Hello everyone!

I plan to apply to film schools for the coming fall. Got a GRE score of 1410 and a Toefl of 280. I have experience in AVID and Pro tools, but dont have anything in proper place to show it. I have written an intense screenplay for a 20 minute short film.

I started the production with rented equipment and friends but the rains in mumbai spoilt it all. It is a bit tough for me to come out of this in so little time. I have to get my applications ready and posted by 1st Nov. I really dont know what to do.

My goal is to get into FSU. But i will apply to other schools also.

Please help me with your suggestions.

My suggestion is to pick a two character, one location scene to shoot/direct/edit.

Go to (any) college theater/drama department and find two decent actors willing to perform the scene in exchange for a copy (which they can use for their own reel) Rehearse the scene until you have the blocking down (and the performances are believable!) then rent a high quality mini DV camera (one that shoots 24P: DVX-100 or Canon XL-2) and a decent shotgun mic (and pole) and a basic (3)light kit (Lowel is a good choice...) You should be able to secure this rental for around $300 - $400 per day: the trick is to rent on a Fri. so you have it over the weekend (only counts as a one day rental!) Shoot the scene: just you, the actors, and a buddy to hold the boom mic. Do the edit on either Avid or Final Cut Pro (really the only two editing systems worth knowing...)

So, as a result, you will have a "demo" which shows that you understand screen grammar, performance, videography/cinematography (to include basic three-point lighting) sound and finally editing. It also demonstrates that you know how to pull together a production (to include casting) If you should choose a scene from a film, it won't really demonstrate your ability to write - however, should you choose to adapt a scene from a book, you will effectively demonstrate your skills as a writer (although with you time restrictions, I would go with a basic dialogue scene from a film...)

This should give you a more than adequate demo for acceptance to a Film program (believe me, it will be far better than the typical, crappy short films which faculty are forced to sit through!)

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Sri:
I have written an intense screenplay for a 20 minute short film.

Oww, can I read it, sounds right up my street.
Just think of it as you inspiring me to get back to writing again.

quote:

If you should choose a scene from a film, it won't really demonstrate your ability to write - however, should you choose to adapt a scene from a book, you will effectively demonstrate your skills as a writer (although with you time restrictions, I would go with a basic dialogue scene from a film...)

Is this conventionally done for application to film schools? Reshooting scenes from existing movies? I've never really looked into applying to any film schools, so I don't know what they are looking for in prospective students, but this reshoot idea seems strange. It seems analogous to an English department requiring that theirs applicants retype a chapter from their favorite book.

The typically want a 10 minute demo reel which can be cut together from your old projects, be a 10 minute short film, or be something you shot just for them. It doesn't really matter. If you don't have one, still photos and writing samples will often be accepted instead.

I used an original 10 minute short film about a hall monitor in my high school, which I shot in a style similar to 'COPS' on well lit Hi8 over a week at high school. It worked great, they were impressed, I got into film school. I didn't attend though.

"Go to (any) college theater/drama department and find two decent actors willing to perform the scene in exchange for a copy (which they can use for their own reel) Rehearse the scene until you have the blocking down (and the performances are believable!) then rent a high quality mini DV camera (one that shoots 24P: DVX-100 or Canon XL-2) and a decent shotgun mic (and pole) and a basic (3)light kit (Lowel is a good choice...) You should be able to secure this rental for around $300 - $400 per day: the trick is to rent on a Fri. so you have it over the weekend (only counts as a one day rental!) Shoot the scene: just you, the actors, and a buddy to hold the boom mic. Do the edit on either Avid or Final Cut Pro (really the only two editing systems worth knowing...)"

I'm not sure if this is such a good idea. From what I've read, film schools don't care if you are technically proficient. The exercise you describe sounds like the driest, most uninspired thing possible. If I were looking at applications, I'd rather take the person who submitted a rough short that demonstrated some kind of creative ability or storytelling ability. I would *not* be impressed by a totally by-the-books scene that looks like it was lit and blocked using an entry-level textbook.

Furthermore, I doubt film schools care about your ability to record dialogue well. I also strongly doubt that they care how well you can find actors. Not to say that kind of thing isn't important - but you seem to have cancelled out the part of applying to a school that involves demonstrating your talent.

Evan's right. They can see potential and talent regardless of technical skill. I've seen enough demo reels which got people in to know that. They're looking for something special.

Thanx a ton guys... for inspiring me.... actually i was down (to add the spice) in a bade malarial fever for 10 odd days.... i m still very weak... but by reading you all i have decided to give it a second shot.... a short of about 10 min in the countryside... a story where a guy at home is sick of city life and feels empty his mom yells at him and asks him to go to see his imple country relatives... frustrated he sets off and lives the ride to the country .. just to find more surprises when he reaches there... he loves the simplicity of the people and the natural waters of the river and the rainy mountain trek and the nights and festivals... no electronics, no lights....pure human atmosphere.....

howzatt????

please write back telling me some chages or suggestions.....

i am so happpy to hear from alll of you..

thanx again guys...