<p>Hi everyone! I'm a newb here and a senior at my school now. While school does not start in a few weeks for me, I'm already stressing over getting into the production class at USC. I just started on the applications and now I'm pretty much overwhelmed by what USC wants, as in the personal statement and two writing responses. Any tips and advice? Thanks!</p>
<p>Dont't stress out, but be warned that the Production track is a pretty difficult major/division to get into - its acceptance rate is somewhere around 4%, which is pretty harsh. The actual supplemental work is not all that difficult. For your second-choice major, you might want to pick/write the supplemental application for Critical Studies, which is a different track of the "Cinema-Television major" (quite a few eventually transfer over to Production). Both of them are "tracks" of a major which include a similar yet different sequence of "classes." To take a look at the different classes involved in these tracks, look at USC</a> Catalogue: The Schools: USC School of Cinematic Arts: Film and Television Production and USC</a> Catalogue: The Schools: USC School of Cinematic Arts: Critical Studies</p>
<p>The writing is probably the most important part of the application process, so show them that you have strong narrative storytelling in the samples (that's what they look at beyond any experience in film - which is why they don't ask for any film submissions). You can certainly note any film projects you may have had in your portfolio list, but try to diversify the list and include other items that show your creativity in general. The recommendations are really important too (you need at least three, they should be strong). </p>
<p>Do you know anyone personally that has had experience with SCA? Maybe they'd give you more personalized advice?
Good luck!</p>
<p>In the personal statement, make sure you articulate your vision and what you want to bring to your film career--not just what you want to get from SCA's great program and professors and industry contacts. I believe they try to put together the most creative and visionary incoming class from their extremely large pool of applicants. A lot of the value of the program is working with such gifted students and they want to know what you have to bring to the table.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>