LMU Film School Applications 2018

[Jason]

Has anyone here visited LMU? I went today for a tour. Extremely disappointed with facilities and organization of administration. I had a lot of trouble finding answers to even the simplest of questions (including cost). Would like to hear opinions of others who have visited.

 

[Nacho]

Has anyone here visited LMU? I went today for a tour. Extremely disappointed with facilities and organization of administration. I had a lot of trouble finding answers to even the simplest of questions (including cost). Would like to hear opinions of others who have visited.

This is pretty discouraging to hear as it is one of my top choices. I think that tuition may be around 30k the first year and a little cheaper the second and third year. The cost of attendance on the website has tuition at around 15k, but it is based on six credit hours and I think that you are suppose to take 12 each semester of your first year. I think that the second and third years are cheaper, but maybe they expect you to put the money in your films?

 

[Teddy]

Hey, I applied to schools for a screenwriting MFA and heard I got into LMU via an informal acceptance phone call this Tuesday, March 13. He said that I should get a letter in the mail in a few weeks with more information.

In terms of campus, LMU has a nice modern library and is small but pretty. It also overlooks Silicon Beach. However, I'm not sure about how good their production facilities are, because as a screenwriter it wasn't of real interest to me. I just know they were bigger and better than what they have at the community college I'm currently taking random film classes at lol.

 

[snoopdog]

Has anyone here visited LMU? I went today for a tour. Extremely disappointed with facilities and organization of administration. I had a lot of trouble finding answers to even the simplest of questions (including cost). Would like to hear opinions of others who have visited.

That's really not good to hear. It has also been my first choice at this moment, mainly because of its location.
I'm international so I wish I could go visit, though unfortunately I can't..
I've visited the campus of LMU before informally, so I did not see any of the facilities from the inside, just the a general look and feel of the campus. I thought it was very small, though beautifully located.
In my email experience with LMU, they are very slow with responding and when they respond they don't really answer my questions. Unlike Chapman (the other school I've been accepted), LMU doesn't really seem to be eager to offer a lot of help. Though, this could just be my unfortunate experience.

Do you have any other options for Film School?

I'm really on the fence when it comes to investing so much money in education. I did not get accepted at the schools I was hoping for (USC, NYU). I do not know if I should try again for next year instead of taking a spot this year. On the other hand, it seems like LMU is still top ranked and I don't know if it might be idiotic to turn down such an opportunity.

I think these are thoughts that all of you probably share too..

I'm curious to see what goes through your minds and what options you have available..
Hope someone else I able to visit LMU as well and talk about their experience (hopefully a positive one)

 

[snoopdog]

Hey, I applied to schools for a screenwriting MFA and heard I got into LMU via an informal acceptance phone call this Tuesday, March 13. He said that I should get a letter in the mail in a few weeks with more information.

In terms of campus, LMU has a nice modern library and is small but pretty. It also overlooks Silicon Beach. However, I'm not sure about how good their production facilities are, because as a screenwriter it wasn't of real interest to me. I just know they were bigger and better than what they have at the community college I'm currently taking random film classes at lol.

Congrats on your acceptance! Since you applied to a wide variety of schools, what are your thoughts regarding the screenwriting program at LMU and the faculty etc. compared to the other schools you've applied to?

 

[Teddy]

Congrats on your acceptance! Since you applied to a wide variety of schools, what are your thoughts regarding the screenwriting program at LMU and the faculty etc. compared to the other schools you've applied to?

I applied to a wide variety of schools because 1. I had no idea where I could get in, and 2. I liked the five I visited in CA, read great things about NYU, and was advised to apply to Northwestern by a teacher. Plus none of them required the GRE lol.

LMU seems to put a big emphasis on getting students internships and teaching them the business skills to succeed in the industry, which I like. But it's also three years, so there's that to consider. I also like that it's in LA.

To me, USC, UCLA, and Chapman seem like great traditional programs, whereas AFI stands out for being more hands-on, with its rotating teams of students making short films (which I think is great for forming a lot of connections/networking), and NYU and Northwestern stand out for teaching playwriting.

I'm most interested in writing features, but am totally open to TV and plays, because learning it all would make me a more flexible writer. Terry Curtis Fox, Chair of NYU's Dramatic Writing Program, told me that he never thought he would do TV but it ended up being 70% of his career, so I'm going into everything with an open mind.

I'm still doing a lot more research on these schools now that I know I'm actually going to go somewhere this fall, but those are just my impressions so far.

