So I had my uni interview t'other day...

... and what a load of shit it was.

They asked nothing of my work or experience, they seemed more interested in questions like this, and I quote...

Quote:

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If the world was ending in 24 hours, what film would you recommend for someone to watch?

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">They seemed to be more interested in putting people off the course than encouraging one to become part of the industry. I'm paraphrasing, but I'll put it in quotes anyway...

Quote:

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If you want to become a director of photography, it takes you 10 years to become an assistant camera man, 10 years to become a cameraman, and another 10 years to become a DP.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Now, I know several people on this board and in the industry can confirm this as bullshit.

Quote:

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If you get into the industry, your life will be over. You will have no time for friends, or going out, or boyfriends or girlfriends. If you don't put in 100%, you will fail.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I can agree with the whole "putting in 100%" thing, but your life being over? C'mon, man.

They eventually watched everyone's showreel, with little to no reaction to anyone's, but it was waiting around for 2 hours for 10 minutes of interview, and even then it was pure, thorough bred bollocks.

So, there was no way to guage how well it went. And if I don't get in, I'm fucked.

End blog.

It's all true.


Except about 90% of it.

I hate interviews.

That sucks man. Those guys sound like major ass's. Well im rooting for ya.

Good Luck

What about other universities? This one doesn't sound so good. IF someone at a university interview asked me, "If the world was ending in 24 hours, what film would you recommend for someone to watch?" I'd respond with, "What kind of question is that? Are you kidding? What does that have to do with my skills as a filmmaker?"

Don't be intimidated. You have every right to question them. But either way - they may not be worth it. Seriously, what the fuck kind of question is that?

Go somewhere else, bro.

I will agree with the last point. My girlfriend is always asking me what it is that I do...When I am not on a set she thinks that I sit around and think aboout other women. When actually I am at meetings with people who could be my next job thinking about other women...

She also doesn't understand the nature of Freelance work. I may make 1300 dollars for a single day shoot but then not get another shoot like that for 3 months. It is kind of shitty wages when you think about it.

To her it is all about seeing the cheque and wanting me to take her to dinner, buy her a dress, a niice bottle of wine--Then again she can't seem to keep her head above water.

Enough rambling about my girl troubles.

Yeah--I agree with the last statement. I really don't have much of a life except looking for the next job.

Good Luck
PS--Anyone have a cute sister I can date??

What uni was that Untamed? That sounds like a pretty good attitude to be honest...

Sure, the question was phrased shittily, kinda like treating you with kid gloves, but necessary I think... how hard is it to pick ONE favourite film when someone asks what your favourite is? In fact, how hard is it to pick a top 10 even.... I guess phrasing the question like that is just an attempt to stop people from Ummmming and Aaahhing for 10 mins trying to decide.

Also, encouraging a realistic attitude about the industry is not a bad idea in my opinion, sure the 30 years to become a DP is a bit exaggerated, but then for some, it may not be...some may never make it, in fact many probably won't ever make it anywhere, or where they'd like to be anyways. I think the whole attitude of the uni's is that they only want the most dedicated people, the people who are determined to work in film no matter what, which is why supposedly few get in (to the good ones) without at least 1 rejection.

Just curious though, why will you be fucked if you don't get in? Hope ya do though...

Quote:

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Originally posted by Untamed Aggression:
If the world was ending in 24 hours, what film would you recommend for someone to watch?

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

Armageddon.


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You may as well, your life's over anyway.

Sounds like they are only trying to weed out
the timewasters - people who've watched too many
'Making of' documentaries and think it'd impress their friends or be a laugh.
And just warning you that its not an easy gig - I think the point is not that your life is over, but that filmmaking - and getting the next job - will become your life.
This is almost true for any walk of life, but perhaps more for filmmaking.
Put yourself in their shoes - 100's of wannabe applicants, a few places and a reputation they may need to improve and/or maintain - plus they want to be sure you will stay the course, and get something out of it (and probably to eventually put something back in) and not to flip out after 2 years with a head full of acid and decide you want to be a gardener instead.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ February 10, 2005 06:02 AM: Message edited by: eddie123456789 ]</font>

Speaking of dumb interview questions, I had a classic when I went to my interview at Oxford. A friend of mine had interviewed there the year before and got in (Smartarse!) so I got him to prime me as to what questions they were likely to ask. One that he told me about was that he'd been asked "How do lightbulbs work?". He went into this long explanation about electron flow in tungsten and exited energy states etc.

When I was in the interview, they asked me the same question. I looked the guy dead in the eye and said "You turn on the lightswitch."

I studied at Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.


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Oh well.