Hey. Ok, it will sound like I'm intruding, but I had a very specific reason to login! Let's talk about that later.

I'm a second year MFA in Film Production student at USC. Sorry I couldn't read all the posts (I'm kinda of a lazy reader, English is not my first language), I just felt like I should talk about the 546/547 process and the people don't get direct it or specialize in what they want.

In 507 you do 6 films: one in-camera exercise, 3 individual films, one group exercise and one final group film, all in digital video (that will change to 16mm maybe next semester, or the one after that). You have to take that class and you basically do everything and end up learning a bit about all crew positions. You can "fight for" or "earn" the group projects crew positions, such as directing, each class has different rules for assigning that. Some people start specializing there and find "crew buddies" that they will remain together to their thesis films (and probably professional life).

In 508, like Jayimess said, 2 ramdomly assigned people produce 2 no-sink sound films in 16mm. That is about to change as well. Rumor has it, it will change to HD with production sound and the groups will be of three people, one producer, one director, one DP, and they will change positions, making three films. 508 is the most democratic class, everybody gets to do everything at some point and can tell their story. It's also one of the hardest classes. It's intense and highly stressful. It puts the egos down.

Finally, specially after 508, when you get to Production III, 546 (Fiction), 547 (Documentary) some people gave up on being directors, because they realize they aren't cut for it or that they have no fun at all at doing it or that some other crew position is so amazing and they didn't even know it because they had never experienced it before.

People that wish to be 546 Producers have to attend a meeting and answer some 5 questions and point some references when they apply to produce. About 10 get picked. There aren't a lot of 546 producing candidates, so, that's not too tough to get. Directors have to take Intermediate Directing (CTPR 532) before applying to direct a 546, so you can only apply to direct in you 4th semester or later. Once they do that, they have to submit a reel. ABout 10 get picked. Some semesters, 60 people applied, some only 16. Generally, it's quite competitive. Any SCA grad student can submit a script. Before, undergrads could submit too. More than 20 get selected. Generally, Screenwriters get picked, because they are daaamn good at it, but production students tend to get picked too. Then, all the selected people mingle and have to form a group of 1 director, 1 producer, 1 writer. More than half the scripts don't make it to the second cut. Then, the 10 or so groups have to pitch themselves. They sit in front of a panel and have to answer questions and talk about the script and their ideas. Then 4 groups get selected. That's the final cut. Yes, quite competitive. They even call your 508 partner to ask about you, if you want to direct.

Then other crew members, 2 DPs, 1-2 Production Designers, 2 Sound, 1 AD, 2 editors, and the producers that didn't make the last cut join the selected groups, based on the script or group they like best. DPs have to take Intermediate Cinematography (CTPR 537) before DPing a 546, so that can only be made in the 4th semester on too. Some crew positions and some scripts don't get as much attention as others, but eventually it works out, I guess.

Even if you don't direct a 546 or 547, you can take all the directing electives and direct your thesis. Some directors dont even want to direct a 546 and just want to do a thesis. I'm not sure about thesis, because i'm not there yet, but normally, people do either 581 (USC backs you up with equipment, SAG Agreement, insurance, but has the rights to your film) or a 582 (you're pretty much on your own, but you own the rights). Funding a thesis can be done. There's a guy shooting a thesis this summer who got money from the Sloan Grant, from a screenwriting competition, and an Indian producer, and wherever else I don't know. Some people say he's making the most expensive thesis to ever come from USC. I dont know if it's true. There are some grants for thesis, I dont know a lot about them.

They recommend that you specialize in two fields. But it's pretty much up to you. Some people take editing to be a better director. Some want to be cinematographers and dont want to take any directing classes. From the third semester on, you start having a lot of options.

So, if you want to be a director, and you work your ass off, you'll be a director. USC won't prevent you from being one. It will only help. You might not shoot a 546. You might not even want to. But if you want it and work for it, careful, you might get it.

Anyway, THE REAL REASON I logged in was to see if any of the new SCA students are looking for a place to live. The past year I lived with other two production students and one Animation student. Personally, preffer staying in the cinema pack! The Animation and one Production student decided to move to a cheaper place, and the other student and me are looking for a new place. I've found one, but need more people to see if we can make a move. If you're interested email me: ctanabe@usc.edu! Sorry for the spam! Also, if aybody have other production program questions, same email. And thanks for Jayimess. If I had somebody like her to answer my gazillions of questions before I came, I would have been a happier person! See you all in the Fall. You won't regret the stress, you won't regret leaving your job, you won't regret the loans. This is fun fun fun, if you love filmmaking more than you love your spouse! =)

Wow, C, that was an awesome post. I was wondering who wrote it, then I saw your email address!

(we had 507 together)

I do my best to help, but having an actual production major is so much better...I was a little off on the 546 process, I see.

Jayimess,

Do you know how much the deposit is for entering MFA students? I know Chapman charges $1,000 and I was wondering what USC charges? Does it apply to tuition? Thanks!

It may have changed this year, but it was $300 incoming 2007-08. It is applied to the first semester's tuition.

