Has anyone heard from the MFA Directing program? I am curious too!

Jayimess et al--

Yeah, I asked the graduate screenwriting advisor at UCLA about production classes, and he told me flat that screenwriters can't get into them.

"Any of them?!" I had consulted a course catalogue which specifically noted production classes open to all.

"I mean, in theory, there are a few you can try for," he said, "but it won't get you very far. The production department would never let you into those classes."

"Ah," I said, "Just, what, too many people? The classes are just packed?"

"Yeah, packed. Well... not really packed, no. They just really don't like the idea of screenwriters taking production classes."

"<Sputter?!>" I asked.

"They don't think screenwriters would be capable."

"Oh," I said. "Can anything be done about this?"

"Not really. It just sucks."

It just sucks. Ladies and Gentlemen, the UCLA Screenwriting Department.

Wonderful program in a lot of ways. But they should do something about this.

--Icarus

I have applied to the directing MFA and I am currently taking classes in the screenwriting professional program (an offshoot of the MFA), and I have discovered a very important distinction that sets UCLA's directing department apart from the screenwriting department...

they are diametrically opposed. screenwriting at UCLA is commercial, directing at UCLA is independent.

at least this is my theory. strange as it is.

Jayimess -

A question about class times at USC - are your classes generally during the day? Do you have any night classes?

Wow, Icarus. That's all I can say...wow.

Placebo...the classes are a mixture of times. Last semester, all but one of my classes met from nine to one. The fifth class met four to seven.

This semester, two classes end at one, two are midday (2-6, 1-5) and one is from seven to ten at night.

It really depends on what classes you take and when they're offered.

Hey everyone,

I'm still waiting to hear back too...I applied for the MFA in Production. One of the committee members called for a phone interview, which I think went well, and now it's just a waiting game. I'm REALLY anxious lol

Hey Placebo,

Did you receive the letter for USC (writing for screen & tv) along with a package or just a letter?

K-MEE,

My acceptance letter came from the grad school along with a packet containing information about USC. It said a letter from the school of cinema would follow. Since then, I've also received a financial aid packet from the financial aid office.

Placebo,

Are you still waiting on the letter from SCA? I haven't heard a peep.

Yes - I'm still waiting to hear from the SCA directly. Any day now, I would guess.

the suspense is seriously killing me.. urgh.. i thought for sure we'd know by the 15th!

i'm just happy knowing that i did the best application I possibly could. no regrets at all.

so if this doesn't happen, i know it's just cuz of the crazy competition. Buff the resume up and try again in a few months: that's the plan.

I got my letter from the writing division at USC yesterday. Basically it's just a welcome note with an intent to enroll form. I have until May 10 to let them know.

It made me laugh to find three typos in the letter. There also seems to be a document missing. I'm asked to sign a paper stating I've read the Academic Guidelines, but no Academic Guidelines are included.

Did no one proofread the thing?

Does anyone else think it's a bit odd we haven't heard from USC yet (production/directing)? It seems most other schools have already notified their accepted applicants and even by this time want their deposits for enrollment...

In the paperwork I have, it states that applicants should get their letters by April 15th. Yea, this is feeling like a extra-long wait.

I wonder what is going on? Perhaps there were many more applicants?

I don't want to be a pest and call them again, so I'm going to pay a visit to USC today. Maybe I can get them to write down my application status on a piece of paper like someone else mentioned (though I think that person was in screenwriting).

I'm in LA, so it's not far...and it can't hurt!

Ah well, so much for that. I visited the school and learned only that my application status is still "in committee" and that no letter has been sent.

Looks like another long weekend.

Hey guys,

I have been lurking on here for a while now, and finally decided to post because of the crazy long wait for USC decisions.

Unlike many, i have only applied to UCLA and USC for MFA production. Also, Unlike many, i am 22 and in college only had a GPA of 3.23 and a GRE score of 1090. i was in the op 25% for UCLA but i got rejected. so now of course i am very concerned about USC. Just a vent for me, of course, as im sure you all know what it is like to have to wait for a decision that can impact the next few years of your life

Hey, guys, since everyone's asking questions separately, I started a "Going to USC" thread so I can stop repeating myself.

Just kidding.

Sorta.


Wheee!

Hmm. So no word yet for production ?

I don't think anybody's heard anything yet, Bartleby. And as each day passes, I'm amazed by that. Seems like a very long wait for an admissions decision, let alone deciding where you want to go should you be admitted to USC and other schools too.