Snippets

Not everything is always happy, exciting, or fun whilst trying to start an MFA. Though I'm over the biggest hurdle (getting accepted) there are still many things left in the process. Honestly I feel like I am at the worst point right now but I am trying my best to keep things in perspective and just going with the flow.

It seems that for the past five months I've done nothing but write various versions of personal statement, proposed thesis, motivations for study. These essays at some point, just start to sound the same and they get all jumbled in my head. Partly because I am frustrated to write yet another essay on the same topic and not be able to start working on these projects. I just want to start. It also doesn't help that I left my camera at my parents home this past year. I didn't want to risk losing or harming the equipment while I lived in Querétaro. I thought that my current job would motivate and keep me busy enough to not miss it. The reality is that I miss my hands on the camera. On the plus side, I now have my external hard drive full of photos that I have not uploaded or worked on. Hopefully after all this is over I'll have some time before July to work on them.

Why so many essays? Well I have been applying for extra funding. I have applied to the Jumex scholarship and am in the process of applying to FONCA-CONACYT (Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes) AND SEP (Secretaría de Educación Pública), both from the Mexican government. I actually don't know if I should apply to FONCA this year. I feel a little unprepared. Well, no not uprepared, I just feel like my submission will be stronger next year in terms of what they ask for. Then again, I should just try this year, I can always re-apply. No harm, no foul.

There's still so much left in the process on the road to an MFA. I still have to get my J1 Visa, find housing, furnish said housing option, move to DC, find airfare and tickets to DC, quit my current job, move out, and pack. On the Fulbright end of the spectrum there's still the Orientación de Despedida at COMEXUS and the Fulbright Gateway Program. Those are two things I am very excited for! Anyway, all of this before July 11th/a month and a half-ish. Can you see why I am freaking out?

How I wish I had a million dollars. The next step in the graduate school process was determining the best fit in terms of finances. To wich, at this point, I have nothing. I'm not bankrupt but I half jokingly state that my net worth is $0. Half jokingly.

Because of this I had to decline acceptance into USC. I waited for a scholarship from the department and even begged for a TA position, but nothing came up. Without their help I still had to come up with around 10G for the year, for two years and figure out how to pay 33+G for tuition only for my third year. This came to a total of 50G for three years plus living expenses. Basically...too much money I do not have.

As for Miami and SCAD, I still haven't heard back and American University graciously extended my deadline to April 30th. Unfortunately, without scholarships from either school, I will not be able to attend.

American University did offer a Merit Scholarship and a TA position. This definitely helps! I only have to put in about 2G a year for two years. Though, I may extend it to three years in order to get an MFA, but one step at a time.

Even after all of this I still had to spend a lot of time calculating costs. At one point it felt like studying for the GRE again. But, if anything, for all those of you who are going through the process, I leave you with these tips, financially speaking.

1. Spend a lot of time on the schools website to figure out the cost of tuition, fees, books, required equipment, etc.

2. If you can't find that info on the website turn to sites like Peterson's, College Calc they usually have a general idea of what certain things cost and it may help you round out your excel spreadsheet.

3. Create an excel spreadsheet, be it by hand or on an actual digital document. I started mine digitally but, alas, I am old school and felt better writing things down. Later, I sorted out my mess and did put things digitally.

4. Talk things over. Ask family, friends, S.O.'s, about costs. After all they may have a better idea. For example, I have family that lives in DC (well in Silver Spring) and I asked them for a guesstimate on grocery expenses, rent, etc for the area. This really came in handy when filling out supplemental scholarships.

5. Don't give up! Look for other financial opportunities. Though I have an amazing scholarship, having won one already makes me a likely candidate to win another.

I wish you guys the best of luck and well...let's keep things going!

Things are rolling pretty well. I have officially heard back from three universities.

USC ACCEPTED ME!

So at this point in the MFA game I am in between two stages. The Wait and The Application. I have successfully submitted to University of Southern California, American University, and University of Miami. I am still applying to NYFA and SCAD.

What to do during this time...find people to commiserate with online via forums. I found a great thread on StudentFilms. It's oddly comforting to find people that are on the same boat and know that I am still sort of sane. Also, another Fulbrighter introduced me to GradCafe. Here I found a plethora of threads, other Fulbrighters, other MFA Film candidates, and even posts about who's getting accepted (or rejected). All I know is that I have been clicking refresh way too many times today.

