Undergraduate Film & Television

Creative Portfolio

Five Part Creative Portfolio

Below please find the portfolio requirements for the 2020 application.

Part 1. Creative Resume

  • Format: 1 PAGE

  • Highlight your creative works, activities in and out of school, and/or relevant employment. We also welcome information about any community service you've done or part time jobs you've held. Your list of activities do not have to be strictly creative if they illustrate an engagement with your community and/or a significant time commitment from you.

  • Must also include:

    • Your full name

    • home address

    • date of birth

    • the name of your high school (or college for transfer students)

  • Save as a pdf and name the file LastName_FirstName_Resume before uploading it to SlideRoom.
  • Sample Resume - this sample is intended only as a visual reference; it is not prescriptive.

Part 2. Tell Us a Story

  • Format: Up to 4 typed, double-spaced 8.5” x 11" pages, written in prose format. This should be a short story, not a screenplay. 

  • We are looking for the next generation of storytellers. Select one of the following opening lines and finish the short story:
    Can I sit here?
    I love opening nights.
    Is this our new house, daddy?
    Let’s keep looking.

  • Save as a pdf and name the file LastName_FirstName_Story before uploading it to SlideRoom.

Part 3. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELFIE

  • Format: Upload a 1-2 minute video where you show and tell us about yourself.

  • We encourage you to share information that we cannot get from other aspects of your portfolio submission. Your video should be in your own voice, in your own format, and not a reiteration of why you want to be admitted to NYU's film program. Be creative and have fun; what you choose to say and how you say it is up to you.

  • If you do not have the ability to submit a film, email admissions.ugftv@nyu.edu for alternative instructions.

Part 4. WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKPACK?

  • Format: 1 page, double spaced

  • Pick five items, including 1 book, 1 DVD, and 3 (non-essential) items of your choosing to take with you to a deserted island. What would they be and why are they important to you? You do not need to worry about food and water. Leave your laptops and cell phones at home.

  • Your essay should be no longer than 1 page in length. You can list your items and provide thoughtful descriptions for each or write your essay in prose format.

  • Save as a pdf and name the file LastName_FirstName_Backpack before uploading it to SlideRoom.

Part 5. Creative Submission

  • A creative submission that showcases visual storytelling and imaginative expression of thought.
  • The applicant must be the principle creative force of the creative work submitted.
  • Choose ONLY ONE of the following:
    1. Film or video
    2. Artistic Portfolio
    3. Writing

    A. Film or video (up to five minutes total running time): Your submission should be a complete work which represents your best effort and one which engages your audience. Video footage of staged plays or theatre performances is not acceptable. You must be the principle creative force of the piece (i.e. the director, writer, editor, or cinematographer). We strongly discourage you from submitting co-directed or co-written projects, however if you choose to submit a co-created work, you must clearly state your specific contributions to the project. Be sure to test your video prior to submission. We would like to see your best single work as opposed to a compilation of shorter films.

    If you are submitting a link, please be sure no downloads or passwords are required.

    B. Artistic Portfolio (10-15 images): A portfolio of photographs, drawings, paintings, sculpture or set design work; please do not include films if you are submitting an artistic portfolio. Your submission should reflect clearly developed ideas and themes and convey a clear and imaginative visual sense. You may upload up to fifteen photographic or scanned images of your work. (Still images and scans should be a minimum of 72 dpi).

    C. Writing: Up to six pages of creative writing consisting of either a complete short story, film script or stage play. Do not submit excerpts. FORMAT: Double spaced, prose or screenplay format where applicable. (Save as a PDF.)


  • The applicant must be the principle creative force of the creative work submitted. Exact credits must be specified. Please send the requested items only; no substitutions, variations, or extraneous materials. Failure to comply with these guidelines will be grounds for automatic disqualification.

  • Please send the requested items only. Failure to do so will be grounds for automatic disqualification.

  • Please, no substitutions, variations, or extraneous materials.  

Download
Detailed Portfolio Instructions
Film & TV
SlideRoom Portal

General Instructions: To submit the portfolio, please go to the Film & TV SlideRoom Portal.  Submit by the appropriate deadline.

Important Info
* Do NOT wait until the last minute to submit your creative portfolio. NYU offices are open 9-5 EST, M-F. SlideRoom Tech support is available 8-8 EST, M-S . If you experience difficulties outside of those hours, we will not be available to help you.

*Receipt of your portfolio will be confirmed via email from SlideRoom.  It will not appear on your Application Checklist portal in real time. In other words, you may see that your “Artistic Review” (aka portfolio) has not been received. Do not panic. Please allow the admissions office several days to process the receipt of your portfolio and update your checklist.

*Fee: SlideRoom charges a $12.00 fee (you may pay this fee with credit or debit card).*

*If you requested a fee-waiver via the Common App, your SlideRoom fee will automatically be waived.

Note: portfolio requirements are subject to change each year.