<p>Obviously, I'm applying to the USC School of Cinematic Arts and I was wondering what the adcoms might be looking for in an applicant. It seems that they want people who are creative in general, not just in movies. I know what the web site says (really, I know it by heart), so please don't quote from there. Naturally, I'm most interested to hear from the people who have already been admitted or who are attending USC SCA. Sadly, most people don't post anymore after being admitted.</p>
<p>Where are you coming from artistically? Were films your only creative outlet or were you active in other art forms, as well? Did you have a lot of film experience when you applied? Has everybody already won awards (lately, it seems everyone I talk to has won an award for his/her film...)? What kind of work did you put in your portfolio? What strengths did you highlight, did you talk about your weaknesses as well? And so on... Of course, I don't want to rip anybody off, so you don't have to go into great detail (although it would be interesting). I'm just curious to know what qualities the people who were admitted displayed.</p>
<p>As for me, film sound and sound design is were I'm coming from. While I think that the visuals of a movie are important (after all, you watch a movie, you don't listen to it), I do think that sound is significant as well. So most of my experience in film production is sound- and music-related. But I certainly don't want to limit myself to this area, I'd like to think of it as my "specialty". Other than that, I have been an actor for almost my whole life (mostly theatre, though) and am an amateur photographer. I'm also interested in "digital art". So, what do you guys think?</p>
<p>I'm attending in the Fall for Production. I had a short screenplay and some creative writing and poetry, plus performing arts (chorale, ballet), in addition to a modest number of digital shorts. No film awards, but I was top in the Understanding & Creating Movies course I took with UC Berkeley's talent development program for high schoolers, and 2 community stations expressed interest (never happened) in broadcasting my final project. I write eloquently, so my personal statements were very good. And I was ranked 1st in a class of 128.</p>
<p>I think the focus on sound will be great for your essays because that's something different that most people don't think about. The acting and photography are fabulous for the portfolio list.</p>
<p>Wow, congrats on getting in! I'm not sure if I should envy or just simply hate you :D
That's quite a list you have here! So, how long was your written portfolio? Did you only mention bigger projects or basically everything you ever did and consider creative? How were your recommendations?</p>
<p>My problem (or rather my fear) is that I don't have enough experience in making movies (except for the sound part). On the other hand, I think I could make up for it by emphasizing my creative diversity.
What do you think, how much do they value experience in movie making? After all, the portfolio should not be only movie-related, so I might have a chance...
I'm sorry that I'm clinging to you so annoyingly, but you're actually the only one I know who got in.</p>
<p>Oh, I was second of my class, by the way. :)</p>
<p>My portfolio was slightly over 2 pages, and I mentioned all sorts of things in addition to major projects... my favorite poems, a quilt I made for a Girl Scout Service project, a self-recording of me singing, a research paper on the Japanese film industry. My recs were great -- teachers/choir director from different creative realms, and I was the top in all their classes, so they had nothing bad to say.</p>
<p>I only had one short video project that wasn't done during the summer I took my course (in which I made like a dozen). I'd recommend making a 30-second or 1 minute PSA sometime with a digital camera. You can put it on your portfolio list and there are plenty of contests out there for PSAs in which you can try to win scholarship money.
I think high quality creative energy in any category is far more important than mediocre quality filmmaking. You definitely sound like a contender to me, but I have only met some of my fellow classmates so far, so I can't give you a full comparison.</p>
<p>Don't feel bad about asking for advice, I was in the same position as you last year and remember very clearly how desperate I was for counsel, but it was so hard to find any. That's why I've come back to share my experiences with others... I've got new friends in Kenya and Russia now who I'm giving advice to also!</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I think it's great that you've come back to answer questions and share your experiences!
Your portfolio seemed to be pretty diverse, so I guess I can include most of my creative work in mine as well. I just don't want it to look like a laundry list...</p>
<p>OK, so what's a "PSA"? That's an abbreviation I've never heard before (probably because I'm not a native speaker).</p>
<p>Thank's again for taking the time to answer my questions!</p>
<p>yep. public service announcement. It is like a commercial, except advocating a good cause like "Don't drink and drive" or "Smoking kills"... like that. I always say "digital camera" and mean a camcorder, in case anyone is confused by that. I mix up words like that all the time.</p>