UCLA 2010

[Generallyspeaking22]

CoffeeKid:

How long is your interview setup for?



Did anyone else get their intv time for 20 minutes into the hour? ie 11:20? I'm wondering if that means it's a 40 minute intv or a 20 minute intv?

I'm just obsessively decoding whenever possible...

 

[TheCoffeeKid]

E-mail didn't specify the duration of interview. Last year's interview for me was 30-40 minutes. I've heard of varying interview times from 15 min to an hour so my guess is that it depends on how interesting and sociable the writer is in person with respect to other appointments.

Any word on other confirmed time slots for West coast interviews?

 

[Antelope9]

Have any Cinematography Graduate applicants heard about interviews, or rejections? I still have no word, and expected to hear something early this week.

 

[Ben]

No word here Antelope. Very weird, thus far have heard from every other school (and UCLA was the first deadline!)

 

[Antelope9]

Thanks Ben. I'll keep the forum updated, and would really like to hear when other cinematography applicants start hearing anything.

 

[BD_Islander]

Hey fellow hopefuls,

I'm an international applicant from Bermuda, applied to the producing program. I read earlier that 30 have been contacted for interviews, of which 15 will be chosen.

I didn't receive a phone-call for an interview, but haven't received a rejection yet. Don't know what to think but it doesn't seem too promising!

Any other int'l applicants to the producing program in the same boat? or have any producing applicants been contacted since last week about interviews?

 

[maltesefalcon]

interviews vs. places available

I think UCLA accepts @25/year into the screenwriting MFA. I heard somewhere (unofficially - maybe here?) that half those spaces are for graduates of UCLA's Professional Program. Regardless, there seems to be a LOT of interviews being set up.
Does anybody have any idea how many interviews there are vs. spots? I was hoping it was about 2-to-1, but looks like it could be much higher.

 

[WillieGreen]

Originally posted by maltesefalcon:
interviews vs. places available

I think UCLA accepts @25/year into the screenwriting MFA. I heard somewhere (unofficially - maybe here?) that half those spaces are for graduates of UCLA's Professional Program. Regardless, there seems to be a LOT of interviews being set up.
Does anybody have any idea how many interviews there are vs. spots? I was hoping it was about 2-to-1, but looks like it could be much higher.

As far as I know, they interview 60.

Here's a list of Professional Program alumni who have been admitted to the MFA program:

http://www.filmprograms.ucla.edu/grads.htm

 

[story2tell]

Gotta say this http://www.filmprograms.ucla.edu/grads.htm is disheartening. So, basically people who participate in the professional program account for 1/2 of the MFA candidates each year. So, if 60 people are interviewed for the MFA program I wonder if that includes the professional program members. If not, that means 1/4 of the interviewees are accepted. If so, the odds don't change much. Based on the number of people posting on this forum that they have interviews I am guessing the professional program people are not part of the 60. Sigh.

 

[WillieGreen]

Originally posted by story2tell:
Gotta say this http://www.filmprograms.ucla.edu/grads.htm is disheartening. So, basically people who participate in the professional program account for 1/2 of the MFA candidates each year. So, if 60 people are interviewed for the MFA program I wonder if that includes the professional program members. If not, that means 1/4 of the interviewees are accepted. If so, the odds don't change much. Based on the number of people posting on this forum that they have interviews I am guessing the professional program people are not part of the 60. Sigh.

Trust me, they are.

I did the PP before I applied last year, and got an interview (and ultimately didn't get in).

There's no guarantee you're in if you do the PP.

I know at least one person who did the PP and didn't get an interview.

 

[story2tell]

Originally posted by WillieGreen:

Trust me, they are.

I did the PP before I applied last year, and got an interview (and ultimately didn't get in).

There's no guarantee you're in if you do the PP.

I know at least one person who did the PP and didn't get an interview.

A huge wave of relief just washed over me. Thanks WillieGreen.

My interview is next week in New York. Trying not to get too nervous.

What kind of questions do they ask? I am compiling the names of the screenwriters of my favorite movies, and listing my favorite TV shows and books. Can't really believe I have an interview to be honest.

 

[maltesefalcon]

Thanks Willie - that's really helpful.

My question is since there is only 15-30 min set aside per interview, how does one do more than make a good initial impression?

I know someone who also interviewed but didn't get in. She felt she blew it, but other than trying to avoid a blown interview like that, not sure how to do well with that time constraint.

 

[WillieGreen]

My interview was pretty quick. Probably under 15 minutes.

It was more like a conversation. The only really "interview" topics were:

1. What's your biggest strength as a writer?
2. What's your biggest weakness?
3. Pitch me a story
4. Who would you cast in the film?
5. Do you have any questions for me?


My friend was randomly asked about theatre and playwrights, so maybe have a few in mind.

 

[underwood no. 5]

Indiana Bones: AMAZING breakdown. Thanks so much. This will be invaluable in prepping for this interview!

 

[WillieGreen]

Originally posted by IndianaBones:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WillieGreen:

As far as I know, they interview 60.

Here's a list of Professional Program alumni who have been admitted to the MFA program:

http://www.filmprograms.ucla.edu/grads.htm

There I am on that list, Willie! I'm a first-year MFA screenwriting student at UCLA. Of the 25 in my class half are from the Professional Program. I would suggest it to anyone who doesn't make the cut this year. It's a superb way to meet the players beforehand (and vice-versa). Not a program for the faint-hearted or the slacker, I assure you. Requirements include 4 feature-length screenplays (one per 10-week quarter) along with various courses from the Producer's program and the critical studies department +plus electives throughout. Good luck everyone! Bonne chance, Willie! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Thanks a bunch.

I'm going all in on the interview this time. What does "going all in" mean?

I don't know, but I'm doing it.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

All this info is definitely helpful. I've read of 30 second pitches and 20 minute pitches, so I wasn't really sure how much material to prepare...but now I do. Thanks!

 

[Jonathan Mooney]

Long time prowler. I applied to the screenwriting program and thought i was dead in the water. However, I just received a call from Linda Voorhees (sp). Will be interviewing on Wed in LA. So for those who have not heard, don't give up.

 

[WillieGreen]

Got a call from Linda a few minutes ago, too.

LOL I almost didn't answer because no number showed up.

 

[Jonathan Mooney]

You got an email though, right Willie? I never received one, so it was a big surprise for me. I never answer blocked numbers either, but I'm happy I did.

Are you interviewing this week? I thought people on the west coast were interviewing in the 3rd week of March.

 

[WillieGreen]

Originally posted by Jonathan Mooney:
You got an email though, right Willie? I never received one, so it was a big surprise for me. I never answer blocked numbers either, but I'm happy I did.

Are you interviewing this week? I thought people on the west coast were interviewing in the 3rd week of March.

Yeah I got the email, but I wasn't expecting anything this early. I'm interviewing next week.

I guess the 22nd to 27th is like the final window.