Community college film programs - are they a joke?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>I'm seriously considering attending my local junior college for an associates degree (or transferable associates degree) in something non-film related. This would be for financial reasons. However, I'm very, very interested in filmmaking and would like to pursue that interest heavily outside of school. </p>

<p>That being said, I realize it can be difficult to learn/practice proper filmmaking technique when you don't know anyone who can act in your short films or serve as crew members. I recently noticed, however, that the community college I have in mind * does * offer several film programs, including ones which emphasize technical production. On paper, they all look excellent - dozens and dozens of classes, and decent facilities. The school I'm looking at has a good reputation for its instructors. It's Sacramento city college. </p>

<p>That being said, the main concern I have is the other students. I'm not a snob. I really, really like the idea of going to school with a variety of diverse people from different age groups and educational backgrounds. My only concern is as follows - ** if you have any personal experience with the film programs offered at community colleges, did you find that your fellow students took things "seriously"? **. This last year in High school (my junior year) I took a film class that was a complete joke. Even though the group I (almost exclusively) worked with were very nice, funny, and friendly, they were also quite * lazy *. It took a few days of coaxing just to get them out of their chairs shooting a video, and when they did, it was my job to come up with the idea and lead the process. They saw the class as an easy A and a mild interest, so they didn't take things seriously at all. </p>

<p>Basically, I'm just curious if this lazy-community college student myth has some truth to it. While I certainly think the students attending community college for technical, stem, or nursing degrees take their education very seriously, I have some reservations when it comes to art students. Yes, I know it's stereotypical. </p>

<p>Thanks for any personal stories. I do not want to blow 50k on a school like NYU or USC, and I understand that the education at a community college is subpar to that of an ivy league. All I'm looking for is a group of motivated, dedicated students who will be willing to practice shooting videos together, in a city that doesn't have a strong film community to begin with.</p>

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<p>Please check out the Colorado Film School site. I am impressed with this program, which grew from a film program at a Community College in Denver. Even for an out-of-state student, this is a real bargain and probably one of the least expensive schools that ever landed on Hollywood Reporter Best 25 Film Schools. And the students are seriously into film. Not that you might consider this school, but it does answer some of your questions.</p>

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<p>It’s impossible to generalize an answer and say it applies to all the programs that are out there. </p>

<p>That said, my opinion is no unless a school can demonstrate otherwise.</p>

<p>I visited many programs with my S who is an art university now.</p>

<p>We looked for the less expensive options first. On almost every tour and info session, there were kids there hoping to transfer from community programs and even some programs at other 4 year institutions. We noted after several times of this happening, that the transfer students on a tour would be very surprised that see certain software being used or different equipment that was available or computer labs with MACs with industry standard programs. That gear was unavailable at their current schools, they didn’t know the programs and no school we visited would guarantee that the kids could transfer in as Sophomores or Juniors. They let it be known that it was possible to start as a freshman which turned off the potential transfer students big time.</p>

<p>We saw this happen about a dozen times over the course of our year long search. A self motivated student could perhaps overcome the shortcomings of a community college program on their own time and own dime but that’s very difficult to do.</p>

<p>We chose an art school ultimately because seeing the potential transfers convinced us that that was a risky gamble that may not pay off. Pratt Institute has two-year programs they work with like DCAD & another in NY. They are aggressive 2 year schools and you won’t fall behind your peers at other schools. They successfully and readily transfer on par with other students at other schools also.</p>

<p>It’s impossible to generalize but be wary. Look at really good schools closely, go on their tours and attend their info sessions then visit community colleges and compare what you see and hear from them.</p>