I would like to know how demanding the program is, specifically in terms of time commitment. Is there enough time to eventually work as a Teaching Assistant or do an internship?
If I were to have a TA position or an internship, would there still be enough free time to maintain an active social life?
On the other hand, can I choose the number and type of courses I want to take? Also, if I’m more interested in directing and screenwriting, would I be able to take more classes related to those areas?
Is there anything you would recommend for the first year of the program, specially for foreign students?
I’m so sorry for the delay, here ya go:
You aren’t allowed to TA in your first year, and it’s for the better. I refer to the first year as bootcamp. It’s pretty intense - totally manageable and whatnot, but being on campus for 13-15 hours was something that happened quite a few times. 507 and 508, the main production classes in your first year, are huge time consumers. Especially 508, it’s an incredibly demanding course. In fact, you know how AFI is known for being really rigorous? Well, I just met up with a friend from AFI recently and we talked about our first years and they didn’t know how I survived the last semester haha. It’s a chaotic pressure cooker by design, but it’s also a really fun experience in its own way. You also have zero say in what your class schedule is for the first year. It was especially hard because I was/am holding down a job, but thankfully it was understanding of my schedule and there’s much more of a balance with that and school going into year two. However, people who didn’t have a job were equally as consumed, so it was a universal thing.
As for social life, it takes a hit, but again that’s mostly a year 1 thing. I didn’t see people outside of the program for weeks on end at times, but eventually found time to make it happen. It’s a commitment, and the first year is no joke.
They say you’re taking 3 classes in the first semester and 2 in the second, but you’re actually taking 7 in the first semester and 6 in the second. 507 is counted as one class but you have a specific class for each discipline with a specific teacher for that class (Producing, Sound, Editing, Cinematography). So that’s 4. They made directing its own class, so that’s 5. Then you have Visual Expression taught by Bruce Block (incredible class), that’s 6. Then you have a screenwriting class, where you spend the semester writing the film you will shoot in the following semester for 508. That’s 7 classes.
As for the second semester, 508 is 5 classes (directing, producing, sound, editing, cinematography). Then you take Advanced Motion Picture Script Analysis (another great class). That’s 6.
So imagine all of those things, with assignments for each one, and bigger assignments on top of that. It’s a lot, and it’s 100% worth it. The social life will return.
After that, the program becomes à la carte. You can take whatever you’d like within production, and I believe we have 5 screenwriting classes we are allowed to take as production students as well (I’m signed up for one this fall, pretty excited about it). So like you, I’m more interested in those areas. So I have a directing class I was able to get into this semester (was super lucky, registration is anxiety inducing for that class lol, it’s incredibly popular), a writing class, and a critical studies class (you have to take 6 units of critical studies, and this satisfies 4 of them for me, and the subject is Scorsese so I jumped on it. The subjects change each semester so if it is ever one you’re interested in, grab it). Also, a side note: save the final 2 units of critical studies for your last semester. If you happen to take all 6 early and then fulfill your requirements for everything else, you’re done with the program and can’t take anything else. So if you want your full 3 years worth, it’s a hack I’ve been told to do and I will be doing it.
As for recommendations, I’d say just come in with the expectation that it’s going to be a lot, but it’s all doable. Everyone has done it before you - minus the people who couldn’t handle it. We lost 6 students in the first year. But honestly, it’s just a matter of time management. I’d say communication is the biggest thing. You’ll be placed in different trios each semester (for 507 and 508) and will have to do everything with those people, so the sooner you guys set up a line of communication, discuss how you communicate, have a plan of attack for the semester, etc - the better you will be. The majority of people who had issues in year 1 had them because they didn’t have a group that communicated well, or they didn’t take the time to learn the ways in which their group communicated and adapted to those styles.
Feel free to ask anything else!
