Ok, several questions about screenplay samples/short films for applying...

[Aldenard]

...to colleges. I have to submit several screenplay samples as well as a short film for this one film school I want to get into.

1. Are there certain things the judges will look for? Is there a certain aspect I should make my material appeal to?

2. Is cursing allowed? I realize that may sound like a stupid question, but many people do not like it and I was wondering if that would appear to be crude. I understand if you abused words, such as saying the 'f' word over and over, but how would the school view a film that said a naughty word every now and then?

3. How would the school view violent material in a sample film? Would it be utterly tasteless (even if it was justified in the premise of the film)?

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions/comments.

[NikeeGoddess]

no suggestions or comments but a question.

why ask this now...after you've submitted? the answers won't change what you've submitted. and they won't confirm your results whether they be good or bad.

okay, i do have a suggestion. ask this question to the one who selects the students into the program. they're the only one who can give you a real answer. and then don't assume that whatever they answer/their opinions will be the same at a different school.

i also suggest that if you don't get in then go wherever....and don't depend on your parents money. apply for student loans and grants. you'll be more likely to attend class if you have to pay for it yourself ;)

[Aldenard]

I havn't submitted the material YET. I have submitted the application, but I have until Dec. 15th for the creative portfolio submission.

[odocoileus]

For film school projects, pretty much anything goes as long as long as it's appropriate for the piece. Soldiers in combat, for example, are going to use foul language a lot, though you may have one soldier who doesn't curse, this being a character detail that sets him apart. By contrast, you wouldn't want nuns who teach in a Catholic grade school throwing out a lot of MF's and beyotches.

The one area that can get you into trouble is doing stuff that's not PC or too right wing. In theory you should be able to do a film about a local klansman who's really a nice guy and kind to animals, or a film that suggests that provocative dress may encourage sexual harrassment. In practice, it could turn a lot of feminist profs and TA's against you.

It's not uncommon for student films in college to have nudity, cursing, violence. In my 16mm silent class at UW Madison, one of my classmates showed a film with him having sex with his girlfriend. They were both buck, and really doing it. :eek:

(They were both attractive, so it probably didn't hurt his grade.)

If you want to go to school in FL, also check out Florida State. As I said before, I've worked with a lot of grads from there on TV shows. UCF's big draw may be it's Disney connection. I know they have Theater internships with Disney there, they probably have them for film too.

[Aldenard]

I was going to apply to FSU but I couldn't find a film major there. I know they must have one, because Ive heard of someone getting one, but when i was filling out the application and it said pick major, there wasn't one.

[odocoileus]

http://www.fsu.edu/~film/welcome/welcome.html

http://www.fsu.edu/~film/Admissions/faq.html#bfa



The Film School emphasizes two areas:
Film Production and Screenwriting






<B>

APPLICATION PROCESS To apply to the Undergraduate Film School program, you must submit the Film School BFA application to the Film School's Main Office, located in Florida State University's University Center.



You will need to include the following support materials with your application:
<LI class=subbody2>a 500 to 1000 word essay describing your background, artistic experiences, creative influences, personal objectives and future career goals <LI class=subbody2>résumé <LI class=subbody2>transcripts <LI class=subbody2>test scores
two letters of recommendation








and this, not FSU but Florida film studies in general:

http://www.studio1productions.com/fl-schools.htm</B>