<p>Hello all! I've posted this topic once before I applied to schools, and considering the narrowing down stage I am currently at, I feel the need to get this back out there.</p>
<p>I have been falling in love with Smith for its atmosphere, location, liberal-ness (something in fairly short supply in my humble Utahan community), campus, majorly deep-rooted traditions and fantastic life history, the 'women' aspect, and....the feel (if that makes sense.) Fin aid is still panning out but there is one thing that is presently causing me some serious uncertainty: </p>
<p>Will I be able to take advantage of the Film Studies department as well as get film production work though either internships and/or other classes at Hampshire or U Mass or suchlike? I'm a hard worker and I've been planning on doing my best to make this work out for me. But how supportive will Smith be in helping me work this out? How much can I expect there to be open for the taking in comparison to how much I should plan on researching and finding out for myself? I heard that Northampton has an independent film organization that does internships with Smith, so info like that would be very helpful. Really anything would be great. I was hoping to get plane tickets out to Smith so I could meet with the Film Studies professors, but that is currently in flux. </p>
<p>This is an issue mainly because I was accepted to MoHo as well. They seem to have more going on in terms of film, but I...am not so sure of the atmosphere I get there as I am about Smith after touring both last summer. I'm caught between a school that I feel more 'right' with vs a school I like and is possibly more practical for my intended major. </p>
<p>So advice would be absolutely appreciated. I know there are some active parents and alumni out there, so have at me!</p>
<p>First of all, we should clarify (though I’m sure you’re already well aware) that Film Studies and film production are two very very different things. Film Studies is the academic study of films, learning about their place in culture, their influence (or lack therof) on the times, and learning to analyze films shot by shot to understand what the auteur is trying to make the audience understand. It’s actual very very similar to the study of English Literature (or any kind of literature), only instead of analyzing words on a page, you’re analyzing shots on a screen. </p>
<p>That being said, there are some (I think 3-4) video production and documentary courses offered through the film studies department, you should just be aware that if you want to major in film studies, that the discipline is not largely focused on video production.</p>
<p>OK, that’s point 1. Point 2, I’m not sure why you think Mt. Holyoke has more going on in terms of film than Smith? Smith has its own film studies major and minor and also particpates in the Five College film studies major (note that the Smith major and the Five College major are different). Mt. Holyoke only participates in the Five College major and only offers three classes in Film Studies that are based at Mt. Holyoke. They offer one video production course. Smith offers eight classes in its Film Studies department alone, not counting the film classes offered by other departments that can be taken as part of the Smith film studies major. </p>
<p>I would say that in terms of what film production life there is in the Pioneer Valley, the bulk of it exists in Amherst and Northampton, the two largest towns in the area. Yes, there is a film production company based in Noho that takes interns from Smith (and probably the other colleges too). I knew one girl at Smith who did an internship there, though ironically she was not the most serious person with regards to filmaking out of my friends. My friend who was really serious about film production actually majored in theater, did film internships in the summer, and move out to LA after graduation. If you’re interested in film production, you might consider studying theater over studying film studies, with an emphasis on directing. Directing for theater and directing for film are very different of course, but practicing things like playwriting, directing, and even acting may give you a better sense of how to bring stories to life than studying film studies alone.</p>
<p>Oh wow, thanks a ton! That is quite a wealth of information smithieandproud. :)</p>
<p>As to your first point, you guessed correctly that I knew what I was getting myself into. I have no problem with majoring in film studies as opposed to film production or digital media or something to that label. I think it’s just as important to know how movies were made (and in what context, for that matter) as it is to make the actual movie, or who knows how terrible it would turn out? The film production courses were mainly a concern in terms of the idea of Smith offering much, of one type, namely film studies. But looking though the cataloges of the other four schools and most definately Smith’s own offerings, I’d say as long as I seek them out, I can take the film production courses to my heart’s content. </p>
