USC Fall 2010 Production

[yonkondy]

Does anyone know how the separate Production disciplines work?
The website says: 'To qualify for the M.F.A., each must demonstrate mastery of at least one of six disciplines: writing, producing, directing, cinematography, editing or sound.'

When you apply, do you have to specify what you're going to specialize in? I don't remember.

If so, how many of each discipline do they accept?

 

[Zanuck22]

Originally posted by yonkondy:
Does anyone know how the separate Production disciplines work?
The website says: 'To qualify for the M.F.A., each must demonstrate mastery of at least one of six disciplines: writing, producing, directing, cinematography, editing or sound.'

When you apply, do you have to specify what you're going to specialize in? I don't remember.

If so, how many of each discipline do they accept?

I hope they don't take that too seriously. I put in Directing, but I also enjoy Cinematography. I enjoy DPing other people's films. Yet, I let someone else handle the camera while directing...

 

[EMDelMar]

I also put directing, but i love all the disciplines (as is common with most directors). I talked to a cinematography faculty member who said that while most students put directing as their desired emphasis, it becomes pretty clear who the "real directors" are after the first semester, and most the other students decide to specialize in editing, cinematography, sound, etc. So you are not tied to what you said in your personal statement by any means. I think the program helps you figure out where you fit in, and by the end, will have us all working together at the highest level.

 

[Zanuck22]

That's good, thank you for the info EMDelMar

 

[BWyatt]

Zanuck - have you heard a response from USC?

 

[Jayimess]

Originally posted by yonkondy:
Does anyone know how the separate Production disciplines work?
The website says: 'To qualify for the M.F.A., each must demonstrate mastery of at least one of six disciplines: writing, producing, directing, cinematography, editing or sound.'

When you apply, do you have to specify what you're going to specialize in? I don't remember.

If so, how many of each discipline do they accept?

It's not a conservatory, like say, AFI or Chapman. Look at the curriculum tracks, guys. They clearly explain the requirements for each crew position within film or television, narrative or doc for the film folks.

They don't force anyone in or out of one discipline or another...you find your own way.

EDIT: Okay, so I went to find you guys the flow chart I've seen so many production kids with, but I can't find it.

Basically, you have to write, direct, produce, shoot and edit during your 507 and 508 semesters, which are set in stone. After that, you simply choose the path you want, there are instructional classes in producing/directing/cinematography/writing/editing/sound/production design. You pick your focus/foci and start taking the instructionals, building your reel/resume to get you in the best possible position to crew on 546 (narrative short)/547(documentary short)/479 (one-hour pilot), which are all funded by the school. You're required to take two of them.

It is very competitive to direct these projects, and that's where people tend to feel like they got phased out of their desired crew position because the opportunities are limited...only six 546/yr, six 547/yr, and only three acts in the annual pilot...that only allows for 15 chances to crew on those per year.

Regardless of what happens there, you can take whatever classes you want.

The thing is, almost EVERYONE wants to be a director when they apply to film school. It's only by actually doing and experiencing that people seem to find other paths that fit. A friend of mine got into Chapman for directing but attended USC instead, only to discover that her joy, her stride, is found in editing, now she's a working editor and loving life.

I guess I'm just trying to reassure y'all, they don't "force" anyone to learn anything.

 

[omelette]

I started a new discussion for admitted student's day

 

[Zanuck22]

Originally posted by BWyatt:
Zanuck - have you heard a response from USC?

Hey BWyatt, unfortunately I haven't. I am also a Spring Waitlister.

 

[EMDelMar]

Fall 2010 Production Class Schedule is up:

http://web-app.usc.edu/soc/20103/ctpr.html

And if you search the spring 2010 term, they have syllabuses (syllabi?) posted so you can check the content of courses.

 

[youthquake]

I just got bumped!!!
But I already have plans set into motion for spring.

Geez.

So maybe I'll be there sooner than I thought.

 

[Marisah]

Congrats youthquake!

I just got the packet in the mail too!! So it looks like I'll be headed down in August as well.

 

[Jayimess]

I know people that got bumped in AUGUST! At USC and AFI, actually!

 

[youthquake]

Marisah, I added you on Facebook. We should talk. Are you dorm-ing it?

Jayimess, Looks like we are lucky!