UCLA MFA 2011 (Screenwriting)

[honeybadger]

I haven't heard anything yet, either, fobshady, so you're not alone in your anxiety riddled feelings of doom and gloom. We'll all know soon enough. Congratulations to everyone who has been accepted, though.

 

[Pilnarie]

So I'm a newcomer to this site. I interviewed for the MFA, but have not received an acceptance or rejection letter yet. I am dying with anticipation. Not getting the Notice this morning really deflated my hopes. Congrats to those who got in.

 

[Pilnarie]

Also to anyone who applied last year-- Do they send the acceptance letters out in waves or one fell swoop? In other words should I shove my face with fast food and booze in defeat or remain hopeful another night?

 

[IndianaBones]

It ain't over until the first day of school... seriously. The year I was accepted, one student in our incoming class didn't show for Orientation -- she had changed her mind at the last minute and had chosen USC. Another spot opened up that very afternoon in late September!

 

[filmart]

Hi everyone, I'm also new to the site. I've been following all of your posts for the past few weeks anticipating quietly with you. I received my acceptance email this morning. I just wanted to say that reading your posts gave me a lot of comfort throughout this waiting period. Thank you.

 

[ChaCha]

Maybe I'm pre-gaming it but I totally just shove my face with fast food and booze in defeat but thanks Indiana Bones for giving us a little bit of hope. Your advice has always been very helpful!

 

[birdude]

Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Generallyspeaking22:
I am still a little bit in shock. I'm also kind of under the weather, so I'm just feeling weird overall! But weirdly excited!

Sorry birdude, but if I'm not mistaken, three out of four of us were rejected the first time around and accepted the second time around.

It's competitive out there.

Good luck, everyone!

Exactly. I didn't get in last year either, so this was my second time applying. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Hm that is definitely reassuring.

Congratulations on getting in. I'm curious, what did you all do between your first and second times applying?

 

[SheScribe]

Originally posted by birdude:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Generallyspeaking22:
I am still a little bit in shock. I'm also kind of under the weather, so I'm just feeling weird overall! But weirdly excited!

Sorry birdude, but if I'm not mistaken, three out of four of us were rejected the first time around and accepted the second time around.

It's competitive out there.

Good luck, everyone!

Exactly. I didn't get in last year either, so this was my second time applying. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Hm that is definitely reassuring.

Congratulations on getting in. I'm curious, what did you all do between your first and second times applying? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

First, let me say, that time went ridculously fast between the first and the second time. I had all these big plans on all the things I would do to prepare the second time around, but I looked up and it was already Fall, and I hadn't done everything I planned to writing wise. But, I talked to a current student who told me not to worry about finishing multiple scripts, but to submit work (short stories, poems, or any other creative writing) that represents my true voice. So I used the rest of the time to develop and revise work that did that mostly. Hope that helps.

 

[IndianaBones]

Make sure you send off a thank-you email to whomever you interviewed with. In it, reiterate how much you want this gig and say it with passion!

For what it's worth (and it is no secret) several of the screenwriting workshop teachers are UCLA Screenwriting MFAers who hung out in the Professional Program while they applied ...and reapplied... (and, in some cases, reapplied) to the MFA before getting in.

The PP is DEFINITELY the way to hedge your bets. It is designed to work exactly like the MFA program - one 3-hour lecture a week (Mondays 7-10pm)taught by Hal Ackerman and then you break off into small writing workshop groups of 6-8 students on another weeknight (various) with additional teachers from the MFA program who work double-duty, as it were. The key players get to know you, your writing and, most of all, your passion to succeed. PS - It's only $4k for the entire 3 quarters as opposed to $6k+ per quarter for the MFA. DO IT - if you can. (The application deadline is during the summer sometime. And, you can use most of the materials you've already submitted for the MFA for writing samples & statement of purpose).

 

[Pilnarie]

Thanks IndianaBones. Were you in the PP, or did you go straight into MFA, and if you did, did you have to apply more than once? Also, do you know how many students in each MFA class comes straight from the PP?

 

[Wenyi]

Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

 

[SheScribe]

Originally posted by Wenyi:
Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

That's it!

 

[Munky the robot]

Originally posted by Wenyi:
Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

Congratulations buddy!! SUPER happy for you!

 

[Wenyi]

Originally posted by Munky the robot:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wenyi:
Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

Congratulations buddy!! SUPER happy for you! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks I am soooo happy. Can't believe it is happening.
Do you have msn or what is your facebook name? I'd like to add you no matter whether or not we are classmates

 

[Wenyi]

Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wenyi:
Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

That's it! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the confirmation?

 

[SheScribe]

Originally posted by Wenyi:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wenyi:
Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

That's it! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the confirmation? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Congrats!

 

[KrisKelvin]

I too was rejected””or at least assuming so since I didn't get the email yesterday. Just wish I knew where I went wrong, because even if I know my written materials could have been better I felt my interview went as well as any I've ever had. But who knows...maybe they just didn't take any people straight out of undergrad.

But major congrats to those who did get accepted. It definitely is inspiring to see a bunch of you who interviewed and were rejected get in this year, on the off chance I decide to reapply next year.

And like I said on the USC thread, if anyone who got in is willing to share any personal details (age, undergrad major, experience, etc.) either here or via PM, it would be greatly appreciated””especially as far as what sort of jobs/internships I could try to get to help me should I apply another time.

Congrats again!

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Originally posted by birdude:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Generallyspeaking22:
I am still a little bit in shock. I'm also kind of under the weather, so I'm just feeling weird overall! But weirdly excited!

Sorry birdude, but if I'm not mistaken, three out of four of us were rejected the first time around and accepted the second time around.

It's competitive out there.

Good luck, everyone!

Exactly. I didn't get in last year either, so this was my second time applying. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Hm that is definitely reassuring.

Congratulations on getting in. I'm curious, what did you all do between your first and second times applying? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

After being rejected last year, I sent e-mails to Richard and Hal that UCLA was my first choice all along (which it was) and that I was going to do the PP via Skype (which I did) and reapply. Richard said if I did all of that and did it well, I wouldn't be disappointed (and I'm not!)

However, before even knowing whether I had an interview or not, I started working on two tv specs and a pilot after I sent my application out the first time around. I had the time and I was excited about writing. So I used those three scripts, plus the material I already sent in for my application the second time around.

I think if I hadn't started writing that stuff in December, I would have to agree with SheScribe that the period between now and the Nov. 1st deadline isn't as far as you might think. Nonetheless, that shouldn't stop you from at least starting on one new sample or other types of creative writing.

You'll go in a better writer for it and come out a better writer for it too.

Congrats on everyone who has been accepted. I look forward to meeting all of you.

For those who didn't make it, you can if you want to and are willing to put some work in.

 

[Wenyi]

Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wenyi:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wenyi:
Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

That's it! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the confirmation? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Congrats! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Happy birthday! Congrats,too!

 

[SheScribe]

Originally posted by Wenyi:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wenyi:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Wenyi:
Greetings!

The Screenwriting Admissions Committee is pleased to inform you that it has recommended your admission to the MFA program for the Fall of 2011. Please be on the look out for an official letter from the department.


Congratulations! Our entire faculty looks forward to working with you in the years to come.


Write on,

Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter

Is it an official admission? Somebody plz tell me!!! OMG, it is insane!!!

That's it! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks for the confirmation? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Congrats! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Happy birthday! Congrats,too! </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thanks!