Screenwriting MFA Fall 2017

[gradualdecisions]

I hope this doesn't stress anyone out further, but have you guys thought about what your backup plan is if you're not accepted to your top choice? If I don't get in I'm planning to do UCLA's Professional Program in TV Writing and apply for the MFA again next year (I already did the PP in Screenwriting and can't recommend it highly enough).

Obviously there are a lot of different ways to become a writer - guess I'm just wondering if you're all planning to reapply next year or take a different path altogether if you don't get in?

 

[icygee]

I hope this doesn't stress anyone out further, but have you guys thought about what your backup plan is if you're not accepted to your top choice? I'm just wondering if you're all planning to reapply next year or take a different path altogether if you don't get in?

I have two plans of attack. One is a slow descent into a fiery, murderous spree

OR finally just uproot and move out to LA for a few years with my best friend so I'm in the area. Submit to the festival/competition circuit. Since this is my second time applying (first was two years ago) I'd either call it quits or go for Third Time's The Charm, but I hope I don't have to deliberate that.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

I hope this doesn't stress anyone out further, but have you guys thought about what your backup plan is if you're not accepted to your top choice? If I don't get in I'm planning to do UCLA's Professional Program in TV Writing and apply for the MFA again next year (I already did the PP in Screenwriting and can't recommend it highly enough).

Obviously there are a lot of different ways to become a writer - guess I'm just wondering if you're all planning to reapply next year or take a different path altogether if you don't get in?

That's exactly my plan! I've mentioned in other threads that I did the PP Producing Program in 2012 after my undergrad. I loved it. The Screenwriting ones come up every year I've been on the forums as back up plans for those who aren't admitted into the MFA. I'll be doing the TV one as well - still waiting to hear from UT and Northwestern at all, but I plan on moving to LA if I don't get in anywhere.
As to if I'd re-apply for a third time for MFA programs, I'm not sure. I want to teach at the university level which is why I want an MFA but I may push it to the back burner. I'd could use other connections in film to continue making a living while I do the PP in TV Writing first.

 

[Exal Iraheta]

That's exactly my plan! I've mentioned in other threads that I did the PP Producing Program in 2012 after my undergrad. I loved it. The Screenwriting ones come up every year I've been on the forums as back up plans for those who aren't admitted into the MFA. I'll be doing the TV one as well - still waiting to hear from UT and Northwestern at all, but I plan on moving to LA if I don't get in anywhere.
As to if I'd re-apply for a third time for MFA programs, I'm not sure. I want to teach at the university level which is why I want an MFA but I may push it to the back burner. I'd could use other connections in film to continue making a living while I do the PP in TV Writing first.

I hope this doesn't stress anyone out further, but have you guys thought about what your backup plan is if you're not accepted to your top choice? If I don't get in I'm planning to do UCLA's Professional Program in TV Writing and apply for the MFA again next year (I already did the PP in Screenwriting and can't recommend it highly enough).

Obviously there are a lot of different ways to become a writer - guess I'm just wondering if you're all planning to reapply next year or take a different path altogether if you don't get in?

To keep both myself distracted and to feel as if I'm moving forward regardless of graduate admittance, I've been working on a pilot to start sending out to different festivals in March. Once that's done, I have a spec I've been bouncing around in my head for Superstore - that I will try to crank out as well.

I think the most important thing is to keep creating. You're correct, gradualdecisions, there are different ways of becoming a writer -- we need to just keep at it!

 

[Kay Q.]

I've heard nothing from UCLA about interviews as well, but just scheduled my Columbia interview. This is all super stressful.

 

[icygee]

I've heard nothing from UCLA about interviews as well, but just scheduled my Columbia interview. This is all super stressful.

Haven't heard from UCLA or Columbia yet but I'm just here to say your avi is truly, honestly iconic.

 

[Comedynerd]

That's exactly my plan! I've mentioned in other threads that I did the PP Producing Program in 2012 after my undergrad. I loved it. The Screenwriting ones come up every year I've been on the forums as back up plans for those who aren't admitted into the MFA. I'll be doing the TV one as well - still waiting to hear from UT and Northwestern at all, but I plan on moving to LA if I don't get in anywhere.
As to if I'd re-apply for a third time for MFA programs, I'm not sure. I want to teach at the university level which is why I want an MFA but I may push it to the back burner. I'd could use other connections in film to continue making a living while I do the PP in TV Writing first.

If I don't get into USC or UCLA I'm definitely moving to LA to do the PP in TV Writing also! I think at this point I've just got to get myself out there to start making connections. Chicago is my favorite city in the whole world and change is scary but at some point I've got to take the PLUNGE.

I hope we all get into the school of our dreams but if not maybe I'll meet some of you in the Professional Program and we can start a kick ass writing group!

 

[Kira]

I hope this doesn't stress anyone out further, but have you guys thought about what your backup plan is if you're not accepted to your top choice? If I don't get in I'm planning to do UCLA's Professional Program in TV Writing and apply for the MFA again next year (I already did the PP in Screenwriting and can't recommend it highly enough).

Obviously there are a lot of different ways to become a writer - guess I'm just wondering if you're all planning to reapply next year or take a different path altogether if you don't get in?

If I don't get in this time around, then I'm also doing the PP in TV Writing and reapplying. Otherwise I'm writing a few things that I want to start submitting to competitions. I'm thinking about moving to LA in Aug / Sep and looking for jobs in the industry, but we'll see

 

[Kay Q.]

