Film Portfolio

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

I have several questions about film portfolio…I’m trying to apply to USC, NYU, UCLA, Chapman, Rignling, and few other good film schools that I’m really hoping to get in. However, I haven’t been able to access hands-on filming and get connected to anyone in the field until recently, so I need bit more assurance with how I’m doing with my film.

  1. I'm an Asian and would using an Asian actor harm my film? Someone told me relating my video to any of my identity (especially ethnicity) may not be a good choice.
  2. Should I have differing videos for few of my applications or just enter one video for all of my applications? (ex. USC requires max 5 min video and NYU requires max 10 min video, so entering the max 5 min video to both colleges)
  3. I have around 10 videos that I worked on in school and out of school, but I have very few awards. Would lack of achievements affect my portfolio/application a lot?
  4. Do colleges prefer lot of dialogues or is it okay to enter few dialogue video? What would be a good running time? (ex. if the college asks for max 5 min, would 4 minutes be the most suitable one?)
  5. Any things to avoid in my film?
2

  1. Depends on the college. It should be okay for California and Michigan schools. (although, I think having an Asian actor wouldn’t be bad at all. I think centering it around your identity would depend on these different colleges)

  2. I think differing videos would actually be a good idea, as you can play to each college’s requirements better, but it would be up to you ultimately to decide if you have enough time.

  3. Well…this I don’t know…I think lack of awards is generally not ideal in any case…but you’re only a high schooler…I don’t think they expect you to have an oscar or anything. They will expect you to have done relatively well for your age.

  4. I don’t know…I heard that it matters less how much dialogue, and more the quality of the dialogue.

  5. Swearing (or if you do use it…use it tastefully? I think the dam [I can’t spell it correctly or else it becomes ***] would be fine…but don’t drop the F-bomb), nudity, anything explicit sexually, any anti-government messages, homophobic content, racists content, sexist content, extreme violence, and ANYTHING THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED PLAGERISM!!!..keep it PG.