How to get into film school
I know there’s a post in the archives about film school, and whether it’s necessary, but I would love to hear any advice you have on actually applying to film school.
How can someone improve their chances for getting accepted to a MFA program in film production/writing? What in your opinion are film schools really looking for in applicants? Any thoughts on what to avoid in an application?
–Oz
Honolulu, HI
This time, I decided I would go right to the source and ask Howard A. Rodman, who in addition to being a fine writer and all-around good guy, is the chair of the MFA and BFA programs in screen and television writing of the USC Cinema School.
Here’s what he had to say.
Howard Rodman: I read many, many applications. [We just this week finished selecting this fall's incoming class.] Here’s what we’re looking for:
Writing. Good writing. Not necessarily in screenplay format. We’re less interested, at this point, in whether you know what we’re here to teach you, than in whether you can put together a sentence. Tell a story. Create a dimensional character. In short: do you have your very own voice? [P.S. - We know the difference between "its" and "it's," and we actually care.]
Grades, good enough to pass muster with the larger USC admissions apparatus, and good enough to give us the confidence you’ll be able to execute a demanding program. Four point something GPAs and 1600 SATs (or GREs) are truly lovely, but are not in and of themselves guarantors of anything. We’re looking for writers [see #1 above], but we do need to know you can handle the load.
Diversity. Folks with life experience. Folks from strange and wonderful places. Folks who’ve had interesting ‘first’ careers before turning to writing. Not just your typical work/study/get ahead/kill types. The New York Times says that a cinema MFA may be the new MBA; but I’m not sure we’d view it that way.
A good mix. Not all Hummers, not all Priuses.
Articles
March 15th, 2005 at 12:24 pm
I go to that “other” film school in LA. As far as I can tell, getting into UCLA’s MFA screenwriting program comes down to the same four points, especially numbers 1 and 3. I had a good writing sample (thanks to some great teachers) and a previous career in education.
One thing many of my MFA classmates have in common: UCLA’s Professional Program. It’s modeled after the MFA program and is taught by many of the same instructors, but has much less stringent admission requirements (basically, if your check clears, you’re in). Seems to be a good stepping stone to the grad school.
March 15th, 2005 at 3:31 pm
I was speaking at a Sundance event a member of the audience requested advise on where they could find good talent. When I suggested looking in London or for that matter other exciting places around the globe the fellow become a little speechless.
While this is not an immediate response to the finding the right qualifications necessary to step into scholarly ventures, poking your nose into an art school in a different country can have a miraculous effect on your outlook.
March 16th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
What are the odds of someone who didn’t study film/TV undergrad getting into a graduate program? Is it “can’t have one without the other” deal? Or, does it come down to talent in the end?
March 16th, 2005 at 2:39 pm
Drew, I don’t know about production, but from my experience with the screenwriting program it helps not to have studied film as an undergrad. My fellow Bruins have bachelor degrees in all sorts of things (mine is Child Development). I think it’s all part of building that diverse group of “folks who’ve had interesting ‘first’ careers before turning to writing.”
March 16th, 2005 at 3:07 pm
Drew:
Out of the 25 people in my grad program, only two had undergrad film degrees. If you really, really want to do film, by all means study it in undergrad. But don’t feel like you’re going to be shut out of grad school if you get a degree in something else. As Howard said, they’re looking for people with a variety of backgrounds and experience.
March 16th, 2005 at 7:04 pm
Thanks guys. My school has an excellent creative program, but offers only two film classes and will only offer a screenwriting course upon request and even then, I have to ask the teacher a year or so in advance to teach it so that he can prepare to teach it.
It makes me feel pretty good to read this from you two. I’ll continue to read, study the medium as much as I can, and study creative writing (even if it’s prose, I can’t imagine how learning that would be detrimental).
Thanks again.
March 18th, 2005 at 6:10 am
My opinion is no amount of schooling will make you a more sellable screenwriter. Obviously, I don’t know what those programs entail; I’m guessing equal parts theory and practice. But I think it’s the practice part that will sharpen your skills more than anything else. People in film who only have a culuture in film to influence their work are pretty limited, I think. That’s not to say you should be out waiting tables. But exposure to different lifestyles, cultures, economic strata, and any matter of diversity would be a better fill than deconstructing “Chinatown”.
