I did not submit a reel or bring anything with me for the interview. We just talked about my work and what I was looking to do as a creative producer. Speak to your strengths and just mention at the end of the interview that if there is anything else you could provide to help her make a decision, that you would happy to get additional materials to her. For me, she said thank you but didn't ask for anything.

If Chapman accepts 14 people per program, does anyone know how many people apply?

Also, Winter, has anything new happened with the possible screenwriting program changes?

red...

I hope your interview goes well. As far as a reel is concerned. If you don't believe that you reel is strong then it is probably better not to bring it, but rather, to offer to provide it as seventhshade suggested. However, something you may want to think about when considering whether your reel is actually strong or not is what it will present to the program that you are applying. The reason that I brought my reel with me is that I felt that just the presence of the reel and resume placed neatly in a folder showed forethought and a slight degree of professionalism which are particularly important in producing. Whereas, if I had applied for cinematography and felt that my reel didn't positively showcase my abilities or potential in that area, then it probably would not be the best idea to bring it. If you do bring your reel she may not even watch it, you never know, but just the forethought and effort to bring it could speak positively of your desire to get into the producing program and your potential to do well in that particular area. I am comfortable with the strength of my reel so I guess the decision probably wasn't as difficult for me. But, the biggest reason I brought was because of what bringing the reel itself would say rather than what was actually in the reel itself, which was a secondary concern. For you, offering the reel might present a similar degree of forethought while lessening the risk or hurting yourself through the content of the reel. Again, I hope your interview goes well and that have an enjoyable time in the process.
Peace!

So I went over to Chapman on Friday, and talked to Ben Cox in the graduate admissions office. Just as I suspected... no answer yet. Not a peep. No indication, either, of whether or not it has been passed from my top choice discipline to my second choice. (Twiddles thumbs)

NH:

I'm up for making a movie!

Red:

Good luck!!! Remember to wear deodorant.

Hey All,

I am also still waiting to hear SOMETHING from Chapman. I applied priority for the MFA Screenwriting and have grown tired of checking WebAdvisor everyday. Since I have been accepted at 3 other schools and the decision date is quickly approaching I am curious if anyone here has a pulse on when decisions for Chapman will be sent out. Could any current students, Winter?, say when they heard last year? Having such a late regular admission deadline, May 1 wtf, freaks me out that I might have to send a deposit somewhere else only to hear I was accepted to Chapman in late May!

Btw, cna any current Chapman MFA Screenwriters comment on the changes to the curriculum that they don't like? Winter? Does this involve the 2nd Year Production Workshop class?

Thanks.

Did my interview with Dezso Magyar today and had a good time. He was gracious and it was an easy conversation. Mentioned that they should be making their decision within the next ten days. Fun.. Fun...

Hey, I was just wondering what fellowship/scholarship packages usually look like for second and third year students. Anyone?

I was accepted early march.

If you don't come in with a fellowship, you're fairly out of luck. There are a couple merit based awards, but they aren't technically offered through chapman and they're few and far between.

We clarified with the department head (Re our issue with the SW program) and the majority of writers have been appeased. However, I have to say, the screenwriting profs are fantastic, as are the guests they bring onto campus. Chapman is unique in that it sells its program as collaborative, but lately it seems to be catering to the Autuer. The curriculum changes appeared to reflect that and compromises were made to not slight the writers. I'm not sure about my current feelings, but I can't really see a better SW program for the price even with the changes.

Neo:

I was told last week that they "will try to let everyone know by the end of May."

Of course, 5 weeks ago I was told that "final decisions will be made within 3 weeks."

Also, I have heard of a few people who were notified only days before orientation.

Winter,

Thank you for your responses to both questions. Your posts on the this board are invaluable.

Fox,

As a fellow 'decision pending' thanks for digging in on when we may hear. We at least have to remain positive that we haven't received the one-page letter of pain yet.

Sounds like I'm going to have to put in a deposit to one of the schools I'm accepted to and if Chapman does come calling in May I'll get to decide all over again.

Hey, just wanted to throw in a few of my own cents..

I checked out the school last week, really, REALLY impressive. To those still waiting, it's kind of weird, I guess they do each discipline differently, because I heard in mid March that I was accepted (into Editing). Also, since you mentioned the "one-page letter of pain," I want to add that my acceptance letter came on one page in a "rejection-sized" envelope, instead of a big packet that most schools send - so don't assume anything by the size of the letter (like I did). It also came with a DVD (a hint that I probably wasn't rejected) but apparently some of you have already gotten those?

