USC MFA in Screenwriting Applicants 2018

[GoAndLoveSomeMore]

@MacAndEs Feeling prepared makes me less nervous... and yet I still am!

It's so fun seeing everyone's prompt ideas! How did your ten page writing samples go, everyone? I found it so hard to find what best represented me!

 

[Michel Lichand]

@MacAndEs Feeling prepared makes me less nervous... and yet I still am!

It's so fun seeing everyone's prompt ideas! How did your ten page writing samples go, everyone? I found it so hard to find what best represented me!

I sent the first ten pages of a pilot I wrote about the creation of EPCOT Center, a project that revolutionized and almost destroyed the Disney company at the same time.

I'm quite proud of it. Shows some of my skills. Unfortunately this was before I realized my Final Draft removed all of my (CONT'D) and so neither the 10 pages nor my scenes have them. Which suuuuucks, such a rookie mistake!

 

[Septopus7]

I sent the first ten pages of a pilot I wrote about the creation of EPCOT Center, a project that revolutionized and almost destroyed the Disney company at the same time.

I'm quite proud of it. Shows some of my skills. Unfortunately this was before I realized my Final Draft removed all of my (CONT'D) and so neither the 10 pages nor my scenes have them. Which suuuuucks, such a rookie mistake!

For what It's worth, the use of "CONT'D" is a very tiny thing, to the point that I've heard many screenwriters don't even use them. And while I do, I tend to take a few out depending on the context, ESPECIALLY when I'm writing a scene between just two people (a.k.a. all of my USC application stuff.) In a situation like that, It's kind of understood that the characters are continuing the same conversation, so what's the point of adding A dozen "CONT'D"? Just clutters the page up.

This is a common complaint in modern scriptwriting, so I wouldn't worry too much. They'll probably just assume it was a stylistic choice. And besides, if the decision between letting you in and not letting you comes down to a parenthetical decision, then I think we're ALL doomed!

 

[GoAndLoveSomeMore]

@Michel Lichand I think you'll be fine! Content is king and your content sounds super interesting! I bet the research for that was wild!

 

[MacAndEs]

@MacAndEs Feeling prepared makes me less nervous... and yet I still am!

It's so fun seeing everyone's prompt ideas! How did your ten page writing samples go, everyone? I found it so hard to find what best represented me!

My ten page sample was the opening to a Sci-Fi script I wrote about Area 51 and discovering aliens

I sent the first ten pages of a pilot I wrote about the creation of EPCOT Center, a project that revolutionized and almost destroyed the Disney company at the same time.

I'm quite proud of it. Shows some of my skills. Unfortunately this was before I realized my Final Draft removed all of my (CONT'D) and so neither the 10 pages nor my scenes have them. Which suuuuucks, such a rookie mistake!

You should be fine! Formatting won't kill you!

 

[Kira]

Unfortunately this was before I realized my Final Draft removed all of my (CONT'D) and so neither the 10 pages nor my scenes have them. Which suuuuucks, such a rookie mistake!

I actually turn that feature off. Most of the time my dialogue does not require CONT'D when Final Draft puts it in automatically. It may actually make you look less of a rookie.

Good luck LA is waiting!

 

[Michel Lichand]

Thanks folks. If y'all are interested in doing a script swap, I'd actually really like some feedback for my next draft of that script, and seeing what some people think of the first 10 pages might be interesting.

 

[Septopus7]

I would be down for a script swap, @Michel Lichand. Of course doing so would require me to look at my samples again (included the unedited ones), which is a pretty harrowing concept

 

[Michel Lichand]

I would be down for a script swap, @Michel Lichand. Of course doing so would require me to look at my samples again (included the unedited ones), which is a pretty harrowing concept

I know how it feels! I was pretty proud of my writing sample back when I submitted it but I've also improved a lot since then and feel kinda uggggghhhhhh.

Here it is, by the way. I hope everyone enjoys it. And if I come back to a rude awakening, hey, there's always a chance to improve next year!

 

[Septopus7]

Oh and, for the record, my ten pager was the opening for a short script concept I've been mulling on for a while. Basically, about a guy who works at a company responsible for death in the world, but who secretly dreams of being a famous tap dancer. You know, that old gem. Part office satire, part character introspection, all high concept. Compared to my last sample in the application (which was a simpler, dialogue sparse revenge drama more in the vein of David Fincher), thought this one showed off my voice more.

