Preparing for MFA in Live Action Cinema: Advice Needed!

Thread starter yernit
Start date Apr 11, 2024
Tags

directing film and directing grad film mfa screewriting

yernit

New Member

Apr 11, 2024

My Application for MFA - ( Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema - live action- has been accepted and I am excited to start school in the Fall. I did not study film for undergrad, for my undergrad I did fine arts ( photography ) Before fall semester starts I have about 4-5 month time. So, any recommendations of how I can prep better before the program starts. Films to watch? Books to read? Anything else to get me up to speed with all things cinema?
p.s. planing to focus on directing/ screenwriting / producing, thanks!

yxrsxoa

Active Member

Mar 9, 2025

Has anyone heard of Brooklyn College MFA? I got into Brooklyn. I really want to go to Tisch and like NYC a lot, but since I got rejected and Brooklyn seems to be a lesser version of Tisch, I'm wondering if I should attend Brooklyn instead. I'm also waiting to hear back from CalArts (Film and Video MFA), Chapman (Directing), and LMU (Directing). The other school I got into is SAIC.

Log your film school application with our Application Database so that we can improve our admissions statistics.

Similar threads

Preparation for a competitive MA/MFA Directing application (UK)

Replies: 1

Views: 2K

Sep 3, 2025

kingofsweaters

Film School Applications 2026 - Where are you applying?

Replies: 2

Views: 2K

Nov 25, 2025

featherless

FYI: Feirstein Grad School introducing "Live Action Filmmaking" track in 2024-25 academic year

Replies: 2

Views: 3K

Feb 16, 2024

kluciano98

Choosing between NYU Tisch, Columbia, AFI, and USC for MFA Directing — would love input from anyone who's been through these programs

Replies: 5

Views: 1K

Mar 31, 2026

kingofsweaters

Genuine Advice Needed!! - I aspire to become a cinematographer

Replies: 19

Views: 4K

Feb 25, 2024

m_w

Student Films Made at Film Programs

Last Bite (LMU)
- A248
- Aug 6, 2021
- Graduate
Valley Relics (LMU)
- A248
- Aug 6, 2021
- Graduate
Postcards (LMU)
- A248
- Aug 6, 2021
- Graduate

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Link

Latest Accepted Applications

2026 Fall Entry

Admitted (Off Waitlist After Interview) Chapman - Directing MFA Fall 26

Application was relatively straightforward...

Film Program & Degree

Chapman - Directing MFA

Attempts

First Time Applying

Submission Date

Dec 10, 2025

Interview Notification Date

May 28, 2026

Interview Date

Jun 2, 2026

Decision Notification Date

Jun 4, 2026

Willing to share application materials?

Yes (DM me privately)
mysterionsleftnut

Saturday at 2:57 AM

Updated: Sunday at 6:42 PM

Views: 89

Reaction score: 1

Comments: 1
2026 Fall Entry

Admitted but Not Attending (w/o Interview) City College of New York MFA in Film

This was my first time applying, and the...

Film Program & Degree

City College of New York - MFA in Film

Attempts

First Time Applying

Submission Date

Feb 1, 2026

Interview Notification Date

Feb 20, 2026

Interview Date

Feb 26, 2026

Decision Notification Date

Mar 4, 2026
CLChou

Apr 15, 2026

Updated: Friday at 10:50 AM

Views: 174

Reaction score: 1

Comments: 1
2026 Fall Entry

Declined Admission (Off Waitlist After Interview) AFI - Producing 2026

Second time applying, but initially applied...

Film Program & Degree

AFI - Producing

Attempts

Second Time Applying

Submission Date

Dec 1, 2025

Interview Date

Jan 29, 2026

Decision Notification Date

Mar 16, 2026
mgm0286

Mar 16, 2026

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Views: 1K

Reaction score: 2

Comments: 11
2026 Fall Entry

Admitted but Not Attending (After Interview) Syracuse MFA fall 2026

Went quite smoothly they communicated well and...

