Hi- I'm applying to several film schools, one of which is Ohio University.
The ingredients list for the essay is as follows:
A 500-word personal essay on your goals in pursuing graduate study in film and the relationship of previous education and experience to these goals.
pretty skimpy on the directions. The essay for Cal State L.A. is similarly lacking in instructional detail.
non-conformist experiences
I'm an older student, 45, and have no idea how to begin such a thing. My experiences are more varied and generally non-conformist in nature than most. Just how does one synthesize a life working in and around the arts to 500 words? I've roadied for the Red hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More and others, I've worked in film as a propmaster (no training) for years, brewed beer for a micro, been an electrician, computer tech... and on and on it goes...help!
J
The rule is like this: Say it, explain it, and then say it again. The whole essay should be powerful, as if it is a beautiful explanation of a single profound thought. Can you inspire the reader with an insight into film that makes it, perhaps, the most meaningful pursuit possible!? After all, it is the most technologically sophisticated form of modern art -- and it really does include all the arts, from writing to music to storytelling and more. Can you take this as an opportunity to express an important idea of yours, without interruption? Tell the main idea in the first paragraph, lead the reader through a summary of your experience in a few paragraphs, and restate the main idea in the closing paragraph. The body of the essay, with your info and accomplishments, must be presented in a way that supports your main idea -- which may be a philosophical point about film.
I hope that helps you get started!!
ok, your good!
I am no less daunted, but I think your outline is pretty hard to find fault with. I will flail at this for a couple of days and post it for some critiquing. I really do appreciate your thoughts, good job.
Joe
Also, the fact that you have to relate your prior experiences to your interest in attending film school should help you cut out some of the items on your list. Working in film as a propmaster is clearly relevant. Your work with the bands could easily be so, too. Working in a microbrewery, possibly less so. This might help you to narrow down what you want to talk about.
OK- Here is my current draft, lay into it!
At this point it really needs to lose 11 words to put me at 499, the limit is 500.
thanks,
Joe
In 1988, I received the tragic call that my friend and employer, guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Hillel Slovak, had died. We were about to embark a two-year long world tour. The loss hit me personally and professionally. The band went on hiatus to sort things out, leaving me adrift and unemployed.
I called a friend who worked in film, asking him if there were any opportunities for me. Within days he scored me a gig as a P.A. on an Aerosmith video, later he offered me swing-gang work on Alan Moyle's Pump up the Volume. A day of humping-furniture made clear how similar my years catering to musicians was to that of tending the set's needs. Instead of a guitar-roadie, in essence, I was an actors-roadie. My phone began ringing; I worked through the ranks to positions such as Leadman, Assistant Art Director and Property Master. I worked with Production Designers KK Barret, Alex McDowell, Directors Michael Bay, Josef Vilsmaier, Jonathan Davis-Valerie Farris, DP's Harris Savides, John Schwartzman and others.
I had been toiling in the trenches for years and needed structural change. I left L.A. in 2000, settling in Idaho. I began theater classes at the local college, I assistant directed, did sound design, props and acted. Succeeding academically, and knowing my professional background was a solid foundation, I began pursuit of a Masters in film, giving myself a ten-year window. I chose UWM for its experimental reputation and moved to Milwaukee; beginning classes in 2004. Majoring in Production and Film studies, I studied New Chinese cinema, hand-processing, photography and horror aesthetics, while my desire to tell stories grew. I was fortunate to study and T.A with installation-artist Mary Lucier, where I facilitated all technical aspects in class. Working in installation allowed me to see cinema with new eyes, for me the philosophical boundaries between narrative, documentary, still and moving image creation dissipated. Modern technology, changing delivery methods and cultural attitudes allow increasing integration of mediums when making films.
I have deep interests in aesthetics, and ethnographic filmmaking, particularly as related to music. I'm working in issues of sub-cultures-and relationships to community, and environmental and social issues of Puertecitos, B.C., Mexico. I want to study at OU with Julie Turnock because of her work in aesthetics, spectacle and special effects and Steven Ross and Jack Wright for their respective work in ethnographic filmmaking, Cinematography and indigenous music culture.
My personal, professional and academic experiences all provide a solid footing for structuring the remainder of my professional life. I am intellectually curious, collaborative, with experiences relevant to my academic pursuits and to building my career. I know that I will never stop learning about the art of filmmaking. My friend, UWM professor Portia Cobb, has spoken highly of Thomas Hayes' Avid skills, John Butler's audio experience, and OU's graduate program. Professor Cobb has suggested I would be a good fit for the film community in Athens. I see Graduate study at OU as an opportunity to further my technical, aesthetic and professional options as a filmmaker.
Well, you have already shown this "My personal, professional, and academic experiences all provide a solid footing for structuring the remainder of my professional life. I am intellectually curious, collaborative, with experiences relevant to my academic pursuits and to building my career." in the rest of your essay, so you don't really need to say it again at the beginning of your conclusion. If you were to condense or cut all of this, that would put you under the word limit.
right- i was trying to do the say it, explain it, say it again model from above. I will continue.
I guess my main question is, does this suck?
Thanks,
Joe
No, it does not suck. You have lived an interesting life, and that comes through in your essay, which details your personal and professional growth leading up to your desire to attend film school. I'd say the essay works well.
It sounds to me like whatever school you end up attending will be lucky to have you. Sean's right, the essay does work well, it's interesting, to the point, and says a lot about you.
Oh yeah, and Faith No More and the Chili Peppers f###ing rock!
Good luck!