Haven't heard from UCLA or Columbia yet but I'm just here to say your avi is truly, honestly iconic.

Haha thank you!

 

[Heisenberg91]

Screenwriting software -- is there any one in particular that grad students use?

Which one do you use?

 

[Chris W]

Chicago is my favorite city in the whole world and change is scary but at some point I've got to take the PLUNGE.

Hey I drove out here in 2001 with no job and absolutely nothing lined up and I've been here ever since so it does work. Granted I know a lot of people who've done the same but went home with their tail between their legs.

 

[panda]

Screenwriting software -- is there any one in particular that grad students use?

Which one do you use?

Above all else, Final Draft (I believe they have a student discount if you're accepted into a program). A few pairs I know use WriterDuet.

 

[Chris K]

Screenwriting software -- is there any one in particular that grad students use?

Which one do you use?

I don't own any screenwriting software yet. I used a free trial version of Slugline to write the required dialogue scene for my NYU portfolio. It was pretty minimalistic and straightforward, just the way I like it (it uses Fountain, so that kinda explains it).

Other than that, I know NYU requires every student accepted into the MFA program to buy Final Draft, the industry standard (along with a bunch of other software too).

 

[turburr]

Screenwriting software -- is there any one in particular that grad students use?

Which one do you use?

I use Celtx. I think it's the most user friendly.

 

[Septopus7]

Screenwriting software -- is there any one in particular that grad students use?

Which one do you use?

Another vote for Final Draft. It's the industry standard for a reason, after all. I've used Celtx and FadeIn a few times, but I still think the Final Draft experience is far more intuitive and tactile to use.

That said, any software will do, as long as you're using one. On the undergrad level I encountered a ton of people who obviously weren't using a type of software, and boy did it show. There's a lot of stupid rules and formatting in writing a screenplay, and I don't think anyone who wants to do this on a professional level has any excuse to write a script through, say, Microsoft Word.

 

[germbug]

If I don't get into USC or UCLA I'm definitely moving to LA to do the PP in TV Writing also! I think at this point I've just got to get myself out there to start making connections. Chicago is my favorite city in the whole world and change is scary but at some point I've got to take the PLUNGE.

I hope we all get into the school of our dreams but if not maybe I'll meet some of you in the Professional Program and we can start a kick ass writing group!

Does the professional program lead to a higher chance of getting into UCLA's MFA program? I'm wondering if this might be a more fiscally responsible option than to go straight to an MFA program that's super pricey. But that's also putting a lot of eggs into one basket.

 

[patchoooli]

Screenwriting software -- is there any one in particular that grad students use?

Which one do you use?

Im a Final Draft'er too, for script writing software.

 

[Iuli Dia]

I hope this doesn't stress anyone out further, but have you guys thought about what your backup plan is if you're not accepted to your top choice? If I don't get in I'm planning to do UCLA's Professional Program in TV Writing and apply for the MFA again next year (I already did the PP in Screenwriting and can't recommend it highly enough).

Obviously there are a lot of different ways to become a writer - guess I'm just wondering if you're all planning to reapply next year or take a different path altogether if you don't get in?

Not sure if I'll reapply yet. I didn't get an interview for UCLA, so that pretty much means I won't get in. I'm working on a feature to submit to a few competitions (Nicholl, AFF, Page, etc) I may reapply with that feature as a writing sample next year. We'll see ... I'm considering the Professional Program as well. However, I wanted to do the whole package. I wanted to audit classes in other subjects, and I want to have the option to teach someday.

 

[Kira]

Screenwriting software -- is there any one in particular that grad students use?

Which one do you use?

Like many others, I use Final Draft. It's also industry standard. When I was trying out screenwriting, I used Celtx but once I got serious I made the switch. Final Draft is pricey so if you can catch it on sale (Black Friday?) or use a student discount then I would wait.

Does the professional program lead to a higher chance of getting into UCLA's MFA program? I'm wondering if this might be a more fiscally responsible option than to go straight to an MFA program that's super pricey. But that's also putting a lot of eggs into one basket.

I don't think having "Professional Program" certificate itself will help you. Just like with a MFA, it doesn't really matter if you have it but what you do during your time in the program. If you can write 2 kick-ass features or 1 amazing spec / 2 fantastic pilots during the program, that will help you get in. It will show that you can write quality in a short amount of time. The certificate itself doesn't improve your chances, just the quality of your writing.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

I use Final Draft also!

Warning, I'm going to go on a rant...

- BUT I HATE that it's called the industry standard. The industry standard is PDF - You don't get sent scripts in FDX format EVER. Maybe, if you are on something really low budget where the writer isn't willing to do small revisions you will get an FDX, I have as an AD asked for the FDX so I can do proper colored revisions, but that was a rare circumstance. I have never been given the FDX file of any script for any movie or TV show I have worked on. John August and Craig Mazen of scriptnotes have an episode of their podcast but the way Final Draft markets themselves this way and how insane it drives them. If I didn't already own Final Draft (and I am not upgrading to 10) I would be using the software John August created, called Highland, it's based on Fountain. That said.... Final Draft is compatible with Windows whereas other programs are not. Although I know very few people in the industry who have Windows computers (except editors).

Best bet is to buy The Hollywood Standard 2nd Ed formatting book - Think of it as the MLA handbook for screenwriting. You should learn/know the formatting style by memory as best as you can and the software should support/supplement that knowledge, not be a substitute for it. That's a whole other rant from when I was an AD on projects that had typos and formatting errors all over them. It was embarrassing, even though it wasn't my script.