USC MFA Writing for Screen & Television (Screenwriting) 2021

I didn’t get accepted but I’m curious about other people’s submissions too. I’d be down to trade. Is anyone else open to share their scenes and their autobiographical character sketch?
If so...how does one direct message on here? Hmmm

I'm thinking of posting my materials on my application page even though I didn't get accepted. The forum helped me a lot, so I want to pay it forward.
 
I'm thinking of posting my materials on my application page even though I didn't get accepted. The forum helped me a lot, so I want to pay it forward.

Screw it.... I will just post my rejection materials here.

I am on my cellphone now and cannot upload the rest of the materials until I get home.... but....

This is the 10-page sample. It’s obviously part of a full, 86-page screenplay. As this is....

And, yes, my first draft/vomit draft did win an award on the Screencraft screenwriting contest. It’s now on its forth draft.

Any feedback is welcome!

Edit: PS. I now see a bit of the formatting got quasi-run together about halfway through (page forty or so) due to recently exporting from Fade In into Final Draft when I lost the file after my computer died... but aside from maybe half-a-dozen lines, it's fine.
 
Last edited:
Ugh...got my rejection letter/email. I really thought my application was strong lol. And it was vetted by a staff writer and a fellow MFA writer haha. Oh well, guess I was not Trojan material.

Still waiting on Chapman, UT Austin................and NYU (???)

Really hope I get into AFI cause that is my number one choice.

For everyone else, I feel ya! Rejection hurts, but it's part of the writing life. Keep at it. I'll be having myself a glass of whiskey on behalf of everyone here.

Congrats to those who were accepted!!! Plz hire me when you become a showrunner. Cheers! :)
I feel you on this. I, too, had some serious folks vet my stuff. Worked on this app for months.

I'd also be down to post my materials for exchange/feedback, if others are.
 
Screw it.... I will just post my rejection materials here.

I am on my cellphone now and cannot upload the rest of the materials until I get home.... but....

This is the 10-page sample. It’s obviously part of a full, 86-page screenplay. As this is....

And, yes, my first draft/vomit draft did win an award on the Screencraft screenwriting contest. It’s now on its forth draft.

Any feedback is welcome!



Than you for sharing!

Please add your Application to our database and add it there as well it'll eventually get lost in this thread.

 
The Rest.....

1. Personal statement.

2. Challenging Moment.

3. Elevator Prompt

4. Dinner Prompt

I always will welcome feedback.
 
Do I have to beg for feedback? Or are you gals and guys biting your tongues to stop the pain of further breaking my heart?

In all seriousness... if anyone wants to trade.... just remember I didn’t get in either... but still feel free at my email: ngs091@hotmail.com
 
Do I have to beg for feedback? Or are you gals and guys biting your tongues to stop the pain of further breaking my heart?

In all seriousness... if anyone wants to trade.... just remember I didn’t get in either... but still feel free at my email: ngs091@hotmail.com
1. Personal statement: I haven't seen very many people get in (correction- I haven't seen ANY people) who chose to write an essay as opposed to a short story as their format for the character sketch.
2. Most challenging moment: Is the poem about the deadline the challenging story? I don't think the poem was a good format choice when applying to a screenwriting program. I read it, and I don't understand what the challenging moment was. Is it about submitting your application to grad school?

That's what I read, and those are some of my thoughts!
 
1. Personal statement: I haven't seen very many people get in (correction- I haven't seen ANY people) who chose to write an essay as opposed to a short story as their format for the character sketch.
2. Most challenging moment: Is the poem about the deadline the challenging story? I don't think the poem was a good format choice when applying to a screenwriting program. I read it, and I don't understand what the challenging moment was. Is it about submitting your application to grad school?

That's what I read, and those are some of my thoughts!
Fair enough. Perhaps both were unorthodox. I figured most people would write the character sketch as a short story. Which is common even in medical programs. But my storytelling knack would hopefully be shown by the other creative pieces. I chose more of a letter format, as I felt it was the best way to convey in a matter-of-fact manner what I was interested in and wanted to get out of the program.

