UCLA MFA Film Production/Directing - 2012

[Vanguard]

Haha, thanks @vendimia, but I'm female! Good luck, everyone! Looking forward to seeing you this fall.

 

[driftmark]

I've also been lurking. Got the call tonight.

I'm in.

 

[Taurus_Gemini]

I just got the call from Nancy at the EXACT MOMENT I saw these new messages and saw everyone saying they got the call and was starting to feel kind of depressed --- doesn't life just love playing this kind of pranks on you sometimes?

Looking forward to seeing you guys this fall and good luck to others waiting for the call!

 

[JMoisica]

Got the call tonight as well. Incredibly excited, but also freaking about a bit, as well. Looking forward to meeting everyone.

 

[aspectralfire]

I wonder if they are done. I have another school to get back to so I'd like a definitive answer soon. Congrats all!

 

[braun baren]

I got the call yesterday as well. I'm pretty excited. I have a couple points that I'm curious to get other people's thoughts on...

1. Does the size of the faculty seem small to anyone else? Comparing the list of faculty on the UCLA website to say, Chapman or USC, it looks like UCLA has only a fraction of the faculty. From their bios, it also looks like they have not done as much work as some of the faculty at other schools. Do you think the faculty's size/level of professional experience is an issue for UCLA?

2. Facilities: Does Melnitz seem cramped and run down to anyone else? If so, do you think that matters? Admittedly, it's the only school I've toured, but from the websites of USC and Chapman it seems like they have these amazing new studio facilities, and Melnitz looks like it hasn't been updated in at least 20 years. I'm wondering if this is also reflected in the equipment that students have access to. Now, I realize that the reputations of these schools are different... USC (and probably Chapman) is/are more big budget studio focused, and UCLA has the rep of being more indie. I get that. I'm interested in making indie film. That doesn't mean, however, that I'm not interested in potentially using some nice equipment/facilities to make those indie films. Thoughts?

 

[samagana]

Hello, I just got declined by UCLA

I am not really surprised, it was my first attempt and I didn't know that my old university apparently generates two kinds of transcripts...

UCLA sent a rather short and sweet mail declining me

Dear UCLA MFA Directing Applicant, Thank you for applying to the production/directing program in the School of Theatre, Film and Television at UCLA. The admissions committee received 400 applications for 18 openings in the program. We are unable to admit many of the talented and promising students who apply. Though you were not selected, the committee considered your application to be a strong one and encourages you to reapply while gaining more experience in film. You will receive an official notification of this decision from UCLA Graduate Admissions. We wish good luck and much success in all your future endeavors!


Good luck to those who make it!

 

[Jack Bauer]

@braun baren

Don't let looks fool you. I have a couple of friends currently in the MFA directing program at UCLA. I've helped out on some of their films. Yea, it's small, but that's what they like about. The facuty ratio is small. My friends say that they get a lot of individual attention and help in finding their own voice and staying true to their vision. Also, I've seen the equipment they get for their films, all the latest camera packages. The commaraderie on set is pretty cool. Everyone's there to help. They tell me that they get to make as many films as they want. My friends are glad they chose UCLA. This is what I've noticed each time I've worked on their films.

 

[apocalypticus]

Originally posted by samagana:
Hello, I just got declined by UCLA

I am not really surprised, it was my first attempt and I didn't know that my old university apparently generates two kinds of transcripts...

UCLA sent a rather short and sweet mail declining me

Dear UCLA MFA Directing Applicant, Thank you for applying to the production/directing program in the School of Theatre, Film and Television at UCLA. The admissions committee received 400 applications for 18 openings in the program. We are unable to admit many of the talented and promising students who apply. Though you were not selected, the committee considered your application to be a strong one and encourages you to reapply while gaining more experience in film. You will receive an official notification of this decision from UCLA Graduate Admissions. We wish good luck and much success in all your future endeavors!


Good luck to those who make it!

Hey samagana,
Am also from Bombay, India. Got the same rejection letter as well. Waiting on Columbia now to put me out of my misery although it seems this will go on for me since till Florida State specifically sends out a rejection letter. Guess should start concentrating for next year. Congratulations to all who got in and to those who didn't - theres always next year. I've heard tons of people in the earlier postings who got in on their 2nd or 3rd attempts.

 

[tigeri]

Yo guys,

Just got the same rejection email.

The big time question: do they tell everyone "though you were not selected, the committee considered your application to the a strong one"?

Wouldn't put it past them

 

[apocalypticus]

@tigeri - it's standard procedure for them to shoot off the same rejection mail to everyone declined an acceptance. I vaguely remember someone pointing the same thing in the previous threads. I got another one for FSU as well, though I am still being considered for admission. I was interviewed (and i ****ed up in that big time).

 

[aspectralfire]

Haven't gotten either a call or a rejection. Bleghhhh

 

[tigeri]

@apocalypticus doesn't that stink? why bother telling us about our "strong application"? more like, "ucla would looovvvee another 85 bucks from you next year! c'mon, apply again"

@aspectralfire sucks dude. maybe you could be waitlisted? did you interview @ucla?

 

[aspectralfire]

I interviewed. I think I'll e-mail Cheri in the morning.

 

[braun baren]

@Jack Bauer

Thank you for your reply. This is super helpful and definitely very encouraging.

 

[apocalypticus]

@tigeri - they're not getting another $100 (since I am international student) from me anymore. That way FSU admissions department was damn good in their prompt responses and their application fee was like $35.

 

[samagana]

I will be applying for the next year. Only I think the application money is all that I will be able to afford then

I wonder what I'll do with the confidential financial form

 

[Taurus_Gemini]

I am an international student and will be joining the program at UCLA this fall -- I think I have saved more than enough to handle the expenses but just to get my math right: I see that many said UCLA is the cheapest among the top schools, but since it is three years of full tuition, how could it be the cheapest? Or is the third year's tuition lower than the first two given we will spend most of the time shooting the thesis?

 

[freakyfreddy]

http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/fees/tftfee.htm

2 years full tuition. 2 years for thesis (on average).

From my tour they said around 10% finish the thesis in one year, 55% finish in two and the rest finish in three.

 

[Taurus_Gemini]

Thanks freakyfreddy, but from what I have read courses will last for three years (even though students will start shooting the thesis during the third) so presumably full tuition will be payable for three years? Columbia University, for example, courses will only be taught during the first two years. I am just wondering if I have got the math wrong and it would be great news if I could pay less than full tuition during the third year.