<p>I hadn't previously been considering Chapman because I was admitted to both NYU for Fall Cinema Studies and USC for Spring Broadcast Journalism.</p>
<p>But as I realize more and more that LA may not be my forte and NY is a bit too expensive for a San-Diego-boy like myself, I've begun to think about this one at the last hour.</p>
<p>I've already accepted at USC, but given I was admitted for spring, I don't have to make my deposit until August and can still back out.</p>
<p>Chapman provided me a $20,000/year scholarship for the Cinema Studies (whereas at the other two schools, I was not granted any money) program and would like to know other Film Majors' thoughts on this. Turning down two very respected schools in those fields is tough, but I was just considering this option, at the last hour.</p>
<p>Is it a dumb idea based on the fact that Orange, IMHO, is a nicer place to live and closer to home than LA or NY (and that Chapman, to my understanding, has some killer facilities)?</p>
<p>What are your thoughts? Should I take a last-minute hour drive up there?</p>
<p>I would definately take a tour if you haven't already. I also applied to USC and after I was not admitted I was kinda bummed until I started to realize maybe it was a blessing after all because instead of spending all the money there I have a scholarship to Chapman too. Plus Chapman is much smaller so there are a lot more opportunities for students in the way of internships, equipment, etc cus of less competition. I don't know, if I was in your position I might still attend USC but I do think Chapman is an excellent school from what I have researched and heard. I am going to be there for Film Studies too so hopefully I see you there! (You can always transfer in spring to USC, as far as I know you are allowed to attend one school for a semester before you accept your spring admit.)</p>
<p>ya definitely go and visit, i was rejected from USC as well and am still pretty bummed, but Chapman did give me a scholarship, and trust me the school grows on you :] I mean if you want a nicer location, AMAZING facilities, and a smaller school then choose Chapman. If you're like me and want the rah rah school spirit, kinda big student body but not as huge as UC's etc. (plus i love los angeles) then choose USC, if you want the more urban indie artsy type of film school go to NYU. Chapman is becoming more and more like USC (the reason why lucas donated so much to USC was because he realized Chapman was beating them in terms of facilities. Chapman has just gotten even more money and are building "Filmmakers Village" which is basically a backlot! with a new york street and european village, plus a number of soundstages for hollywood productions. they are putting so much money into Chapman, and now they're just waiting for their Lucas lol But actually if you go on the Chapman facebook you'll notice a number of kids who chose Chapman over USC because of those reasons. Plus you get rights to all your films, that may not matter as much to a film studies major, but you get all the rights, whereas at USC they own it all, plus you get to start film the very first year</p>
<p>Have you read through your major department "faculty biographies" of each school on the Web? </p>
<p>At this juncture, it might give you some insight into how each department intends to educate its students. On the faculty bio, you can get a view of what they say about their own work related to film (production or academic) and their philosophy/approach/emphasis on teaching. </p>
<p>If you want a career related to the commercial film industry, I'd stick my neck out to say that both of those LA-area schools seem to be promoting mentorships and internships in film, to a much higher level than in NYC. Chapman certainly beats out NYU on the connections to industry, but I haven't compared USC at all. </p>
<p>Compare each school by reading the course catalogue in great detail. Look for courses on the business side of films, and I think California wins on that. But if I had to decide based on where the deepest academic understanding can be developed, including very serious LAC coursework in history, languages, and other disciplines that a very smart film studies analyst would want, then I'd tip towards NYU. </p>
<p>In nYC, you can't help but acquire a good grounding in the live theatrical (playwrighting, old and new) of NYC and not just film. There are off-off-Broadway things going on all over the city, as well as filming which I agree has more of an indie flavor than something you're likely to see at a Loew's Cineplex soon. </p>
<p>NYC life can be expensive but college students often make lifestyle choices that keep the expenses low. You can absolutely sell your car (just borrow somebody's when you're visiting home) for real savings. My eldest is a professional actor in NYC now and doesn't spend money on clubs, which apparently makes a big difference. As a matter of fact, he has a job photographing people IN the clubs to sell them the pictures (like on a cruise) so everytime he goes out to a club he comes home $100 richer.</p>
