USC Cinematic Arts Program

[znote80]

@AlexBSU: I love the facial expression of the astronaut and I always love an exercise in futility piece.

@nateflies: excellent cinematography

Mine is nowhere near as sleek as both of yours. Good job.

 

[DeathDealer]

I'm going to be entering at 24. How about you guys?

 

[nateflies]

I actually saw your video in my crazy (and still ongoing) rampage to watch as many video applications as I can. It was actually before I saw this post, too. It started out as a way to gauge what I'm up against, or whether or not I've done something horribly wrong. And then it ended up with me actually enjoying the different efforts put forth to stand out in the admissions process. I'm glad you got in (even if it's waitlisted - you're still in!). I have a feeling that I won't get in. But I am very happy for anyone who does.[/QUOTE]

@ waffleflower: I totally did the same thing. In fact, I've spent some of my free time "researching" other styles of films, both successful and not-so-successful. This might sound a bit intense, but I think one should always be aware of the competition. The trick lies in NOT making things personal and understanding how to learn from others successes and failures as well as your own. From what I've gathered, no matter how sleek or flashy or quirky a film might be, if it's created from the heart and cared about by the people who make it, it will show in the story.

 

[nateflies]

Originally posted by dusty_rose:
@nateflies thanks! I have no idea what kind of gun is what. They were all friends guns and no blanks were fired. The actor fell on his own and the fake blood was added later.

I am going to look into the compositing on my film because I wanted to play with the look of the flashbacks.

@ dusty_rose: Perhaps this is a tangent from the topic of this forum, but to achieve that look I layered one video clip above another, made a composite "overlay" of the top clip, then used the 3-way color corrector to make the top clip largely black-and-white and the bottom clip to adjust the shadows and highlights. It makes for a very cinematic look if done just right. As for the blank-firing weapons, they can be quite effective in film, especially when used in conjunction with enhanced sound effects and squibs!

 

[nateflies]

@znote80: Thanks for sharing...I will check out your vid (and the others ppl posted) later on my personal computer. Joan Rivers you say? Now you've peaked my curiousity - haha

 

[keitasung]

@achorusisrising yes, I recieved it via email

 

[keitasung]

@butyoureyessaidyes I applied for Film Production

 

[dusty_rose]

@nateflies not off topic for me! Thanks for the advice. You are inspiring me to go back in and start making some changes asap. Thanks! So did you get accepted to USC? It would be awesome to have some there who knows about squibs and guns.

 

[nateflies]

Originally posted by dusty_rose:
@nateflies not off topic for me! Thanks for the advice. You are inspiring me to go back in and start making some changes asap. Thanks! So did you get accepted to USC? It would be awesome to have some there who knows about squibs and guns.

I was waitlisted for the fall but offered admission for the spring. I'm still waiting to do my UCLA interview on the 10th though.

 

[dusty_rose]

Originally posted by nateflies:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by dusty_rose:
@nateflies not off topic for me! Thanks for the advice. You are inspiring me to go back in and start making some changes asap. Thanks! So did you get accepted to USC? It would be awesome to have some there who knows about squibs and guns.

I was waitlisted for the fall but offered admission for the spring. I'm still waiting to do my UCLA interview on the 10th though. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh ok cool. Good Luck on your interview! I would be interested in hearing what you think about UCLA's program verses USC's afterwards.

 

[nateflies]

@ znote80: I liked how you told the story in your film. It was entertaining to watch and I thought the characters were amusing.

@ AlexBSU: Very creative and well done, I thought. Anything that combines filmmaking and aviation has me hooked though, but, bias aside, I really liked it!

 

[waffleflower]

Originally posted by AlexBSU:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by waffleflower:
Thanks, AlexBSU. What do you ultimately think really got you accepted this time around? I admire you for your persistence to re-apply. And I don't know if you're open to it, but I would most definitely like to see your application video.

Honestly, I have no idea! Maybe they got tired of my application and just decided they did not want to review it another time.

The differences between my previous applications and this one that got me accepted were:

-My updated resume. (Added my job at a postproduction house, my job as a videographer for campus recreation and PA gigs)

- I submitted a new video. I have been debating about posting the link on here. I am kind of scared to be judged before I meet my classmates, BUT Ill post it for now. (I will probably edit this post and delete the link, though. So be nice!). https://vimeo.com/41170688


- I submitted a new writing sample. (I chose option C)

- My personal statement was pretty much the same, with the added life experiences.


Wow, I rambled, sorry. Hope this is the info you were looking for. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you so much for your response. Of course it helped! I have every intention on trying again when I get denied this time around. Yes, "when." I've already lost confidence since I haven't heard anything back. And I read a sense of insecurity in showing off your work - don't be! You've gotten accepted into a prestigious establishment, and you stuck at it. That is something you should be proud of yourself for. I'm have NO experience in filmmaking, and I don't know which portions of their application they weigh greater than the other. But I did my best.

 

[waffleflower]

Originally posted by nateflies:
I actually saw your video in my crazy (and still ongoing) rampage to watch as many video applications as I can. It was actually before I saw this post, too. It started out as a way to gauge what I'm up against, or whether or not I've done something horribly wrong. And then it ended up with me actually enjoying the different efforts put forth to stand out in the admissions process. I'm glad you got in (even if it's waitlisted - you're still in!). I have a feeling that I won't get in. But I am very happy for anyone who does.

@ waffleflower: I totally did the same thing. In fact, I've spent some of my free time "researching" other styles of films, both successful and not-so-successful. This might sound a bit intense, but I think one should always be aware of the competition. The trick lies in NOT making things personal and understanding how to learn from others successes and failures as well as your own. From what I've gathered, no matter how sleek or flashy or quirky a film might be, if it's created from the heart and cared about by the people who make it, it will show in the story.[/QUOTE]

Oh, I absolutely agree with you. I did the exact same thing! And I still am, although now that I don't exactly have control over the decision I'm dreading to hear, I still find enjoyment in watching it. I do notice that some great quality shorts were denied, and I'm sure the rest of the application had something to do with it...but maybe the fact that it lacked in story also showed through as well? I do feel as though we need to apply a part of ourselves into the work we submit.

 

[stannyfilm]

anyone else hear anything?? any more rejections?

 

[waffleflower]

@AlexBSU: I watched your video! How adorable. Like the guy who commented on it, I didn't realize what he was doing until the very end, either. I'm not sure what type of video sample you've had before, but I like this one. Mine doesn't have any dialogue, either; it's visually driven.

 

[znote80]

Originally posted by nateflies:
@ znote80: I liked how you told the story in your film. It was entertaining to watch and I thought the characters were amusing.

@ AlexBSU: Very creative and well done, I thought. Anything that combines filmmaking and aviation has me hooked though, but, bias aside, I really liked it!

Thx nateflies for the feedback...see you at the admitted student day

 

[DeathDealer]

Are many of you just finishing up your undergrad?

 

[znote80]

Originally posted by DeathDealer:
Are many of you just finishing up your undergrad?

Yeah...I'll be done with my international studies major and accounting minor at UCSD in June. I'm glad film schools don't require specific degrees to be eligible.

 

[AlexBSU]

Originally posted by DeathDealer:
Are many of you just finishing up your undergrad?

Finished my undergrad May 2012. I am entering at age 25.

 

[kyle.smithers]

Hiya folks, I just found this forum. Congratulations to everyone who has already been accepted and best of luck to those still waiting!

I see the group last year started a Facebook group for the incoming SCA graduate students. Is there any interest in doing something similar to get to know each other before classes start?