Admission Requirements

The following profile describes desired qualities of AFI Conservatory applicants:

• A demonstrated passion for narrative filmmaking
• A demonstrated desire to collaborate with other artists in a rigorous training environment
• A demonstrated experience and/or educational background relating to the discipline to which the applicant is applying
• The ability to supply portfolio (submission) materials conveying skill and experience in the applicant's desired discipline
• The ability to commit full-time (often seven days a week) to the program
• An adequate and sound financial plan and resources, either through loan programs or personal funding, to study full-time for the entirety of the program

All applicants are expected to be at least 21 years of age.

In addition to completing the online application questions, you will be required to submit:

I. Signed Submission Agreement – Please print out, sign and scan as a PDF (you will be asked to upload the signed agreement at the end of the online application). Please label your PDF: Discipline applying to_Last Name_First Name_SA (for example: SCR_SMITH_FRED_SA).
Please use the following abbreviations:
Cinematography = CIN
Directing = DIR
Editing = EDT
Producing = PRO
Production Design = DES
Screenwriting = SCR

DOWNLOAD SUBMISSION AGREEMENT PDF

II. A Narrative Statement - (typed, double-spaced, five pages maximum, listing your name and discipline at the top of the page, saved as a PDF) to include the following elements:

1. A two-to-three-paragraph autobiographical sketch giving a sense of the applicant's background and the world from which he or she draws inspiration and motivation
2. Detail of the applicant's personal philosophy regarding the discipline chosen
3. Description of the applicant's personal goals in applying to the AFI Conservatory

This statement should be focused and a thoughtful, mature demonstration of the applicant's personal thinking.

If applying to more than one discipline, each narrative statement should reflect particular thoughts regarding that individual discipline. Please do NOT use the same statement for applications in different disciplines; instead, create narrative statements that address each discipline specifically.

Please label your PDF: Discipline applying to_Last Name_First Name_NS (for example: SCR_SMITH_FRED_NS).
Please use the following abbreviations:
Cinematography = CIN
Directing = DIR
Editing = EDT
Producing = PRO
Production Design = DES
Screenwriting = SCR

III. RESUME
Your resume should detail your professional work and education to date (save as a PDF).
Please label your PDF: Discipline applying to_Last Name_First Name_R (for example: SCR_SMITH_FRED_R).
Please use the following abbreviations:
Cinematography = CIN
Directing = DIR
Editing = EDT
Producing = PRO
Production Design = DES
Screenwriting = SCR

IV. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Letters (two minimum, four maximum) can either be sent directly from the recommender or collected by the applicant and sent to:
Attn: Admissions
AFI Conservatory
2021 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Letters of recommendation must:

• Remain under original seal, with the exterior envelope flap signed or stamped by the recommender
• Be an original letter – no copies will be accepted
• Be signed by the recommender
• Include the recommender's contact information (i.e., e-mail address, phone number, etc.)
• Be addressed to AFI

These letters become the sole property of AFI and cannot be returned to the applicant.

Applicants Re-applying:
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants who are re-applying to the Conservatory are required to submit at least one letter of recommendation from a new recommender.

Applying to More than One Discipline:
Those applying to more than one discipline must submit at least one discipline-specific letter of recommendation for EACH discipline and another letter that can be shared between the discipline submissions.

V. TRANSCRIPTS
Please request original transcripts from all colleges/universities attended be sent directly to the AFI Conservatory:
Attn: Admissions
AFI Conservatory
2021 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

If you choose to collect your transcripts to mail to AFI, please be sure all transcripts remain unopened and under their original seal.

For International applicants: all credentials, transcripts and diplomas must include the original (no copies) plus an official English translation (if applicable). The Registrar's Office determines final evaluation of applicants' records.

VI. DISCIPLINE-SPECIFIC SUPPORTING MATERIALS

APPLICATION SUPPORTING MATERIALS ARE NOT RETURNED TO APPLICANTS. PLEASE SUBMIT ONLY COPIES OF SAMPLE WORK.

CINEMATOGRAPHY
Submit up to two different examples of original work that best demonstrate talent, ability and experience as a cinematographer. Montage or summary reels will be accepted, in addition. Moving image submissions must be Region 1 on DVD, regardless of the original format. Still photographs and/or slides can also be submitted as supplemental to the moving image cinematography example. (Projects can be combined on one disc — two copies are required.)

1. Moving image submissions should be Region 1 on DVD (North America, U.S. territories and Bermuda), unless discipline requirements state otherwise.
2. Submissions must be NTSC formatted and playable on DVD players. MOV, AVI, VOB and other computer movie files will not be accepted.
3. Moving image submissions should be no longer than 20 minutes in length, per sample (40 minutes total).
4. Submissions should demonstrate narrative ability.
5. Include two copies as part of your submission.
6. Label all discs with your full name, discipline and year for which you are applying (example: CIN 2013–14), title(s) of project(s) included and total run time.
   For example:
   John Smith
   CIN 2013–14
   "My Film"
   TRT 5:08
7. Please test all DVDs on at least two players prior to submitting. PLEASE NOTE: Submissions not sent in the required format will not be considered.
   Send to:

   Attn: Admissions
   AFI Conservatory
   2021 North Western Avenue
   Los Angeles, CA 90027

DIRECTING
Submit up to two different examples of moving image projects that the applicant has personally directed that best demonstrate individual talent and ability. Moving image submissions should be no longer than 20 minutes in length, per sample (40 minutes total). Only work that the applicant has directed (not co-directed) will be considered. At least one of the examples should be in the form of a narrative.

