UCLA MFA Screenwriting 2019

[StarChild]

Also did anyone else get the letter from the graduate office?

No
But she’s said very much what @biacelena says here. She says they’re very much pushing TV right now. And that you get to choose a track. Everyone everywhere knows TV is where it’s at right now, so all schools, that I’ve looked at, are doing more TV. She’s prob also right that you could take a few Producing classes at UCLA as electives- so double check that too.
Idk a lot about the Stark program- but look through the class list, there are electives and you can take writing for those electives, but it’s much more business minded which is pretty different. It does sound like a lot of people in there so go into writing too though and there’s a lot to be said for knowing how to get your stuff off the ground. It’s also pretty competitive, so make sure you’re ok with giving this up for trying for that first. (Unless you can defer?) anyway- I think you can’t go wrong with UCLA or USC Stark-

I hear you about guts. Mine’s apparently on overload and not able to focus

Good luck! ?

 

[divmoh247]

During my interview, Phyllis talked about the changes the program is going through and one of was is being able to focus more on television and other formats too. I think you get to choose between TV or feature for your second-year projects or something like that. Also, if you're interested in showrunning, you can always take elective classes in the Stark program too and add to your portfolio and experience that way. I guess I'm kinda biased now that I'm accepting their offer, but I can't see how you can go wrong with UCLA

Wait you can take elective classes at a different school?!

 

[StarChild]

Wait you can take elective classes at a different school?!

No! I think they were thinking Stark was UCLA’s producer program- you can’t take classes at different schools as electives. But you can take from UCLA’s producing classes.

 

[StarChild]

@divmoh247 here is a thread from a second-year at UCLA who’s been answering questions for people. I’d read through this and then ask her if it hasn’t already been covered. I should have remembered this sooner!

2nd year MFA Screenwriter @UCLA - AMA!!

Hey everyone. I'm Kira - a second year screenwriter at UCLA (woah, just like the title says!). I was active on these forums when I applied back in 2017 and a bit throughout 2018. If you have any questions about UCLA, screenwriting, LA, etc... ask me here :) Edit: Also! If you are in town /...

www.filmschool.org

 

[Septopus7]

No
Everyone everywhere knows TV is where it’s at right now, so all schools, that I’ve looked at, are doing more TV.

This. Even AFI, which is literally called the American FILM institute, is pivoting to TV work as a huge concentration. As my interviewer Anna said "That's where all the jobs are now."

I wouldn't be worried that any of these top schools would give TV the short shrift. They know.

 

[BuddernScotch]

@divmoh247 here is a thread from a second-year at UCLA who’s been answering questions for people. I’d read through this and then ask her if it hasn’t already been covered. I should have remembered this sooner!

2nd year MFA Screenwriter @UCLA - AMA!!

Hey everyone. I'm Kira - a second year screenwriter at UCLA (woah, just like the title says!). I was active on these forums when I applied back in 2017 and a bit throughout 2018. If you have any questions about UCLA, screenwriting, LA, etc... ask me here :) Edit: Also! If you are in town /...

www.filmschool.org

We can also get a little creepy and stalk some of Kira's other UCLA posts. The information from them were a big part of why UCLA became my top choice this year, and they were so impactful that I forget others may not have seen them.

 

[biacelani]

Wait you can take elective classes at a different school?!

Yeah, sorry! I thought the Stark program was at UCLA lol I meant taking production classes inside UCLA. Though, I think you can probably take Summer Term classes at USC (you just have to pay for them).

 

[Chris W]

We can also get a little creepy and stalk some of Kira's other UCLA posts. The information from them were a big part of why UCLA became my top choice this year, and they were so impactful that I forget others may not have seen them.

I'm sure @Kira doesn't mind. She's always super helpful.

 

[divmoh247]

Thank you all so much for helping me with this. I know it seems kind of awful of me to not be happy with this predicament (which I am, I truly understand how beneficial this is and how fortunate I am) I'm just very type a in getting everything and making sure I back my own decisions) I just want to know as much as I can before I commit.

 

[j18]

Two days ago I received my rejection letter. I believe that everything happens for a reason, so maybe it wasn't my time yet, and that's okay... I'll apply again at the end of the year ??

 

[BuddernScotch]

Two days ago I received my rejection letter. I believe that everything happens for a reason, so maybe it wasn't my time yet, and that's okay... I'll apply again at the end of the year ??

3 years here and I would've kept going. You have it in you!!!! (But hopefully next year is the year)

 

[Chris W]

Two days ago I received my rejection letter. I believe that everything happens for a reason, so maybe it wasn't my time yet, and that's okay... I'll apply again at the end of the year ??

That's the spirit.

 

[StarChild]

Thank you all so much for helping me with this. I know it seems kind of awful of me to not be happy with this predicament (which I am, I truly understand how beneficial this is and how fortunate I am) I'm just very type a in getting everything and making sure I back my own decisions) I just want to know as much as I can before I commit.

It’s a huge decision. It’s a great thing to be Type A about!

 

[Kira]

I'm trying to make my decision but honestly it's very hard. It's the only school I got into (I was waitlisted elsewhere) but as a TV track idk if it's of benefit to me. Can any current grads give us the DL on what's it like for people looking to be showrunners/write for TV?

I'm on the TV track at UCLA and feel very well prepared. By the time I graduate (in 2.5 months!), I will have written 5 drama pilots and 1 comedy (by choice). Plus 3 features. All my TV drama workshops have been taught by current or former showrunners / co-EP's. I've also been able to take a ton of producing electives, including TV Development, Advance TV Producing, the Business of Making Your Art, and next quarter an international co-producing course. Hopefully this is helpful!

 

[Chris W]

By the time I graduate (in 2.5 months!),

? ?

 

[Chris W]

You're really doing a good job persuading me to just accept the offer. Thanks for sharing those stories. Also, I'm sure you can get a slot into the Cannes Institute with your dedication. During my interview, Neil told me how some of the current students got to go to a festival (pretty sure it was this one) and have a group session with Christopher Nolan. Blown away.

Be sure to add your Applications to the tracker help future applicants:

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

 

[StarChild]

Hey!
Just curious if everyone has heard back? I’m awaiting a rejection, but it seems odd I haven’t heard yet-

 

[Isabellagrcia]

Hey!
Just curious if everyone has heard back? I’m awaiting a rejection, but it seems odd I haven’t heard yet-

In March, I was told I was on the waitlist and would remain on it through the summer. But just this morning at 2 a.m., I got a rejection letter through their appstatus site. I'd assume I'm still on the waitlist, so I'm going to call and see what's up.

 

[StarChild]

In March, I was told I was on the waitlist and would remain on it through the summer. But just this morning at 2 a.m., I got a rejection letter through their appstatus site. I'd assume I'm still on the waitlist, so I'm going to call and see what's up.

Yup was just gonna say, I spoke too soon. I got my rejection today too.

Good luck with the waitlist!

 

[Isabellagrcia]

Yup was just gonna say, I spoke too soon. I got my rejection today too.

Good luck with the waitlist!

Thank you!

I called, and I'm still on the waitlist. The rejection letter was a mistake.

So if anyone else is on the waitlist and just got a rejection letter, make sure to call. They were really nice about it, and laughed it off. They have no idea why it happened.