HS Junior, was average student but doing better now grade wise. Average test scores (took practice ACT and SAT so far) is interested in producing abd writing in the film field. I’m honestly cringing as it seems such a pipe dream and he is just now taking classes that cover film.
Can anyone recommend colleges to check out in this field?
I’m even trying to steer him towards the military in that field, provided those MOSs are available when and if he enlists.
Look at University of Southern California and NYU–these are probably the top two. Others–Syracuse, UCLA, Columbia. Not as well known–Emerson College in Boston.
Columbia College in Chicago. Cheaper alternative to those listed above, and easier to get into.
What state are you in?
Schools that aren’t “art schools,” but have good film programs:
Boston University
University of Southern California
UCLA
UC Berkeley
Columbia
Wesleyan
Columbia College Chicago
Loyola Marymount University
Depaul University
American University
Emerson College
Chapman University
Also NYU, but the film program is at Tisch so it’s basically art school.
We are FL residents but can also do GI Bill from his dad. I found a top 25 list and saw FSU on there?
I mean is this a realistic program to get into? My DS is taking creative writing and a film class now and I need to dig but it seems to me just like music careers you need to come with a portfolio of your past work? Or do just some schools require that. He’s just now getting interested in it and I’m thinking of these YouTube sensations and kids who’ve already by been writing, filming and producing since they were in diapers? Are they applying to film school too and is that his competition?
I think I also read about a film school in Denver that was in the top 25? But that’s just a film or art type school?
Thank you for all your replies!
NYU/Tisch and USC have lower acceptance rates than Harvard or Stanford. Your son would need to assemble a very strong portfolio to even consider applying. Columbia College Chicago has a surprisingly strong Film department, and near-open admissions. Their entire soundstage was very impressive. FSU is very strong in Film. I think their BFA program might be very selective, but they might have less-competitive BA offerings. UNC-Wilmington is good. Temple does not require a portfolio for admission to its Film & Media Arts department, so they are also worth looking at.
Does it help if a school is a Yellow Ribbon school ?
UNC Wilmington is one of the top schools for film - the city of Wilmington is called Hollywood East, after all.
@Rdtsmith He will only need a portfolio if he’s applying to an art school; if he goes to an LAC with a film program, he should be fine.
adding Ithaca College to the list.
I have heard that UW-Milwaukee is a good school for film.
Great ideas all thanks!
The daughter of a friend of mine is studying film at Emerson. It’s not great academically (if you’re an artist and a scholar, you’re better off elsewhere), but if you’re serious about film, acting, screenwriting and other media careers, it’s excellent. She did need to make a few films for her portfolio, but I think that was it. She’s now studying for a semester at Emerson’s LA campus. Emerson is very well regarded in the film industry.
So many people have suggested so many schools that are really out of reach, admissions-wise, from the OP’s description of her S. Check the threads in this forum: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/
The following have some important info:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/701608-big-list-of-film-cinema-programs-p1.html
@“Erin’s Dad” um, yes. That Wikipedia article is total rubbish.
http://www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com/season/hollywood-east/
<<<affectionately referred="" to="" as="" “hollywood=”" east"="" by="" locals,="" -="" see="" more="" at:="" http:="" www.wilmingtonandbeaches.com="" season="" hollywood-east="" #sthash.bipafnni.dpuf="">>>
Hey y’all…if you can get your locals calling your city by a name like Hollywood East or Silicon Valley East or what have you, then well, you can make that claim.
@Rdtsmith Have you looked at your older son’s school for film? And, there’s a dad in our FB group whose son graduated in that major and is doing very well. PM for his name and you can contact him directly. BTW…his son won Best Picture at CMF Hollywood. In fact, Alabama won Best Picture two years in a row (his was the second year).
Well, as far as I’m concerned, Wilmington is the REAL Hollywood East. Not Massachusetts.
@Rdtsmith - Here are some more items for you:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18274791#Comment_18274791
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18036687
@LBad96 and @mom2collegekids and @“Erin’s Dad”
In the industry, there are lots of other “Hollywoods” popping up. But in North America, other than New York, nothing tops this (where my son now lives, working on a new Disney film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojm74VGsZBU