<p>how did most of you write your personal statements? I'm having trouble starting because I'm not too sure if I should write it formally or informally, humor no humor.</p>
<p>I wrote my obituary. And I'm in production.</p>
<p>i don't know what the production personal statement was, but for screenwriting, i did mine all in third person and only focused on how when i was three, i decided i wanted to write.</p>
<p>la dee dah i suppose it worked.</p>
<p>i want to know when you all find out. shall be all forms of exciting.</p>
<p>did the apps and propoganda this year have the new school name on them?</p>
<p>OK, so my character profile is two pages, single spaced... it's getting REALLY close to the deadline, and I don't know how it happened! Does anyone think I can submit it anyway, if I think it's rather good, and reads quite briskly?</p>
<p>what was the length of your personal statements?</p>
<p>For your character profile, I think the best bet, to be safe, is to call USC and ask.</p>
<p>It's 1000 words exactly. If I have time, I guess I'll try to rewrite my character profile, but as it is, I'm express couriering it.</p>
<p>How do I title these essays? Should I put Personal Statement/Writing Sample Category: 1 on top then my own title, such as Debbie Does, or no?</p>
<p>You guys say that you're portfolio lists are 30 and 50 pages?? I thought it just had to be a list and not excerpts and actual materials. I tried to compact mine to the minimum and quickest read possible... did i screw myself???</p>
<p>Well I'm pretty sure it asked for excerpts. Also, for those interested, Wikipedia the SCA (School of Cinematic Arts, renamed) accepts</p>
<p>"The program is one of USC's most competitive specialty schools, accepting 150 out of roughly 1000 applicants each year."
So for those of you who suck at math, that's 18%.
Also, there are at least five different majors, so expect about 200 applicants for each divison, give or take a few 100. I'm applying to the screenwriting program too, but I haven't started my portfolio. I guess it helps that I'm only a junior. (And, I was kidding about the 18%)</p>
<p>I wish I knew how many of those 1,000 applicants were competitive in any way. I'm sure there are kids who play around with a video camera and decide to apply to USC's film school, but there is no way they'll be considered. </p>
<p>My son (jr. in h.s.) plans to apply there. His portfolio will probably end up including info on 7-10 films that he has written/produced/directed in addition to a few short screenplays and hopefully a feature-length screenplay. If it is just a listing, it couldn't take more than a page or two to tell about. Those longer portfolios must include excerpts from screenplays or other writing. Our son's resume is already about 3 pages, but that includes lots of stuff about extra-curricular activities that aren't all related to film.</p>
<p>generally a listing resume shouldn't be too long. mine was three pages, and i was recommended by two college counselors and a few admissions counselors to cut it down to one. it's now one page exactly, single spaced, size 9 font. definitely looks muuuuch more organized and professional than it did before. of course, i'm unaware of film school criteria, but as far as resumes go, that's what i've heard and experienced.</p>
<p>Well everything they're looking for is right here: <a href="http://cinema.usc.edu/academic_programs/writing/academic-writing-admissions-undergrad.cfm%5B/url%5D">http://cinema.usc.edu/academic_programs/writing/academic-writing-admissions-undergrad.cfm</a>
But I'm assuming you guys already know this. Also, do you think it's weird that you apply in December and don't find out until April. I guess they have a lot of stuff to look at. (Maybe it's all those 50 page applications, cough, cough.)
And when they say screenplay format, is there a standard one? Because if there is, I sure don't know it. Or can we just model transcripts of produced screenplays....
Stupid format. I smash you with my hammer!</p>
<p>timely - have your son enter all the contests. My friends son, just got into NYU Tisch for film making and is listed in the IMD database for an award winning film that he made for his high school assembly about Martin Luther King. He also (for pay) shoots kids videos that are applying to schools that ask for music auditions on tape. He started his own small film company that way. These are the kinds of kids that are a shoo-in - what they are looking for otherwise is uncertain and its best to stack all the cards your way.
As far as the extra curricular activites, your son should really focus on everything film related from now on. If your school films the sports games, the plays, the HS graduation, or stuff for your local public access, your son should volunteer to work on these. If there are electives in drama, writing, your son should take those next year. If he is truely focused, this is what the film school is looking for. These are mainly the kids that get in. With decent grades of course - at least a 3.6.</p>
<p>Raku - There is a standand screenplay format. Most libraries have books on telling you how to do it. It is very easy to use. Your work will look better to them if your screenplay follows the format</p>
<p>does anyone have stats for total number of applicants to cinema and % accepted? also stats per program in the school? anywhere i cant find them</p>
<p>they'll tell you if you call them. Critical Studies is 30% and Production is 5% but I dont know what writing is. And I'm going just on the numbers they told me last year when i applied, they might have changed. But if you call the cinema office and ask for the percentage they'll give you the exact number. I think about 1500 people applied last year.</p>