As for NYFA, honestly, I'm getting a bad vibe, well weird vibe. Oddly, my vibes about everything are almost always right. Anyway, I heard from them almost daily right after I applied and now, after I forwarded the information to my Placement Officer it's been crickets. They are on rolling admissions and my last choice, so... I can wait to hear from them on the next step.

SCAD, ohhh SCAD. I have read mixed reviews about the school online but the reception I have gotten from them has been positive. It's my second choice, provided there's enough funding. Anyway this week I am working on my demo. I have to fill in approximately ten minutes. My only set back is that my Premiere files won't open on CS6 because of a codec issue. So, I have to start all over or re-install Premiere Pro, which won't happen.

I am excited...nervous...anxious...so many emotions. But, I am sending positive messages out to the universe in hopes that they are received and sent back with the same love.

Wait! There's More!
The title, though true to the moment, is also the soundtrack to the first storyboard and montage I made back during Sophomore year in High School. I remember everything about the project, even the classroom and how long I stayed up drawing.

So last weekend I spent it trying to figure out Lena Dunham, Liz Meriwether, and Mindy Kaling. Conclusion: I have work to do. 

By figure out I mean I watched their work to get a sense of what the industry is looking for and how I can add to it. I tried to look at things objectively to see what I can learn from them, also, see what works. I am of course taking this with a grain of salt but it will be helpful for my MFA. 

Tiny Furniture: Written by and Directed by Lena Dunham. The movie felt long and repetitive. Like Girls, there were some moments where I felt like I had to look away (i.e. awkward sex in metal tube in an empty lot). Aura- the main character-came across as way to needy and in need of approval while navigating in a post-college era. That said, the emotions were real. The situations were relatable. Sometimes too relatable. 

No Strings Attached: If I am not mistaken its Liz's first industry screenplay. Who doesn't love a good romantic comedy? I was actually very surprised by this movie. I thought it would be sort of cookie cutter B type movie. But, no! I loved Natalie Portman's character. She is driven, focused, and is a doctor. Right off the bat I think that that should be point for women in film. However, the character's arc does center around her relationship with Ashton Kutcher's character. Still, the movie was entertaining, and well shot. 

New Girl: LOVE! I'm very happy with the show. The lead is a woman with a job and an independent mind. It's super funny and I am always impresed with the ability to write and perform comedy. Mainly because its something that I can never get right. I feel like you just have to have a knack for it. Can't really learn int. This leads me to...

The Mindy Project: LOVE! Yes, Mindy Lahiri is girly. Yes, Mindy  is a cliché. Yes, Mindy's world revolves around her need to have a boyfriend. Ok, ok, I get it. I know. Yet...She's the second woman who is a minority who is the lead of a show, plus she created it. Also, it's super funny and based on her instagram feed and twitter Mindy Kaling works hard for what we see on TV. I am personally inspired by her work ethic.  

What I learned: 
1. Don't overthink. 
2. Tweak. 
3. Be authentic and true to yourself and your experiences. 

Sometimes I feel like I want to portray too many things and situations in a 5 minute film. Instead, I should own who I am and realize that my life experiences are unique but that they all stem from universal values. That as a TCK I have a lot of stories and points of view to offer. That not because the people around me don't relate, that as long as I am true and work hard to put the pieces together, my work will shine. 

Also, at a more personal level, I should stop making excuses for the moment I am in right now and stop trying to define myself as the person I want to be and not the person I am. These women, though not perfect role models or humans, work hard and don't apologize for themselves or their work. I will definitely take this to heart and work from there. 


Feel free to comment and keep this discussion about Women in Film going!


p.s. Ellen Page is awesome! I have always admired her work and the projects she chooses. Now, I adore her even more. Her speech at the Time to Thrive Conference was incredibly eloquent and inspiring. 

SUBMISSION COMPLETE!



I worked on a new screenplay for this application. I wanted to write something on the comical side. Though, it wasn't like hysterically funny. I think it got the point across. I'm nervous but we shall see. It'll be the second application I upload. Two down, three to go.

Also, I plan to work on my YouTube channel this week. I have one too many backed up videos to edit. So hopefully after work, between yoga and eating, I'll edit little by little.

In the meantime here is a sneak peak:

Today I will focus on this as much as I can. I have been telling you guys about the application process but I haven't told you guys anything else.