Winter, I'm surprised to hear that there is a shift towards auteurs.. From what I read it seemed that there was a heavy stress on directors finding screenwriters and then working together. Have to say, the latter sounds more like how the industry would work, and is one of the things I really liked about Chapman. Do you still get to have your screenplays shot by the production students?

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

Winter, I was just wondering: how do you feel about your job prospects when you graduate?

Bware- I think I might have met you briefly when you checked out the school if Darryl gave the tour. I tend to be standard on his tour if I'm around. lol.

Actually the reason the SW were so up in arms was exactly as you say-- Chapman sells itself as a collaborative school. Many of our Admins are coming from AFI and I think they unintentionally try to shift towards the AFI mindset. But the dept chair is a screenwriter and the screenwriting faculty are quiet, but powerful. And the SW students are loud, strangely enough. So I'm not sure where all this is heading, but at the recent "Women in Focus" symposium they presented, they were catering to the writers and there still is one fairly large required collaboration so we'll see.

Bartleby, I wonder that everyday. I think my prospects are decent since I'm an edgy female comedy writer-- I don't think any others in my year fit that bill and so I've been approached by many producers already with collaborations or options. On top of that, the SW professors are willing to put their neck out for us to help us get noticed. Mankiewicz in particular has a soft spot for writers and makes sure we're first in line for internships or work with his friends. Most recently he's trying to bring us on the latest Richard Donnor set.

I've also made some great peer business contacts-- people I see as having a lot of talent and potential who love to work with me as well. Then again, through this site I have contacts in most of the big schools that I can call friends.

So I'm thinking positive, but this industry is such a gamble. And if I let myself think negatively I'll never be able to complete the work they have us doing.

PS-- This site is such a procrastination tool. I'm off to work on my features.

Winter - it's possible, I was touring with Darryl. I think it was the 10th of April.. haha, around 2? I was wearing a hat and sunglasses... if that helps.. lol

On a related note, I've officially sent in my deposit and all that, so it looks like I am almost definitely going to join the "Chapman family" this fall as an Editor! Now who needs a roommate?? haha.. no seriously though. I need a place to live.

Anyway, kind of bummed to hear about the SW issues, I hope all that gets resolved. Are the second and third year projects still written by SWs?

And edgy comedy, huh? I'm already a fan! Do you mean like the recent Apatow-style? Or more dark comedy? Either way, maybe we can work together on something.

regarding Apatow...just saw "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" last night and thought it was quite hilarious

so many great quotes

Everything just happened so fast. I was asked to send a reel of Thursday - Wrestled with my DVD authoring on Friday - and sent out a DVD via fedex on Saturday that was destined to arrive on Tuesday.
On Wednsday I got a call from Darryl scheduling a phone interview for the next day (today) with Dezso Magyar. This completely caught me off guard. I was planning to fly out for the interview but the notice was so short!
so I had my interview today and had a lengthy talk with Dezso, who is an awesomem person. I have a feeling the interview went really well - in fact... I'm pretty sure Dezso said it was just a matter of formality now, at the end of the interview...

crazy.

I'm not yet opening my champagne bottle - and I might be eating my shoes later on on this forum - but if indeed I am accepted I am facing a really tough yet greta descision Columbia vs. Chapman. If indeed I got in, I will be flying in to CA ASAP to sit in on some classes and gather as much forst hand information as I can... Winter, will you be around?

Again... I might be dining on my own hat in a couple of days on this very thread... but if not... man, what an honor.

Sure I'll be around-- Give me the heads up and I'll show you around and introduce you to some awesome people.-- If I'm not in class of course.

thanks Winter... I'll PM you when I have concrete stuff...

Could they be getting around to Screenwriting AFTER Directing? Has any MFA Screenwriting applicants been contacted yet?

Winter,

I'm coming to the OC Sunday-Tuesday and hopefully will be taking the tour Monday morning they can. I'll probably check things out myself Sunday afternoon since I'm flying into the OC. Hope your finals are going well.

so uncool. This is my last day in the OC and i keep trying to find the graduate assistants and they're seriously mia. i guess they are really busy...but i wanted to meet you winter! plus see all the cool fun stuff.