USC MFA Writing for Screen & Television (Screenwriting) 2021

[Chris W]

.how does one direct message on here? Hmmm

Click on username and select "Start Conversation"

 

[aaaaa]

Click on username and select "Start Conversation"

Thanks! If anyone is down to trade- message me!

 

[llueve]

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.

 

[ngs091]

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.

 

[equus_auctor]

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.

 

[thespian]

Got my rejection as well, but having y'all as community softens the blow. Honestly, I'm just glad they sent it today and not tomorrow (my birthday).

 

[Chris W]

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!

Coverfly

Coverfly puts screenplay competition successes to work by exposing writers to the industry.

writers.coverfly.com

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.

Application Database

A database of thousands of film school applications to calculate acceptance rates to film programs and the minimum GPAs, minimum SAT and GRE scores, experience of accepted applicants, and much more....

www.filmschool.org

 

[MilesofTrials]

If anyone is interested in reading submitted materials or wants a set of eyes on their own, DM and I’ll send your way/send mine.

 

[ngs091]

The Rest.....

1. Personal statement.

2. Challenging Moment.

3. Elevator Prompt

4. Dinner Prompt

I always will welcome feedback.

 

[ngs091]

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

 

[aaaaa]

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!

 

[ngs091]

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.

 

[imenergetic]

All my stuff is attached to my application as well.

 

[ReneRoss]

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.

 

[itcomesatnight]

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.

 

[Chris W]

The Rest.....

1. Personal statement.

2. Challenging Moment.

3. Elevator Prompt

4. Dinner Prompt

I always will welcome feedback.

Thanks for sharing! Attach them to your application when you can.

 

[equus_auctor]

Feedback welcome, last one is the scholarship scene

 

[Chris W]

Feedback welcome, last one is the scholarship scene

Thanks for sharing. Be sure to update your application with status, notification date, and attach those as well there when you can.

 

[kareemelarab]

Hey guys! I got accepted to the program and I'm also grateful for everyone that's been in this forum. I've lurked for months now and there is such a sense of community here which is very liberating. I've attached my autobiographical character sketch to my application if anyone wants to peak at it. Good luck to all of you guys! You all seem very talented.

 

[Chris W]

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 with his roommate, who is folding laundry and listening to music with AirPods. The walls are covered in posters for hit indie films, including Sean Baker's The Florida Project. Lampson has spent all of freshman year working out...

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• Mar 5, 2021
• Comments: 2
• Category: Film Student Interviews

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