<p>In reading over some of these BFA programs they sound very musical and classically oriented- we are looking for film and TV oriented training-comedy..shakespere and dancing not so much-yuk. Any recommendations?</p>
<p>Western Carolina University’s School of Stage and Screen integrates theatre and film curriculums and is a really good program. Look them up.</p>
<p>Go west! Where the film and TV is. Someone else will know more but I think Chapman, USC, UCLA?</p>
<p>I’m guessing from your previous posts that your “yuk” referred to the dancing, not comedy or Shakespeare. Yes, some schools are more focused on film and TV work, and I agree that the CA schools probably are a good bet. Many schools offer classes in acting for film/TV, so looking at course catalogs can help. My D’s BFA has a required class in that, for example, but there is no official concentration in it; however, her school does have a media studies department so I’m guessing theatre kids who are very interested in film work could put together a very valuable program.</p>
<p>As for your comments about how websites stress musicals, I’ll make the following comments:</p>
<p>1) BFAs in Acting, and Theatre Studies/Arts in general, are not MT programs. If your S does not want to study MT, he can be pretty confident he won’t have MT requirements if he is not in an MT degree.
2) BUT if he really doesn’t want MT in his face at all, he is safest going to a school where they do not offer an MT degree. Some schools don’t even put on musicals. He will likely find MT enthusiasts in any theatre program, though - he’d have to look very, very carefully to find kids ONLY interested in classics, or anything specific. Again, he should be looking closely at course catalogs.
3) One reason why you see so much MT on the websites is because schools often will advertise their MT productions merely to be attractive to the general public. MT sells tickets and draws people in. But sometimes the fine print shows that the school itself is not really MT focused.
4) Movement, and its very close sibling Dance, are very integral to any Acting training program. There is no way to avoid Dance completely in any Theatre BFA, and many kids who don’t move well are thrilled to develop those skills, because actors need to learn to move, and many great acting roles involve “dance” of some sort. These are all valuable skills.</p>
<p>I have nothing against MT - I am an MT freak, especially classic MT, and my D even freakier than I am - but there is a big difference in loving it and wanting to study it intensively. This is a very personal decision, and of course we all know that all kinds of differently-focused programs exist. </p>
<p>I hope you can find programs that suit your S’s interests. I will throw in the idea that if his theatre interests are extremely focused, he might want to look into studying it in a particular way - do a certificate program either before or after college, or do a college degree where he will have more control over his coursework. Acting BFAs by definition have lots and lots of required courses. That’s why a lot of kids transfer out - it is not a value judgment, but often a question of taste.</p>
<p>I would agree with david. Western Carolina University has a BFA program and they are really focused on film, just as much as they are stage. I am a current Acting major there, and its a great program nesstled away in the mountains of NC. although we arent in LA, we have connections EVERYWHERE! I literally mean everywhere. We have alumni in LA, CH, NY, ATL…you name it, we have people there. We do have a Musical theatre department, but the Acting majors arent forced to do anything at all with the musicals. Really, look us up!! I hope that was helpful.</p>
<p>And, if your S wnats a BFA degree without having to take dance, thats impossible. Every single program that I have seen requires dance. It’s good to have, it makes you more versatile for different jobs.</p>
<p>If a student can’t or won’t go West, he or she should look at colleges with strong film programs. The film majors will always want actors to work (albeit for free) in their projects.</p>