Film Program & Degree

Syracuse - Film MFA

Attempts

First Time Applying

Submission Date

Jan 15, 2026

Decision Notification Date

Mar 4, 2026

Scholarship Notification

Mar 4, 2026
Words

Mar 17, 2026

Updated: May 23, 2026

Views: 331

Reaction score: 1

Comments: 1
2026 Fall Entry

Attending (Off Waitlist After Interview) FSU MFA

The process went very well. Having to fly to...

Film Program & Degree

Florida State University - MFA Production

Attempts

First Time Applying

Submission Date

Dec 1, 2025

Interview Date

Feb 21, 2026

Decision Notification Date

Mar 6, 2026

Admitted Off Waitlist Date

May 11, 2026
Words

Apr 15, 2026

Updated: May 23, 2026

Views: 720

Reaction score: 1

Comments: 3

Exclusive Supporting Member Benefits

Peak behind the admissions curtain. Supporting Members unlock full access to insightful data, interviews, and more...

Browse over 5,000 logged applications the NEW Interactive Scattergram

45 Exclusive Charts of Detailed Admissions Data

Bonus Interviews with Admissions Committee Members

Instant Keyword Alerts

Visible Supporter Badge & Highlighted Profile

Share Subscription with one family member or friend

Become a Supporting Member

Instant access • Cancel anytime

Latest posts

Film Discussions
- Latest: Chris W
- Today at 3:50 PM
Filmmaking Discussions
Z
University of Georgia - MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media
- Latest: zddlg
- Sunday at 7:48 PM
General Film School Discussions
Z
Cinematography for Directors Quiz by Tal Lazar (1 Viewer)
- Latest: zekedaily
- Sunday at 6:47 PM
Filmmaking Quizzes
Z
The Princess Bride Quiz
- Latest: zekedaily
- Sunday at 6:32 PM
Filmmaking Quizzes
Chapman Film School MFA Applicants 2026 (1 Viewer)
- Latest: Noahm
- Saturday at 3:06 PM
Film School Application Year Threads

Latest Film School Reviews

University of Georgia - MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media
5.00 star(s)

Amazing Program

I am nearing completion on my MFA in Screenwriting and have loved every minute of this program. There is a very strong sense of community within...
- Anonymous
- 55 minutes ago
H
Antioch University - Low-residency MFA in Creative Writing
5.00 star(s)

A Magical, One-of-a-kind Community. Life changing.

Antioch is a place I never could have dreamed existed. I will never be the same. The Dramatic Writing community is a stunning combination of...
- Holly Stallcup
- Yesterday at 2:10 PM
Z
University of Georgia - MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media
5.00 star(s)

Film School: It's What You Make of It

Joining the UGA MFA Film Program has so far been one of the best decisions that I have made as a developing filmmaker. I am entering my second...
- zddlg
- Sunday at 7:48 PM
University of Georgia - MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media
5.00 star(s)

Practical Film MFA with Cohort Collaboration

Even as a still-young program, the UGA Film MFA continues to grow, improve, and build new resources and opportunities with every year. As a...
- Anonymous
- Friday at 2:19 PM
D
University of Georgia - MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media
5.00 star(s)

UGA MFA in Film, Television and Digital Media

To me, film school is about three things: (1) getting better as a filmmaker; (2) meeting collaborators you like as people and enjoy working with...
- drew.gourley
- Friday at 1:45 PM

Latest Applications

M
Admitted (Off Waitlist After Interview) Chapman - Directing MFA Fall 26
Application was relatively straightforward...
- mysterionsleftnut
- Updated: Sunday at 6:42 PM
Admitted but Not Attending (w/o Interview) City College of New York MFA in Film
First Time Applying. The whole process is smooth and straightforward.
- CLChou
- Updated: Friday at 10:50 AM
L
Interview Scheduled MA Animation for Film and Games & MA VFX Environments and Assets - 2027 - NFTS
I put a lot of effort into perfecting my...
- Lisxsi
- Updated: Friday at 3:45 AM
Applied NFTS Production Management for Film and TV
First time applying for this course but previously accepted onto a Diploma course I didn't take.
- AnnieTheAvocado
- Updated: Thursday at 8:05 AM
Declined Admission (Off Waitlist After Interview) AFI - Producing 2026
Second time applying, but initially applied...
- mgm0286
- Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Latest questions

