Dear Saseendra and other HSMP applicants,
I am sorry to hear about your application being refused. I experienced the SAME awful experience yesterday. i am in shock and dont know exactly what to do. i am looking for
ALL the possible help!!
From what i have researched so far, we have two options:
1. Appeal-
We can only "ask for the HSMP Team to
REVIEW their decision ONLY if we explain why we feel our applications were wrongly refused and adress the reasons for refusal given on our decision letter".) only the original information provided will be reviewed.
THEIR email said that "A response will be issued to all other enquiries within fifhteen working days". It did NOT state a response duration for THIS kind of appeal enquiry (review). hmm...intriguing!
2. Make a NEW, FRESH application
This application should be VERY much more efficient, we have the possibility to add a MORE specific and better "Letter of Reference of Employment" which clearly states our MANAGERIAL experience or a more solid explanation of a this unclear "Significant Achievement"
In my case, it is funny enough:
A. they DIDNT consider my almost 3 years of international experience in USA, Germany and Spain as one of managerial experience. I held posts of Production Assistant or Editorial assistant in TV and Film productions. As a freelance, i was even directing some interviews and definitely provinding a resourceful support to WAY more experienced directors (including Taylor Hackford, Best Director nominee for this years' Oscars) and producers (MTV, ZDF, etc). If i were to compare THAT resposibilities and duties with the ones i would have in my Homeland Ecuador, i would be a senior position already.
B. They do NOT consider the fact that i won a NATIONAL short film festival back when i was 22 as Significant Achievement. I sent them one letter from the Ecuadorian House of Culture (most important cultural institution in my country) which states taht i have a NATIONAL recognition from my peers (other participants) and THIS institution. additionally, i have a letter from the Ecuadorian Minister of Culture, explaining the same.
BOTH institutions are the most important ones here to recognize some "artistic achievement"!!
should i make new lettes stating the fact that this national festival meant some important development for upocoming international film festivals? and that my work DID encourage young filmmakers to continue their work? In my field it is more common to make a film than to write a book, for obvious reasons! so what is up with that?
I think that HSMP ONLY consider this achievement if it has been of international recognition. contradictory, they said the opposite in their guidance notes.
i have better and more powerful letters of employemnte especially one form germany which i got in dec 04, almost 3 months after applying for the first time
then, i flew to london and even got a few interviews on a visitor visa. i got a JOB offer which i faxed to Sheffield on 21.12.04. and now, they copme to me and say i dont have the qualifications or experienced required and that my significant achievemnt is nothing???
i simply DO NOT understand what went wrong...coud any one PLEASE give me some lights to follow??
thanks so much for all the advice
if you prefer to write me directly to my email:
jhonnyzurita@hotmail.com
appreciate every piece of help i can get
yours,
jhonny