USC - MFA Film Production - Fall 2012

[Dang Man!]

You ALREADY have $210K debt? Damn, I was just joking about drug dealing, but you might really want to consider it. It's the thing to do these days when you've got bills to pay--at least according to Weeds and Breaking Bad.

 

[Skinner]

Originally posted by Dang Man!:
You ALREADY have $210K debt? Damn, I was just joking about drug dealing, but you might really want to consider it. It's the thing to do these days when you've got bills to pay--at least according to Weeds and Breaking Bad.

LOL! Yeah I know. I went to Columbia as a undergrad and then got a Masters and then funded my feature doc I shot in Africa and bought a condo in Brooklyn....

 

[Dang Man!]

I guess selling the condo could help. And don't worry, real estate is waaay cheaper in southern california

 

[Mexicanafilm]

Weeds, Breaking Bad, and Dexter teach us so much. Yeah I plan to pay through work, hard elbow grease, and hopefully some TA or Fellowships or soemthing of that nature.

These three weeks are turning into an eternity!! I looked on my vimeo page and the last hit was from Jan 27th and I got an email for an interview on Feb 7th.

When do you guys think interviews will be done?

 

[Skinner]

@Dang Man I wish...lol but my wife wouldn't be too happy. @Mexicanafilm my interviewer told me letters go out by the end of this month so we should know by the end of the first week of March.

 

[kay0]

@Che Gray i applied to all four schools for directing. what about you? which are your top choices?

I'm really hoping for USC and NYU.

 

[Che Gray]

@kay0 I applied to AFI, USC and NYU for directing as well. They are all my top choice. Each school has their own individual strengths so if I do get accepted to any of them I will visit and decide which is my top from there. They are all amazing schools! I'm nervous and excited!

 

[Hopeful_Filmmaker]

Thanks che... Im thinking Im thinking about AFI. All the schools are exceptional and have advantages. I would feel very fortunate to attend any of them.

Originally posted by Che Gray:
Hopeful_Filmmaker: also if you're still interested the application deadline for AFI was extended to March 30th for the cinematography discipline

 

[JKL]

I just had my interview this morning, and it was like everyone said: casual and conversational. It's not that "you can't" prepare for it, it's that you shouldn't have to if you remain true to yourself.

Interviews are still very much alive, and I want to tell all of you who are waiting to not lose hope.

I have a question though, for all of you who had the interviews already--is it proper convention to write an e-mail to thank the interviewer? Normally, one should after an interview, but this thing barely felt like an interview. It felt more like a conversation.

 

[Che Gray]

@JKL my interviewer told me to keep in touch. So the next day I emailed her just thanking her for the opportunity and telling her a little more about myself. I think it's very important to email them every so often so that you stay fresh in your minds. Just think of questions to ask them.

@plastics12 The USC film program doesn't have a discipline. Everyone who applies, applies for film productions and you get to go through all of the disciplines during your time there.

 

[ATE]

I also emailed my interviewer to thank him and to give him a bit more information about myself. The call was very laid back and a lot of fun.

The waiting is making me crazy. Does anyone possess time travelling capabilities?

 

[Mexicanafilm]

I also emailed with another question. I hate feeling like I am bothering them but also I hate not to send a "hey remember me" type email, you know?

@ATE I wish Dr. Emmett Brown would help us out.

 

[Mexicanafilm]

wait don't we go into film production then branch off into directing, cinematography, etc, etc...

 

[Che Gray]

@Mexicanafilm yeah that's how it works from my understanding. We go into film production and then we know what our particular interest is we start taking more specific classes...

 

[Skinner]

Guys if you want a good idea of what we are up for if we get in I suggest reading the book called "Film School" by Steve Boman. He graduated there in 2009 I believe and before that had dropped out of the program a few years prior. It gives you great insight into what the program is like and it's an awesome read. I bought it yesterday and I'm already half way through it. They say it's harder than medical school.

 

[Che Gray]

So I continuously check my online application and it currently says:

"Your file has been forwarded to the academic department for review and an admission decision. You may check this system periodically for updates, and if the academic department requires additional information or renders an admission decision, you will be contacted."

Has anyone else seen changes in their status?

 

[Mexicanafilm]

Mine says the same

 

[Che Gray]

Interesting...

 

[secret_riddle]

I just received an email telling me I've been accepted for the Fall 2012 session. Time to get on with filling out those student visa forms!

I've got an interview with Columbia on March 9th, and I'm still waiting on NYU, but USC was my always my first choice (I really didn't think I'd get in)!

 

[Mexicanafilm]

Oh god. I'll be so nervous today. Secret Riddle when did you have your interview?