UCLA MFA 2011 (Screenwriting)

[Flixwrider]

That's great to hear...I guess I need to research on it and look for work/home.

 

[FilmClassicGirl]

Thanks, fobshady!

I'll definitely look into the program.

 

[RobbieBlock]

Well I too got rejected yet remain hopeful for my other schools. One of those situations where you will never know quite went wrong, wish they would just give you some sort of idea so you would know if it is even worth applying in the future.

Anyways, also got accepted to the professional program but I get the feeling this is kind of just standard for anyone getting rejected. Nice to hear that it works for some people , I was afraid it was just to squeeze money out of people who desperately wanted to work on their craft but just weren't good enough.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

I'm in the program. My writing has improved some for sure.

There are not opportunities to intern, not that I've come across anyhow.

However, if you currently don't get informed feedback, this program is a really great way to learn (more clearly) what your weaknesses are and what your readers respond to.

It also offers you discipline to continue working even if you're feeling a little discouraged at moments. I think it's a good introductory to the MFA program and also a great time for those who are used to working alone and with their own process to assimilate to something more collaborative.

It also gets you used to the idea of people seeing your work before it's finished, which is something I had issue with because I never write anything decent before the third draft....

 

[cirruss]

Hi everyone,

First of all good luck to everyone out there who have interviews scheduled and those who already went through them.

I've got a few questions. I've been invited to interviews at both UCLA and AFI. One question I expect to get during the interview I am kind of worried about. "Why do you want to go to our school?"

Hmm... because wikipedia says you are in the top 5??? No good!

What I've heard might be the case is that AFI is more focused on a plot driven than character development... that also doesnt seem like a great answer.

As for UCLA I've understood it is the premiere screenwriting school out there....

But maybe some of you can help me out in discerning what the specific strong points are of these two specific schools.

I feel so silly posting this!!!

 

[WillieGreen]

Originally posted by cirruss:
Hi everyone,

First of all good luck to everyone out there who have interviews scheduled and those who already went through them.

I've got a few questions. I've been invited to interviews at both UCLA and AFI. One question I expect to get during the interview I am kind of worried about. "Why do you want to go to our school?"

Hmm... because wikipedia says you are in the top 5??? No good!

What I've heard might be the case is that AFI is more focused on a plot driven than character development... that also doesnt seem like a great answer.

As for UCLA I've understood it is the premiere screenwriting school out there....

But maybe some of you can help me out in discerning what the specific strong points are of these two specific schools.

I feel so silly posting this!!!

AFI is more production-intensive. All of the fellows are required to go through production boot camp the first couple of months. So if you want to learn on-set skills, how the production process works, etc..., AFI might be the right spot for you.

At UCLA, you learn to write fast. They're on the quarter system, so you're pretty much writing a new script each quarter. Also, you basically build your own curriculum. If you want to take production, you can, but it's not required.

 

[cirruss]

Thanks so much! That does clarify things for me.

 

[KrisKelvin]

Just wondering, but has anybody who was emailed about an interview heard anything more about when they'll be held? I just want to make sure I haven't been forgotten...

 

[fobshady]

Originally posted by KrisKelvin:
Just wondering, but has anybody who was emailed about an interview heard anything more about when they'll be held? I just want to make sure I haven't been forgotten...

i have not... last year they waited a REALLY long time before getting back to the LA interviews. don't know what will happen this year.

 

[KrisKelvin]

Originally posted by fobshady:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by KrisKelvin:
Just wondering, but has anybody who was emailed about an interview heard anything more about when they'll be held? I just want to make sure I haven't been forgotten...

i have not... last year they waited a REALLY long time before getting back to the LA interviews. don't know what will happen this year. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cool...good to know I'm not alone.

 

[SheScribe]

On 2/5, I received a notice that I was chosen for an interview to take place in March in LA. Haven't heard anything about a date yet. Anxiously awaiting. I participated in a rather late interview last year (seems like it was weeks after most were interviewed). I did okay, but was surprised at how challenging some of the questions were. I had to pitch, make up a story using various unrelated words, answer questions about Anton Chekhov. Needless to say, not an easy interview! I'm hoping this time it will be more about me and my desire to be a great writer and a great success in the industry. Nonetheless, this time and last time, I am beyond honored to even have this opportunity. So my fingers remained crossed!

 

[KrisKelvin]

Originally posted by SheScribe:
On 2/5, I received a notice that I was chosen for an interview to take place in March in LA. Haven't heard anything about a date yet. Anxiously awaiting. I participated in a rather late interview last year (seems like it was weeks after most were interviewed). I did okay, but was surprised at how challenging some of the questions were. I had to pitch, make up a story using various unrelated words, answer questions about Anton Chekhov. Needless to say, not an easy interview! I'm hoping this time it will be more about me and my desire to be a great writer and a great success in the industry. Nonetheless, this time and last time, I am beyond honored to even have this opportunity. So my fingers remained crossed!