The challenging moment was about meeting a creative deadline. It wasn’t specific and wasn’t meant to be. As everytime us creative people put pen to paper another time, it’s arguably our most challenging moment.

As we start with a blank page.
 
All my stuff is attached to my application as well.
 
Hi all! I'm Irene and I (like many) have been following this thread for months. A huge thanks to all for your posts and sense of community! It was a safe harbor to me in the dark period of winter waiting. I was admitted for the fall cohort and have posted some details about my application here: my app . I in no way claim to have any inside knowledge about the process, this is my first time around. I can't even feel certain about which aspect of my application was the most or least successful. But, if anyone feels like it might be helpful, I'm more than happy to give detailed feedback on drafts. Message me if so! Sending care and comfort to all.
 
Haven't heard anything back yet - no idea what to expect at this point tbh. To everyone who's been rejected, I'm sure y'all are wonderful writers and it's only a matter of time before you become Trojans.
 
Being Creative in Stillness: A Conversation With Nolan Lampson, Writing for Film & Television Freshman at USC

Being Creative in Stillness: A Conversation With Nolan Lampson, Writing for Film & Television Freshman at USC

Nolan Lampson (Filmschool.org Member @kukichiyo3) sits in his dorm room with his roommate, who is folding laundry and listening to Air pods. Their walls are covered in posters for hit indie films like The Florida Project. Lampson has spent all of his freshman year working out of their small...

New article with current undergraduate student is up. :)
 
Log your film school application with our Application Database so that we can improve our admissions statistics.




Latest Accepted Applications


Acceptance Data
For up to date Film School Acceptance Rates, including Minimum GPAs, Minimum Test Scores, After Interview and Off-Waitlist Acceptance Rates, Film Experience and Undergraduate degrees of accepted applicants, Age data, and other acceptance statistics for your film program of choice simply navigate to the Acceptance Rates tab on each film school's page in our Film School Database.

For example:
Log your own Application with our application database to help improve the site's acceptance data.

Latest Film School Reviews

  • Prague Film School
    3.00 star(s)
    Reviewed by: Alumni
    Degree: Certificate
    Concentration: Directing
    PFS is what you put into it that matters
    I don’t usually leave reviews, but I feel this could genuinely help someone. Please note that my review is personal and is based on the semester I...
    • Anonymous
  • Stony Brook University (SUNY)
    5.00 star(s)
    Reviewed by: Current Student
    Degree: MA/MFA
    Concentration: TV Writing
    Getting exactly what I wanted/needed and more!
    I wanted to get my MFA to develop a strong portfolio and refine my voice as a writer. I'm getting all that and so much more. The TV program is so...
    • TGICarolyn
  • Stony Brook University (SUNY)
    5.00 star(s)
    Reviewed by: Current Student
    Degree: MA/MFA
    Concentration: Film (Directing)
    I'm on my second year now!
    I'm an international student from the Philippines and initially I had chosen this school due to financial concerns. I had applied and got accepted...
    • gotenda
  • USC School of Cinematic Arts
    1.00 star(s)
    Reviewed by: Current Student
    Degree: MA/MFA
    Concentration: production
    Useless video factory
    If you're a storyteller who believes that the most important aspect of filmmaking is the story, then USC is not the right school for you. I...
    • Anonymous
  • Columbia University's School of the Arts
    5.00 star(s)
    Reviewed by: Alumni
    Degree: MA/MFA
    Concentration: Screenwriting
    My Transformative Experience at Columbia
    Columbia University’s MFA Film Program has been a transformative experience for me, especially coming from UC Santa Barbara’s Film Studies program...
    • Zeno

Latest Applications

Latest questions

Latest Articles

Latest Accepted Applications

Applications
Articles
Forums
Film Schools
Scholarships
Back
Top