Can a girl mix computer science & film majors?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>In another thread a parent asked some questions about schools that would have programs for a daughter that would mix her interest in computer science AND film. I thought the answers would be lost in that thread so I thought I'd break it out here.</p>

<p>sum17mer writes:

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My D is trying to decided what Major for college. She is thinking between Computer Science, Engineering or film production. She really loves the editing and production process but not sure of the job prospects after graduation in film. She is trying to see if there is a major where she can incorperate Film and Enginering or computer science. Her thought is that if she had a degree in CS on Eg she will have a better chance at getting a job after graduation. Is there any programs out there that combind the two. We have looked at Chapman, LMU and USC. Any other schools we should check out?</p>

<p>Stats 4.4 gpa weighted 3.98 unweighted, Rank 1/395 SAT's 1900 Lots of extra's

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<p>Sum17mer got some whack answers like "... male dominated professions" and "I don't know of anywhere that does inter-department coursework between film and CS or Engineering as they are too dissimilar." And to that I say horse manure.</p>

<p>The real answer is that there is obviously a huge tie-in between film and computer science. The two go hand in hand with movie special effects, TV graphics, advanced computer games, et cetera, et cetera. Hollywood recognizes this and so do many universities. </p>

<p>Also, who writes all of the computer programs that film makers use? Think of those job possibilities!!!</p>

<p>USC for example, has several ways for your daughter to realize her goals of mixing CS and Film majors:</p>

<p>1.) Your daughter could major in CS and minor in Film. SC encourages cross pollination and they have many students with much wilder combinations than this.
2.) Your daughter could major in Interactive Entertainment! Check out this creative major mixing Film with CS ---> USC</a> School of Cinematic Arts - Prospective Students Undergraduate Programs Interactive Media B.A.
3.) Or you daughter could double major in Intermedia and CS. Here's Intermedia ---> Intermedia</a> - Roski School of Fine Arts - Roski - Intermedia
4.) USC has the flexibility to create a custom path for your daughter. She could enroll as a CS major and work with counselors to create her own additions as she saw fit.</p>

<p>So here's just one school with at least four options. I would think that you should also look at Carnegie Mellon as they would likely have similar options. Other large universities might also offer more.</p>

<p>Being a girl in the special effects world or the advanced gaming world would be a huge advantage. Huge. The combination of CS and Film majors is red hot right now and I think your daughter is definitely on the right track.</p>

<p>BTW, her profile is terrific except the SAT score. Still time to retake it(?). If she could get to 2050 I'd say she would be a lock at USC. 1900 is a little low for those guys. Having said that, she's doing GREAT! I love her direction.</p>

<p>Best,
Wheaty</p>

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<p>Fantastic. Thorough, coherent, and HELPFUL response to what was not. That user’s comments are consistently polemic (and sometimes outright [thread=999293]offensive[/thread]). I feel you, and hurrah for sum17mer’s daughter’s passionate interdisciplinary interests!</p>

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<p>Wheaty… that was a great response. Thank you for that. My son took the “technical path” through his film production major, relying heavily on his computer science work. It’s amazing to find out how much development (programming) one has to do in visual effects. Rather than just using tools, you so often have to invent the tool to get the effects you need. He graduated in 2009 and now has a visual effects business. I can tell you that going down the technical road in filmmaking will definitely get you a job in the film industry.</p>

<p>The CMU program you mentioned is, I think, at the graduate level (my former boss is the director of that). But since I last looked, they may have created an undergrad one. Something else to look at (and the reason for my name on CC) is the Digital Media Design program at Penn. Extremely competitive to get into, but is a great program.</p>

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<p>@ Dystaxia
Thanks. I think that ‘helpful’ is the main purpose of CC and I think it’s important to offer constructive advice whenever possible. Parents and students come here looking for answers to questions about the student’s future. Important stuff that should be handled correctly IMO.</p>

<p>@ Digmedia
Yikes, I think you’re under-selling the Digital Media Design major at U of Penn!!! Check this out: [Computer</a> Graphics at the University of Pennsylvania](<a href=“http://cg.cis.upenn.edu/]Computer”>http://cg.cis.upenn.edu/) How cool is this program for mixing computer science with film? Geez, this makes me want to be 18 years old again! Congrats to your son for starting his own business - how cool is that?</p>

<p>@ Sum17mer
I hope you’re still here because we have some great programs listed for your smart and talented daughter. Here’s three potential paths to look at:</p>

<p>University of Penn path –> Get a BS degree in Engineering through the DMD link above.
University of Southern California path –> please see the above four suggestions.
Chapman University path –> Check out this newish major within Chapman’s Dodge film school [B.F.A&lt;/a&gt;. Digital Arts - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts](<a href=“http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/sodaro-pankey_undergraduate_school_of_media_arts/digital_arts/]B.F.A”>http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/sodaro-pankey_undergraduate_school_of_media_arts/digital_arts/)</p>

<p>Your daughter is #1 in her school which means she’s likely to get a post grad degree so I would follow up the above three paths with a plan for a MFA Film degree from a top film school if possible. That would be a killer combination!</p>

<p>In addition to the above, I would look at this list <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/701608-big-list-film-cinema-programs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/701608-big-list-film-cinema-programs.html&lt;/a&gt; and find schools that also have computer science departments. Go to those websites to see if any offer similar programs mentioned in this thread. For example, maybe Florida State?</p>

<p>Best,
Wheaty</p>

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<p>Also RIT, Villanova, and Carnegie Mellon. … perhaps Drexel as well…</p>