against applying to AFI after reading student reviews stating that the producing program kinda takes a backseat to the screen writing and directing programs. I only applied to UCLA and USC this go around but plan on applying to Columbia, Tisch, Chapman and LMU this fall.

 

[tutenkhamen]

Greetings, everyone! Long time lurker here from India, finally gathered spirits to speak up. I submitted my application for Boston University today. Have also applied to Chapman, NYU, and Columbia! I guess the endless wait begins now!

Applying for the following concentrations:
BU: Directing
NYU: Graduate Film
Columbia: Screenwriting/Directing
Chapman: Editing

Can't wait to updates from you guys over the next few weeks! Good luck, everyone.

 

[Nic L. Kelly]

So, I was discussing applying to one final school, DePaul. I noticed no one else seems to be applying on the spread sheet and they have fallen out of the top 25. Anyone have any incite on what's up with the program? Any friends who love it, hate it, other? I do plan to go and visit but not before I apply.

Thanks