Really had fun writing it, though kind of got out of hand with the world building. Was really hoping I could tell the whole thing in the 10 page limit, but realized it would have to be a bit bigger (my goal is 20 to 25 pages) to accommodate the whole story. So I only submitted what I had time to write before the deadline. Reached ten pages, although my apprehension at looking at it again has put finishing the rest of the story on pause. Really hope to soon, though.

 

[Michel Lichand]

I know what you mean @Septopus7 . I was thinking of doing the same thing and specifically writing a ten-page first act or something like that from a pilot idea I had (basically 'Friends in 2117'), then I realized I would need more pages for it to accurately display what I was going for and decided to get the first ten pages of something I had already finished and improved.

 

[Septopus7]

I know what you mean @Septopus7 . I was thinking of doing the same thing and specifically writing a ten-page first act or something like that from a pilot idea I had (basically 'Friends in 2117'), then I realized I would need more pages for it to accurately display what I was going for and decided to get the first ten pages of something I had already finished and improved.

You never realize just how little space you have to write until the moment you start writing, huh? At first 10 pages seems big and inviting, and then you get to the bottom of the first page and realize you haven't even introduced the main character yet! And by Page 5, the reality starts to set in...you're still on Act 1, after all!

 

[GoAndLoveSomeMore]

@Michel Lichand Wow!!! I love it so much!!! It had me smiling three lines in. I’m serious. Ugh! I hope you get in. I really do. If nothing else, because I selfishly really want to see that on the big screen someday.

@Septopus7 Ooh that’s really cool!!! I’m grabbed just by that concept, honestly. I think you really have a shot. It’s so creative and unique! Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds almost Lynchian in a way!

I actually ended up rewriting the first ten pages of one of my features to fit in so I had a big ol’ cliff hanger on the last line.

 

[Michel Lichand]

Thanks!

Hey folks, I remember reading on the "How to Apply" page that the application for SCA Scholarships would open on January 4th, yet I distinctly remember doing a scholarship essay during my application back in November.

So what do I have to do? Is there a link I'm missing? Is it off limits to international students?

 

[MacAndEs]

Thanks!

Hey folks, I remember reading on the "How to Apply" page that the application for SCA Scholarships would open on January 4th, yet I distinctly remember doing a scholarship essay during my application back in November.

So what do I have to do? Is there a link I'm missing? Is it off limits to international students?

I'm pretty sure that that the supplementary stuff we did on the SlideRoom was essentially our application for SCA scholarships (at least based on the fact that we had done all of those things on that form). I'll check again though.

 

[Michel Lichand]

I'm pretty sure that that the supplementary stuff we did on the SlideRoom was essentially our application for SCA scholarships (at least based on the fact that we had done all of those things on that form). I'll check again though.

Thanks.

Additional Q: what are the chances of an international student getting any of these scholarships? I'm asking cuz they would be a godsend without a doubt.

 

[MacAndEs]

Thanks.

Additional Q: what are the chances of an international student getting any of these scholarships? I'm asking cuz they would be a godsend without a doubt.

(but in all seriousness, who literally knows? Fingers crossed!)

 

[GoAndLoveSomeMore]

I've been trying to figure it out and it seems like the SCA scholarship page isn't open yet? Not sure.

 

[Septopus7]

I think @MacAndEs is correct in that all the scholarship stuff was already on the application we turned in. The reason for the confusion seems to be because it was a recent change -- last year it was indeed a separate form that didn't open up until January, but everything that was on that form was instead in the slideroom app this year. That caught me off guard, but I see the logic -- keeps everything regaurding an applicant all in one convenient place. Wish they would update the scholarship page though, to reflect the change.

In any case, we got like five emails from USC last year reminding us to do the Scholarship form so, if there was something left to do, we certainly would have heard from them about it. I wouldn't worry too much.

On that note, kind of miss having that scholarship email reminders, because at least it was a constant reminder from them that they are reviewing applications. Without that, probably none of us will hear from them until decisions are made. Radio silence is stressful!

 

[snoopdog]

I received an e-mail from USC today that they are currently reviewing Applications. Im international and they were still missing one of financial forms that they need from international students. That’s why I received the email. I thought I would share so everyone knows they have started/are working on reviewing the applications
Though, the waiting game never ends till each of us hears that final decision...