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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hill Dawson Kane,

I had an interview with AFI and a phone interview with Columbia, both of them didn't go very well, but I think I learned a lot. I can probably give you a list of what not to do. First, it's very important to be prepared. Know at least basically what you want to say if it's really important, but don't think that you can just write it out and expect the question to be asked. That doesn't really work, but just writing it out before hand might help. I was asked by both programs what I was reading, so I'd be able to rattle off a few answers (it's a pretty pompous question, that would probably require a likewise answer but who knows. It might be smart to talk about how you read comic books). The hardest question I was asked was to give two visual images that showed animosity. Being a writer first and a director second, I went into the situation instead of the specific image. Also use the word "collaboration" at least once, it can't hurt, I got really burned when I said I was a stubborn writer (even though I was trying to explain how directing lets me lose some of that and learn to include others, just the word stubborn probably hurt me). They'll ask you how you're going to pay for school. I wouldn't just say loans; I'd give them something more concrete. Show them you have life experiences, but don't over do it. They seemed interested when I said I played football in college; however, they didn't think it was interesting when I said I hated the sport, but loved the fact that I got to meet different types of people (I think playing up my blue-collar roots hurt me; I sounded like a elitist politician). I got some real laughs when I was self-depreciating, they liked it more when I mentioned I was a mutt with no real "culture" probably more than if I would have tried to find my geneology I talked about where I came from. I mentioned Biblical references in my short film and they didn't seem interested (I don't know if it was because of the references (secularism) or because they thought I was treating them like idiots because they references were pretty obvious). Most of all I'd give you the same basic advice anyone can give you. Be yourself. I couldn't help trying to impress them when I should have just been talking with them. Don't go into speeches because they'll usually cut you off. These are intelligent adults who are looking for individuality more than anything else and they can tell when you're trying too hard. Well there's my mistakes…don't make the same ones.

1. Why do you want to attend our school?
2. What are you trying to say with your work?
3. Tell us about your submission
4. How did you come up with your submission?
5. Background questions.
6. What are you reading? Tell me about it. (Know your authors)
7. Who are your film influences? Why?
8. What are some great films you've seen recently?
9. Give me two visual images that show animosity. One male, one female.
10. How do you approach the filmmaking process?
11. How old are you? You just got out of college.
12. Some how I got into a conversation about it George Bellows the painter.

To tell you the truth they talked a lot during both my interviews: explained the program. There weren't too many stump questions. Really basic for my interviews.