UCLA MFA Screenwriting 2019

[BuddernScotch]

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?

There aren't much I would wait for if you already have UCLA. Are you debating between a waitlist spot and UCLA's spot??!?!!

 

[divmoh247]

Yes.. I got waitlisted at NYU. But I'm also wondering if I should reapply as I originally wanted to attend the stark program. I'm an international student too so this is weighing heavily on me because I'm going to be paying a lot no matter what so I'd rather pick the program that'll help me make connections in the industry too.

 

[BuddernScotch]

Yes.. I got waitlisted at NYU. But I'm also wondering if I should reapply as I originally wanted to attend the stark program. I'm an international student too so this is weighing heavily on me because I'm going to be paying a lot no matter what so I'd rather pick the program that'll help me make connections in the industry too.

This is why everyone wants to go to UCLA... :/ not sure what to tell you in this situation.

 

[Isabellagrcia]

Yes.. I got waitlisted at NYU. But I'm also wondering if I should reapply as I originally wanted to attend the stark program. I'm an international student too so this is weighing heavily on me because I'm going to be paying a lot no matter what so I'd rather pick the program that'll help me make connections in the industry too.

Make a pros & cons list. Go with your gut!

 

[StarChild]

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 not in the program but I have a friend who’s there and says that they are doing more TV and she’s loving it overall.
I bet you can ask about the classes etc before you accept.

 

[divmoh247]

Make a pros & cons list. Go with your gut!

My gut is being such an unreliable POS right now and idk if it's the imposter syndrome or what.

 

[divmoh247]

I’m not in the program but I have a friend who’s there and says that they are doing more TV and she’s loving it overall.
I bet you can ask about the classes etc before you accept.

Yaas! Is your friend on this forum?

 

[divmoh247]

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

 

[Chris W]

Yaas! Is your friend on this forum?

If not get them on here!

 

[biacelani]

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?

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

 

[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 ??