<p>I was wondering if there were any schools with a good film studies program in the CA bay area.</p>
<p>Are we talking film studies in the academic and critical sense, or in the sense that you want to eventually make movies? San Fransisco State University has one of the country’s best experimental film programs.</p>
<p>Film Studies in the critical sense. However, making movies also interest me. I was already considering SFSU and need a broader selection of schools- especially schools that accept spring transfers. It’s difficult because the counselors at my CC weren’t of much help the last time we spoke. Thanks though destinyhelp!</p>
<p>Well you probably already have this on your list, but San Francisco Art Institute is another great film school. To be honest I think you should broaden your horizons beyond the bay area. There are a lot of great film programs out there (and I’m not just talking about the big four).</p>
<p>What’s the law that California has about attending school and going for cheaper if you’ve been a resident for such a time? Someone mentioned it another thread. They said most fail trying to move to California to get free tuition to a CA school. But I was confused as to whether these potential students made sure to live in CA for a year and attain permanent residency or not. This would seem like the only way for me to attend a quality film school. I think if I were to go to film school, it would have to be a high quality one. Otherwise, it’s not worth it. I’d rather DYI and learn on my own. </p>
<p>Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg, Robert Rodriguez, et al did it that way. I’m not necessarily sure I want to be a film director, though. I just want to work in the film industry. Not sure I want to write, produce, edit… heck even be an actor. I think we all can become what we want, but we must practice each and every day. How do you find out which area you would excel in the fastest, though? Is there a test I can take online? I’d appreciate any advice. Sorry to slightly hijack thread if I did… but it’s on topic. My first post BTW.</p>
<p>Well no offense, but it’s not that hard to figure out where your talents are, and what you could possibly do to have a career in the film industry. Do you write well? Become a screenwriter. Can you entertain people? Become an actor. Do you have a vision? Become a director, etc.</p>
<p>Hi Destiny H. No offense taken. But see… with me, I can’t ever make up my mind. A constant state of procrastination. It doesn’t matter anyway as I’d never have enough money to go to film school. I’m old enough now to know how aweful it is to be in debt. So I’m not even willing to to get loans for school now. That’s how jaded I am. I would consider it for something that had a 100% job placement record. Someone posted a link on here to another thread about a technical school for videographers or something like that. Looked interesting. And it had a 100% success rate.</p>
<p>Technical schools are nice because they are fairly cheap, and you leave with tangible skills. With that said, you are on your own. There is no alumni network to help you get your movies made. But people have gone down that path, and have been successful.</p>
<p>I believe Katham is asking about film studies, not film production. Those who study films become critics or writers, or go on to grad programs. This is different from the production aspect which requires technical skills and movie making ability. Unfortunately, I haven’t investigated critical studies programs (my son is looking at production programs)… but maybe someone else can help. Bears and Dogs maybe??</p>
<p>Destinyhelp, what are the big four film production schools?</p>
<p>USC, LMU, NYU, Chapman and several others are at or near the top. If you have technical skills (camera, audio, vfx, etc.) the job prospects are actually quite good. If you must be a screenwriter and/or director, perhaps not so good.</p>