March 18th, 2005 at 6:19 am
And if you’re interested in production, forget it. P.A. on a couple of movies–real movies, not the “deferred pay, looks great on a resume, free meals, to be shot (when), DV” movies peppering film commission websites–and you’ll learn more than anything they’ll teach you in film school. At least that was my experience. If you want to learn how a set operates, how to communicate with different departments, how to move a crew work with the professionals. Nothing against the bread-and-water dogme school, but I’m guessing most people going to school have their sites set a little higher. And when you’re on the set, do what you’re told, don’t try to direct the director and get to know the crew. When I was a teaching assistant the Workshops I would tell this to all my students who “just want to direct”, but they were awful because they didn’t know how to communicate with their crew. They had no idea how to move their production. They thought it was all fancy angles. Good luck getting that first deal. I crewed a national commercial with a first-time director out of film school and it took him 6 hours to get the first shot off. We were almost in meal penalty because this guy didn’t know how to talk to anyone. He should have spent a couple of weeks on a TV movie first.
March 19th, 2005 at 7:54 pm
Hey, Howard (or anyone who knows): when will USC’s decision letters for grad and undergrad go out?
May 4th, 2005 at 9:27 pm
Hi Rob,
I note your comments with great interest. You did mentioned that no amount of schooling will make one a more sellable screenwriter.
What other alternative routes could an aspiring screenwriter take besides schooling (such as working as an apprentice for someone, mentorship), in order to be a successful screenwriter?
Thanks
Rick
July 25th, 2005 at 12:49 pm
Hi, I stumbled onto this link via google. My exact words in the search bar,” Help me get into film School”. Ive been searching for the answers to my question for the last few hours. How does someone poor, with only a high school diploma and a whole lot of hope get into a film School. I want to Direct movies. Its what I was born to do. every year that passes my by is a year spent lamenting on how I should’ve tried harder. I need help. I really do, getting into a film school. I need a grant or whatever they hand out to poor people. And as lame and utterly desperate I sound, I have to start somewhere. And why not post here and ask for help. Im expecting one of those typical answers handed out to people who you dont feel like taking time out for. I’ve had a pretty tough life, and Im not going to spend another year of it doing manual labour that bores me, and really drives me insane. My mind is too creative to be wasted this way. I need someone to help me out. help me find the means to get into film school. I live in New York, about 2 hours from the city. Im willing to move there and struggle with whatever i have to, in order to attend the film school there. Or anywhere for that matter. I am desperate enough to write on this board, not even really expecting anything to come out of it. But at least I get to vent a little. Anyone out there who wants to help a poor kid make his dream come true. Then here I am. Help me out. I already have in my mind, for many years now, some of the best movies youd ever see. And some of the most beautful camera angles, shots youd ever see. I wont waste the opportunity if it is given to me. I promise you. Help me someone. I need it. Avoidinblack@yahoo.com is my email Fingers Crossed, Eyes closed, Vito Ramos
July 25th, 2005 at 2:08 pm
Vito. Stop complaining about how no one will give you a chance. I had no money and no film background. I worked a day job, wrote screenplays and plays and short stories, applied to U.S.C. Paid for it with loans and am now working in the business.
No one gets a free ride. If you want to go to film school, go to community college. Take writing classes. Devote all your free time to writing or making short films on whatever camera you can find. Use those films and scripts to apply to USC, NYC, Chapman, Texas, Florida State, whatever. Pay with student loans. Get to work. Watch the “Making of” documentary on the “Clerks X” DVD.
July 26th, 2005 at 9:38 pm
Quinn, i’m with you…. I’m working 2 garbage day jobs right now, just about to graduate from my 4 year BA degree, and I am wanting to apply to USC grad school for Sept. 2006. This is MY dream as well, and I write like a fool, short stories, poems, and I just finished my first short screenplay. I feel, finally, that my life is coming together. Quinn, if you’ve got some time I’d love to talk with you more about your time at school, and how everything went for you. I have plenty of inspiration to chase this career, but I can always use more. Give me a shout anytime!
rwcantel@artsmail.uwaterloo.ca
September 9th, 2005 at 12:39 pm
I’m in the same terribly nervous boat as a few of the posters here… I’m applying to grad programs in film right now. I’m a college senior, double majoring in philosophy and psychology with a minor in fine arts. I have a pretty decent background in both acting and directing (short films, plays,independent studies, internships etc.) at my college, and very good grades (4.0 in one major, 3.7 overall), and i have reason to believe that my recommendation letters will be good. I have two problems: first, my GRE score was not good at all (not terrible, but certainly not great: 610 verbal, 490 math) and I’m graduating from an accredited, but pretty unknown school in western Massachusetts. Any advice would be much appreciated, thank you!
October 25th, 2005 at 4:36 pm
I’m 16 and want to direct movies for a living.I need help. I don’t know how to go about getting into film school.
