UCLA - MFA, Fall 2014

[Mr. Fedora]

I've got a question for anyone who received a message for the interview -- and did so with a Gmail account.

Was the email sent to your main inbox -- or did it wind up in the Promotions or Spam folders by chance?

I'm just mulling over the possibility that I may have accidentally deleted a TFT email requesting an interview without browsing that folder (I usually mass delete).

If those emails went into those folders rather than the inbox -- and if interviews are set up for March -- then I'm wondering if I should contact TFT to verify nothing got overlooked by accident.

I'm probably just over-thinking that -- especially if they haven't set up anything for San Francisco Bay Area applicants to the Screenwriting MFA.

Besides, if they couldn't reach you by email, then they would have followed with a voicemail.

 

[Yiding_GoFighting]

Anybody has any idea about the interview? Is every qualified applicant required to have an interview or is there any exceptions? MFA in directing/production. I am just curious.

 

[Kukkik]

Hey I'm from states. In fact I'm working in LA. So I guess they already made their decision.

Where u from? Keep your hope there.

I'm from Bangkok. Yeah, still trying to calm myself here...

I checked a forum from last year. Someone even got a response in May or June! So I guess there's really nothing to tell us whether it's over...

 

[Kukkik]

Hey I'm from states. In fact I'm working in LA. So I guess they already made their decision.

Where u from? Keep your hope there.

Also, I'm sorry if you were offended by my first reply Whatever that was, it wasn't my intention...

 

[September]

Also, I'm sorry if you were offended by my first reply Whatever that was, it wasn't my intention...

Haha kukkik, no worries. I like Thailand.
Well I guess we just have to wait to see the whatever email we will get eventually.
Your first impression was pretty good, I'm Chinese American grew up in la so ......
Good luck to you.

 

[September]

Anybody has any idea about the interview? Is every qualified applicant required to have an interview or is there any exceptions? MFA in directing/production. I am just curious.

I'm curious too. MFA Directing/production as well but didn't get any interview email so I don't what that suppose to mean.

 

[Yiding_GoFighting]

I'm curious too. MFA Directing/production as well but didn't get any interview email so I don't what that suppose to mean.

Do you know whether UCLA requires an interview to get in? Or is there any chance for a applicant to get in without any interviews?

 

[Mr. Fedora]

To use USC as a comparison, I was expecting an interview as part of the process.

It never happened -- but I was still admitted.

So, the same could happen with any of us who applied to UCLA -- in theory, anyway.

If my calculations are correct, when these interviews hit 88mph, we're gonna see some serious s***.

 

[° C.L.?]

Had my interview with UCLA a couple hours ago...

I had to do it through Skype, so it was quite intimidating when I answered the video conference and saw a group of four professional-looking people sitting in a table staring at me. I was expecting it to be more like the interview with the Peter Stark program, where it was just one-two people and it was fairly casual and relaxed. The interviewers from UCLA were all business, and took notes from EVERYTHING that came out of my mouth. One particular lady was very active in the interview, asking me to expand on ideas or debating others that I presented. The other three where mostly quiet up until the end when it was turn for me to ask them questions.

They ask me four questions, and then it concluded with me having to pitch a story. I honestly don't know how well I did with the pitch, but I do know it was not fantastic by any means. I presented an idea for a movie, and although the idea itself is good they noticed how I struggled a little in presenting all my thoughts to them. Specially since the pitch portion felt very much like something intended (because of the structure) for people with experience in film. I have no experience in film, so it was a good idea delivered amateurishly. For the questions, I did a lot better by making my passion for film/tv clear to them. Which reminds me, if they ask you to pick a movie/tv show, pick something you TRULY love, not something that you will think will make you look better if you discussed.

So at the end I felt like two of the interviewers really liked me, another was pretty quiet and emotionless (not a great thing), and the last was very argumentative and constantly attempted to corner me (so she either disliked me, or was just trying to see how I handled myself on pressure).

As a bonus, I did ask them about the process. If you get an interview, you are in the TOP 30 or so candidates, it varies according to the program. For example, the producers program only takes 12-15 students. If the program takes more, then the TOP 30 might actually be more like TOP 40 or something. So they made it clear to me that getting an interview means you're in the top, and that's quite an accomplishment in itself. Last thing, decisions for Producers are made first because then it appears the Screenwriters (we should expect final decisions by mid March) . So those of you waiting for Directing, keep patient and don't panic when everyone else get's their responses. Your time will come soon enough!

I want to wish you all the best in your upcoming interviews. I know I am applying to a different program, but I still might be able to answer some questions.

Cheers,
R

I'm international Directing/Production applier, never heard anything yet, thanks share your interview experience.! May I ask the five films they asks you to choose talking about are all American films?

 

[Yiding_GoFighting]

well… I didn't hear anything from UCLA. I guess they already rejected me.