<p>So that’s good. </p>
<p>I never really thought about directing plays and/or getting heavily involved in theatre to begin with, but you’re film friend in LA seems to be doing the right things as far as her own career goes so I might consider it more seriously now. I would especially be greatful for internship offerings, and I’m glad Amherst seems doable in that department. Would Boston also be an option or is it too far away? </p>
<p>Oh, one more thing (if I haven’t asked enough qustions already :D). I know Smith, allong with its general ora of awesomeness, gives out one paid internship to every student. (I’m guessing this is usually used junior year or so) if I find a very relevent and fantastically useful internship or reasearch project, with film, would I be able to work with the Smith administration to get more funding? </p>
<p>Again, thanks sooo much for your comments. This makes Smith feel pretty darn doable for me.</p>
<p>Boston would be possible for the summer or for other vacations, but it’s too far for internships during the semester. </p>
<p>Smith’s internship funding is flexible in some ways and not in other ways. Smith has a program called PRAXIS, which garauntees every student $2000 to put towards an unpaid internship at some point during their time at Smith. You cannot use it the summer after your first year, but you can use it the two summers after that. You have to find your own internship, but as long as it’s a legitimate internship and its unpaid, you will get the funding if you fill out the forms. However, you will not get more than $2000, that’s the flat amount for everyone. You are allowed to use your PRAXIS money for whatever you want though. You can apply for it, and then live at home and save it. You can use it for travel expenses, rent, art supplies, whatever you wish, as long as you do your internship, which must meet a certain number of work hours per week (not stringent though. You could intern full time half the summer using Praxis and work the other half if you wish). You get $1800 at the start of the summer and $200 at the end. </p>
<p>After you use your PRAXIS, you’re basically on your own, though some departments do have special grants or special powers of funding. However, since film studies is a small department, I don’t know how much if any funding you have. The Dean’s office also has some funding that they are empowered to dole out, but I don’t think they give it for internships. THey have a grant to help people pay for their books, there’s an emergency fund for Smithies who face some kind of serious emergency and need some money to get through it, etc.</p>
<p>Hmmm. I might be a possibility for me to use the money sparingly with my first internship and then see how much I can put forward for a second one. I suppose money I make over the summer, not going to my student contribution to school payments, could be used the same way. I hadn’t thought of that. :)</p>
<p>Do you know how long internships during the school year usually last? </p>
<p>Thanks (again) for all the info. ^_^</p>
<p>Unfortunately I don’t, most people don’t do internships during the semester because they are busy with schoolwork. I would assume they last about 1 semester.</p>
<p>You can find out more about available funding at this website: [Smith</a> College: Class Deans](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/classdeans/funding.php]Smith”>Funding | Smith College)</p>
<p>The Fellowships page also has some ideas about alternate scholarships and post-grad fellowships. Smith is one of the leading (I think only one college is above us) LAC for Fulbright acceptance. And a Fulbright making films for a year after graduation in a foreign country might be a very compelling project.
[Smith</a> College: Fellowships](<a href=“Fellowships & Postgraduate Scholarships Program | Smith College”>Fellowships & Postgraduate Scholarships Program | Smith College)</p>
<p>You can also explore international experience grants or other study abroad opportunities: [Smith</a> College: Study Abroad](<a href=“http://www.smith.edu/studyabroad/ieg.php]Smith”>http://www.smith.edu/studyabroad/ieg.php). One thing to think about is maybe doing a college exchange instead of an overseas study abroad program. You could go to a college in California for example and try to get an internship working in film while you’re out there. Worth thinking about.</p>
<p>S&P, you are full of helpful ideas! You really do epitomize your name!</p>
<p>Haha, it’s a slow period in my office. I just have a lot of time on my hands.</p>
<p>Well, you’re putting it to good use.</p>
<p>^ Agreed!</p>
<p>I’ve been asking her question literally all year about Smith and she’s never run out of steam! I am totally impressed.</p>
<p>And am looking into Fulbrights and the Class Deans as I type.</p>
<p>Oh, and I’m getting a copy of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe so I can gorge my eyes on the campus. Plus, you can never have too many well done movies.</p>