My thought is that its still 3 months away so maybe we should allow this forum to build a bit more so that we can make a decision on a general consensus. Your place sounds like a convenient option and a less expensive one since everyone can bring their own beverage of choice. A gathering on the beach may be a bit difficult if people are thinking about drinking alcohol (i certainly am!). I have called a couple of establishments like figueroahotel.com, but they said its to early for them to commit to a gathering in August. I think solidifying a location in mid July for mid Aug sounds reasonable.

Best,

ML

Hi, I'm producing fellow 08 from Tokyo.
I was considering which to go: AFI or Columbia, but I've made up my mind.

As I plan to take my wife with me, I want to know about the level of safety aroud AFI. I was asking my agent to find apartment that cost 950-1100/month, within 20 minutes walk from AFI.
But my cousin living in LA for long time says the area around AFI is not dangerous, but not so safe.

Please advise me where is the good place to live: not so far from AFI campus, safe and hopefully enjoyable one. Of course, I plan to buy both my and my wife's car, so going campus by car is no problem.

Dragonball,

Your best bet is Los Feliz. It is a really nice neighborhood, clean, and you could probably find a small one bedroom apartment for about $1200 if you look hard enough.

If you live in Los Feliz, it will probably be less than a 5 minute commute to get to AFI, depending on which part of the neighborhood you live in.

I highly recommend Los Feliz. I will be leaving a very nice place in North Hollywood to move to there this August.

Best,

Bandar - Directing Fellow

Screenwriting fellows,

I have three ideas down for cycle projects, one of which a screenwriting fellow is required to write (the other two I will be writing), and I would like to begin working on them before I leave for Europe (I leave July 15th).

If you would like to work with me during the next few weeks, developing and working on the screenplays, please let me know. I'd love to read some of your writing samples, so send them along to:

BandarAlbuliwi@hotmail.com

I will be more than happy to share my ideas via e-mail or phone since this forum isn't an ideal place to share such properties.

Looking forward to reading some of your work!

Best,

Bandar - Directing Fellow

Hello to all future classmates!

Just wanted to say that I have officially entered the program and will be joining you all next fall as a producing fellow. I am terribly excited about the great films we are going to be making.

Bander,

Thanks! I hear Los Feliz is very fashionable and creative town. I know almost everything about Tokyo, but I know almost nothing about LA. Your advice was really helpful.

If you need to know anything else, please don't hesitate to ask me. I'll be more than willing to help!

Hi people!
I have good news for anyone who is on the waiting list of the directing program. I've just rejected my offer of admission now, and I hope any of you will take benefit of it. After a very, very hard decision, I will be attending UCLA next year. Anyway, I think there is a nice community here and I hope we keep in contact, I would really love to see the movies you make there, so we can share experiences and hopefuly work together sometime.
Still invited to the BBQ? I will arrive to L.A. from Barcelona on august 17th.
See you!

Carlos,

Of course you are still invited to the BBQ!

Hi there everybody...
sorry for my English, I'm still practicing...
I'm Eliya, I'm an alternate candidate whov'e just been chasen by Angela from the addmission offices, but unfortuniately was unavailable...
so now the suspense is killing me...so I'm on the borderline till monday when they get back to work...
are everyone already reached LA? Should I start think about coming soon, Is there many trouble to get housing... maybe I'm speaking too soon... so I would shut up for now....

Eliya,

Welcome! Which program were you an alternate for? If Angela called you then chances are you are off the wait list and have been admitted. So Congratulations!

Let us know what happens on Monday. You shouldn't worry too much about housing, you can secure it within a few weeks of moving here (even less).

Best,

Bandar (Directing Fellow)

Hi bandar... good eve!
Iv'e noticed you have taken charge on things...
I have applied to directing program like you....
but Im also dependent on upcoming toefl test scores... which should of beeb receive by now but somewhy delayed and also my abilty to obtain funds. that will be the major challange... but working on it...
so I'll update on mondaay and if results are positive I will probably strike everyone with numreous question... so asking for forgiveness ahead of time...
good luck for everyone ane thank you specificaly bandar!

Not a problem Eliya,

Let me know if I can be of any assistance!

Hey All-

I'm Leslie Bumgarner- cinematography fellow from Texas. It was great to find this board and get a chance to touch base with all of you. I will be heading to LA soon to try to find a place to live. If anyone out there is looking for a roommate and wants to live in Los Feliz, contact me lesliebumgarner@yahoo.com. I would really like to room with a group of students from the school. I just think it would be the best way to create good working relationships and the easiest way to collaborate. Let me know, and keep me posted on the BBQ meet and greet. Looking forward to working with all of you.

Leslie,

What part of Texas are you coming from? I'm coming from Austin.

Paul

hey ....
here is a lesson not to jump too fast...
don't know nothing yet, angela just was making rutine check on me...
will make a contact here if anything comes up...

What a bittersweet day...

After several weeks of agonizing over every detail, I officially declined a spot as a screenwriting fellow due to financial constraints.

On the bright side, I also signed my first option agreement with a small production company out here in LA.

Best of luck to all of you fellows next year!

If nothing else, hopefully I've at least made someone else happy by giving them a place in the Conservatory.

:-/

Kelmo,

Was looking forward to seeing you at AFI! I wish you the best of luck!

Stay in touch!

-Bandar

I just got the call from Angela, I have been offered a spot, and I gleefully accepted:

I will be an AFI Directing fellow this fall!

I am so excited to work with all of you incredibly talented fellows, and can't wait to meet all of you. Barbecue? I will be moving to and living in Pasadena June 15th.

I will be forfeiting my USC deposit, so anyone waiting on their wait-list, there is hope.

Brad,

Welcome to the team! I'm organizing a get together June 20th with some of the AFI Fellows who are already in Los Angeles.

Add me on facebook (bandaralbuliwi@hotmail.com) and I'll invite you to the event!

All the best,

Bandar (Directing Fellow)