<p>As far as film schools are concerned, CHAPMAN is right up there with USC, UCLA, Florida, AFI, CAL and NYU. They are all consistently listed in several film school top 10 rankings and for commercial oriented stuff, Chapman is one of the 12 schools that the Coca Cola scholarship competition chooses every year and in fact a 2006 Chapman student won the award and her film was shown in 9000 nationwide theaters in the fall of 2006. But Chapman has been a film school leader for about 15 years but is just getting huge now because of the new facilities that opened up about 2 years ago. And they are building a true Hollywood style back lot which will be the 1st in the College film industry. I would pick Chapman with a scholarship over any of the other schools that offers nothing any day of the week. If you want to work in Hollywood Chapman is well known and if you like indie stuff, they have that too. You can't lose with Chapman as their faculty is world class and the facilities and more importantly, the access to those facilities is very good too.</p>
<p>If you are doing cinema studies, would you even be using the facilities? Isn't cinema studies where you learn about the history and theory of film?</p>
<p>is Chapman superficial? do students only talk to you if you look like a model? i just would like to know. i am thinking of transfering over to Chapman and I am scared that I might not fit in! I am short and I am african american! haha :) please let me know :)</p>
<p>Haha well there are a lot of superficial Chapman students, we are in the middle of Orange County. Most of the film students I have noticed are a lot more diverse and accepting than students in other majors. That's just what I've noticed, but then again I've only been at Chapman for one semester.</p>
<p>I just noticed that the original poster posted in April, 2007 :) So, I deleted my response other then to say:
USC screams film, but Chapman is right on their tail.</p>
<p>i am a junior at hs and plan on taking up film as a major.what are the portfolio requirements at Chapman..i know some schools like nyu,risd and pratt want a portfolio of sketches.does Chapman also need pencil drawings in my application? any comments on the film program at risd as i am doing summer pre college there this summer with major in video in addition to foundation studies</p>
<p>Check out the Dodge website. The application to the school is posted on line and you can see the requirements. They vary depending on what major you intend to pursue at Dodge.</p>
<p>For Dodge College, you'll submit a creative resume. On it, you'll list all the creative things you've done, any awards you've won, etc. You won't submit any actual artwork. For film production, you will have to submit a 2 minute "video essay". If you go to youtube and search chapman video essay, I think you'll find some of the ones submitted by others this year. I believe there are extra writing assignments for those applying to screenwriting.</p>
<p>Chapman seems to be ramping up right now. New facilities and backlot. The films of four of Dodge alumni were showcased at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. And, in collaboration with the school of theatre, they're kicking off a BFA Screen Acting degree program -- the first in the nation. So, Chapman film makers will have a stable of talented actors trained for film to work with. I think the question of Chapman vs USC will ultimately be more smaller school vs larger school. Both have top notch film schools.</p>
<p>If USC didn’t give you any aid, I say pick Chapman hands down. You’re going to get a more personalized education and it seems like it will be much cheaper. Dodge already has a great reputation and what’s promising about Chapman is that it’s becoming more popular every year. I think it’s awesome that it’s up and coming - 20 years from now Chapman will probably be more popular than we can imagine.
USC is super cool, though. But I hate LA so I can’t imagine going there, haha.</p>
<p>Just thought I’d toss my two cents in here – USC is unbeatable reputation-wise, but according to the research I’ve done, Chapman’s catching up very quickly.</p>
<p>I was lucky enough to go to the Sundance Film Fest back in January, and there were several films screening that were created by (or associated with) Chapman alum. I got to hear Drake Doremus (director of “Like Crazy” which was picked up by Paramount at the fest) speak at “Film Church” and it seems that his time at Chapman paid off.</p>
<p>Also, I’m pretty sure most of you have heard that Chapman’s launching a film production company that aims to put out 5-10 movies a year. We’ll have to wait to see how that turns out, but it sounds pretty darn exciting.</p>
<p>It is definitely exciting to read and hear about the launch. I think this will help take Chapman to the next level over all the other film schools. This will also give a window of opportunities to the creative producers to promote and market their films. Way to go Chapman!</p>