I’m trying to decide if I should apply to producing MFA programs (UCLA, AFI, USC, Chapman). My background is in story development, I spent my first several years out of college (I’m 33 now) at a lit management/prod co on the Paramount lot, where I was trained in story and script by a former senior development exec from two Oscar winning prod cos who personally worked with Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and others of that caliber.
I then helped start a boutique indie prod co that I ultimately left, and continued as a story development/script consultant both independently and with a top consultancy, while doing some consulting producer type work with my producing partner at the time, as we tried putting packages together for some of my own projects.
Then two life altering (at the time) health conditions took me out of Hollywood and almost life (I’m good now), so my focus became getting as healthy as possible. I parlayed my health knowledge and background into a career in health and wellness copywriting, and have amassed a ton of business experience and life experience, overcoming more adversity than I’d care to admit, yet have been out of the industry in an official capacity for 7 years (though I haven’t gone a day without reading Deadline multiple times a day in 12 years; I know the timing for my wanting back in isn’t ideal).
When I was younger I thought my dream was to be a showrunner, but the truth is, I just want to make the best shows and movies I can, and do NOT need to be the writer. I’ve realized life is too short not to do what you love, and story is my first love and always will be.
Anywho, I no longer live in LA, may be leaving CA in a few months, and am dead set on coming back to what I love most. A good friend of mine who went to USC undergrad told me most of his graduating class isn’t in the industry anymore, and to not waste my money. He said I’m better off investing in my skill sets, script development, and making my own shorts/proofs of concept.
That was my original plan, and with my digital marketing background, could probably get a lot of eyeballs on trailers etc on YouTube.
I’m working on some business ventures that should allow me to do this self funding thing in a year plus, and since grad school wouldn’t start for another year, am I better off just not getting an MFA?
I feel like I’d be a more compelling applicant now, and the applications are due in the next 4-10 weeks depending on the program, so just trying to figure out if spending time on apps makes sense.
Thanks in advance!
I then helped start a boutique indie prod co that I ultimately left, and continued as a story development/script consultant both independently and with a top consultancy, while doing some consulting producer type work with my producing partner at the time, as we tried putting packages together for some of my own projects.
Then two life altering (at the time) health conditions took me out of Hollywood and almost life (I’m good now), so my focus became getting as healthy as possible. I parlayed my health knowledge and background into a career in health and wellness copywriting, and have amassed a ton of business experience and life experience, overcoming more adversity than I’d care to admit, yet have been out of the industry in an official capacity for 7 years (though I haven’t gone a day without reading Deadline multiple times a day in 12 years; I know the timing for my wanting back in isn’t ideal).
When I was younger I thought my dream was to be a showrunner, but the truth is, I just want to make the best shows and movies I can, and do NOT need to be the writer. I’ve realized life is too short not to do what you love, and story is my first love and always will be.
Anywho, I no longer live in LA, may be leaving CA in a few months, and am dead set on coming back to what I love most. A good friend of mine who went to USC undergrad told me most of his graduating class isn’t in the industry anymore, and to not waste my money. He said I’m better off investing in my skill sets, script development, and making my own shorts/proofs of concept.
That was my original plan, and with my digital marketing background, could probably get a lot of eyeballs on trailers etc on YouTube.
I’m working on some business ventures that should allow me to do this self funding thing in a year plus, and since grad school wouldn’t start for another year, am I better off just not getting an MFA?
I feel like I’d be a more compelling applicant now, and the applications are due in the next 4-10 weeks depending on the program, so just trying to figure out if spending time on apps makes sense.
Thanks in advance!
