Apply straight to USC SCA or stop by a Community College first?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>Hello guys!</p>

<p>You probably heard this introduction a few times, so I'll try to be acute. I am an 23 years old international who aspire studying film directing in the LA region. I used to work in the local film industry and learned a lot about the challenges and even absurd in the Hollywood industry. Yet, I find myself more motivated to face them - so there is no need to rescue me :) More specifically, I am looking to be equipped with tools, networking and experience that will enable me to take part of the film industry system (rather than independent or experimental fields).</p>

<p>I would appreciate to share with you my current thoughts and dilemmas. I put <strong>asterisks</strong> before and after the main open questions I seek some advice on, but feel free to refer to any of the written material.</p>

<p>USC's environment seem to fit best my approach so far. For the background, I have considered also UCLA or certificate studies in AFI.</p>

<p>Except for the professional aspect, I also target to establish myself economically and socially in LA. However, conversations of mine with film students in the present and the past illustrated difficulties in such self-establishing result from the abovementioned institutions' nature, especially for a foreigners. First, the studies are an economical challenge. That is obvious. Second, I was told that the professional field is effected too- mainly because of demanding general education requirements (I head the term nightmare once or twice and do not have real tools to estimate if that is exaggerated).</p>

<p>While the economical challenge may sometimes be treated by scholarships and grants, <strong>I am not sure whether the level of general studies in should play a main role in my choice</strong>. I do not aspire to survive my studies. I am concerned with a scenario of completing a four years studying period with an un-maximized graduation film or an inadequate connections-network as a result of a highly demanding general education program enhanced by the fact I am foreign (great English and all, but yet).</p>

<p>That brought me to consider applying first to a community college and transfer after two years. Not as a fallback, but as the MAIN option. As USC members, I would like to hear you opinion your suggestions regarding that option. <strong>I wonder whether the odds of transferring specifically to SCA are far too risky</strong>. There are always spaces for transfers in these film schools? I am not looking for absolute answers, <strong>but wish to understand whether that would be a gambling or a plan</strong> (considering that I am relatively talented of course). Sub-question is <strong>whether my current resume which is quiet unique will become less relevant in a transfer process as opposed to a freshman admission</strong>.</p>

<p>Even though it might be possible to apply to universities & community college simultaneously, since each route carries an requires different focus I prefer choosing what route is better for me and wisely invest my time in it rather than "shoot all sides" and let the results choose for me.</p>

<p>Regarding the community college option, I would like to add few specific question: First, my only reasoned positive impression of an institute which would be able to leverage my starting point until now was of SMC, <strong>so I am still in search for more options and would appreciate suggestions</strong>. Second, do two years in a community college equip one with significant part of the general education requirements and <strong>supply a real advantage later in focusing in the film studies in university?</strong> And lastly, economically speaking, I am wondering how can I raise my chances of getting scholarship once I make the transfer, since transfer students naturally face fewer opportunities.</p>

<p>Thank you for reading this far. I am looking forward to hear your opinion and of course - if you know people whose experience might be in help here too - I'll be more than glad to hear. I made peace with the fact that there is no ultimate answer, so I aspire to absorb as many opinions as possible.</p>

<p>Lovely day.</p>

2

<p>Well, I’ll try to give you some perspective, but others should chime in, too.</p>

<p>What you seem to want, at age 23 and with professional experience in filmmaking in your home country/ outside the US, is a way to move to L.A. and break into Hollywood, plus additional training in film production. What you are concerned about is how much time and money you’ll have to commit to a regular college curriculum that comes along with an undergrad degree in SCA at USC. First, do you have $300K to spend on a 4 year program? If not, I’m wondering why you would consider this approach. You will be losing 4 years of potential earnings in addition to spending so much money. And for what? While the education is really second to none in film production, and the contacts can be amazing, these benefits can only be truly appreciated if you can afford the cost and, frankly, the lost years of gaining traction in the film industry. Even more troubling, if you are not a US citizen, we have known international SCA grads who are not allowed to stay in the US to find work in film. So if your ultimate goal is getting your foot in the door in this country, you must do a lot more research to see how feasible that might be.</p>

<p>I hope you have a lovely day, too. If you are only able to move to the US with a student visa, you may have to find another path. There are schools (not universities) who have programs in film production that may suit you better, and they don’t have any academic classes.</p>

3

<p>Hi madbean, thank you for your honesty and straightforwardness.</p>

<p>You are absolutely right regarding what I want. I’ll only point out that the education and contacts components that you mentioned are my main goals and the reason I consider studies, since these are the tools which raise one’s chances to break in.</p>

<p>Regarding what I am concerned about - it is less the money issue (I won’t object saving some where I can, but it is not a no-go) or citizenship (I’ve done research and my film students acquaintances in the area were able to stay after their studies).</p>

<p>What mainly concerns me is the route itself-

  1. First, if SCA is right specifically for my situation. You mentioned that there other schools out there except AFI that might fit the situation, I would appreciate to know what institutions you mean.
  2. If I do begin my studies in SMC - would I have a fair chances to get accepted to SCA? Or is it suicidal? (I believe not, but I can’t just go for it with no trust it would work)
  3. Honestly, I am not familiar with the local industry or how achieve a position there, so I assume that arriving LA with experience and lots of hope like all the other tens of seems sounds like a gable to me, but maybe I’m wrong / underestimating myself)</p>
4

<p>I’ve got a kid in SCA and I’ll tell you it is a gamble. But isn’t life.</p>

<p>Madbean is right - every school is going to want evidence that you have funds to support yourself while living here and funds to pay full tuition. Federal (government backed) loans and scholarships are only available to US citizens. USC’s major grants are only available to incoming Freshman and even then not all qualified students get them (only a small number do). So to come to the US if you get into USC and SCA be prepared to spend approx 250,000 - $300,000 for four years.</p>

