<p>Here's the story. I live in Los Angeles, I'm 25. I've attended school for acting since the age of 11. I went to an arts magnet school for middle and high. I left and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts for my last year of high school. I headed straight west after NCSA to CalArts. I had some great experiences at CalArts but nothing could compare to the training I had received at NCSA.
I'm sure you can imagine how at that point I was on acting training overload and had no real world exposure to the industry.</p>
<p>September of my senior year my father fell very ill. I left to go home to SC and help care for him. It was horrible to leave school but it was the right thing to do. A year later he died.
I went back to CalArts in a very different financial situation (as Im sure you can understand). I was ready to finish it up and complete my senior year of college. The institution was not willing to help me financially. I was hurt by that and I felt it was a clear message to just leave and try to make it in the real world. </p>
<p>Well here I am 3 years later... trying to make it. Its hard though I have found that I truly wish to be behind the camera instead of in front. I love acting but I'm a director at heart. I have a great love for writing and producing as well. I've made some money and I'm not in the financial straights that I used to be in. Though I still cannot afford to attend Cal Arts.</p>
<p>I would really like to finally obtain a degree. Ideally that would be a year or two spent learning how to operate a camera and learning more of the ins and outs of film making.
I currently have a great understanding of photography and light and have even shot a few magazine covers. I've made several short films and one feature film with a group of friends. I have an urge to learn more about filmmaking and finally get my BFA.
I understand that UCLA has a 2 year program and there are other schools in the area offering similar programs. USC is out for me as I have been in a few of their student film and I have spent time on the campus... its just not for me.
If anyone has advice or thoughts about UCLA film school or any other schools that might take a little orphan artist like me please post.</p>
<p>I greatly appreciate advice on the topic and I am open to speaking with any aspiring actors about CalArts and NCSA.</p>