Days to go....

Thank you the Beckhams! With all the attention they are drawing with their move to LA I sense that I will slip through the media net unobserved. Having caught five minutes of Posh Spices TV show I sense that I won't be competing over properties, domestic staff, cars actually in all aspects of of a relocation.

So days to go. Flight booked. Aer lingus via Dublin on Monday 23rd July.

I have been accepted on to the the MA directing program at the American Film Institute in the heart of Hollywood. This is a two year course, effectively split into two distinct phases. The first year is driven by the production of three short films which are designed never to see the light of day outside of teh AFI and allow the makers to develop their skills. The second year focuses on a graduation film and the development of a screenplay or TV pilot. Many of the graduation films have screened at A list film festivals and some even considered for the short film Oscar. So the standard set is high.

Every year the AFI accepts 28 students for each of the following disciplines: Direction, Production, Cinematography and Script Writing. In addition 14 students are accepted on to the editing and production design courses. As far as I am aware, over the first year we are expeected to work in three differnt groups in the production of each short film. At all stages of the production our work is heavily critiqued.

Why the AFI? After extensive research on film schools and training courses the AFI offered the most industry and practical orientated course. Though UCLA, USC, NYU and Columbia had strong reputations none allowed you to specialise from the outset. From a personal perspective, having undertaken a general film course at the London Film School in 2000, I wanted to concentrate on my chosen speciality. In addition, the faculty all come from teh industry and not from an academic back ground. For example the Dean is Robert Mandel who has directed episodes of 'Lost' and 'Prison Break' and Frank Pierson who co-wrote 'Cool Hand Luke' and won an Oscar for 'Dog Days Afternoon'.

So how did I get into the AFI? In November 2006 I applied through the website. The process involved submitting a detailed CV, industry references, submission of a short film and a detailed essay centring on why you have chosen the particular discipline you wish to follow.

I chose to fly across for an interview and spent 45 minutes with Jim McBride the head of the Directing program and director of 'The Big Easy' and various episodic TV including 'Six Feet Under'. My application film was 'What Does Your Daddy Do?' which premiered last year at the Venice Film Festival. Jim was impressed and praised the film, so so with English understatement I guess the interview went well.

It seems odd heading back to College, but I spent a long time discussing with my Agent, Ian Benson (www.theagency.co.uk) industry friends and colleagues and most importantly my wife Julia. It all pointed at being an opportunity too good not to miss. Strangely enough it was my wife who said I should definitely go, despite her opting to stay in the UK as she has landed a great job in Venture Cpital with a company called Pall Mall Partners. Having announced a decision to accept the offer the help I have recieved from colleagues has been amazing. In particular Michael Bauer, Julia's boss, who has been so supportive. Big thank you.

The next thing to manage are my expectations. I can't begin to describe who much I am looking forward to be back behind a camera making films. The last year has focused heavily on script writing and following 'What Does Your Daddy Do?' on teh festival circuit. Lets also face it, the UK short film world is a difficult fight to win funding as I am sure everywhere is. So to know that we will be making three films in quick succession is inspiring.

I had lunch with Soophie Watts, a cambridge graduate with and extensive track record in filming rock concerts. Really interesting onversation over lunch.

Well I hope it all lives up to my expectations. I guess fundamentally the school is only as good as its students. So back to saying my fond farewells to family and friends.

Next challenge: apartment, car and bank account.