<p>has anyone here had much experience with the film department at U Mich? Good or bad?</p>
<p>Can you be a little more specific about what you want to know? This is a parental outsider’s opinion (but a zillion years ago I went to film school BFA).
Seems to me UMich is especially strong in upper years and in screenwriting (eg. having Jim Burnstein, a professional screenwriter on staff, etc.). The mandatory prereqs are pretty much weeders, since its not a BFA/portfolio only program. That means if you do well in your prereqs, you are allowed to proceed and participate in some excellent upper level production classes/and or screenwriting. Because UMich is such an excellent school overall, if you’re thinking about film analysis/criticism, I don’t think you can go wrong. If you’re focused on production, you can get that too, but you will not NECESSARILY be among the same kind of peers that you might at a portfolio-only BFA program like NYU’s Tisch or USC’s Cinema programs (meaning the experience level will be a little more uneven). --That is not necessarily a bad thing either. The truth is that filmmakers have to find their voice/experience the world/have a broad liberal arts background to mature into people who have something to say with their work. Traditional wisdom is that concentrated production training is often best left to graduate study. I believe UMich probably holds with this philosophy.</p>
<p>In addition to the film program itself and its strength, there is a robust filmmaking community on campus and a plethora of talent in the BFA theater program, Performing Arts Tech program at the School of Music (where they can take classes in scoring/editing/etc.) and no shortage of writing talent across a variety of programs.</p>
<p>So compared to many/most universities, I’d say a great choice, depending on your plans.</p>
<p>Well I’m trying to decide between Michigan and UVa, and film is an interest of mine. I will probably be majoring in econ, marketing, or something along those lines because I assume that would be useful in getting a job in the film or television industry right out of school. </p>
<p>I’m hoping I can get a double major with film or film as minor (if I go to UVa). In your experience, are undergrad studies in film at a school like UVa or U Mich worth it?</p>
<p>Don’t know a thing about UVA for film. I do feel a double major at Umich would be worth it.</p>
<p>I think you could also do the double major you want in the RC, several of my D’s best friends are in the film majors and in the RC. They’re doing great by the way, internships working on major films and on TV shows. From what I hear, the state of Michigan has been providing incentives to the film industry and U Mich students have benefited from this.</p>