Any news on when the pre-school festivities will occur? I'm getting to LA the weekend of the 10th, so I hope they're after that!

As far as the weddings on the 24th... isn't our orientation on the 23rd? So there's probably something happening on the 24th, because we'll be trying to form our groups for the first cycle projects. That's a pretty good excuse! Drinking also works...

Texas mafia? Hella yes! We should make cool matching leather jackets with our gang name on them and beat up other fellows for milk money.

August is near...yeah, let's start the festivities...what day is good for everyone? first or second week of august?

also, i randomly made friends with 3 current directors and maybe 2 cinematographers, who are all working on their thesis films right now. according to all of them (independently) the required viewing and reading list is not really required! aside from bruce block's "the visual story", films and reading material rarely gets referenced. there are no papers to write either...bruce block comes to lecture (or at least he did last year), and those who had read the book got a bit bored, cuz it's the exact same thing...

so everybody, if u were unable to get the books and films, or are pressed for times, do not worry! there's no pressure on those!

Thanks for that info, Nadine! The 13th and beyond is good for me for festivities.

Hey Nadine, I also know a few 2nd yrs. I'm curious if we have some frinds in common... may I ask their names?

Hi All,

Arrived yesterday to LA, still living the 10 hours difference from Tel Aviv, but - I'm here.
I don't have a number yet but if anyone wants to get together I'd love to - just drop me a line to tal [at] talazar.net
See you soon!

Tal.

Hey everyone! I arrived two days ago from Philadelphia. I'm looking for an apartment right now, and was wondering if anyone was finished with their Westside rentals membership? I would gladly buy the rest of the month(s) off of you. Once I'm settled I'll be down for hanging out. 215-740-4403 or lilyrshapiro@gmail.com

Lily
Production Design

Hi, I just thought I'd let everyone living in PAL countries know that Chris Schwartz told me they successfully screened PAL DVDs at last years screening. So we [luckily] don't need to convert to NTSC for our screening session on Aug 24th.

See ya soon!
Vegard

Hey guys! I just wanna get the word out about the AFI c/o 2009 Welcoming party. Meng Wang (producing) has been kind enough to plan this shindig, so here's the info, in case you missed his email:

Where: The Cat & Fiddle Casablanca Room (6530 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, Near AFI)
When: Saturday August 18th from 8:30pm on till 2am.
Style: Private lounge + Open Bar
Guest Policy: You are welcome to invite your significant others and friends to join us.
Dress code: Whatever makes you look yummy.

We need to know how many people will be able to show up, so please email either me at RubensteinC@gmail.com or Meng at meng_wong@msn.com with an RSVP.

I hope you all can make it, it would be great for everyone to meet each other before orientation!

sounds like a plan!
see you then!
Ariane

Ariane, are you on Facebook? Or for that matter, is anybody here? I created an event on Facebook, and it's a lot easier to keep track of people on there. My name is Christy Rubenstein. Friend me!

I've been sifting through my varying degrees of emotions in response to the death of Ingmar Bergman and in the process stumbled upon a question I thought might serve as a good ice breaker/orienter for us incoming fellows. So, here goes...

With arguably the world's greatest living filmmaker no longer doing the whole living bit, who now would you personally ordain with that title?

Since it wouldn't be fair to ask as much without answering it myself, I'll get it started with Lars Von Trier. Though I'm shooting from the hip here, so I might come back later and amend as much... possibly more than once.

Take care.

I know this is a little off the current discussion, BUT for all the producers out there, Amazon has just started shipping the third edition of The Biz. Get it quick while its in stock! Supposedly limited quantities. The website says preorder, but I clicked preorder and I got an email claiming it was shipping.

Steve Paratore (Producing)

edit/ I should probably add that its only 17 bucks too.

Hey there,
I hate to be a drag, but how does everyone feel about taking out 100,000+ in loans? I've done everything in my power to research the history of recent graduates --- i.e., how successful they have been in meeting their monthly payments --- and the results are drastically varied (I've interviewed nine, in person). Film school is great, but after graduation, I may be tied down at a 9-5 job just to make my payments....instead of making a film. Ya dig? I would love to hear anyone's thoughts.

and bradford, the greatest living filmmaker is definitely R. Kelly as evidenced by his hip-hop opera "Trapped in the Closet." Mega damn!

In this business, there are no guarantees: no guarantee you'll make your money back, no guarantee you'll be making a film right out of school, or that you'll ever make a film. So, doing research to see how successful AFI grads are is a good thing on the one hand. On the other, it's pointless--their success has no bearing on your success, except for AFI's good name and the connections we'll make. Every film school has shining stars and falling stars. We can't know which one we'll be. We'll only do as well as the work we put in, period. And maybe not even that well.

But if you love this gig, if it's what you want to do, you've already accepted that risk, and you believe it will pay off. You'll do whatever it takes, even take out $100,000+ in loans (as, clearly, you're already doing). With any luck, you'll pay it off in 10 years, rather than 30.

Seize the day.

Greatest living film maker: I just can't pick one, so . . . Ed Zwick, Michael Mann, Mr. Spielberg (I know, easy answer), and Stephen Soderberg would be in my top 10.

Ethan

Thanks for the response. How do others feel?

-When Steven Soderbergh is on set, he doesn't get tired, the set gets Soderberghed.

rkellyisthedopest -

first, my middle initial is "R" and my last name is "Kelly". how dope is that?

next, i adore Ethan Ransom's post in response to your concerns.

finally, i'm divulging some personal info in hopes of soothing your financial-soul: i've been lucky enough to stay out of debt completely for 23 years. i consider attending AFI as one of the best reasons to go into debt. that, and the pretty new car i finally bought.

it's the chance of a lifetime. let it be fun. find a way to settle your conscious and enjoy what we've been lucky enough to receive!

xo

okay hold your horses everyone!

this is not about money.

money is important and fabulous but not essential.

what is essential is making art. Good art. Films that move people, shake people, bring up issues and ask audiences questions. films that are beautiful to look at and engage the senses, that unite humanity.

1000 k is a lot of money

but art is invaluable and has no price tag.

you're either in or you're in. don't base your fears or worries on the future, stay in the present and be the best artist that you can be. or don't go to AFI.

steven spielberg didn't got AFI, he makes entertaining films and sometimes he makes good ones, he may be worth 1.3 billion dollars but he's not darren aronofsky and he's not david lynch and he's not you! So
who are you going to be???????

it's up to you and

for your sake
I hope to high heaven that you're all geniuses!

Gwen

"The more generous we are, the more joyous we become. The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we become. The more enthusiastic we are, the more productive we become. The more outgoing we are, the more helpful we become. The more curious we are, the more creative we become. The more patient we are, the more understanding we become. The more persistent we are, the more successful we become." ~ William Arthur Ward, (1921-1994)

quote:

myspace.com/vegardsorby

ps
i still need to find a place to live. keep me in mind?

ps i still need a place to live....keep me in mind?