November 16th, 2005 at 4:02 pm
I’m sixteen as well, and want to direct movies, but you can’t hope for instant gratification in this industry. The best thing to do is start watching as many four star movies as possible, but bad ones as well, so you know what NOT to do, and watch them objectively. That means take yourself out of the story, and pretend the screen is the camera lens. You’ll learn new camera angles and techniques that you never thought about, and you’ll also learn how actors talk and move in front of the camera. Take film and writing classes in high school, and when you feel ready, start writing screenplays. A great place to do that for free is http://www.scriptbuddy.com. You get one free screenplay; more than that requires a subscription. Then start getting people together with different skills. If you’re the director then get good actors, writers, editors, etc., then make a short film, and submit it to a high school film or fine arts competition, that’s what I did. They’re all over the place. You’ll eventually become very talented at what you do, and then you can use the advice above to think about college…
November 24th, 2005 at 8:46 pm
Does anyone know about AFI’s acceptance policy? You do not submit GRE scores, but I’m wondering what they look at the most…Thanks.
February 24th, 2006 at 12:41 am
hi everyone. not sure if this was mentioned but i think everyone who is thinking about film school (especially at the graduate level) should read FILM SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL. it gives a hard look at film school as a concept, and well, it is pessimistic but realistic. it’s a bit outdated, but you can read most of it for free online. it’s entertaining, even if you don’t agree with it. it goes give some pointers on ADMISSIONS.
for all you WRITERS: i wish i was told about the notion of how ivy leaguers, for whatever the reason, seem to have some special secret in getting hired as a writer. i heard it’s mainly for tv sitcoms and not so much for screenwriting, but hey, writing is writing. i have no clue how true or not this is, but i just wish i knew about it beforehand.
April 14th, 2006 at 12:13 am
I am a freshman at the University of Chicago studying English. My first completed play is being given a reading at school now. My dream is to write for film/theatre. My grades, at this point, are very good, and my script has gotten positive feedbacks from nearly all its readers. I am a network playwright at the Chicago Dramatists guild, and took a class there last quarter. What else should I be doing if I hope to go to grad school for film/theatre writing? And, assuming my writing continues to improve and my grades hold up at one of the most rigorous institutions in the country, do I stand a good shot at a Yale/UCLA/NYU/Northwestern-type grad program?
May 19th, 2006 at 5:59 pm
Hey i’m Alex I’m gonna be a sophmore in HS. I live in the land of no-opportunity kansas city. Its not that bad but id like to get out in the open. I wanna be a film director basically but i like writing and editing as well. I dont have all the equipment and cool software but my mom says the famous words “use what you have”. I partly agree with her because if you can do good with the little you have you can go beyond with what you dont. My only equipment is a Sony Digital8 and Screenblast software and an emachines computer..i guess the cables(usb,power..etc) Anyways I’m planning on going to NYU or USC. I mean look at the people that came out of that place. I make short “films”.not really beacuse…my actors are my bros and cousins and they are about the worst actors ever but i also blame myself a little for no script. I’ve also “helped” out at my theatre department…cutting out gels for the lights(they’d not let me be a lights operator…since i have to be master electrician & to do that u have to take a class which i enrolled for next year…that i didnt kno about my frosh yr )…anyways this coming up this skool yr i’m gonna try to be an assistant director for 1 of the shows….Anyways back to my needin help………I need help on what to be doing right now to get into undergrad. film school… because apparently i’m not doing enough.
1 more question. Do you have to do undergrad to go to grad(at NYU or USC) ?
Thanks 4 reading my long plead.
e-mail me with suggestions at ozzaroni@yahoo.com
SiGnInG oFf…..BiG Al
October 16th, 2006 at 2:12 am
I have a few questions. I’m attending UNR where there is no film program. At first my plan was to get all of my general ed out of the way, and apply for a BA in film then apply for an MFA program. I was curious how this process would work out. Is it more beneficial to go about it this way or to just jump straight into a film program? The problem is I feel like I’m wasting my time at UNR, and that I should just leave and go somewhere that offers what I’m looking for. I have been having major lack of motivation, and my grades are being severely affected by it. I know I’m screwing up, but I want to know how I can turn it around. What are my options? What would be the most beneficial process for someone in my situation to go through? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
October 30th, 2006 at 8:05 am
I went to film school, Its really great to be around people that have common interest. But, there are attitudes and ego’s ever present. Kiss ass students kissing the ass’s of the staff, just to have a great position on the set,,, save the 40-80,000 your going to spend on scgool and go make your own movie.
December 20th, 2006 at 1:04 am
i love movies so much it makes me want to throw up. im horrible at spelling and grammer it would make a normal person want to laugh and point. i say all of us who have something to give in this insane industry come together and make one hell of a sweet film.