Woah...I thought nobody who interviewed last year had to pitch. And those other questions sound ridiculous. If you don't mind my asking, with whom did you interview?

 

[Turner]

Originally posted by SheScribe:
On 2/5, I received a notice that I was chosen for an interview to take place in March in LA. Haven't heard anything about a date yet. Anxiously awaiting. I participated in a rather late interview last year (seems like it was weeks after most were interviewed). I did okay, but was surprised at how challenging some of the questions were. I had to pitch, make up a story using various unrelated words, answer questions about Anton Chekhov. Needless to say, not an easy interview! I'm hoping this time it will be more about me and my desire to be a great writer and a great success in the industry. Nonetheless, this time and last time, I am beyond honored to even have this opportunity. So my fingers remained crossed!

This is terrifying and not at all what I have heard so far about the UCLA interview process. From what I had heard it was much more conversational. Did anyone else have an experience like this in previous interviews? This year will be my first.

 

[fobshady]

Originally posted by Turner:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
On 2/5, I received a notice that I was chosen for an interview to take place in March in LA. Haven't heard anything about a date yet. Anxiously awaiting. I participated in a rather late interview last year (seems like it was weeks after most were interviewed). I did okay, but was surprised at how challenging some of the questions were. I had to pitch, make up a story using various unrelated words, answer questions about Anton Chekhov. Needless to say, not an easy interview! I'm hoping this time it will be more about me and my desire to be a great writer and a great success in the industry. Nonetheless, this time and last time, I am beyond honored to even have this opportunity. So my fingers remained crossed!

This is terrifying and not at all what I have heard so far about the UCLA interview process. From what I had heard it was much more conversational. Did anyone else have an experience like this in previous interviews? This year will be my first. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

yes, me! i too was interrogated by paul castro last year. he told me to pitch, create a story out of white rose, paris hilton and iraq, then asked me what my favorite kurosawa film was.

good luck to those who get interviewed by him...

 

[Turner]

Sounds intense but I'll try to remain calm. I think I'll be prepared for a pitch and certainly don't mind answering questions about major filmmakers. As for crafting a story out of random words, I guess I have as a good a shot as anyone... I'm more worried that I'll get asked about an author that I'm just not familiar with. Hopefully I'll just be interviewed by Hal Ackerman and won't have to go through this.

 

[Generallyspeaking22]

Originally posted by fobshady:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Turner:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SheScribe:
On 2/5, I received a notice that I was chosen for an interview to take place in March in LA. Haven't heard anything about a date yet. Anxiously awaiting. I participated in a rather late interview last year (seems like it was weeks after most were interviewed). I did okay, but was surprised at how challenging some of the questions were. I had to pitch, make up a story using various unrelated words, answer questions about Anton Chekhov. Needless to say, not an easy interview! I'm hoping this time it will be more about me and my desire to be a great writer and a great success in the industry. Nonetheless, this time and last time, I am beyond honored to even have this opportunity. So my fingers remained crossed!

This is terrifying and not at all what I have heard so far about the UCLA interview process. From what I had heard it was much more conversational. Did anyone else have an experience like this in previous interviews? This year will be my first. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

yes, me! i too was interrogated by paul castro last year. he told me to pitch, create a story out of white rose, paris hilton and iraq, then asked me what my favorite kurosawa film was.

good luck to those who get interviewed by him... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I didn't have an experience like this. Based on the 2009 interviews, I practically went in with body armor on. It actually made for a bad interview because they were trying to have a conversation with me and I was trying to impress them with answers to questions they weren't asking...

So be prepared for tough questions but also be prepared for a light conversation.

 

[JamesJohn]

Engagement in any course will help you improve. But there are more value-for-money ways to improve. You can get most info from sites like http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html and then it's a matter of sitting down and writing. And selling.

 

[rmarquez]

hey guys, I havent gotten any emails about rejection, interviews or anything of that matter from UCLA... Should I start to freak out?!?

 

[KrisKelvin]

Originally posted by rmarquez:
hey guys, I havent gotten any emails about rejection, interviews or anything of that matter from UCLA... Should I start to freak out?!?

If I've learned one thing reading these boards, it's that you shouldn't try to figure out the admissions process at any of these schools (though I do anyway).

Don't give up hope until you receive an official rejection letter, or at least that's my view.

 

[Turner]

Just got my interview confirmation! March 26 in NYC with Hal Ackerman and Richard Walter.