so i called the usc directing program...

they told me that decision letters go out some time between mid april and early may...didn't even say may 1st.

so we got some more time to wait

I got back from First Look at USC early this morning. Over the course of the weekend I saw about 47 student thesis films. I thought of all of you here on the forum and wished you could have seen what I saw. Even better than taking a tour of the campus is seeing all the finished films from students who went through the same process we want to go through.

First off it needs to be said that the sound design of the films were spot on. Simply amazing! Sound may be one the unsung strengths of USC. Also, after what I saw, I cannot disagree more with the assessment Film School Confidential gave to USC as churning out students who produce films that are technically flawless but lacking in soul. The films I saw had heart, passion and beauty. But not all of them- there were also films with unimaginative stories and two dimensional characters. They tended to be undergraduate films and involved guns and blood. A film festival with 47 student films is a true democratic process.

There were some films that were simply amazing! One, Monsoon, left me with tears. Unbelievable to think it was a student produced film.

Other impressions: I felt at home on campus and mixing with the students. I thought the overall atmosphere was very friendly and supportive. I was left with the impression that USC is one VERY well connected school with strong ties to the industry. With the construction of the new cinema complex underway and already looking quite impressive, it felt like these are very exciting times for USC.

I was left only more excited and nervous about getting in. I don’t think we will be hearing back about our applications for a while. I was told that the committee with not be meeting again until next week. No decisions have been made.

I've heard that USC doesn’t interview applicants in person, but they have interviewed some over the phone. Who all has been interviewed over the phone?

I have not been interviewed over the phone. I don't know anyone who has.

Hey, RYAN!

Sorry I didn't make it back to see more films on Sunday, I was fervently writing till about five am. I hope you stayed warm in the wind whilst snacking on those tasty vittles.

I'm so glad you had fun...wish I could've caught "Monsoon!" I saw the DVD in the writing office today when I was receiving my thesis assignment.

That book I would've loaned you (if I had made it) is "Making Movies Work," by P. Boorstin.

Awesome for the "PSYCHO" shower scene storyboards alone...but also for much more.

See you soon.



And I don't know anyone who interviewed exclusive of the Stark program...I've heard about PR having the occasional phone interview, but USC phased the interviews out several years ago.

Jayimess,

Remember how we were talking about that one film that is like, "Wow, I can't believe that is a student film?" For me Monsoon is that film. See if you can find a copy.

Yep, I will find a copy of that book. Sounds great.

So, I noticed allot of the films were written and directed by the same person. Do you think many of those students came out of the same writing/directing program you are in?



How is the waiting game going for everyone? For me, I have had few nights where I just couldn’t fall asleep. April 15th is coming very, very soon.

I was interviewed over the phone, but it was very informal (but also very cordial and professional). I didn't get a sense that if you don't get interviewed over the phone that it matters in relation to your chances of getting in.

louvonsalome,

If you don't mind me asking: What kind of questions did they ask? What program did you apply for?

I would take it as a good sign they called you.

Well, I want to be a director, so I applied to USC's grad program in Film Production (as I remember, there wasn't a specified Directing/Editing/etc.)

I was called last week, Tues. I believe. The man I spoke to was very kind and polite. He told me there were in the throes of reviewing all the applications, and that he wanted to get a greater sense of me as an applicant. He tailored his questions to me particularly, and my application, so I don't know how much they would apply to others. As I have a background in writing, and my undergrad degree was in creative writing, he asked me what got me into film and directing, we talked about how I'm interested in making character-driven indie films, he asked what films I had seen lately that inspired me or spoke to my kind of directorial/film vision, and then we talked about USC's film program, if I would fit in well there, and how it differs from what other film programs have to offer. The stereotype is that USC is a more "Hollywood-style" school, but I was left with the impression that the school simply wants to foster passionate, talented people with drive and vision, regardless of the type of films they want to make.

All in all, he was incredibly nice to me and I left feeling like we had a conversation about me, about USC, and about filmmaking, rather than it being some kind of test or anything like that.

Louvon,

That's exactly what USC is like! Yay!

Ryan,

Most of the films screened at FL were Production thesis films, with the vast majority written and directed by the same person, I noticed...so, not screenwriters. I'm kind of a maverick with the WD track, but it's specifically within the Screenwriting Division. Those were the works exclusively of PR students.

And I will beg the writing office to loan me Monsoon next time I'm there!

PS, everyone, I'm so excited...I just found out that my thesis advisor next year is Mary Sweeney!

I'll be taking Writing for Video Games as well, with my current feature prof, Danny Bilson, who wrote, most notably, The Rocketeer, and is a creative director at Electronic Arts....not to mention his cute and famous daughter, that the guys all love.

I'm STOKED.

What's up. I am a USC alumni, class of 07, and I have nothing but amazing things to say. I am soooo proud and honored to be a Trojan Alum. Now, I was an SOT major (School of Theatre) as an Actress, but i came from the Indie Film and Studio Tv world prior to USC. I was constantly involved with the School of Cinema, and have a high respect for their program. I am now, of course, dealing with the INSANE student loans. However, I do feel that it was an investment in the rest of my life. Now you don't need to go to USC, Chapman, etc to learn Filmmaking; however if you invest in your liberal art academics as well as your craft, you will be glad that you did.

FIGHT ON!

about the phone interviews... do they call EVERY single applicant to do a phone interiew?

or only people that they are strongly considering for admission?

I don't know anyone outside of Stark who was called who goes here this year...so definitely NO to the first question for 07-08.

Until last week none of my transcripts were showing up when I logged into the online application system. Now they do.

Has anyone noticed the same change when they log in? I thinking it is a good sign because I believe that it means transcripts was forwarded to the USC Graduate Office from the SCA office.

Soon. Very soon. . .

hmm.. so i'm confused?

People have been accepted even without a phone interview?

I havent been called and Im wondering if that means i didn't get in...

No one has been accepted yet, and I'm 100% certain that you don't need a phone interview to get in. The person I talked to at USC said 1-3 people get called each year. The reason for why they're called was not given.

That's 1-3 out of 50 incoming students.

No one has been accepted yet.

Another tidbit of information I learned from taking a campus tour: they are choosing applicants for the fall and a bunch for the spring semester. They receive many more applicants for the fall. I was told last year that 750 people applied for the MFA Production program.

Hi. I'm new.

I've been eavesdropping on you all, all afternoon, thought I'd join the nervous ranks.

I'm waiting to hear back from USC for graduate screenwriting. USC's my one and only choice.

If I don't make it... I really don't know what's next. But I'm confident. sometimes.

I've been reading this site for quite awhile, figured I ought to post. I also received a call from USC, the informal interview. This was about two weeks ago now. While promising, it's far from a guarantee that I've been accepted.

There'll be plenty of people who never got a call, but get accepted...though, also, plenty of people who get rejected, but never got a call, which means I'm not about to complain about my situation.

Still, the suspense is killing me too, no doubt.

USC must really want to make sure I don't show up. I received my 3rd rejection letter today, I've gotten one each week the last 3 weeks.