If anyone here attends LMU and has experience with the film production program, I would love some information re availability of film equipment and other resources. After touring with DS, we got the impression it was competitive to sign up for anything. Also, it seems the school shows their love more to the graduate film students than the undergraduate.
Finally, how helpful are the LA connections made while an undergrad?
Thanks!!!
My daughter’s boyfriend is a freshman Film production major…I’ll try to get an answer for you.
Thanks marg928. Calgal - my son is a freshman film production major at LMU.
Equipment availability:
He also works in the film department equipment checkout room so he has first hand info on this.
He says equipment is readily available to students and there is usually no problem checking out what you need under the following parameters: 1) Certain equipment is available for checkout only to students enrolled in certain film classes (this is specifically to ensure those students who really do need the equipment have access to it when they need it for class; 2) Equipment is shared amongst students for projects - most classes require group work for projects so there is no need for each student in a class to check out their own equipment; instead, the group determines what they need and check out everything together - maybe one student checks out the camera; another checks out the gaffing gear, etc…; 3) Students need to plan schedules accordingly (a student who waits until the last weeks before a project is due shouldn’t blame it on the film department if what they need isn’t instantly available). In all, he says the equipment department and professors work closely together to make sure all film students are accommodated.
More love for grad film students than undergrads:
He feels every school prioritizes grad students over undergrads on some things. That just goes with the territory of being a grad student vs undergrad. However, LMU in particular has made special efforts to minimize that. For instance, LMU just opened a new film studio specifically for the grad students in nearby Playa Vista (right down the hill from campus). This then removes contention of grad vs undergrad for the existing film studios on campus. The new studio is also available to undergrads but, logically, since it was built specifically for the grad students, grad students have priority. My son feels the profs and dean of the film school are very accessible and attentive to undergrads. In fact he routinely has conversations with his profs and the dean. He just told me yesterday he chatted with the dean about some things particular to his needs.
How helpful are the LA connections made while an undergrad:
My son doesn’t have first hand experience yet using a connection to get an internship or job. However, he knows several students (even his current freshman roommate) who HAVE already made use of LMU LA connections. His roommate saw a posting in the LMU film dept for a production assistant job - he applied and got it. The nice things are 1) a lot of industry companies put up postings directly in the LMU film dept, 2) some of the jobs are nearby to campus so even current students can work them. His roommate’s PA job was right on LMU campus - it was with the Young Sheldon series when they filmed a few episodes on LMU campus. One of our family friends is also a freshman student at LMU in animation (also part of the film school). Through LMU she has already toured Disney Animation Studios and made connections for possible internships. These are just 2 freshman we know personally.
There are countless other students of all grade levels who have made useful connections as well.
LMU often showcases alumni who have gone on to make film industry careers in LA and beyond. Those alumni are eager to help other students get connected and LMU makes a great effort to bring those alumni back to introduce them to current students and make those connections happen.
LMU also has a series called The Hollywood Masters Program (this info from the website explains it directly) -
“In February 2014, SFTV launched The Hollywood Masters, an interview series filmed on LMU’s campus designed to examine the careers of award-winning filmmakers and successful executives in order to advance students’ understanding of career pathways. Moderated by award-winning journalist Stephen Galloway, The Hollywood Masters is now in its sixth season. Guests have included Oscar-winning directors Alfonso Cuaron, Oliver Stone and Kenneth Branagh, Clint Eastwood, Jane Fonda, Michael Caine, David O. Russell, Sherry Lansing, Judd Apatow, Alan Horn, Hilary Swank, Norman Lear, Sean Penn and Ethan Hawke, among others. The production is crewed by SFTV students and alumni.
‘The Hollywood Masters has become one of the school’s most-anticipated programs. By hearing first-hand from Hollywood’s top creative talent each season, our students and alumni gain a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in the industry,’ said Stephen Ujlaki, dean of the School of Film and Television.
The Hollywood Masters taping is open to the LMU community with priority given to SFTV students and faculty (invites sent via Lion email). Seasons 1 and 2 of the series are currently streaming on Netflix.”
The latest guest was Jordan Peele on Jan 31, 2018.
LMU also has a Monday Night Series (again from their website) -
“On select Monday Nights, industry guests, including talented alumni, share their work and offer insight into the art and commerce of film and TV. Top creative talent (directors, producers, writers, cinematographers, animators) screen TV episodes, features and documentaries. Then everyone dives into a Q&A.
What do you want to know about the creative process and finding success in the entertainment industry? Get your answer from someone who’s been there, done that. By joining in the conversation, you’ll walk away understanding exactly what goes into telling some of the most engaging stories on screen (big and small).
Reflecting the collaborative spirit of the School of Film and Television, Monday Nights are true community get-togethers. Students, staff and faculty all contribute ideas for the series and help promote events. The open, casual vibe means you’ll often have direct contact with Monday Nights guests. And because they’re frequently alums, it’ll be that much easier for you to draw a straight line between “film school student” and “entertainment industry pro.”
Some Recent Monday Nights
42 with writer/director and LMU alum Brian Helgeland
Justified with creator/writer/producer Graham Yost
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns with director and LMU lecturer Jay Oliva
The Sessions with writer/director Ben Lewin
American Horror Story with writer/producer and LMU alum James Wong
Moonrise Kingdom with cinematographer Robert Yeoman
An Evening with Pixar’s John Lasseter”
So bottom line, LMU students get myriad opportunities to meet highly successful industry people directly because LMU brings those people on to campus specifically to talk with and meet LMU students. Many of those opportunities turn into job opportunities for LMU students.
Other things LMU does for film students:
They hold regular screenings of movies to give students a chance to discuss the movie-making details amongst themselves and with their profs. They also just held their annual special restored film screening series of classic European films called Il Cinema Retrovato.
And, lastly, they have a program called Film Outside the Frame (again from their website) -
“Film Outside the Frame, SFTV’s annual student awards and film festival, recognizes student achievements in all areas of filmmaking. Each year, top student work is screened at a major studio in front of friends, family, LMU community and industry professionals. Awards are given in the areas of Best Cinematography, Best Animation, Best Teleplay, Best Sound Design, Best Documentary and more.”
This awards program is watched by industry people in LA looking for new talent so it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase LMU talent.
(continuation of my very long post…)
OK so long story short – my son absolutely loves the LMU film school. He looked at USC, UCLA, NYU, UT Austin, and Chapman. All including LMU, are top film schools in the nation. He felt his fit was LMU and I think he made the right personal choice. It is all up to the individual and what you are looking for and how you feel personally about the school. I just wanted to answer your questions. Students at the other schools could probably answer similarly about their school. They are all phenomenal programs. At the end of the day, the choice is totally up to you.
@calgal I just wanted to tag you so you see the very detailed response you got from @Msutton63 who happens to be my D’s boyfriend’s mom…she is very thorough!
Thank you so much msutton63 and marg928; this was extremely helpful!