<p>So, I've been dabbling in the idea of doing something film related. This might be dumb, but to get into a good film program i.e.NYU, UCLA, do you need some sort of experience? Like, do you need to make a film and send it in, or take a program. I might do this film making in Jamaica program next summer, and I've written a screenplay, but I've never thought of actually...you know, doing it. </p>
<p>Also, can you combine film with other majors easily? What kind of experience, for those currently applying or already in, did you have?</p>
<p>Princessbell, I'm no expert, but I've looked into it quite a bit. My son is a sophomore in high school and hopes to go to film school one day.</p>
<p>Strong grades and academically challenging courses are going to be important to get those universities to even look at you, first of all. Many universities won't even accept a demo reel of your work, so it won't matter much if you don't have one for those schools. However, they want to know that you are a serious applicant. Why don't you try to do some kind of film camp or program this summer and see if you even like it? Try googling and see if you can find something in your area. That's what my son did. After that, he started trying to make his own movies. He then found out about an independent, low-budget, feature film that was being shot over the summer in a nearby city. He contacted the producer and asked if he could intern on the production. He ended up working all summer on the set doing whatever needed to be done. At the end of that project, he rented a high quality camera and made a video short of his own. He's been entering it in film festivals during this school year, and has placed in several of them. So, that's one way to go about it. We'll see if he gets in anywhere!</p>
<p>princessbell, I'm currently looking into pursuing film in college (I'm a junior in high school). I know someone at Penn State who's currently studying film and business (unfortunately, I don't have that many details). Most programs I've looked at require you to submit some sort of creative sample (NYU, for example, allows either 10 minutes of videotape or 10(?) written pages, but check their site), in addition to the usual rigamarole (transcript, application, essay, recommendations). My experience has been limited to theatrical productions in school, with a dash of writing thrown in on the side (I did go to a local movie camp this past summer)</p>
<p>timely, thanks a whole lot for the referral to studentfilmmakers.com. I'm hoping to get an internship that started out as simply browsing around that site.</p>
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<p>Specifically, I know NYU and USC require some sample of your work to be submitted if you are serious about studying film, though it doesn't necessarily have to be a demo reel. Many other universities I've looked at require creative samples to be submitted as well.</p>
<p>I am a senior in high school and have made 5 films, written three screenplays, am working as an editor for a year and a half, and had an internship at a major studio. From my experience, getting familiarized is a true benefit, for example I am not majoring in film, but I could get a job on any crew in LA. It helps a lot, becuase I know people doing film who think its cool. I think seperating yourself from the crowd is very important, because when you apply for film school and you already have a great reel, they will want you. I suggest you go on forums, take a camera and experiment, and if you are in a metropolitan area, such as LA or New York, or SF get on craigslist find a job, or find some friends to make moview with.</p>
<p>At UCLA you can not double major, which is why I am not majoring in film, do it in graduate school.</p>