hey dardo1, what are you doing now? I mean did you succeed in film industry after graduation from CU?

As fate would have it I made stops at other schools, earning an MA and PhD and becaming a therapist.

Is it hard to get into chapman as an undergraduate? It seems like most of you are graduates. I'm a junior in high school and am in love with chapman. I plan to apply in november. Any advise?

I believe there is a chapman undergrad thread.. it is difficult to get in as an undergrad, but much harder as a grad-- mainly because there are so many more spaces for undergrads. I recommend taking a tour of the school and asking the tour guide (Usually undergrads) if they have any advice.

Also, sounds to me that dardo1 was an undergrad.. so he might have more insight

Also, try posting on undergrad threads, you're more likely to hear from the right people.

Good luck.

Got the feeling I'm not going to get an interview w/NYU. Trying to remain positive, but it's looking kind of grim. My question (in order to keep my hopes up, plus honest replies only please) has anyone in here gotten the boot from NYU, no interview, no admission, and still got into Chapman?

Truth... NYU and chapman are so different in style and theory I don't know many people who applied to both. However, remember every grad school is looking for something different, looking for people that fit its individual personality.

Keep positive. Keep in touch with both schools. Ask if they need you to send any additional materials. And remember even if you don't get in this year its not the end of the world. Work for a year, save up money or experience, and try again later. Remember grad school is hella expensive!

Good luck!

I just checked webadvisor for chapman. My status changed to decision pending. Is that bad news? I only ask because I was told emails wouldn't go out for another week.

chapman is going to notify us soon?! oh no! i really like chapman it's my #1...

btw wannabe2, did you hear from nyu? i got nothing...what does that mean?!

Hey, NYU gave me the finger. But I'll be honest, the more I read about Chapman the more I wanted to be accepted there. They seem to be really organized. I don't know how they are on the funding of tuition, but I really get the impression that if you are able to make a name for yourself there, you have a pretty good chance of finding employment in the industry afterward. Yea, I really want to go there too. But I wonder of Decision Pending on Webadvisor means "yea, we looked at it, yawn"

my status for chapman has said decision pending since they first mailed me the login info for webadvisor...I'm pretty sure it just means that your stuff is in and going for review or is already being reviewed...from what I saw on last years posts, it seems that if it tells you a decision has been made as opposed to congratulations you have been accepted, then you might be in trouble. Wannabe...what did your webadvisor say before it changed to decision pending?

Phew! That's good news,

I think it just said file complete, no "pending".

Thanks for pulling me off of the ledge.

oh yea they kept telling me decision pending for like..weeks. I have the greatest story with Chapman..it's not that great but that's not stopping me from sharing.

They sent me a letter in the mail saying that they didn't receive my application fee, which I'm certain I turned in. After being re-routed to 5 different departments and no one really knowing the answer I called back again (4th time in 2 hours) and this very competent woman told me that they made a mistake and that my check was in all along. I don't know why every person before that couldn't have told me that...oh well.

The moral of the story is...that every time I called they told me my application was "decision pending" which just means it's in review and that they'll let you know.

hi everyone! I'm a 1st year Grad Chapman director. If you guys have any questions about the production program let me know. I remember how tough it was making this decision last year...and how stressful Let me know if I can be of any help.

hey Philly,
that's very kind of you. I was wondering if you applied to any other programs besides Chapman and what ultimately made you decide you wanted to go there.
Also, how do you like it so far? I visited the campus an thought it looked amazing, but an inside perspective could be very helpful.

Hey Birdman-

Yes, I applied to several different programs. It ultimately came down to choosing between USC and Chapman for me...I got my undergraduate degree from Temple University in Film production. I wanted to go to a graduate school that had a strong emphasis is narrative storytelling. My undergrad was very independent filmmaker centric, so I was looking for something with more of a studio feel. I was sick of trying to do everything myself Chapman definitely provides the studio aspect. Everyone works together here quite well...and is expected to.
The reason I chose Chapman over USC was a few reasons.
1) Chapman funds your films. They give you film stock and money for every production you have to make. 1st year you make a 5 minute film. 2nd year you direct a 15 minute production that one of the fabulous screenwriters writes. The third year you make your thesis.
2) You own the rights to your films-not the school. This is important because if you get distribution, you make the money off of it. (Not that it's a lot, but every little bit counts. Who knows, if you become famous maybe your student work will become priceless one day!)
3) The students are a crap load less pretentious than the students I met at USC. Everyone here seems to want to make the best films they can and for the most part are open to constructive criticism and suggestions. I have met amazing people that have helped me creatively and logistically.
4) Our facilities rock and so do our professors! The Marion Knott studio is an amazing facility that's full of professors that are accessible and talented. I'm taking Directing with John Badham right now and his insight is invaluable when working with actors. I mean come on, he's directed John Travolta, Johnny Depp, Matthew Broderick, Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez, Rosie O'Donnell, Christopher Walken, Mel Gibson, Goldie Hawn, Wesley Snipes...do I need to go on??