 

[snoopdog]

I applied to a wide variety of schools because 1. I had no idea where I could get in, and 2. I liked the five I visited in CA, read great things about NYU, and was advised to apply to Northwestern by a teacher. Plus none of them required the GRE lol.

LMU seems to put a big emphasis on getting students internships and teaching them the business skills to succeed in the industry, which I like. But it's also three years, so there's that to consider. I also like that it's in LA.

To me, USC, UCLA, and Chapman seem like great traditional programs, whereas AFI stands out for being more hands-on, with its rotating teams of students making short films (which I think is great for forming a lot of connections/networking), and NYU and Northwestern stand out for teaching playwriting.

I'm most interested in writing features, but am totally open to TV and plays, because learning it all would make me a more flexible writer. Terry Curtis Fox, Chair of NYU's Dramatic Writing Program, told me that he never thought he would do TV but it ended up being 70% of his career, so I'm going into everything with an open mind.

I'm still doing a lot more research on these schools now that I know I'm actually going to go somewhere this fall, but those are just my impressions so far.

That's some great information. Honestly, I wish I applied to more schools and this is even my second year applying. I regret not applying to UCLA. As I'm an international student, I was highly discouraged by the applications fees to apply to more schools. So that said, I really look up to you for having applied to so many schools. Also, with the deadlines so close together, that must have been a busy time.

Let's say, if LMU and Chapman remain the only schools you get accepted into (of course I hope you will get accepted into more and as you've been interviewed it seems like you will), but just theoretically, which one would have your preference right now and why? Or if you would deny the acceptance and try again for a different school? As Chapman and LMU are the only schools I've gotten accepted to, I'm really curious to what you would do.

 

[Teddy]

That's some great information. Honestly, I wish I applied to more schools and this is even my second year applying. I regret not applying to UCLA. As I'm an international student, I was highly discouraged by the applications fees to apply to more schools. So that said, I really look up to you for having applied to so many schools. Also, with the deadlines so close together, that must have been a busy time.

Let's say, if LMU and Chapman remain the only schools you get accepted into (of course I hope you will get accepted into more and as you've been interviewed it seems like you will), but just theoretically, which one would have your preference right now and why? Or if you would deny the acceptance and try again for a different school? As Chapman and LMU are the only schools I've gotten accepted to, I'm really curious to what you would do.

Yeah, I was also making a short film at the same time, so November was quite busy!

I honestly don't yet know what to do regarding Chapman vs. LMU. I guess right now I'm leaning towards LMU because it's in LA (easier to do an internship, could possibly do one during the school year instead of just summer?) and they seem to teach more about the business side of screenwriting. However, Chapman still has a course on the developmental process of how screenwriters, producers, etc. work together.
LMU also has courses dedicated to rewriting your feature scripts and polishing your portfolio, whereas Chapman does not. However, Chapman teaches shorts as part of their required curriculum and the LMU program does not.
Since you applied for Directing/Production, your priorities could be totally different. I've heard that Chapman's facilities are really impressive...
AFI and USC are my top choices, but I only applied to schools that I would go to if I got in, so I will accept the best fit for me of the schools I get into and go there this fall.

 

[snoopdog]

Hi, has anyone received the phone call and/or official letter yet?

 

[xLorenzoM]

Hey guys. New to the film school forum. I applied to LMU's MFA for Writing & Producing for Television program & I just got accepted Friday the 16th.

I also applied to Columbia, FSU & Chapman. Haven't heard anything back from Chapman yet and I'm worried because I submitted it three hours late (blah). FSU sent me a denial email and I'm also waiting on Columbia.

Hang in there guys! We got this!

 

[snoopdog]

Hey guys. New to the film school forum. I applied to LMU's MFA for Writing & Producing for Television program & I just got accepted Friday the 16th.

I also applied to Columbia, FSU & Chapman. Haven't heard anything back from Chapman yet and I'm worried because I submitted it three hours late (blah). FSU sent me a denial email and I'm also waiting on Columbia.

Hang in there guys! We got this!

Hi Lorenzo! Great to hear from you. And congratulations on your acceptance to LMU!
Have you received your official letter yet and/or the phone call?

What program did you apply to at Chapman?

 

[Nacho]

Hi, has anyone received the phone call and/or official letter yet?

I have not received the letter or phone call, yet. I think that there is a new dean for the film school, so maybe that is what is slowing everything down?

 

[snoopdog]

I just received an email from Professor Brancolini and set up a phone call for this coming Friday.
This is the first thing I've heard from LMU after I received the unofficial email about two weeks ago. Would be interested to know what they talk about on the phone if anyone has received a call already!

