Yulin writes,
Hello! Please allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Cassie Liu, a applicant for UCLA 2010 MFA Directing/Production Program. I read your blog which helps me a lot for the application. A few days ago, I received the “Interview Request” from UCLA. I know this is a great news for me. But I’m a little nervous and do not know how to prepare it. I read that one of your blog articles is “How I Got Into UCLA Film School” and mentioned your interview in last year .

So would you please give me some advices for this interview? How long this interview will be taken? It’s difficult? What kind of questions the professors will ask? And also, the letter told me that I need pitch a new short film idea to interview committee.Is it just an idea? Or I need do more preparation?

I hope these too many questions would not bother you. I shall be VERY appreciated for your kind help

Best wishes,
Yulin

The interview time is upon us again. 64 students will be invited to interview for UCLA’s MFA Directing Program. 18 applicants will be chosen with around 8 people on the wait list. I got in off the wait list, as did two of my classmates that I know of, so it’s not all over if you are waitlisted.

For my interview I flew to New York and met with professors Becky Smith and Rory Kelley, both very nice people. Three things I remember happening in the interview:

1. We sat and discussed my life and background, I think most of the questions were initially based on my Statement of Purpose.
2. I named five films that I would take with me to a desert island. We also discussed my selection of films and why I chose them. One thing I remember distinctly is we talked about any threads that might exist between them.
3. I gave my informal pitch. Before I began they told me not to talk about any thematic issues: just tell the story as clearly and succinctly as possible. I would say that this is a clearly developed story with a beginning, middle and end. You want to give an outline of the main characters, conflict and resolution. A book that I read and reread in preparing for my interviews was Good in a Room by Stephanie Palmer. It gives good advice on pitching, networking, professionalism etc.

They didn’t exactly happen in that order for everyone. I talked with them for an hour, which I felt might have been a bit long judging by what my classmates have said. It was very relaxed, and I left feeling pretty good. I wore a sportcoat with a turtleneck, which I felt might almost have been too formal.

The people here at UCLA are looking to put a class together, so if you make it to the interview and don’t make it into the school, it may be because your classmates are different. Getting rejected from film school is no excuse to not become a filmmaker. In fact there is no excuse for not becoming a filmmaker if that is what you want to be. Film school helps a lot but is by no means essential. I’m going to write more about my feelings on the film school/no film school debate later.

This year, due to lovely California budget cuts, there will be no interviews in New York. I believe some interviews may be held over Skype. Try and get out to your interview if possible, it makes a lasting impression.

Also, write thank you notes to the professors you interview with. It helps to be cordial, and may help them remember you while they’re making those difficult decisions.

Good luck to everyone going into the interviews. Let me know if there are more questions.