<p>Yes - you could try community college but what would you gain? SCA takes less than 4% of the students who apply. Translated that means they turn down 96% of the students who apply. So your prior film experience may be deemed attractive, or they may assume you’re already set in your ways. They judge based on your essays and your portfolio along with your general interests. USC will judge you on the merits of your prior academics. USC has to accept you first before SCA can accept you. Hence you would get two packages - one with a certificate congratulating you for getting into USC and a separate packet a few days later congratulating you for getting in to SCA. But again - they only take a tiny handful of students as Freshman, then fill in with an equally low number of transfers as the years go forward.</p>

<p>As far as the local industry - some people love USC students, others don’t. But what we’ve come to learn is that the name of USC only goes so far. What you have to offer is a major component. So yes - you can call up alum, but it’s not a guarantee or an automatic path to working in the industry. They don’t hand hold at SCA - you have to hustle to find your own jobs and connections using their resources.</p>

<p>Regardless - if you apply the answer is “maybe.” you’ll get in, maybe you won’t. If you don’t try to apply the answer is a guaranteed “no”.</p>

<p>Only you can decide - but yes - without a sponsor or a major scholarship - the cost of attending USC is very high.</p>

<p>If you do a search on the CC boards for film schools, you’ll find lists of good schools with better odds. For instance Temple University in Philadelphia has as a part of its film program the opportunity to spend a semester in L.A. or London working on an internship. Worth a look. University of Texas at Austin or University of Colorado at Boulder both have programs as well. They are out there - just have to look for them.</p>

5

<p>I’ll be honest here. I think both choices are poor. I think a community college is a * wonderful * way to connect with other filmmaking students, and get access to others who could crew on your short films. That’s really the only benefit of * any * film school - the ability to have lots of like-minded friends to practice shooting short films with, so you can actually graduate with a decent reel. Unfortunately though, most community colleges have a bad rap for being filled with students - especially art students - taking classes for general interest, but not really ‘passion’. The people attending will oftentimes be older, with other life commitments (some will have kids, for example, and others may be working on the side). They may not be eager to meet with you outside of class to practice shooting short films with, unlike the younger, more ambitious students you’d find at a more “esteemed” school. There are a few schools I can think of, such as De Anza or Orange Coast community college, that are known for having grade A film programs with generally passionate students at a community college price, but this isn’t necessarily the norm. It’s * absolutely * worth looking into though. </p>

<p>As for attending USC? Bad idea, in my opinion. The tuition is enormous. As a beginning filmmaker, you can’t be saddled with that kind of debt. The few “connections” you may get from a school like USC is ** not ** worth a 40k-60k a year price tag. With the right mindset, you can get an amazing set of film equipment for only $5,000-$10,000, and * you’d own all of it *. No sharing with other students necessary. What would you really be getting from USC? ‘Connections’? Not worth the price tag - with a little extra grunt work in the socialization department, you can make contacts just fine on your own without a school. Teachers? I’m a firm believer in self-education, particularly in something like the arts which is all about self-expression (unlike more rigid studies such as math or science, that really do need a professor to guide the way). In filmmaking and writing however, creativity should be your guide. Do you really need to pay 45k-60k a year for a teacher who probably won’t offer any unconventional wisdom you can’t find in the hordes of filmmaking and screenwriting books out there? - which there are many (and some great ones too: I’ve personally read more than a dozen). And the equipment? Why get used to fancy sound stages and high tech editing rooms when that isn’t the kind of equipment you’ll have access to upon graduating? As a film school grad, you won’t magically be hired to work with Spielberg. 95% of graduates start out in the indie film bracket, which is known to use less expensive, more frugal materials. </p>

<p>The only real arguing point is the reputation. In all honesty, I think this reputation from revered film schools is way overhyped. When you’re looking for a job on a film crew, or you want to sell a screenplay, or you want to find funding for a film you hope to direct, what’s the ** absolute first ** thing a producer or studio executive wants to see? Not your major. Not your diploma or which school you went to either. They want to see your portfolio. Do you have a good directors reel? Have you written some great screenplays. That’s the only thing that matters - if not, it’s at least 90% of the equation. Because filmmaking is * talent based *, and like many creative careers heavily based on inborn skill and a natural knack for telling stories, the school you go to really doesn’t have a strong correlation to how “good” you are. There will always be people like Diablo Cody (former stripper and first time writer/Oscar winner of juno) and Quentin Tarantino (dropped out of high school at 15) who have no formal training in film whatsoever, and somehow make it big because they’ve got what it takes. Similarly, there will always be hordes of graduates from schools like USC and NYU who pour tens of thousands of dollars into their education, and because they simply lack that special “spark”, they’ll be doomed to being boom pole operators and script consultants for the rest of their lives. </p>

<p>So what am I trying to say? In my opinion, you shouldn’t dig yourself into a hole of debt. That’s a horrible idea. When you’re a young filmmaker, you absolutely shouldn’t play it safe. You need to take risks! Gamble. Go big or go home. Try something new. Take the plunge. You can’t do any of those things if you have significant debt. Your portfolio of work will ** always ** be ten times more important than your college background. A high school dropout with an amazing directors reel will always be more valuable than a USC grad with a crummy, corny reel. A burger king worker who wrote an amazing script will always be more valuable than an NYU grad who wrote a decent one. </p>

<p>You say you have experience in the local film industry. That’s good. Why don’t you try to break in on your own? Make some short films independently, and see where they can take you. If you really want to go to an expensive school for film, you should at least double major in something else that is practical, or maybe even major in something practical and minor in film (so you can still meet students and use the facilities). But going to an expensive school * just * for filmmaking? Bad idea. </p>

<p>Good luck. </p>