Peter Stark Program 2010

[moonfullofstars]

Hi, Max!

I'd love to take you up on your offer to look over your personal statement.

 

[moonfullofstars]

By the way, Witt, I disagree with you about UCLA and USC being roughly equal. UCLA's producing program is nowhere near as strong as the Stark Program. Of course, it is still a very good program and highly motivated students will still succeed in it regardless. (And I bet Max will get in!) But UCLA is better known for its screenwriting program than it is for producing. In my opinion, UCLA screenwriting is the top and USC producing is the top.

The main difference between UCLA and USC (in terms of producing programs) is that UCLA is very much about becoming a "director's producer." USC, on the other hand, emphasizes the idea that the producer is the key creative force that drives the entire project.

The problem with NYU (which used to be my top choice a few years ago) is that even though you learn from an amazing curriculum at one of the top film schools in the world, and you get an MFA and an MBA, you still realistically have to move back to LA at the end of it. Hollywood has shifted so that 95% of film happens in LA and maybe 5% happens in NY. And the stuff that happens in NY tends to be more "indie." On that note, the problem with Columbia is that it is very art house, which isn't the type of cinema I'm particularly interested in learning about in school. I love art films, but I'd rather learn the ways of the commercial Hollywood blockbuster. I believe in mastering the rules before you decide to break them.

AFI is a little bit old school. To me, its "brand image" centers on classical Hollywood. It has also lost some of its prestige over the years, I feel. Hence the deadline extension from December to May.

After pretty extensive research, the reason why I chose not to apply anywhere else besides Stark is because none of the other programs offer me as much as Stark does. I don't just want to go to grad school in general -- I want to be a producer. And of all the grad producing programs, for me, Stark is the one that best suits my own goals and interests. It's the only one worth the time and money commitment, for me personally.

Obviously, people on this forum have applied at a lot of other places, too. And the other comparable programs DO have a lot of other things to offer and they are still very good. But for me, my choice is between USC or getting a job. Not USC vs. UCLA/NYU/AFI/Columbia/etc.

 

[moonfullofstars]

Also, the other key thing to remember is that the people who make it in the industry are the ones who would have made it with or without grad school. None of the top producing programs are a golden ticket into the film industry. All they can do is give you a boost if you were already the type of person who would have made it, regardless.

Larry Turman always says that the Stark admissions committee selects the people who they believe would have succeeded even without the Stark Program!

Stark's curriculum condenses about 10 years of work experience into 2. That's the key benefit. It's helpful, but it can't make or break you.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Hey Witt,

I saw this article and thought I should post it immediately for your safety.

http://www.newser.com/story/11...ee-killer-birds.html

Good luck.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

I was mostly kidding about danger aspect, but I came across that article and found the bird to be pretty amazing both in size and color. I've never heard of cassowaries before...

Then I thought of the Australian guy who always posts on the boards about wanting to do nature docs.

The vicious pelican thing does sounds pretty scary though.

 

[alliestark]

Hey guys do you think they will call on time this year? Do you think they will respect the 23rd deadline or like last year when they delayed of 2 weeks? I couldn't bear it. I would die.

4

 

[moonfullofstars]

Hi Allie,

I think they'll respect the deadline this year. When Larry called me, he specifically said, "Sorry to make you wait 8 more days." He didn't mention anything about decisions being delayed this year.

Our pain will be over soon!!!

 

[moonfullofstars]

Also, last year decisions were delayed because they had, like, twice the volume of applications. That's my theory for why they re-instituted the GRE this year. The GRE is a filtering tool that eliminates all of the applicants who would like to call themselves Starkies but don't want it badly enough to take the GRE!

The GRE was a huuuuge time and money investment. And it was painful!!! But at least we're all done with it now, right?

 

[Max Keller]

Katniss and Peeta forever! Down with President Snow!

 

[Max Keller]

Who is Banksy? Better question. Where's Hollywood?

 

[alliestark]

Yeah Inception was my favourite too. Of all the films I have seen - I was working for a producer who got all the screeners for the oscars - that is the one I would vote for best film. Can you imagine organize the creation of such a film? Incredible work...

Right now the weather in LA is awful,it's raining at that is not helping my already unstable mood. Wasn't it supposed to be the city of the sun?? Btw, I tried a very nice place in Santa Monica: shutters on the beach restaurant. If you ever happen to be in Santa Monica you must go there! O

 

[moonfullofstars]

Allie, thanks for the restaurant recommendation! I'll definitely try it. And I agree with you about this rain...such unhappy weather!

Max, I've seen the "Exit Through the Gift Shop" DVD available in stores now, but I just haven't had the opportunity to rent it or get it from Netflix yet. I'm still in school right now (I go to UC Irvine) and I'm taking 20 units this quarter. Alas, I have no time for fun at the moment!

Also, I sympathize with your "Enter the Void" frustrations. It just wasn't fitting in my schedule at the time either!

 

[moonfullofstars]

Well, Max, you already know where I go to school but I was just explaining for everyone else who doesn't know!

 

[moonfullofstars]

I really, really, really hope I get into the Stark Program so I'll actually enjoy being busy and overwhelmed with school. What I'm doing right now just feels like busy work. It's so frustrating!

 

[moonfullofstars]

Witt,

RELAX. You're getting in! I can guarantee you that none of the other applicants are veterinarians from Australia who want to run BBC Nature. Really. Your exotic appeal will serve you well.

Scuba diving? Holy guacamole, I'm jealous! Sounds amazing!

 

[moonfullofstars]

P.S. it's 1:21AM in LA. I'm a night owl, it's not too late yet!

 

[Kane515]

Checking this forum every once in a while has become a habit... now I'm really getting nervous, and I guess the same goes with everyone else.

I've been thinking about time difference lately, regarding the acceptance phone calls (if they are also gonna be made for international applicants). For those of us living closer to the other side of the Pacific Ocean, we have about 15-17 hour time difference, which means the actual calls might be made between midnight and dawn on the 24th! Guess we need to wait a little longer...

 

[Max Keller]

All dressed up and nowhere to go

 

[Max Keller]

Silly rabbit, tricks are for kids.

 

[moonfullofstars]

Hi again, future Starkies!

So, did any of you notice that on the USC Film & TV Production thread, someone went back and looked at last year's history of who was accepted based on interviews? Most of the people posting on this forum last year were actually accepted into that program. That makes me feel good! Maybe we're all more likely to get in because we are the few who are obsessed enough to come here and nail-bite together? Maybe people on this forum are the ones who want it more!

I might be totally wrong but just thought I'd bring up something positive I noticed.