 

[valeskarod]

I've got a question for anyone who received a message for the interview -- and did so with a Gmail account.

Was the email sent to your main inbox -- or did it wind up in the Promotions or Spam folders by chance?

I'm just mulling over the possibility that I may have accidentally deleted a TFT email requesting an interview without browsing that folder (I usually mass delete).

If those emails went into those folders rather than the inbox -- and if interviews are set up for March -- then I'm wondering if I should contact TFT to verify nothing got overlooked by accident.

I'm probably just over-thinking that -- especially if they haven't set up anything for San Francisco Bay Area applicants to the Screenwriting MFA.

Besides, if they couldn't reach you by email, then they would have followed with a voicemail.

Hi.

I got an interview email through Gmail and it went straight to my main inbox. I believe they are only doing interviews in NYC and LA, but I'm not 100% sure. Hope this helps

 

[Mr. Fedora]

It does.

Thanks, valeskarod.

 

[Kukkik]

Haha kukkik, no worries. I like Thailand.
Well I guess we just have to wait to see the whatever email we will get eventually.
Your first impression was pretty good, I'm Chinese American grew up in la so ......
Good luck to you.

Hahaha. Nah, somehow I just thought you might get offended by me asking whether you're international...

Good luck to you too, September. Don't lose hope!

 

[Lucas C.]

Hey guys ! Had my interview yesterday I was interviewed by Professors Denise Mann, Barbara Boyle, Myrl Schreibman and Ben Harris.
I think the interview went pretty good, they asked me all the questions I had to prepare. I was actually impressed by how they didn't interrupt me or didn't try to corner me. I don't know if it's a good sign but I think that if they hadn't understood something they would have asked me to clarify it.
The interview lasted 20 minutes if I remember well, I had the opportunity to ask three questions and then the interview was done ! When I finished I thought it had lasted something around 4 or 5 minutes, you're actually so focused that you don't really think about time.
Don't hesitate to tell them as much as you want about a subject, they seem to like that, otherwise I think they would stop you.
Anyway, if you have specific questions, do not hesitate to ask me, I'm ready to help you, with pleasure

 

[mhg08051]

Hey guys ! Had my interview yesterday I was interviewed by Professors Denise Mann, Barbara Boyle, Myrl Schreibman and Ben Harris.
I think the interview went pretty good, they asked me all the questions I had to prepare. I was actually impressed by how they didn't interrupt me or didn't try to corner me. I don't know if it's a good sign but I think that if they hadn't understood something they would have asked me to clarify it.
The interview lasted 20 minutes if I remember well, I had the opportunity to ask three questions and then the interview was done ! When I finished I thought it had lasted something around 4 or 5 minutes, you're actually so focused that you don't really think about time.
Don't hesitate to tell them as much as you want about a subject, they seem to like that, otherwise I think they would stop you.
Anyway, if you have specific questions, do not hesitate to ask me, I'm ready to help you, with pleasure

What did u interview for? Director, Producer, Screenwriter...what did they ask u about? A short story, an author...

 

[Lucas C.]

What did u interview for? Director, Producer, Screenwriter...what did they ask u about? A short story, an author...

Hey, could you introduce yourself and say "hi" at least... It would be more polite.
I was interviewed for producing so if it's your case you should have all the questions to prepare on your e-mail aka producer, film, TV series, book, pitch of 5mn or less. Every single question has been adressed during my interview.

 

[filmstudent82]

Hi everyone, I'm applying to the Production/ Directing program, I had my interview this sunday and I want to share my experience with you. It's nothing to be afraid of, their all really nice, they ask you about your life at first, then 5 movies that you want to take to a desert island and your experience in film. Finally you have to pitch the short film. It's more like an informal conversation. My only problem is that I'm I an international student and my English wasn't perfect all the time because of my nerves :S but I think I did it OK. Feel free to ask me questions if you want. Best wishes!

 

[Lucas C.]

Hey filmstudent82, I'm an international student as well I was actually wondering if they actually take that into consideration regarding the English fluency and I don't really have a clue. I wish you the best for the coming weeks

 

[rainwhole]

Hi everyone, I'm applying to the Production/ Directing program, I had my interview this sunday and I want to share my experience with you. It's nothing to be afraid of, their all really nice, they ask you about your life at first, then 5 movies that you want to take to a desert island and your experience in film. Finally you have to pitch the short film. It's more like an informal conversation. My only problem is that I'm I an international student and my English wasn't perfect all the time because of my nerves :S but I think I did it OK. Feel free to ask me questions if you want. Best wishes!

You should be fine, as long as they can understand most of what you say...

I am an international student also, but I like to believe my English is pretty fluent these days. However, when I get nervous I stutter like crazy and that makes it really hard to communicate. But guess what? They KNOW you are nervous, and they won't probably hold that against you.

 

[kinkypigtails]

Got the rejection notice today. Not surprised as it was my first, and, admittedly, weakest application for this year.