Brooklyn College (CUNY) - Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema
I am deciding between DePaul's MFA program and this school, and I was hoping to hear any input from alumni, current students, or anyone who knows...
- Sosharp233
- Apr 16, 2026
Columbia University's School of the Arts
I am checking to see if others have received notification that Columbia’s deadline for their MFA film application has been extended until December...
- zk-writer-01
- Dec 9, 2025
I
Stockholm University of Arts
Hello. I am seriously thinking about applying to SKH, but I have no idea how the application process happens. Does anyone here know that? Thanks...
- IgorCL
- Nov 9, 2025
A
Syracuse University
How about now after a whole year? How are the connections plus the production side of the sets?
- anynonmous78
- Apr 28, 2025
R
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
Does anyone know the acceptance rate for the MFA in PFV and/or the Film Directing programs? Im thinking of applying for 2026
- reproducibility_
- Apr 17, 2025

Latest Articles

Inside Western Colorado University's Low-Residency MFA in Screenwriting Within the Graduate Creative Writing Program (Part 1)
Western Colorado University's Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) prides itself on not...
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Updated: Apr 23, 2026
- 14 min read
Inside Western Colorado University's Low-Residency MFA in Screenwriting Within the Graduate Creative Writing Program (Part 2)
In the final installment of our exclusive admissions interview with WCU's Graduate Program in...
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Updated: Apr 23, 2026
- 14 min read
CU Denver Film & Television Program Admissions: Tips from David Liban, Department Chair (Part 1)
The University of Colorado Denver is one of the best institutions in the Western US for...
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Updated: Apr 9, 2026
- 10 min read
CU Denver Film & Television Program Admissions: Tips from David Liban, Department Chair (Part 2)
In the second and final part of our interview, Alexa Pellegrini continues the discussion with...
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Updated: Apr 9, 2026
- 13 min read
How to Get Into the University of Hartford's Cinema Program: Insights from the Director and Admissions (Part 1)
Tucked away in the capital city of Connecticut, the University of Hartford's Cinema program is...
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Updated: Mar 27, 2026
- 11 min read

Latest Accepted Applications

Admitted but Not Attending (w/o Interview) City College of New York MFA in Film
First Time Applying. The whole process is smooth and straightforward.
- CLChou
- Updated: Friday at 10:50 AM
W
Admitted but Not Attending (After Interview) Syracuse MFA fall 2026
Went quite smoothly they communicated well and...
- Words
- Updated: May 23, 2026
A
Admitted (After Interview) Stony Brook Film MFA
The application required pulling together a...
- aliceleigh123
- Updated: Apr 27, 2026
D
Admitted but Not Attending (After Interview) Columbia College Chicago - Film and Television Directing
First time applying. Applying on March 1st, far later than I wanted, but opted to finalize a...
- dbrown40202
- Updated: Apr 24, 2026
Admitted but Not Attending (After Interview) AFI MFA Editing - Fall 2026
First year applying for Film MFA programs. At this point I have been waitlisted for...
- Pryde Pierce
- Updated: Apr 24, 2026

Most messages

9,998

Chris W
J

1,397

Jayimess
881

Alexa P.
N

481

Neville26
W

479

Winterreverie
477

Mike_V
T

426

titaniumdoughnut
421

IndecisiveElle
368

StarChild
B

368

Bandar Albuliwi

Highest reaction score

4,317

Chris W
792

Alexa P.
593

Septopus7
T

434

truffleshuffle
383

Abbey Normal
371

IndecisiveElle
351

its_me_mari
347

BuddernScotch
346

StarChild
332

FD97

Applications

Articles

Forums

Film Schools

Scholarships

This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.

Accept Learn more…

Back

Top