USC - MFA Film Production - Fall 2012

[Che Gray]

@Kay0: That's awesome! How did you manage to raise money to make feature already? Is it almost finished? Which schools are you still waiting to hear from? I wish you the best of luck!

 

[kay0]

@Che Gray. we raised money through friends and family. The film is a topical dramedy with a strong message; anti-discrimination, tolerance and acceptance.

It doesn't actually take that much money to make a feature these days. We own and can borrow most the the equipment we need. All we'll be paying for are some of the actors, crew members and locations. A lot of people want to help out for free because of the script.

Right now we are finalizing all the pre-production stuff. Casting call backs, location scouting and hiring crew. We will be filming in May and June. and we plan to send the final product to festivals.

I'm waiting to hear from NYU and Columbia.

 

[80staTIK]

Hi all,

Congratulations to all of you who got in.

This is my first time here, I was beginning to lose my mind and came here with some questions, and I believe I got some answers.

If people are already waitlisted for Fall 12, this pretty much means that everyone that was accepted had already been notified, right?

So if I understand correctly, now we wait for the ones that were admitted to make their decision. Then, some of the ones who were waitlisted will get in and the rest of them will be admitted for the Spring 13 term.

As for the rest of us, I can only assume this means rejection or Spring 13 waiting list?



oh no! :-(

 

[Hopeful_Filmmaker]

Mexicanafilm: Thank you so much for the info. that's really helpful. Now I'm praying for some funding (like many) because that's the only way I can afford it.

Congrats to everyone accepted/waitlisted and good luck to those still waiting to hear.

Regardless of where we all end up, our paths are bound to cross someday- since it seems to me we're all heading the same way

Originally posted by Mexicanafilm:
OH man great work everyone!! I'm now really excited to learn and share with all of you in the very near future! Here's mine Search... Please critique!

Hopeful Filmmaker.... I assume in the next coming months. Don't quote me on this but at the SCA Financial Aid webinar I "attended" they said somewhere around May.

Also, I'm so happy to see that more and more of the "lurkers" and non-lurkers are getting acceptance e-mails. YAY!

 

[PremierGuy]

I applied to USC, still no word yet on an interview or anything. Here's my visual sample. You guys let me know what you think. Honestly lol.

http://vimeo.com/32998504

 

[Che Gray]

okay so I will be honest. I think that you have a clear talent for editing and whatever relationship you have with your DP is a good one because I really like the style of cinematography.

However there were two things I would say that didn't work:
1. The music was very loud and a little overwhelming at times and distracted from the narrative. I think the music forced a tone and feeling for the film that was already there.

2. Why did you choose to have it in black in white or at least to desaturate the colors? I feel like you have to have really good reasons for doing black and white or else it looks like you're just doing it to look cool.

last comment: the story seemed very "meta" it seemed like it was clearly a story about how you want to be a filmmaker I was wondering about that too.

But the film looked clean and professional! Not sloppy and rushed like my work sometimes is

What other schools did you apply to?

 

[PremierGuy]

@Che Gray I used the Black & White because it symbolized a time in the characters life where their world is not complete. Color to me symbolizes being complete. Everything is bright and has meaning. Taking color away is saying that the character is missing something. His life is not complete.
The story is about a child wanting to be like the characters he sees on television. His mother gives him a camera symbolizing that she wants him to build a career in film and learn the entire business instead of putting "all his eggs in one hatch" i guess u can say in just being an actor.
I Applied to USC, NYU and Florida State. I have an interview for Florida State.

 

[Che Gray]

@premierguy Awesome! Then you totally used black and white for all the right reasons. I was just checking because some people use black and white arbitrarily but its good to know that you put a lot of thought into it. I wish you the best of luck! I hope my criticism wasn't too harsh

 

[PremierGuy]

Not at all, I love criticism. If you want to just look at some of my other work.
This is my visual sample for Florida State and NYU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyYVGHs7JmY

Here is my website http://www.iwatchpremierguy.com

That goes for everyone if you want to check out those two links plus my USC Visual Sample posted up top.
@Che Gray let me know what you think of those too if you get a chance to look at some.

 

[calispice]

I've been checking these forums for a few months here and there during the application process and its been a great inspiration to know there are so many others who are passionate about filmmaking.

I figure I'd share my good news as well. I was waitlisted for Fall and accepted for Spring! Received the email last Friday.

Looking forward to meeting my future cohorts!

 

[Che Gray]

it's great to hear more good news calispice!

