USC Application Status

[Ryan C.]

I called up USC today and learned some cool news. My application is now at the admissions comittee and they are hoping to have all of the letters sent out by April 1st.

Wow! The time has finally come!

 

[RedHen007]

character: middle aged immigrant wife who grew up in an middle eastern country admiring marilyn monroe and trying to simulate her lifestyle until she comes to ameirca to see it was all just false

emotional: the moments just before my first movie screened in my local home town, my nervousness, anxiety, happiness, etc.

I'm curious, on the topic of the PORTFOLIO what would they be looking for? I'm fresh out of Undergrad (havent even graduated yet) and other than class projects, I have done two full length features that i premiered locally in my hometown, that is all.

What other type of experience have you guys gained and highlighted in your applications?

 

[maozbrown]

I'm like you, RedHen007...fresh out of college (I did take a year off from college, but I didn't work on anything creative during my time off, as I was volunteering). I majored in English.

I have one long film, two short films (one of them a documentary), two unproduced screenplays (one feature and one short), one feature-length script that I'm working on, two teleplays (for the same show, so I made it one entry), a bunch of video segments I made for my college's public affairs show (which I listed as one entry), and an essay I submitted to a contest.

There's a few awards peppered throughout. Overall, I'm not sure how I stack up, but I don't think quantity is that important. Sure, they want to know that, as a supposedly creative person, you're constantly creating, but I don't think that means you need to be punching out a film every month (especially if you don't have much of a background in film/video).

 

[filmschoolorbust]

I noticed maozbrown said he won a few awards. Is that the case for everyone?

I've made a few films, but I never actually won anything. I got my stuff screened. Is that good enough?




Who else here has won awards and stuff?

 

[Ryan C.]

Andio:

Great story. How did you present the Character Profile- as a narrative short story?

I think weaving into the Personal Statement a metaphor for who you are is brilliant. How difficult was it to distill that down. I ask because there are so many different aspects to who we are. Finding the major themes that unite these aspects can be difficult-- but very rewarding.

 

[andinofilms]

I don't think you need to worry about that, FSB. I do have a film background and some awards but I kept it very silent, because two USC professors advise me not to brag too much about what I've done; otherwise, they will wonder why would you want to go to film school if you've achieved so much already. USC unlike other schools are not so interested in your achievements as a filmmaker, but your achievements as a person who is passionate enough to become a filmmaker.

You are fine, my friend ... and remember, less is more sometimes.

 

[andinofilms]

Thanks Ryan,

I did present it in a short story form. When you read it, I sounds like a movie trailer, that describes his emotional and psychological struggles as a result of his identity conflict.

As for the personal statement, I guess the most difficult part is to find that specific moment that could symbolize what you are about, but let me tell you that once you find it, everything flows naturally because it comes from your heart.

 

[Ryan C.]

On another note:

Is anyone going to First Look this year? Its happening March 29th and 30th. I will be going to the screenings both days. Anyone else?

You can RSVP here:

http://cinema.usc.edu/students/festivals-and-distributi.../first-look-2008.htm

 

[maozbrown]

I agree with andino.

Awards are something that can only help you, as long as you don't dwell on them too much (this is actually kind of funny, because my emotional event is about winning an award, but I'll get to that later). I simply made brief mention of awards each of my creative works had won, and left it at that. I did, however, make a point to add how many entries had been submitted (1st place out of X entries). I think I have better reason to do this than andino would, since my academic background is not in film, and I have not had any formal instruction in filmmaking. Anyone can throw together short stories, scripts, and videos, but sometimes a little recognition helps to convey potential.

As for my emotional experience, I wrote about how I backpacked through Europe at the age of 17. I was videotaping my travels with the goal of composing a travelogue of my experience and submitting the finished product to film festivals in order to win my first award. That was my priority. I was set on winning my first award. On the night that marked the halfway point of the trip, I was mugged (pretty typical, I know) and lost my camcorder and six hours of footage. The funny little plot twist is that I ended up winning that first award anyway with a short screenplay I wrote about the experience...so mission accomplished.

