<p>Great and informative post, paying3tuitions. I’m impressed with Chapman’s new facilities, drive, incredible students plus their terrific faculty. It’s so nice to also get the inside story on the great camaraderie among their film production students.</p>
<p>My sons are not film production majors, so I cannot post extensively on the inside of being an SCA Production major. I hope that maddenmd and perhaps others will give us that view soon.</p>
<p>What I have observed from S1’s incredible film production sequence was that he got to study with the most amazing AA winning cinematographer–very inspiring and a famously rigorous class. I also get to see the sorts of outside-the-classroom opportunities that are available to these kids. There are too many wonderful things to keep track of and find time for. Disney is always on campus. This week DreamWorks is presenting an Animation Seminar:
“Storytelling with COLOR,” and when they held a screening of Conan The Barbarian (!), of course the former CA governor was there to speak. All of these are events reserved for SCA, so the students do get to speak to the presenters and exchange contact info many times. I’ve mentioned before how impressive the I have found USC’s “First Look” film showcase at the DGA. These are attended by agents and producers and every big name in Hollywood. One year recently, it was announced that every single graduating screenwriting major had an industry job–although of course, not everyone (or perhaps anyone) had sold a million dollar screenplay. So the exposure is helpful, I’m sure. </p>
<p>In my sons’ major, there is currently the most incredible hiring frenzy among soon-to-be grads. I’m proud to say S1 has sold a game he created to a funded startup and has begun work on developing it for them even before he graduates. This is an opportunity that came through an email from SCA, offered by an exec who got his SCA MFA many years ago. I’m very proud!! But also know that a lot of his success comes from the projects he worked on outside of class. Like film production students, there is a lot that depends on the go-go-go of the individual. </p>
<p>This is just additional information, but I truly agree with posts above that there are networks available for many in Hollywood who are willing and energetic enough to reach out and make friends. It takes a certain personality to enjoy this process–to find it fun to hang out with peers and talk shop, to volunteer to help on their student films, to share an apartment after graduation. It may take a certain risk-tolerant tendency, too. (And that includes the parents!)</p>