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Unofficial Transcript(s): Provide an unofficial scanned copy of your most recent transcript(s) indicating all college-level work. In addition, domestic applicants must complete and upload the self-reported undergraduate GPA computation worksheet. The worksheet is located at: http://film.fsu.acsitefactory.com/sites/g/files/upcbnu401/files/gpacompworksheet.pdf.
You must also have an official copy of your transcript(s) sent by your institution(s) to the Graduate Admissions office at 282 Champions Way, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2400 or electronically to graduateadmissions@admin.fsu.edu by the application deadline. While the official transcripts are not due by the application deadline (December 12th), they should be requested by the deadline in order to complete the application for review. We cannot guarantee that your application will be reviewed if the transcript is not received shortly following the application deadline. For this reason, the College recommends you request your official transcript be sent to the University as soon as you begin your application.
Curriculum Vitae:
Resumé: A document that highlights your education, creative endeavors, activities, travel, relevant employment and service work as they apply to your aspirations as a filmmaker (no longer than 3 pages).
Personal Statement:
Statement of Purpose: A 500-1000 word essay describing who you are as an individual and what past and current life experiences have motivated you to pursue a career in the filmmaking industry. Use this statement as an opportunity to demonstrate your unique voice and personality in addition to your passion for storytelling.
Recommendation Letter:
Three Letters of Recommendation: Letters may come from any combination of academic and professional references. Personal recommendations will not be accepted. Letters of recommendation must be received by the application deadline of December 12, 2017 at 11:59pm EST. The application system will not send emails to your recommenders until the application has been fully submitted.
Please have your recommender check their spam folder if they do not see an email request in their inbox after you have submitted the application. If there are any issues related to the recommendations, email Admissions@film.fsu.edu and we will follow up with you or your recommender as soon as possible. It is the applicant’s responsibility to follow up with their recommender to confirm the completion of the letters of recommendation.
Writing Sample:
Writing Sample: A two-page non-dialogue scene about a person trying to kill a spider in his/her home. The scene should be considered the opening for a screenplay or theatrical work. Writing samples should be typed in 12-point Courier in standard play or screenplay format.
Creative Submission:
A creative sample of work demonstrating your ability and commitment to storytelling. Strong samples contain visual or written material that demonstrate your creativity, imaginative expression of thought, and the potential for visual storytelling. You are welcome to include a brief description that provides perspective on your submitted materials. The sample must be uploaded online by way of a link within an uploaded document to the application. No physical materials (faxed or mailed) will be considered. Choose no more than three (3) of the following:
1. Film, video, animation, documentary or experimental work. Submissions must not exceed 15 minutes in length and can consist of reels, short films and/or clips from feature films. You must be part of the original creation of the work. Please be clear about your specific contributions for each project.
2. Drawings, paintings, sculpture, costume or set design that illustrates your creative vision and style. Limited to 10 images total.
Photography that explores your visual storytelling through up to 10 images.
3. A writing sample composed of one of the following: a short play or screenplay, the first 20 pages of a full-length play or feature-length screenplay, a narrative short story, a feature article, or poem that exemplifies your ability to engage readers, up to 15 pages.
Video Pitch:
Create a video that introduces yourself and demonstrates your ability to author a simple compelling story. The video pitch should be no longer than 3 minutes total running time, and you must personally appear on camera pitching a story with the following three parameters:
1. No more than 30 seconds: Introduce yourself by telling us your name, where you are from, and a bit about your background.
2. No more than 120 seconds: Pitch us a story that centers around two characters stuck in a single locale who develop and ultimately overcome conflict between themselves.
3. No more than 30 seconds: Finish your pitch by telling us in one or two sentences what the audience should ultimately learn from the story.
If any of the parameters are not met or if your Video Pitch exceeds a total running time of 3 minutes, your submission will not be considered.