So-That's why I chose Chapman. I'm enjoying myself a lot so far. I have to admit I miss my city I moved here from Philadelphia-Orange is not a metropolis but we are only a half hour from LA. Filmmaking fortunately keeps me busy. The main campus is a little conservative for my liking, but there are wonderful more liberal people in the film school. We're definitely our own entity apart from Chapman.

What other questions do you have??

Hey Philly:

What I want to know is how many of your cohort had a substantial background in film? As you were a film undergrad, I would classify that as substantial. How many students had limited to no background in film? I know they fund the film, but what about the rest of fin. aid? Lastly, when do they start notifying the lucky candidates?

Thanks,

Oh, and if you could casually move my application to the yes pile next time you're in the office I'd appreciate.

Hey Wannabe-

What emphasis are yo trying to get in to? In my year there are 13 Directors. 3 Women 10 Men. Of that number I would say that about 7 or 8 had "substantial" film experience. We have undergraduates degrees ranging from Film production, film theory, anthropology, graphic design, education, african american studies, etc. All of the directors are very different but I think we all have one thing in common. We have a strong voice and a passion for storytelling.
As far as fin aid goes-I'm guessing you're asking about grants. Chapman doesn't give much money to its Directors. There are a few directors on fulbright scholarships and a few with small grants from the university. I wouldn't expect it though...not if you get chosen to be a director. The directing slots are so competitive that they can fill them without giving away money. Many of the other emphases got scholarship money though. Since the university does give you money for your productions, I take that off the tuition. You know? Since ultimately the films I make will be mine.
As far as notification goes-I got an email in mid-March to submit my reel. I got a phone call from the director of the program offering me a slot in the beginning of April. A lot of the other director didn't find out until the end of April and even May. One guy got the call in July. It's a process you know. Deposits are due the middle of April (I think) so if they offer the slot to someone and they don't take it, they'll call the next choice on the list after April 15th-ish. At least this is what I remember from last year. They could have a different model for this year..

The one thing I can tell you though is that the class sizes keep getting smaller and more selective. There are 27 third year directors right now and only 13 first year directors. I don't imagine them letting in anymore than 13 next year. Of course this is purely my speculation-I'm not the one that makes the decisions.
Got anything else??

I did apply for the Film Production/Directing and Cine as my second choice. I'm sure the competition is quite steep, but I'll keep my fingers crossed just the same.

The cinematography program at Chapman is great too! Bill Dill heads up the department. He's great He used to teach at AFI-as did many of our professors.

*loves Philly* We only ever take Manks class together.

To elaborate on what Philly said--

Chapman is getting more and more selective with its students and the chances of any grad program at Chapman letting more than 13 students in is very unlikely. (there are 12 Screenwriters and I think 13 cines.. etc) However, that doesn't really mean you have to have extensive film background. But you do have to have strong writing and a decent academic record to be considered.

Grants rarely amount to more than a few thousand dollars, but the access and discount we receive makes up for it. (You can buy avid media composer for $300 as opposed to $5000)Plus the Industry insider dinners they throw for us and other advanced access to films, screenplays, etc. Film school is always a give and take- so Far I think its worth it.

The biggest reasons that Chapman is awesome are the people who go there. As Philly pointed out, pretense is low here-- so much so that those few with egos tend to stick out like a sore thumb. Seriously, its a very collaborative atmosphere which is great, but not for everybody. The Faculty are also amazing-- and for the most part very interested in advancing your careers and pointing you in the right directions. Heck, I'm only a first year and I already have a producer offering to option the screenplay I'm writing for my feature class. Can't beat that.

I found out my acceptance in the middle of march. Hopefully that gives you a better timeline-- they DON'T interview everyone, so don't get nervous if you aren't getting the interview invitation.

Best of luck to all!