<p>@swatdojo - well, my visual sample isn’t very good. In fact, it’s embarrassing to look at now. Heh. But my written samples are less embarrassing so I’d love to exchange those with people. I bet everyone’s is really interesting because it’s such a vague prompt.</p>
<p>I’m down to exchange some personal statements and writing sample stuff… haha
anything to pass the time really</p>
<p>@dream: when i get the chance it’d be cool to exhange personal statements with you</p>
<p>@mitchster: haha nice! were you thinking about doing a full episode of your power pals character? or did you create the E! piece just for this submission?</p>
<p>heres the link to my visual sample. there is some identifying info in there… but its public anyway and they’ll still be watching the same video regardless so i dont mind too much.</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - Hitman Project](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVjNfMoI0pA]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVjNfMoI0pA)</p>
<p>i was having trouble with vimeo at the time and i already had it uploaded to youtube so i just submitted that link.</p>
<p>if anyone wants to see essays just PM or something. XD</p>
<p>@swatdojo - I’m not finished yet but this is really cool. The music and color effect remind me of A Single Man a little.</p>
<p>@swatdojo: hey, yeah I want to continue the story line for the powerpals. It was significant for my to submit that piece because it was the first thing I had acted in and directed. I also wanted to convey a story in a short period of time. I enjoyed your sample, the simple story and loved the colour grading. </p>
<p>@dreamupsidedown and swatdojo my email is <a href="mailto:mitch_eisner@mac.com">mitch_eisner@mac.com</a>
I am down to swap personal statements/writing stuff so send me an email with your contact info</p>
<p>Just popping in to share some info:</p>
<p>Have you all read the Myths webpage of the SCA prospective student site? [USC</a> School of Cinematic Arts - Prospective Students Myth vs Reality](<a href=“http://www-cntv.usc.edu/prospective/myth-vs-reality/]USC”>http://www-cntv.usc.edu/prospective/myth-vs-reality/)</p>
<p>As you all know, USC doesn’t offer a BFA in Production. The degree is a BA and that means you will take Gen Ed classes and fulfill the university’s language requirement. Depending on how many classes that entails (many get AP credit for a couple of requirements, and can place out of much or all of the language requirement), these pesky GEs do need to be taken sometime, and SCA advises students to get through them ASAP. Then, you’ll be able to immerse yourselves in all-film, all-the-time for the later semesters. But all Film School students (all majors) do take film classes freshman year while also getting GE reqs out of the way. And in sophomore year (not sure why this has been mis-stated in many posts), you take the great production sequence (290) where each student writes/films/edits/directs five short films in one semester. It’s an amazing class (my S is taking this one now and one of the professors is an Oscar-winning cinematographer (Rosemary’s Baby, Bullett) where you will bond with many other SCA students in your year and push each other to more intensely satisfying work. Because the department and you will want your full attention to be on this creative challenge, they know you’ll need to avoid essay-heavy GEs that semester.</p>
<p>But film students have additional outlets for producing/directing their own films freshman year, like the several gonzo weekend film competitions USC sponsors.</p>
<p>As for the concern raised above regarding who owns what, if you haven’t already–read this:[USC</a> School of Cinematic Arts - About Communications & PR SCA IP/Copyright Policy](<a href=“http://cinema.usc.edu/about/communications/copyright.htm]USC”>http://cinema.usc.edu/about/communications/copyright.htm) </p>
<p>USC DOES NOT HOLD THE UNDERLYING RIGHTS OF STUDENT-PRODUCED WORKS. Even though USC may own the copyright rights to a Student-Produced Work that is an audiovisual work, the student retains ownership of intellectual property rights (including copyright rights) to the underlying script, idea, treatment, concept or other written work product related to any such audiovisual work (“Underlying Rights”). In other words if you later develop a feature, television show or game related to a Student-Produced Work that you created in a class here at USC/SCA, then you and your fellow creators will hold the rights entirely to any such new work developed and you do NOT need USC’s permission to develop/sell/distribute it. USC will not make any claim on such new works or income from such new works.</p>
<p>@shicko–Congrats on getting a phone interview! Hopefully this means good news will come our way soon!</p>
