Does anyone have any info about or experience with studying film at Univ. of Michigan? Would just like to hear thoughts - how robust an experience can this be? thanks in advance
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I am interested in learning more from current students or alumni about this as well. I was admitted EA to Michigan this year and am very interested in attending, however, I was also admitted to the School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount and am wondering how Michigan might stack up against a traditional film school like LMU.
@3fromDC My son didn’t attend UMich, but toured FTVM (film dept) and met with Prof. Mary Lou Chlipala, who knew everything FTVM. The studios and equipment are top notch, probably best in the Midwest. The Wolverine network is solid in every industry, including film/tv. We found a few working in film/tv, and they spoke very highly of the program. I can give you their names if you DM me.
With the Shipman Scholarship, my son was set on going, but he got into USC SCA in RD, which was his dream. He also got into UT RFA, with Moody honors, but was definitely going to choose UMich over UT for film.
@Tommy42young LMU has an excellent film program! They’re well connected to the film/tv industry (years ago their site said 400+ intern partnerships, but don’t quote me). New facilities, top ranking program, and industry connections are a better option than UMich if you want to work in the industry.
Did you apply to any other film programs?
Good luck!
following with daughter interested in TV/Film. In at UT-Moody RTF, Syracuse, Chapman, LMU and Villanova. Money from Syracuse, Chapman and LMU. Nothing from UT or Villanova Waiting on USC UMich and BU. Great options but so many things to consider coming from New England. Thinking school spirit wanted in addition to film tv opportunities. Open to any discussion
Thank you so much for this info! My daughter is very excited about UMich but was disappointed to not get into UT Austin or UCLA film schools so was feeling unsure about the program at UMich. I want to reassure her she can still follow her dream of working in film by studying at Michigan but, frankly, I don’t know much about it myself. We attended campus day and I wish we had thought to ask to tour the film dept. while there.
@qmommy Great options. Chapman and LMU have better connections to the greater film/tv industry, but UT and Syracuse have a better balance of film/tv & school spirit (excellent at both schools). Did she get into the film program in VPA or Newhouse?
BU also has an excellent film program, with a new campus in LA (directly across from DGA, if I recall). They seem to be well connected to LA film/tv industry, esp through their internship program.
From our FTVM visit, we got a strong sense that UMich is committed to growing the production side of their film program. The Screenwriting minor is already well established with hundreds of screenplays in their library.
A couple of years ago, we spoke with an FTVM student who landed an internship with WME (William Morris) talent agency without any internal connections. These internships are very competitive among all film students (incl USC, UCLA, Chapman, etc). She found out her manager was a Wolverine, and the major talent agencies have lots of Michigan alumni. In fact, at WME, the Michigan alumni was the most represented among all film programs (at the time she was there).
Mark Cendrowski (director/showrunner for many popular shows, incl Big Bang Theory) was close to the program and was a frequent teacher/speaker.
We are visiting UM in 2 weeks and have a general tour set up. I am hoping to get something arranged with the FTVM department too. D is applying next year and very interested in UM and film. (Also on the apply-to list: Syracuse, BU, Fordham, Emory, Northwestern, Wesleyan, and maybe some others. Nothing in CA because it’s her home state and she wants to experience somewhere else. But most people think she’s crazy for not considering LA-area schools for film.)
Great schools! BU has a campus in LA, and is probably the most connected among schools you listed. Syr alumni also has a significant footprint in TV. Wes has a very highly rated film studies program, they had approved plans for a new production wing of the bldg. S19 did a summer program at Emory, said there was only a basic film studies program, but the B school has a film business major.
I understand wanting to get out of CA. Emory is in a good location for production. UT, UNCSA, FSU are other publics with great film programs. Is she considering NYU?