Oh and do they interview you at a round table???

Tima, I would definitely contact them. They interviewed in Silver Spring, MD March 8th-17th.

And in my interview, I sat on one side of a table, they sat on the other.

Jayimess,

Yeah I know they were booked for Silver Spring so I have to fly to LA, which is probably a good thing because I can re-review the school.

And how long was this interview, was it anything like Columbia's? Or were there specific questions that they asked everyone?

Also, I heard there was a story breakdown game. How does that go?!

Oh, good, good, good!! Best of luck in LA.

My interview was only a half-hour, forty minutes or so. They scheduled them 45 minutes apart.

As I've said before, it was just a conversation. I didn't really feel like I was being interviewed. No typical questions, no games. Again, I'm a Screenwriting applicant, so things might be different for other disciplines.

Can't comment as to Columbia, I didn't apply there.

Thanks Jayimess!

The reason I asked about games is cuz on one of the threads you mentioned a "quiz" like question about story structure.

NERVOUS....

Oh, yeah. That might have been the only interview like moment of the interview.

Basically, PTA's films came up, and Gill Dennis asked me why I thought he chose a certain approach to a certain character in "Magnolia." I of course could only remember the first half of the sequence in question, so he had to help me along and refresh my memory until I said what he was looking for. It wasn't much of a game, though.

Did they call you back yet??????

Yes Jayimess, they called me back. My interview will be in LA on Tuesday the 3rd. They offered a phone interview also, and even though it will be extremely convenient, I feel it might also be detrimental if I don't go in person. So yes, I am spending a shiz load to go to LA. I couldnt find tickets cheaper than 550!!!! And a hotel wont be any cheaper than 200 Im guessing. Oh I really hope they like me...then all of the expenditure will def be worth it.

I'm so glad you got scheduled, Tima!!

For my AFI interview, I drove from Ohio because flights were about five hundred...only took six hours and a tank of gas each way, haha. Hotel was only 130 for two nights, so wasn't too bad.

However, the trip to midtown Manhattan for my UCLA interview, with two nights in a hotel, cost thirteen hundred! I'd never been to NYC before, and I even told the gentlemen that I had to thank UCLA for making me finally come to the Big Apple, so it was worth it, I must say.

I wish you the best of luck.

Hey guys. I had a question. I'm interviewing this week, and was wondering if they had you pitch a project to them? Should I have a pitch prepared, or is it more of a one on one get to know me interview? I'm interviewing for the directing discipline.

Jeremy,

From everything everyone has said on the forum, the interview seems to be pretty laid back. I guess they want to know what your interested in, what you do, what your like, etc etc. I also applied to the directing discipline. My interview is Tuesday morning. When is yours? Maybe we can meet up.

Does anyone know the statistics for admissions at AFI. How many apply? How many they interview? And how many get in. I know they say they get several hundred applicants, (im guessing about 1000) and they take "28 Directors, 28 Cinematographers,14 Editors,28 Producers, Up to 14 Production Designers, and 28 Screenwriters". That means a total of 140. Anyways, if anyone knows anymore than this, please update us.

Oh and Jeremy, do you know who is interviewing you?

They told me they interview about double what they accept.

In my interview, they asked me if I had a particular script in mind to write as my thesis. I did not answer well, in my opinion. (I'm a Screenwriting applicant)

thanks ya'll. good luck with your interviews. Mine's Wednesday, so cheers to a good interview all around.

The interview went well. Not sure how to read the situation. The only concern was my age (since I'm 22), and that was kinda discouraging. But the interview was pretty relaxed.

Jeremy, why did your age of 22 discourage you? I went down for an interview and I'm 22 and I didn't get a sense that that made a difference.

I, too, am 22. Just a quick note of advice for future interviews with schools and future endeavors - don't let your age make you feel like you aren't good enough. You got an interview, which means you meet their requirement. Just be yourself - your best self. It was hard for me, too, while I was preparing for my UCLA interview to not get intimidated by other people who may have more experience than I do. But hey, you're talented enough to have made it this far, and I think that says a lot! So don't let your age get in the way of your life goals.

Yeah, why did it discourage you Jeremy? Im 21 and actually toward the end they reassured me that my age was not an issue: I asked "Well it is rumored that AFI puts heavy weight on experience and well as you are aware, due to my age, I probably do not have as much and my question for you is where does my age and amount of experience put me?" And they said "well we have obviously seen your work, and you def. show a good amount of confidence and thats all that matters" and then McBride said "experience is only ONE out of the many things we look at". So if you were interviewed your age obviously was overlooked...which is a positive thing. But, if you know you have enough experience then your fine, your age should not hurt you.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tima,

I had my interview today. The funny thing is, people on this site flew to LA from all over the country for in person interviews and here I live fifteen minutes from AFI and I'm the one who has to do it by phone. The problem was it was scheduled at the last minute and when I got the call I had literally just landed in Texas.

My story is a little different then the others posted. We didn't talk about specific films or screenwriting structures at all. They asked if I had some kind of plan for paying tuition, why I applied to film school and why specifically AFI. They wanted to know if I had any questions about the program. At the very end, they commented a little on my essay and writing sample (kind words luckily). The whole thing lasted about thirty minutes.

Has anybody not had their interview yet?

Anyway, ten days and counting. Good luck everyone!

Thanks everyone. I'm more at ease now. They were extremely positive about my films and essay (and even called me charming). In fact, half of the interview was us just having a conversation (which I hope it was a good thing). In any case, whatever's meant to happen will.

P.S. Who here is applying for the Directing Discipline?

P.S. What's your read on the interview? Was the lack of creative discussion a good thing or a bad thing?