And if I happen to be the first one that's on this forum, I will definitely share my experience after the phone call!

 

[SavSolo]

I just received an email from Professor Brancolini and set up a phone call for this coming Friday.
This is the first thing I've heard from LMU after I received the unofficial email about two weeks ago. Would be interested to know what they talk about on the phone if anyone has received a call already!

And if I happen to be the first one that's on this forum, I will definitely share my experience after the phone call!

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. Was accepted to LMU I just spoke with the director of screenwriting today. I guess I had missed her call before they sent the acceptance email. She just congratulated me on the acceptance and answered all my questions, and I had a lot. I think they call to answer any questions, see how interested you are, and persuade you to enroll. She did a great job at arguing her case for me to attend LMU, though I'm still considering my options.

 

[Jason]

While visiting LMU I heard that the grad school was moving into a new building starting January 2019. If you've ever visited the school, this would likely be a major upgrade as the current facility is rather small and crowded. Does anyone know anything more about this?

 

[snoopdog]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. Was accepted to LMU I just spoke with the director of screenwriting today. I guess I had missed her call before they sent the acceptance email. She just congratulated me on the acceptance and answered all my questions, and I had a lot. I think they call to answer any questions, see how interested you are, and persuade you to enroll. She did a great job at arguing her case for me to attend LMU, though I'm still considering my options.

That's great to hear! Thank you for sharing.
What other programs/schools did you apply to?
What about LMU makes you feel like it may be a great fit for you? (Just out of personal interest)
I am from overseas and it is hard to find information on the program at LMU, so for me it would be great to hear your thoughts on the school and its program
I originally applied to LMU because of the location (mainly), connections to the industry/motivation for doing internships, and the lower costs of the program (compared to other programs and schools).

 

[Nacho]

Does anyone know when the deadline to accept or deny admission is? In a past thread, I thought I saw that April 1st is when the initial deposit is due.

 

[SavSolo]

That's great to hear! Thank you for sharing.
What other programs/schools did you apply to?
What about LMU makes you feel like it may be a great fit for you? (Just out of personal interest)
I am from overseas and it is hard to find information on the program at LMU, so for me it would be great to hear your thoughts on the school and its program
I originally applied to LMU because of the location (mainly), connections to the industry/motivation for doing internships, and the lower costs of the program (compared to other programs and schools).

I also applied to USC, UCLA, Emerson, and Chapman.
I went to there information session and the campus is beautiful. It's 16 minutes away from where I'm living in the fall. Upon speaking on the phone with the director I am an LGBT writer so I was a bit turned off by LMU for being a religious school. But she reassured me of how liberal they were and took a lot of time to explain to me that I could create any content I want there and that it's a safe place for LGBT and also pointed me in the direction of their LGBT center. I also grew up Catholic but fell away from my religion when I came out as gay so I think that it would be a chance for me personally to reconnect with my religion if I wanted the chance to. I also love that they focus on getting you that finished portfolio to go out and be prepared for the real world. The director spoke more to me about this on the phone and told me a lot of the other schools I applied to will send me off to graduate with a lot of first drafts but not a complete portfolio. Which I thought was very interesting and is something I will look into and take into consideration if accepted elsewhere. Also, they are known for getting their students internships and mentors that are right for you, and they have that first pitch series. That's what drew me towards them initially I also kind of like that it is a three-year program as compared to other programs that are two years. I think it's more time to learn and gain experience. Two years can go by SO fast. I'm taking another tour of the school hopefully next week and might sit in on a class. Hopefully, I'll get a good vibe from it all.

 

[SavSolo]

Does anyone know when the deadline to accept or deny admission is? In a past thread, I thought I saw that April 1st is when the initial deposit is due.

Well, I received my acceptance five days ago and the email said I would receive an official notice in the mail sometime in the next three weeks so I feel like it might be a little later this year. But unsure.

 

[sharkb8]

I also kind of like that it is a three-year program as compared to other programs that are two years. I think it's more time to learn and gain experience. Two years can go by SO fast.

I'm curious about this one and how school's are measuring cost. For instance, a school that costs $60,000 but is a 2 year program could conceivably be the same price as a school that's a 3 year program at $40,000. Do you know anything about how that works? If a school is a 2 year program, does that mean you pay for 2 years, whereas one would pay for 3 years at a 3 year school? Or is the 3 year school just a drawn out version of the 2 year school but one still pays for 2 years of the tuition price?