Portfolio Requirements

The Idyllwild Arts Film & Digital Media Department’s conviction that storytelling is crucial to successful filmmaking determines our requirements for application materials.*

Therefore all Film & Digital Media applicants must submit:

• A Creative writing sample that you have produced. The writing sample may be in any format, including screenplay, play, short story, poem, or even stream of consciousness. 
• Showcase your visual artistry by submitting a sample visual art work. The visual art work may be in any medium, including film, video, photography, performance piece, painting, sculpture, collage, a creative website, a creative Instagram account or collection of pictures. Anything that helps us know more about you as an artist and potential visual thinker. Submit as many samples as you like.
• A short 3 to 5 minute creative video in the form of a monologue, narrative, or documentary, introducing yourself, and responding to the following:
  • Why do you want to be a filmmaker?  Tell us in a creative, unique way why you are motivated to be a filmmaker. 
  • Tell us who you are! 
  • Tell us a story about something that happened to you or something you witnessed that had a profound impact on your life.
• The Film & Digital Media Department cannot accept beginning English speakers. 

Portfolio Requirements

Applicants to the Visual Arts Department must submit at least 7 pieces that give a clear picture of who they are as an artist. All submissions must be the applicant’s original work.
Images of artwork should be submitted as part of the student’s online application. In addition to the 2D requirements listed below, applicants may include painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, animation, architecture, printmaking, mural work, graphic art, creative technology, and video art.
Your portfolio must include:

1. Two (2) direct observation drawings of objects or buildings (not from photographs) using pencil, charcoal, or pen.
2. Self-portrait from observation, any non-digital medium.
3. Two-Four (2-4) quick sketches or drawings from a sketchbook.
4. Four (4) other works in any medium.
5. The following question is for 11th, 12th, and PG applicants only: Select one piece and write about your process, ideas, and challenges, etc.

*Please do not submit physical artwork.
**Each portfolio piece must include a title and/or a description of the type of project, materials used, and the size and date.

Brief responses to each of the following:

1. What do you think your role as an artist is in today’s world?
2.    What do you want to achieve both artistically and personally at Idyllwild Arts Academy?                                                                                                                                                     
3. What motivates or inspires you artistically?

Helpful tips for a successful portfolio:

• Images of pieces must be lit adequately and evenly.
• Images of pieces must be photographed “straight on.”
• Drawings must be flat and clean, and the page must fill the whole screen (no torn edges)
• Images must be clear and in focus.
• Suggested format: in a Word document, PowerPoint, or similar format, including one image per page with the information beneath each image.

Portfolio Requirements
Your examples of artwork must include:

• Creative personal artwork in any artform, although Visual Art is preferred.
• Three to five design sketches.
• At least one original design. This could be a garment you have made or something you have designed that someone else made for you. Examples could include street wear and/or any design of yours that has ever been on stage: costuming, fashion, school mascot, something for an event, etc.

Helpful tips for a successful portfolio:

• Images of pieces must be lit adequately and evenly.
• Images of pieces must be photographed “straight on.”
• Drawings must be flat and clean, and the page must fill the whole screen (no torn edges)
• Images must be clear and in focus.
• Suggested format: in a Word document, PowerPoint, or similar format, including one image per page with the information beneath each image.

Audition Requirements

We encourage candidates for the Music major to send an online submission containing the specific requirements below.  YouTube links are highly preferable whenever able.  Live, on-campus auditions are possible, subject to departmental availability.

All Songwriting applicants must submit:

2-3 original songs with words in English and 1 cover song (performed instrumentally and sung to show arranging/interpreting skills).  Lyrics should be included with audition submissions.

Audition Requirements
We encourage candidates for the Music major to send an online submission containing the specific requirements below.  YouTube links are highly preferable whenever able.  Live, on-campus auditions are possible, subject to departmental availability.

All Voice applicants must submit:

Classical Voice
Prepare two selections. The first must be one art song or aria from the Classical repertoire list below, illustrating the student’s range:

• A selection from the book “24 Italian Songs and Arias”
• A selection from the “First Book of Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone/Bass”
• Händel
• Mozart
• Schubert

The second selection may be your choice of repertoire from Classical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, or Traditional Folk Song. We prefer a piece that is not in the contemporary popular genre. The audition video must include the piano part, and/or a backing track. Students wishing to audition on campus may bring their own pianist and/or backing track. We do not provide pianists for live auditions.

Contemporary Voice
Prepare 2-3 songs in English, each from contrasting styles that show the candidate’s veristility and range. Styles include but are not limited to: Pop, Jazz, Classical, Traditional Folk Music, etc. Music must be from memory, and should include works that include contrasting tempos, whether within a single work or in two separate selections.

Audition Requirements
We encourage candidates for the Music major to send an online submission containing the specific requirements below.  YouTube links are highly preferable whenever able.  Live, on-campus auditions are possible, subject to departmental availability.

All Jazz applicants must submit:

For auditions we are interested in seeing the applicant’s level of accomplishment and musical knowledge. Using backing tracks or a rhythm section is strongly encouraged, but not required. Solo choruses are required to demonstrate current improvisational ability. Please submit one prepared piece from each of the following:

• Blues (Billie’s Bounce, Tenor Madness, etc.)
• Jazz Standard (Four, Groovin’ High, etc.)
• Great American Songbook Standard (All The Things You Are, Days Of Wine And Roses, etc.)

Also, applicants are asked to demonstrate knowledge of scales, inversions, chords, and voicings. Live auditions are possible with departmental availability. Backing tracks may be available but bringing your own is recommended. A rhythm section will not be provided. Please direct any questions about repertoire to Admission.

Audition Requirements
We encourage candidates for the Music major to send an online submission containing the specific requirements below.  YouTube links are highly preferable whenever able.  Live, on-campus auditions are possible, subject to departmental availability.

All Classical Instrument applicants must submit:

2-3 prepared pieces representing contrasting styles. For auditions on campus, you may choose to bring your own pianist, but it is not required. Please note a pianist will not be provided for auditions.

Acting
Please submit two prepared monologues from memory of no more than two minutes each.  

1. Shakespearean Monologue- Comedic or Dramatic
2. Contemporary Monologue (please choose one option)

• Monologue from a play published after the 1900s 
• Monologue from a Film

      3. Sing sixteen bars of a song from a published musical a cappella.

Musical Theatre
Please submit two prepared monologues from memory of no more than two minutes each.  

1. Shakespearean Monologue- Comedic or Dramatic
2. Contemporary Monologue (please choose one option)

• Monologue from a play published after the 1900s 
• Monologue from a Film

      3. Sing an entire song from a published musical with an instrumental or  
         piano track accompaniment.


Design and Production
Please contact Megan Berg at mberg@idyllwildarts.org for portfolio requirements.

Portfolio Requirements

Candidates must submit a portfolio that includes several representative writing samples. The portfolio must include some poetry and fiction, but may also include work from other genres such as nonfiction and dramatic writing. The submission should be 10-20 pages total. Applicants are evaluated on overall academic achievement as well as writing skills and experience. Due to the large amount of reading required, applicants should have a high level of reading comprehension.