 

[eva99]

Guys, I need serious comments for this email I just received from USC lol, the email is received by 4AM EST, which is probably 1AM PST. What does it mean!!???!!!!! Like, am I accepted?

Dear XXX,

Your application for admission to the University of Southern California has been received and reviewed. I am pleased to inform you that you are academically eligible for admission to the Fall 2012 semester as a graduate student majoring in Cinematic Arts Film and Television Production leading toward a Master of Fine Arts; however, your application is not yet complete.

In order to comply with U.S. Visa regulations, you must provide an affidavit of financial support before an I-20 or DS-2019 can be issued to you. If you are being sponsored by your home government or other agency, we require a current letter be addressed to USC specifying the terms of the award. If you have been awarded a scholarship or assistantship from USC, contact your department to submit your award information directly to the Graduate Admissions office.

If your studies are being privately financed, in whole or in part, you must submit both a bank letter and a letter from your sponsor (if not yourself) promising support for one year. Please also include a copy of your passport.

Please click on: (1) the link http://www.usc.edu/admission/g...nancialsupport.html; and (2) the pdf file, "I-20 Financial Statement Expense Figures", in order to determine the financial support expenses for your program.

Your documents can be sent as an email attachment to usci20@usc.edu or faxed to 213-821-3725. If you submit the documents via email, please be sure they are in PDF or JPG format. Note that attachments should be smaller than 10MB otherwise the email will not be recieved. Please submit these documents as soon as possible. A delay in submitting this item(s) may cause long delays in acquiring your student visa which might result in missing your enrollment at USC. Your student identification number of XXXXXXXX should be clearly written on this financial statement.

Upon receipt of the affidavit of support, your official letter of admission and I-20 or DS-2019 will be forwarded to you. Please reply directly to this email if you have any questions.


Sincerely,

Please also include a copy of your passport.
USC Office of Graduate and International Admissions
University of Southern California

usci20@usc.edu

 

[Mexicanafilm]

Well basically you have to find a quick way to prove you can pay. Send in any info that you can. Bank statements scholarship applications etc. good luck!!!

 

[Che Gray]

yes you are definitely in like Mexicanafilm said As long as you make it clear that you can pay as an international student. Congratulations in advance!

 

[eva99]

@mexicanafilm and @che gray, thanks guys, so is it like, I provide a proof of one year financial support, and they are still gonna consider the scholarship possibility and tell me in May or something? I should have prepared that the chance for scholarship is low right?

 

[Mexicanafilm]

Oh man I actually don't know about scholarships. I was also wondering when we would know if we were offered any. But I meant like external scholarships. At any rate any proof would be good. Also try calling them and explain your situation. Talking always helps!

So yeah does anyone know about scholarships or fellowships from USC?

 

[Che Gray]

@Mexicanafilm and @eva99

if you are an international student there is pretty much no available scholarships for you from USC directly. I would look into outside scholarships in your respective countries. I think that's why they asked you to prove you financial capabilities. They didn't ask me that when they accepted me and I think it's because I'm a U.S. citizen. Also I was accepted in the Spring so maybe my situation is a little different as well.

 

[truffautdare]

Hey Fellas:
When I check my application it says that my application is still "in the first stage" of their evaluation process, and as far as I can tell, no one in California has viewed my film.
So, I'm wondering what it says for you guys when you check your application?
I applied pretty late, like on November 29th, but it was definitely submitted on time and it seems like all my materials are there.
What do you guys think?

 

[Mexicanafilm]

I was waitlisted for Fall and admitted for spring and my application status still says the same thing it did since Dec 2. So, I wouldn't worry about it. It may not hurt to send them an email to check your status.

On a different note...What do you guys thing of my film?

 

[truffautdare]

Sorry, I should have clarified: I'm more curious about the application statuses those who haven't heard back yet.

Mexicanafilm: I thought your film had some very lyrical shots and there was something about the repeated use of blue that appealed to me.
The story I couldn't follow so well, but I think that's largely because I couldn't read the texts (because they weren't in English). I read in your description that she tries to decide whether or not she's going to have an abortion, but I didn't catch that from just watching the film (maybe it was in the texts?).
I like that you didn't take on too much plot and focused instead on one pivotal moment. The film looks beautiful and I felt that I had time to digest everything.
I think your music seemed to hover over the film rather than interact with anything, but it didn't distract me from the story. What made you decide to focus so much on her feet and legs in the beginning?