I obviously present it in a slightly more poignant way in the actual piece. Come to think of it, maybe that does constitute boasting about an award, but I think the story surrounding it is proper validation. I guess we'll see...

~2 more weeks....

 

[Jayimess]

1. I'll be at First Look. I went to the 508 screenings on Friday, and they were impressive, so I can't wait to see the theses.

2. I also wove a thematic metaphor into my personal narrative.

3. I had not won any awards at my time of application, but I don't think it's boastful to put them on your portfolio list or your resume.

Good luck, all.

 

[Glenn Jason]

I'm of the opinion that if there is any place to put your awards and honors, it's on an application. If you don't put them there, how would they know? The personal statement might be an occasion to show a little about how you might think you've accomplished a little bit but you have SO very far to go. It's all in tone and execution. That's what I did, and I'm not an authority. I haven't gotten in yet

 

[Ryan C.]

Jayimess:

Do you have any idea what the feature film at First Look is. Its being shown Friday evening. Is it a student film?

 

[Jayimess]

Ryan,

No clue. This is my first time! I'll be at all of the Production screenings but the first group on Saturday morning, when I'll be working on First Pitch (the screenwriters' equivalent.) I'm sure we'll see each other.

I'm really excited.

The animation First Look is on Thursday, April 3rd at 730, try to make it if you can...

 

[filmschoolorbust]

Glenn, how many/what kind of awards do you have?

 

[Glenn Jason]

Between academic honor and creative awards, maybe 8-10.

 

[Jayimess]

Originally posted by Ryan C.:
Jayimess:

Do you have any idea what the feature film at First Look is. Its being shown Friday evening. Is it a student film?

A new 35mm print of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

 

[Ryan C.]

Cool! I will be attending. I just got a reconfirmation email today. It sounds like the theater will be full.

Ryan

 

[filmschoolorbust]

You're not going to believe this...

I just called the USC graduate production program and asked them when they're mailing out decision letters. The guy said by May 1st. Apparently, early April is when UNDERGRADUATES hear...

May 1st???

How could it possibly take that long??


I mean...USC has one of the earlier application deadlines AND they don't ask for film submissions. How is it that NYU and Columbia allow for 30-minute reels and still get back to their applicants more than a month earlier?

Only three possible explanations:

1) USC gets a lot more applicants than any other school. (From what I see on this forum, I don't think that's true. Also, since USC is the only big film school that requires the pain-in-the-butt GRE, it probably gets written off a lot of the time).

2) They're plain lazy.

3) They're just really really thorough in their review process.


Ugh...frustrating.

 

[Icarus Ascending]

And USC advances yet another notch on my Death List.

I'm really trying to let my feelings about their program remain unaffected by truly special manner in which treat their applicants.

For anyone looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, I suggest the following: 1) compose an e-mail to the SCA requesting clarification on, say, USC's screenwriting curriculum; 2) read the auto-reply informing you that USC has ceased to answer its e-mail altogether and that you should call; 3) call; 4) after SCA admissions tells you that they don't know the answer to this or, frankly, any question, write down the number they give you (the SW department); 5) call THAT number; 6) carefully maintain your composure as the undergraduate who answers the SW phone tells you that she doesn't know the answer, says that you're not allowed to talk to the person who DOES know the answer, questions why you even WANT to know the answer, and hangs up.

AFI is warm and wonderful, and UCLA is at least courteous and helpful. USC won't let you sit in on any classes because you may bribe the professor and gain illicit admission. No kidding.

--IA

 

[Jayimess]

Who told you that? People sit in all the time, this semester and last.

You just have to make arrangements.

Though I can't speak for admissions because I never contacted them during my application process, but I can definitely confirm that the SW office is a little crazy right now, even for those of us who already go here, especially in the graduate division. Our advisor has appointments with every student all day, every day, every twenty minutes, and a friend of mine just told me they're an hour behind. We can't even get in right now.

Ask me questions...I'll do my best to answer them, Icarus.

Don't let some administrative BS make you discount an entire program...I'm not trying to convince you one way or another, but the phone tag you played today doesn't reflect properly on the program I've been in since August.

 

[Bandar Albuliwi]

Is there still room to attend tonight?