UCLA Screenwriting MFA 2013

[secretteachings]

I had my interview with Richard Walter and we had a very entertaining conversation...there were no set questions, it flowed naturally....we sparred about all manner of things, the definition of overacting being one of them...he is a little hard of hearing so we were yelling at each other on occasion, at one point I was shouting "Stella!!!" which he seemed to enjoy...he gave me the infamous professional program pitch at the beginning of the interview, before everything else, saying "it's like an MFA without the cholesterol"...then told me all kinds of stories, asked my opinion on a few things. Whether I get in or not, it was a great experience and I also got some good instagram photos with a semi pornographic sculpture outside MacGowan hall (.)(.)

 

[perspectivestudent]

I didn't get the professional program pitch which concerns me. Do you think that people who interview with Hal and Richard are more likely to get in?

 

[jeremy's sea]

Originally posted by perspectivestudent:
I didn't get the professional program pitch which concerns me. Do you think that people who interview with Hal and Richard are more likely to get in?

No. If you interviewed you will definitely get in the professional program if not the MFA. I think most of the PPS pitches come from the dept co-chairs.

 

[jeremy's sea]

Originally posted by sftola:

@jeremy's sea - Did you interview with John Sweet? My name is also John and I am from SF. I met 5 other applicants that day. Feel free to PM me if you want to compare notes.

I didn't, but I had John in the PPS and I waited to say hi to him, so I'm sure we met. How did it go? He's really a great guy.

 

[Mike Clayton]

Would love to hear what people's interview experiences were - what questions were asked and such, should you feel compelled to share...gracias!

 

[Hiram Bingham]

She asked a lot of craft questions; how do I approach the end of the first act and the character's decision to embark on his journey, things like that. Real craft and process based questions that I don't think I could have handled as well last year.

We talked about the program, the usefulness of doing the third year (she said people really improve in that third year), and collaborating with students on different tracts.

She said Hal & Richard are going back East to conduct interviews in a couple of weeks, so don't expect a decision until April.

 

[Mike Clayton]

Did you get any feedback about your writing samples or your application?

 

[Hiram Bingham]

I asked if I don't get in this year, was there any advice or things I should alter in my materials. She LOVED the script I used as my writing sample, thought my Statement of Purpose was great and was impressed by my letters of recommendation and wouldn't change a thing, BUT...

I'm in the "L.A. Group", everyone in that geographical area compete for spots and as she said, it is a very talented group this year. She said everyone she was interviewing this year deserved a spot.

 

[dusty_rose]

Hey guys, sorry to intrude on your thread, but just wondering if anyone has read any good screenwriting books lately? I am looking for more of a "Save the Cat" book than McKee's Story. Personally I have read McKee 10 times over and still have no idea what he's talking about!

Thanks

 

[thehamm99]

Anything by these authors to name a few...
Syd Field
Hal Ackerman
Alex Epstein
Michael Hauge

Go on Amazon and look for used and buy several.

 

[sftola]

@jeremy's sea - The interview went really well! John was super cool and very relaxed. It was actually a fun conversation.

@dusty rose - Richard Walter wrote a book called "Essentials of Screenwriting" a few years ago, which is excellent. Though if you haven't read Aristotle's "Poetics," start there.

 

[dusty_rose]

@thehamm99 thanks for the recommendations. I had not heard of the other writers outside of Syd Field.

@sftola thanks I will look up Waiter's book. I tried Poetics, but like McKee and Joseph Campbell's the text is so dense it's hard for my brain to get around it.

 

[Mike Clayton]

So anyone wanna make a guess as to what day the first round of notices go out? The person closest to the actual date gets a cookie.

 

[achorusisrising]

dusty_rose: http://actfourscreenplays.com/story-maps/

These books are awesome. Send me your e-mail.

 

[handstokeys]

I feel like it has to be soon. I'm guessing this week.

 

[Screenwriter70]

Congratulations, soon to be newbies. You have all the way until the fall before your call of duty, so in the interim, while it may be tempting to sit on your laurels and collective butts -- don't. I seriously suggest full immersion now... here are some recommended readings. LEARN FORMAT, Luke (and Leia), save you it can...

*Screenwriting 434 - Lew Hunter
* Save the Cat - Blake Snyder
I Liked it, didn't Love it - Rona Edwards & Monica Skerbelis
500 Ways to Beat the Hollywood Reader - Jennifer Lerch
*The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats - Cole/Haag
Story - Robert McKee

Happy writing! See you in fall!

 

[sftola]

I'm hoping we will hear this week or next. Is there anyone out there still waiting to interview? If so, that might indicate a longer wait...

 

[Mike Clayton]

Did anyone hear in interviews how many interviews they did this year? Just curious. Looks like in past years this info has come up in interviews.

 

[handstokeys]

@ Mike Clayton - It wasn't mentioned to me.

I'm surprised they are going back to the East Coast to interview, if that is indeed true.

 

[WKJoel]

I was told that the East coast interviews were already done, and that word would come out in the next two weeks. Also, I was told that there were around 80 interviewees this time around, with about thirty open slots. I also heard from my interviewer that at least fifteen of those slots were already occupied by people Hal and Richard interviewed on the East coast, though no official word has gone out. If that's the case, I don't see why they would return there for more interviews.