<p>I just got a very nice e-mail from the Interlochen Arts Camp stating that I was not recommended to be a part of the Intermediate Filmmaking Program which I had applied to. This majorly bummed me out. Has anybody had any experience relating to this? I would really love to do this program and desperately want to know if there is any way that I could actually do this program. </p>
<p>I’m a current eighth grader, by the way. The only real effort that we had to put into the application was to write a short paragraph about why we would like to be a part of the program. It seemed like it was a pretty all-inclusive program…</p>
<p>Just to add a little more info, I want to go to Interlochen for high school my sophomore year on the film track so it’s vital for me to get some experience. </p>
<p>Sorry to be constantly adding to this but I want to reply to the email and ask why I didn’t get accepted and if there’s anything more that I could do. If I’m going to do that, I need to do it soon. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>A rejection is a rejection and I don’t think asking why will do much. You should just move on and make other plans for summer. You can spend summer well without the help of a program.</p>
<p>I think it would help if you clearly defined WHY you want to go to interlochen camp so badly (especially interlochen High School, since you’ve said you want to attend your sophomore year). </p>
<p>Is it the equipment? Because if it is, you could buy yourself a cheap set of starter equipment for the $900 class tuition. If you actually plan on attending Interlochen High School ($30,000 a year I think), you can put that money not-spent towards a healthy amount of expensive, high quality equipment. That kind of money could actually finance a short feature film. And you’d own everything. (no sharing necessary)</p>
<p>Is it the experience? Because if it is, what makes you think you can’t get this experience elsewhere? Though working in an environment with other students may be ideal for comfort, you can still learn everything you need to about filmmaking completely independently. There are amazing books and tutorials out there that’ll help you too.</p>
<p>Is it the reputation? Because if it is, I can assure you the title “Interlochen High Graduate” may look pretty on a college transcript (and might even get you into a school like USC where you can spend yet another $100,000), but it really means nothing ‘out in the real world’ if you don’t have the talent to back it up. This sort of talent can’t be bought. There will always be USC graduates who spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on “becoming a better filmmaker” and they’re still subpar, average story tellers, and there will always be high school dropouts who happen to be filmmaking/story telling geniuses without having spent a day in a stuffy classroom (Quentin Tarantino anyone?). Part of it’s just luck of the draw. The real question is how much money you want to spend to find that out. </p>
<p>I guess what I’m trying to tell you is don’t let this rejection bog you down. Don’t play this game of silly credentials. If you really, truly want to attend Interlochen High for the RIGHT reasons (and it won’t send you into spiraling debt while you’re at it), go for it. But if you want to get into these programs because you think the program itself (and the words on a piece of paper stating you’ve attended such programs) will get you a career, you need to think again. I’m telling you right now that with the correct strategy and mindset, you can learn just as much - if not more - than every single one of those filmmaking kids at Interlochen, for a fraction of the price, through nothing but your own grit and determination. There’s nothing stopping you. Don’t treat this camp, and the high school, and eventually a university or any other program, as the gateway to your future. Unless you give them the keys to your progress, they can’t prevent you from achieving anything. Don’t let anyone stop you. </p>
<p>Maybe the rejection was a good thing. If you got rejected, it means something went wrong. Maybe you weren’t ready for the camp, skill-wise. I think it’d be best for you to take a year or two and practice on your own. You should really confirm this is something you want before you make a huge commitment like applying to Interlochen high. You might discover one of two things: one, that you don’t really want this in the first place, or two, that you’re learning and excelling just fine on your own, and you don’t need Interlochen after all. </p>
<p>Good luck. </p>