I know Chapman and AFI each charge $1000.

UCLA charges nothing...which, actually, made it much easier to decline admission after already accepting their offer, once I got into USC. I didn't lose any cash!

Yup. USC for fall 2008 was $300.

What type of parking permit should we purchase? How much should we expect to spend on one?

The parking people will try to put you in PSB, by the Lyon center, but I strongly recommend PSD, across from Leavey library. It's about the same distance from Lucas as PSB, though I suppose it's about a minute further from the new complex, but more importantly, it's far more accessible from just about every street...PSB is only accessible from Jefferson going Eastbound.

Also, your first semester you'll be at Zemeckis twice a week, and PSD is kind of halfway between ZMC and Lucas.

I haven't actually gone over and renewed yet, but last year they were about $800 for the year, charged half each semester.

The Shrine is another option, I believe it's three or four hundred a year, but it's no good during any events.

You can also pay daily to park at the Shrine, or try your luck with meters...which many of us did for 507, since we all seemed to be running late and/or carrying lots of equipment.

If you live on campus, I believe you get to park near your building.

There must be some sort of night student pass, but I wouldn't suggest it because classes are scheduled all over the place and none of you have any say in your first semester courses.

If you don't get a permit, I think you can park for $8/day at USC, though it usually says permits only, so that's a crapshoot.

Cool thing about the parking pass, if you're going to be attending football games, is that outside of M-F, 9-7, you can park anywhere on campus. So if you get to campus early enough, you can just park wherever for free, instead of paying 20-50-200 bucks.

Yes, 200 bucks.

These Trojans love them some football.

Thanks Jayimess... Sounds like I'll probably opt for PSD... looking at the map it is pretty much the same distance from the primary buildings and I'll take your word on it being more accessible. That can be important, especially when you're running late

And I went to Notre Dame for undergrad, so I know all about lovin some footbawl

I forgot to mention the Parking Center, which is really far away from campus but a couple hundred less per year.

You have to take a shuttle bus from the UPC to campus, or you can be like one of my classmates who kept a bike in his car and biked there...but then you gotta get a bike permit...either way, you have to add an extra thirty minutes.

Hello! I'm going to be starting in the MFA Production program in the Spring of '09, and this post has answered so many questions for me. I do have just one question to ask, though, that I haven't been able to find an answer to in the forums..

I recently received a letter from SCA informing me that my Spring '09 admission was approved. At the end of the letter, however, it says "Finally, your admission to the School of Cinematic Arts is not official until you receive a letter from the University's Director of Admission." Could someone tell me what this means? Because I have been worrying that this means that I could still be un-accepted. Which would be horribly upsetting.

If anyone could help me calm my worry monster, that would be fantastic.

Nope. You're in. It's just a formality. The department has decided and that's that! The Dean's just gonna put it in a really nice letter that you can show your parents or whatever. Congratulations! See ya in the Spring.

Daniel G is right. See you in January, where we'll all be starting out like new students cause we'll be in our new building. It's incredible, FYI

Does anyone know if a vehicle is absolutely needed for the first semester of USC for production students (for uses other than social/entertainment purposes)? I’ve heard different responses to this question and wanted to know how current students feel about this. Thanks!

My friend got by without one for the first semester, but he was living in student housing in walking distance of campus. You'll definitely need a car eventually. Film shoots run too late to rely on public transportation (and L.A.'s public transportation system is kind of lousy anyway).

Most, if all, international students don't have cars due to VIsa stuff I don't really understand.

However, if you don't have a car, you run the risk of being "that one without the car" and thus being excluded from some shoots because nobody wants to be your chauffeur...or being that person always begging for rides to Wooden Nickel.

Another argument in favor of getting a car is that walking back to your apartment, and we'll assume that your apartment is near enough to USC to walk to, is not necessarily a safe venture, particularly late at night. I love USC, and wouldn't want to be anywhere else, but in the few months since I've been there alone there have been several robberies, two sexual assaults and a murder. All within a few blocks of campus. So, a car would dramatically improve your safety, if not your life overall. L.A. is a commuter city afterall.

Hope that helps

Hi everyone. I had another question for those already in the MFA production program (or for others who may know): is there time for a part-time job on or off campus? Thanks!

First semester, you can probably swing 10 hours of distracting work, or 15-20 of work where you can work on school stuff...but you need to be prepared to quit if you can't swing it.

508 will kill you, so I'd suggest taking second semester off.

Any semester with 546 will kill you if you work.

But after 508, you can probably do just fine with work, and you have to work at least one Level One job before you can SA, which is where the big money is.

What's 'SA?' Thanks!

Student Assistant...the hero of every production class, who will save you from every crisis. It's the production department's equivalent of a TA, who actually co-teaches critical studies courses...the writing department calls them Departmental Assistants...which basically sends out emails, takes attendance, and makes copies.

They all offer different amounts of money. I think SAs get 4 or 5 thousand a semester plus hourly, TAs get huge stipends, and DAs get tuition renumeration and hourly.