anyone decline AFI to attend USC? or vice versa (turn down USC to attend AFI?)

curious about your decision making process in this regard

please advise!

So let me say I turned down AFI to go USC cause it simply has deep ties to every form of production from post to pre. Plus the faculty is amazing Mr THX and Steven speilberg come around all the time. . I know I still think of the what Ifs. But trust me if you got into AFI you are ahead of th game it. I wanted forever to to AFI since i was a kid but USC resources and faculties are a million times better.

I had a chance to visit USC, UCLA, AFI and Chapman, while I was in LA for my AFI interview. USC does have the best equipment bar none, with an immaculate campus and state-of-the-art computer labs and productikon equipment. However, I have heard that there are a lot of politics when it comes to who gets to direct what, so you're not assured to even get to make your own stories once you get there. You also have to spend an extra year there, trying to figure out what you want to specialize in, whereas you've chosen that by the time you get to AFI and can get to work. What I did like about AFI was the organic, work-intensive approach they took to their program. You spend the entire time there just making stuff and getting better that way. The current students I met there seemed exhausted (in a good way) as they have been working on making films non-stop since August. I found the facilities (at least for editing) to be slightly underwhelming, but adequate enough to get the job done. I think you're working so hard anyway that it doesn't become an issue.

Chapman was also state of the art but everything ran on PCs which disturbed me. Also, the students seemed about 5 years younger in general than AFI students and there wasn't the same vibe there at all as there was at the other schools. UCLA's film buildings seemed like they were built in the 70's and not really updated since. Didn't get much of an impression but it seemed really relaxed, and a little sleepy when I was there. I honestly think you'll be ok if you go to USC/UCLA/AFI-- they are all somewhat comparable and depend more on personal taste and where you are at in your life. Chapman hasn't built that alumni track record yet so for me, I would have to wait and see.

Hi All,
Has anyone who applied by the 15th May deadline heard from AFI yet? I have applied to the cinematography discipline and am wondering when to expect news from them. The website/application form only mentions timelines for those who applied in December (the regular deadline)
Great thread, i am applying from India and don't know many people who have attended these schools, this thread is full of useful information.

Cheers,
mymindinside

Hi everyone. Congrats to those of you who got in. This is really exciting. Since they have extended the deadlines for PD to August 1st, I'm hoping they didn't have enough applicants?
I have been working to put together my application and portfolio and think I should be done in the next 10 days. But I don't have any degree in Art, so all of my work is personal projects and drawings. Any advice on what line of work they're looking for in our portfolios?

I applied the PD program on the May 15th deadline and haven't heard anything yet.

I did get an envelope in the mail from them that I could tell contained a single sheet of paper, and I panicked because I knew that a single sheet of paper probably wouldn't be good news. So I left the envelope on the coffee table for about an hour and then gathered up enough nerve to open it...and it turned out to be a receipt for the application fee. Haha.

-Kate

@Kate,

lol~ That's the same thing happened on me. And I guess we're not the only ones who was scared by this sheet of paper.

Hey Guys,

Congrats to those of you that got in. I am going into my second year of screenwriting at AFI. My roommate Max and I are looking for another roommate to take are extra bedroom. We are about 8 min from campus. Max lives in the living room which is sectioned off as his room. The rent is 680 a month. Email me @ levimfs@yahoo.com if you are interested. Thanks have a great summer! I look forward to meeting you all this fall.
Levi

I got in!

Hey thats great Jerry Bruckheimer Fan! What disciple did you apply to?
EDIT: saw that you applied for Directing - read the first part of the thread. You applied in December didn't you? were you an alternate till now?
Did they let you know in this past week? i thought that the office was closed till monday the 11th because of renovations..
I am a cinematography alternate and counting each day till i know either way

cheers,
mymindinside

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mymindinside,

Hey mymindinside, thanks. I appreciate it. I actually applied to both directing and producing. It was a no-go for directing, but I did get in as a producer.

Sounds good, i'm sure you'll have a great time there. Keeping my fingers crossed and hopefully i'll see you there!

Are there any other cinematography alternates here?

cheers,
mymindinside

no alternates left?

cheers,
mymindinside