NYU applications

[wannabe2]

Hi all-I submitted my application and was just reviewing some things. It's too late to fret about, but the silent film piece;it stipulates all exterior settings. I must have overlooked that. Most of it is outdoor but....

 

[Race_Bannon]

Duders --

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I've read through a bunch of the NYU-related threads and you seem to have a pretty strong presence on them for the past couple years. We all appreciate it!

 

[Melanie]

whoa wow, i guess i made myself believe it was mid-march in order to force myself to be patient. now i can't believe it's so soon! i know people have been asking this question, but i haven't gotten a clear idea yet, if you've applied to Tisch NYC or Columbia, have you gotten an email specifically stating that they received your materials? thanks!

 

[dragynally]

You have to email Columbia for a tracking #

 

[Melanie]

thanks!

 

[Race_Bannon]

I received notification from Columbia, but not Tisch. I guess I'm wondering the same thing.

 

[Dr.RubyDoomsday]

Actually, on the materials section, do you think it matters how it was presented? I had never submitted a portfolio of creative work before, so I kind of created something that would be more along the lines of a report...everything typed in the same font with identical margins, in a presentation book, in sheet protectors....yet all wrapped rather rediculously in a Macy's Christmas Box from 1987 (curtesy of my mother's attic).

I dropped it off myself and handed it to Susan Carnival so I have no doubt it got there (and I looked in at the "portfolio review room" scary stuff), but I am still wondering about presentation...

 

[Race_Bannon]

I spoke with NYU admissions director Dan Sanford last spring about the application process. The most important thing I took away from our chat was that 'the work has to speak to them'.

So I would imagine that the presentation is not as important as you might think. What's important, other than the creative portfolio, is what's on the page. But I do like the holiday box idea.

I for one just made mine look simple and professional.

 

[Dr.RubyDoomsday]

Believe me, that Macy's box wasn't by choice. I just was home for Thanksgiving at the time and unless I really wanted to walk to the post office in the dark to see if I could wake Travis up to get me a box, it was all I was getting. Then I wrapped it in brown paper, it looked like it was going to a USO office in 1953...

I hope my work speaks for itself. I honestly feel much more secure in my silent film, dialogue, and treatment then the photos I submitted because I still wonder if I would have been better submitting a film...

 

[Race_Bannon]

Yeah, I feel the same way about my stuff. I submitted a few short films that I made in college. But I didn't study film as an undergrad, so they were just experiments for me. So I wonder if the selection process takes circumstance into account. Especially since they encourage people without film backgrounds.

It's just unnerving because regardless of how much you prepare read prior to applying, it's still just up to them. It's all in their hands.

 

[SimAlex]

It's just unnerving because regardless of how much you prepare read prior to applying, it's still just up to them. It's all in their hands.

Yes! Exactly. There's just so much that's out of your control. It's definitely stressful.

 

[Dr.RubyDoomsday]

Same here with the no film in college. I've never even held a camera. (probably should not admit that) I think they are really looking for people who can tell a story, and you can't really learn that, it has to be a bit inate. Of course, as a Lit Major, I have also come to believe that natural talent isn't work a damn without the right training and the right people around you.

The process is upsetting. I'm applying for the dual MBA/MFA so I am doubley stressed out.

 

[duders]

I've never even held a camera. (probably should not admit that) I think they are really looking for people who can tell a story, and you can't really learn that, it has to be a bit inate. Of course, as a Lit Major, I have also come to believe that natural talent isn't work a damn without the right training and the right people around you.

I would say that the above statements are false. You should be upfront that you've never held a camera before. A few folks every year are admitted with no experience whatsoever. Also, you definitely CAN learn how to tell a story. You may not be able to learn the stories you want to tell, but you definitely can learn how to do it. That's why there are so many screenwriting classes!

In fact, one of the main things that they are looking for is 'does this person want to learn?' and 'is this person teachable?'

 

[Dr.RubyDoomsday]

Duders, I will not disagree with you regarding what NYU is looking for, as you are waaayyy more qualified than me to assess that and thank you for reassuring me that my lack of technical experience will not torpedo my chances (although I have been married to books on cameras for the last few weeks trying to at least have a concept of how they work).

However, I disagree that there is no inate ability that is needed to tell a story. I have spent many classes with "writers." If you have no inate story telling ability, you are more than likely never going to be a good writer. You can't teach it, I've seen people try. That being said, any inate ability is not enough. That will make an okay writer, it may even make a good one, but a GREAT writer is only born out of talent and hard work and a whole hell of a lot more of the latter than the former. Now, film is a different medium, so I may be completely wrong in what is needed and what can be learned, but I have yet to see a bad storyteller become a good writer. Have you seen a bad storyteller become a good director?

 

[jthamilton]

Hey Arash. I didn't get the email yet. Did they have you check your applyyourself account or some other one? When did you receive the email? Thanks for keeping us posted - I'm sorry if you're bummed about the news.

 

[Melanie]

Just got the email, I didn't get into Tisch NYU either

 

[fiorile]

arash,jthamilton,Melanie: you apply to Tisch Asia or NYC?

i apply to NYU Tisch Asia, no notification yet.

 

[fiorile]

Originally posted by fiorile:
arash,jthamilton,Melanie: you apply to Tisch Asia or NYC?

i apply to NYU Tisch Asia, no notification yet.

 

[jthamilton]

Sorry to keep asking about this, but I still don't have the email, so I'm just trying to figure it out...The only account or PIN I've had for my NYU stuff is through the applyyourself system. (Is that what you mean by the "online application folder"?) Am I missing something? Should I have requested tracking info at some point? Thanks again for the info.

 

[SimAlex]

i'm a tisch reject as well.

 

[Luke joseph]

Well this is kind of intimidating.

I do not remember things happening like this last year.