<p>@quwayo–The person who interviewed me didn’t mention anything about when a decision would be made, and I didn’t ask because I was too excited to think of any questions. As shicko and littlered3 have said, it’s really just like a conversation about your goals in applying to SCA and what kind of work you would like to do if you got in.</p>
<p>Madbean: Thanks for the info. Their “ownership” rights are pretty typical for big Universities whether you are doing film or biochemical research 
Chap and LMU use that as one of their “Come to our school instead” pitch, which is fine. </p>
<p>I really do hate this waiting. It is interesting that grad students and Starkies are getting their “invites” before those of us who will be there for 4 years. The transfers have to wait even longer…</p>
<p>Swat: Cool video. Loved the music and lighting effects</p>
<p>Madbean,
Thanks for your informative update on courses and making films in SCA. I knew you would be able to give an excellent overview of what to expect during freshmen year and beyond.</p>
<p>@Tornados…from previous posts: Both gyrotip and Anonymityftw got admitted to USC as CLAS undeclared in late January. Both got Dean’s scholarships and letters stating SCA has not made their decisions and they would hear back later. Happyfruit and Keely both got accepted in to SCA with Trustee/Presidential scholarship invites for interviews. Both went to Explore. While there they reported that 27 SCA invitations were sent out for Trustee/Presidential interviews. All 27 were admitted to SCA…and it appears about 10-12 of the 27 were from production. losthestory, shicko and littlered3 have been interviewed by phone. Last year Mel’s son was accepted in to CLAS undeclared in early March with the informative letter that SCA had not decided yet and then 2 weeks later he was admitted to SCA (production). He was not interviewed. It is getting exciting isn’t it?</p>
<p>Yes, Chattykathy, it is sooooooo exciting. Thank you for the information.</p>
<p>@tornados - are you applying to SCA too?</p>
<p>No, I knew I would never get accepted. My family is in that industry though, so it is important to me. I thought I would try to transfer in after my 1st year.</p>
<p>Aw, I think you’d have a decent change (even though you claim your stats aren’t good). I think SCA values creativity more than numbers.</p>
<p>Dream…I know I should have tried. It was stupid not too. My brother was a NMSF, amazing SAT’s, mediocre GPA though, but had recommendation letters from HIGH level people within the industry who had worked with him and he didn’t get in, so I figured I didn’t have a chance. </p>
<p>I am keeping your chances in my heart though!</p>
<p>Thanks tornados. And I, yours. :)</p>
<p>Like madbean, I have a sophomore in SCA, and I want to echo what she said about the level of film stuff that goes on freshman and sophomore years. My son took a huge load of TO classes first year, but also had time for some classes that satisfied critical studies requirements. He was pleasantly surprised to find out that he could pretty easily get into production courses too, and even took an overload in fall of sophomore year because there were so many he wanted to take. He has assisted on many student “senior thesis” films, and done some of the film competitions, which have been a blast. He’s now in the 290 class, and can barely come up for air. Between his own films and helping others, plus a film internship off campus, he’s fully occupied. So it really is a myth that you guys will be admitted to USC and then spend 2 years waiting to take a film class. Good luck to you all!</p>
<p>There are also opportunities for freshmen to work on TrojanVision, which is the USC TV station staffed by students under the auspices of the SCA. If you’re interested you can watch shows live streamed at trojanvision dot com. </p>
<p>As it’s described: "The station broadcasts 24/7 and can be viewed on every major college campus on the Open Student Television Network (OSTN) and the greater Los Angeles area on LA36 reaching 2 million homes. In addition, programming is available across the world through live and on-demand internet streaming. Created on September 15, 1997, Trojan Vision has become the touchstone of student television and has won numerous awards including Hermes Awards, Telly Awards, and the Student Emmy Award.Housing state of the art equipment, Trojan Vision gives students the opportunity to start at the beginning or work at a more experienced level right away. A part of USC’s school of cinematic arts, Trojan Vision is one of the few outlets that offers immediate real world opportunities. Members of Trojan Vision graduate prepared to take on any discipline in the entertainment industry. "</p>
<p>thanks for the comments on my visual sample! glad you enjoyed it.</p>
<p>also, thanks to everyone sharing their S’s experiences. its always motivational to hear that SCA continues to live up to and far beyond the expectations of filmmakers in attendance!</p>