January 31st, 2007 at 5:41 pm
I have been volunteering at the college’s undergrad film school I want to attend. I am able to learn and network with fellow filmmakers. I felt that if it didn’t help me to be accepted, which it may or may not, it has still helped me in building a resume as well as my own filmmaking knowledge. I was recommended to do so by a professor who graduated from the program. I enjoy working with the other students a lot and they are always teaching me something new.
February 13th, 2007 at 11:15 pm
i’m a mass comm major, public relations actually, and i recently have started to like film as a career, and i’m curious. i’ve been many places around the world, seen many things, experienced things that most people haven’t, and i want to be able to share all that with people, i know i would have a lot to offer, but i just dont know what would be the best first move for me(if go to film school, or try something independent) not sure who to talk to about it. if anybody has any feedback on this it would be great, It something i want to do, is just that big first step that i’m trying to figure out.
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:40 pm
respected sir im looking forward to apply for a film school.the reason why im intrested towards this field is due to the enthusiasm and determination in me to become a successful actor.i hav got an excellent personallity.i need some guidence from your side.can you please help me out to fullfill all my ambitions and dreams.will it be wise for me to enter into films through modelling as i hav got good personality.i requst you to tell me what is the total fees i need to pay and what are the qualifications needed in this to entert into this film institute.can u please tell me which institute is best to join so that i get film or any add offers and i can excel in this particular field.u also tell me how much time i need to spend daily in this training aS im trying only as part time because im completing my btech and other cources.im presently a btech student.im wishing responce from ur side very soon. your sincearly, p.prudhvi
November 19th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I AM MOTHER OF SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL. DIRECTOR WANNABE. HE HAS STRUGGLED WITH SOME SMALL LEARNING DISABILITIES. HE IS THE HARDEST WORKER. HAS MADE MUSIC VIDEOS FOR SCHOOL. GREAT. WANTS TO DIRECT FILM. WHERE IS BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A HS SENIOR FROM PA WITH LIMITED RESOURCES (INCLUDING PARENTS). LOOKNG FOR ADVICE AND ANY HELP AVAILABLE TO POINT US IN BEST DIRECTION. THANKS
December 1st, 2007 at 8:36 am
Hi, I’m a junior at MIT and a double major in Biophysics and engineering. I have a 3.8 (4.0 in Bio/3.75 in Engineering) and I got a 1560 on the GRE’s and a 174 on the LSAT’s (was thinking about Law school, but not anymore). I worked last summer as an intern at Miramax and have shot a few short films on Super 16mm and have written 2 screenplays. What do I need to do to get into AFI or UCLA in the screenwriting program?
December 29th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
Joe:
Worked at MIT for twelve years…a long time ago. Ran admin for ISP, ran student office in now-defunct Course XX, did a ton of Dramashop and Boston showbiz before there was a Boston film industry. Have a theatre MFA in directing.
Did student advising at the ‘Tute forever, read both freshman and graduate admission folders. So:
1)Your grades and scores are tremendous. Is MIT still on a 5.0 scale? Are you about 4.6? Just apply!!!! If you get denied, you may not know why, but you will have given it a shot.
2) Go to the Alumni Office (?maybe still Building 13?). There’s a huge directory of MIT grads, and somewhere the database is broken down by field. Find anyone you can in any area of the business. Current contact info often listed. Career services may and may not help–but check the recruiting companies–it ain’t all Intel and biotechs and financials–they know who has been in in the last few years, may be able to give you contact info for a few companies/ed institutions. Part of their mandate used to be pre-med and pre-professional advising. Find out who the go-to person is. They travel a lot to industries, some schools. Not a huge source, but sometimes gold.
3) The Media Lab used to have a lot of CGI/FX/amimation types hanging around, often students doing UROPs. Don’t know where they all went, but some are in the business. Find the faculty guru, get an appointment, have a heart-to-heart: may have some contacts. Ditto students.
4) Take a course at BU’s Screenwriting program; see if it can be used to fit a HASS requirement next semester. Pick their brains.
5) Check out NEFilm.com and Beanywood sites.
6) Get a Miramax contact to give you some pointers.
7) AFI screenwriting deadline was December 1; a couple of disciplines are still taking apps. AFI recruited in Boston in October, was at MIT in 6-120 around 10/19. Not well publicized, very small audience. However, rep was Danielle McVickers. Call or email her; get the current scoop. (Go to AFI Conservatory site).
Good luck–are the felafel trucks still at 77 Mass Ave?:):)???
Anne