I’ve been seeing CSUN in several ‘top film schools’ rankings. Is there program actually that good? CSUN or DePaul??
I am currently in the CTVA program and I have nothing but good things to say about it! Very hands on, you are learning from industry professionals AND the SAME professors that teach at UC’s and USC, and the faculty knows your name and genuinely cares about your success. It’s also worth noting that CSUN undergrads have beat UCLA graduate students in film competitions and continue to do so. This film school is top notch and you are only paying 1/4 of a UC and way less than LMU or USC. I’d give it a solid 8.5/10
That’s great to hear! Thank you so much for answering. Can you tell me how’s the social life/vibe at CSUN?
@Lifeis14567 Sure! I feel like if you’re an afternoon student, the social life is great! the Campus is quite lively! Once you get to the evening classes, it has a more commuter feel. The school has a lot of events going on like the BIG SHOW, Matador Nights, Greek philanthropy events, and there are tons of clubs! It’s perfect for those who find themselves in the middle of both introverted and extroverted personalities. There is something for everyone 
Are you looking for anything in particular?
I was just accepted into CSUN!! Super happy!!! I have a few more questions… I know many people commute from home. Does it affect social life too much? Do people still hang out around campus and it is hard to make friends because of it? I am going to be living on campus so I am a little worried about that. Also, I am not going to lie, I am VERY (haha) confused about how the film major works. I applied for narrative production and was provisionally accepted into a film. Is that the same thing? Looking at their site there is the program option of screenwriting, film production, television production, and some others. But when I was applying I just had the option of choosing either narrative production (which I can’t even find on their site) and film theory (or something like it.) So do you apply to these specific majors (screenwriting, film production etc etc) once you are in the school? How hard is it to get in? What if you don’t? Do you know anything about the screenwriting major? I am sorry I am bombarding you with questions btw. I am just having a really hard time figuring this stuff out. Thanks for the help.
@Lifeis14567 Congratulations!!!
- Yes and No. Your social life at CSUN is what you make of it! If you live in the dorms, find an organization or two to join, and make friends in your classes, it won't be any different from any other college. There are plenty of events going on every semester, so there is always something to do or somewhere to meet people. The important thing is that you make an effort to reach out and try new things!
- If you are accepted into the film option, you'll pick your specified concentration (cinematography, editing, sound, etc.) as you get a little further into the program. The film option has its specified tracks which are different from the other OPTIONS in the CTVA program. The alternatives (Theory, Management, Screenwriting, and TV Production) do not correlate with Film and are separate things. If you google CSUN Majors, they'll show you all the classes for each individual options in the program.
- I think you are referring to CSU Long Beach for Narrative Production. Long Beach separates its students by either Narrative or Theory students. CSUN has a broader variety of specified concentrations, but Film, Screenwriting, and TV Production all focus around narrative productions within their respective place in the working entertainment industry.
- I believe first-year students are admitted as PRE-CTVA until all of your lower division CTVA classes are completed and then you can either submit a portfolio for the film option or you can apply to any of the other options without providing any supplemental work. I'm not sure how hard it is to get into the film option because I transferred in as a Junior under Television Production but switched to Screenwriting mid-semester however, I heard it's quite competitive.
- Haha, I know all about the screenwriting major because I am about to graduate with my degree in screenwriting! I love it! This is an option for people who have a passion for writing and behind the skeleton of a story. It's A LOT of work, but I can't imagine doing anything else.
I hope I covered everything! If not, just let me know, and I can do my best to elaborate!
Oh. My. God. THANK YOUUUUUU!!! I can’t even express how grateful I am for this, honestly. You’re getting me even more excited to attend CSUN! If it’s okay, I have just a few more questions… (I am so sorry haha!)
- Were you able to do any internships?
- How much support is CSUN giving you now that you are graduating (congrats!) to find a job?
- Do the film students attend/participate in any film festivals?
- What's the average class size for the screenwriting and film major?
- Do students from the screenwriting major work with, for example, the television production and film students?
- Can you get a job on campus?
- What's the thing you like the most about CSUN?
No worries haha. I understand it can be stressful! @Lifeis14567
- Yes, HOWEVER, I got mine through connections that I had before attending CSUN. That aside, there are plenty of opportunities to gain an internship! There is a book full of them and the internship orientation class gives you a lot of information, tips, resources to find listings.
- I can't answer that one because I haven't looked into the school's career placement resources. I can tell you that the CTVA department is happy to help you however they can, and they're all wonderful to work with! Never be afraid of going to their office hours for help or advice!!!
- Yes (and our undergrads have beat the grad students from UCLA and USC!)
- The average size in a screenwriting class is between 18-20 students.
- They can work together if they choose to (considering you'll make connections with people in each option just from being in the same building and a few of the same classes together.) It'll mostly be the film students working with screenwriters or the TV production students working with screenwriters.
- Yes! A lot of students work on campus! :)
- What I like the most about CSUN is how friendly the environment is. I've met far more kind people than those who are not. The campus is also beautiful and, we have a lot of activities that bring the student body together! :)
hi! if I’m a local with a 2.8 GPA, are my chances of getting into the film program pretty slim?
Thank you sososo much @unpaidguidence19 , really. I hope everything works out for you!!
@Lifeis14567 Of course! Thank you!
@pvgirl2015 yes, if you are local 2.8 is fine! The minimum is 2.4 and they admit only based on GPA (for transfers)
If you are a freshman, they might consider your ACT/SAT as well but other than that, there isn’t a super hard requirement to meet. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
Thank you for all the thoughtful comments @unpaidguidence19! My son has been accepted to Northridge and Long Beach, as well as a few other Cal public universities. You have really made Northridge sound like an inviting environment. My son isn’t sure yet what his focus will be, but did you find it hard to get the classes you needed for lower division CTVA classes?
@KPdelmar of course! It’s my pleasure
I did not find it hard to get classes. However, I am registered with the student disability office, so I had priority registration. The CTVA classes on average hold about 20 students (maybe more for production classes.) I would recommend looking at the class schedule now and picking out an option or two so that way when his registration date comes, he’ll be ready to add everything! Also, make sure he clears his holds as they come in. they take 24 hours each to remove so start early!