<p>Hey, guys. So, I want to major in Film, and along with Sarah Lawrence, I was accepted to Emerson's Media Production program (and Eugene Lang in NYC, but that was kind of a safety). Now, obviously Emerson is going to give me a more hands-on, intensive approach--plus their facilities are top notch--but Sarah Lawrence would offer me more of a variety of classes in different areas, -amazing- relationships with professors, and its location is great--though there's not really any specialized focus on film. I am planning on transferring out of both after a year, if that means anything. For people who know about both programs or who are currently taking film classes at SLC:</p>
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<li><p>How many film classes were you able to take in your first year? I heard that you could only take three courses and they had to be from completely different departments..</p></li>
<li><p>Were you able to make a film (short, experimental, etc) in your first year? That's just really important to me. I want to start creating films as soon as possible, and I'm afraid that there would be more focus on theory and criticism in the first year, especially at SLC.</p></li>
<li><p>What are the facilities like?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>If anyone can answer these questions or give me some general insight, I'd seriously appreciate it!! :)</p>
<p>I’d be interested in hearing also from SLC film/animation students. SLC offers an exchange program with Cal Arts and has study abroad programs that focus on film (see the Paris program, which looks incredible). I do not yet know of students who have gone to either but would like to hear from some. <a href=“http://www.slc.edu/international-exchange/Exchange_Programs.html”>http://www.slc.edu/international-exchange/Exchange_Programs.html</a> </p>
<p>My daughter is a first year at SLC, and one of the main reasons she chose to go there is its excellent film department. For an LAC, its course offerings are quite extensive with classes in both theory and production. Additionally, SLC’s conference system allows you to incorporate film work in your non-film classes. My daughter can not say enough good things about her professors. They are dedicated teachers as well as active filmmakers. If you haven’t had a chance, I’d recommend a tour of the film facilities. You’ll find that they are serious about film. </p>
<p>There are requirements on the number of classes you can take in a given department your first year. This is to provide the academic breadth that is part of a liberal arts education. Having said that, there are ways to have your cake and eat it too. My daughter has had a class in the film department each semester. Also, her first year seminar has a film studies component. She has another class outside the film department where film plays a prominent role, and the students are all working on making films for their conference projects. She has also created a short film as part of SLC’s “Thank the donors” project. So that’s three films her first year, in addition to the films of her classmates that she has helped with.</p>
<p>At SLC, there are no specific requirements for a film concentration, so you could graduate without having ever taken a film theory or film studies class, and focus just on production. However, in my mind, one of the great things about studying film at an LAC as opposed to a film school is that you don’t just learn about the mechanics of making films, you learn what makes a film great. SLC has the additional benefits of fantastic professors and proximity to NYC.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>