Submissions are accepted via a link to YouTube or Vimeo. We recommend that you do not password protect your samples to ensure the Admissions Committee access. Examples should either be in English or be subtitled in English.

EDITING
Submit two different examples of original work that best demonstrate talent and ability. Full-length pieces of no more than 20 minutes are required; no editor reels will be accepted.

Submissions will be accepted via a link to YouTube or Vimeo. We recommend that you do not password protect your samples to ensure the Admissions Committee access.

OR

Submitted via DVD (must be Region 1, regardless of the original format). All material must be NTSC formatted. No PAL format will be accepted. (Projects can be combined on one disc — two copies are required.)

Label all discs with your full name, discipline and year for which you are applying (example: EDT 2013–14), title(s) of project(s) included and total run time.
For example:
John Smith
EDT 2013–14
"My Film"
TRT 5:08

Send to:

Attn: Admissions
AFI Conservatory
2021 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

PRODUCING
The most important pieces of the producing application are the résumé, letters of recommendation and narrative statement. Within the statement, producing applicants must explain why they are interested in producing, as opposed to another filmmaking discipline. As applicants have often attained their skills from various professional experiences in publishing, finance, entertainment law, theater, online business ventures, etc., supporting material such as scripts, films or other samples of work are not required, but may be submitted.

Applicants may submit a PDF of treatments or screenplays (20 pages maximum) that they feel display their narrative talent, a reel and/or two to three films the candidate has produced. Submissions are accepted via a link to YouTube or Vimeo. We recommend that you do not password protect your samples to ensure the Admissions Committee access.

PRODUCTION DESIGN
Submit samples of work that reflect the applicant's design creativity, drafting and model-making skills, perspective and life-drawing ability, set or prop construction experience and computer knowledge (CAD, Vectorworks, Photoshop, SketchUp). Applicants can elect to present samples in various stages of development or as finished work.

Submissions are strongly preferred as a traditional portfolio (photocopies only). In addition, submissions can be presented on a flash drive or CD/DVD. Applicants may submit any moving image production featuring their work as a production designer or art director. Please specify the exact title of your role in each production. If a moving image is submitted, it must be Region 1 on DVD, regardless of the original format. All material must be NTSC formatted. No PAL format will be accepted. Provide two copies of DVD, CD and/or Data disc submissions. Label all discs with your full name, discipline and year for which you are applying.
For example:
Jane Smith
DES 2013–14
Portfolio

Send to:
Attn: Admissions
AFI Conservatory
2021 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027

SCREENWRITING
Submit a PDF of a typed screenplay or script (20 pages maximum) of which you are the sole screenwriter. If the sample is from a longer script, submit a descriptive one-paragraph synopsis of the entire script for reference purposes. Co-authored and adaptations will not be considered. Be sure to include a title page with your name, 2013–2014 SCR and e-mail.
Please label your PDF: Discipline applying to_Last Name_First Name (for example: SCR_SMITH_FRED).
Please use the following abbreviation:
Screenwriting = SCR

Application Deadline
Directing applications: Completed applications and ALL supporting materials must be postmarked by December 1, 2012.

Cinematography, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting applications: December 1, 2012, is a priority deadline (meaning, these applications will be reviewed and interviewed first). However, completed applications and all supporting materials will continue to be accepted on a continual basis until the class is full.

Applications will not be accepted after July 1 to allow sufficient time for review, interview and notification. Please check AFI.edu for updates.

Review Process and Notification
Applicants will be notified of their status via mail postmarked on the notification deadline date.

Notification deadlines:
Directing applicants: April 1
All other disciplines: March 1 or twelve weeks following the receipt of the completed application and supporting materials.

The Admissions Committee does not provide individual critiques of any applicant's work. The decisions of the Admissions Committee are final and not subject to appeal. Individuals who are denied admission to a program of study are not entitled access to materials relating to the denied application. As the review process is quite extensive, please do not call the Admissions Office regarding status. If an application is reviewed positively, the applicant will be contacted for a requisite personal interview. If reviewers have any questions regarding application or materials submitted, the applicant will be contacted.

Degree and Certificate Qualifications
Applications may be submitted to the First Year program in the disciplines of Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design or Screenwriting.

A Bachelor's degree is required to receive a Master of Fine Arts degree after the successful completion of the program. Those without a Bachelor's degree who successfully complete all the requirements will receive a Certificate of Completion. Applicants who have completed a program outside the US and do not have a posted Bachelor's degree are required to submit a Bachelor's degree equivalency document if the intention is to receive the Master of Fine Arts degree. The evaluation must be submitted before the end of the first term of attendance. It is the responsibility of the Fellow to obtain the credential evaluation. Final approval is at the discretion of the Registrar. For more information, please contact the Registrar's Office at 323.856.7767.

Click here for Certificate of Completion gainful employment disclosures.

Accreditation And Approvals
The AFI Conservatory is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 985 Atlantic Avenue, #100, Alameda, CA 94501, 510.748.9001. The AFI Conservatory is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190, 703.437.0700. This school is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. These approvals are available for review in the Registrar's Office (Warner Bros. Building, Room 104) during regular business hours.