<p>Both the UT Austin college of communications and Dodge in Chapman are renown for their programs, but anyone know which one is better or have any advice over which one to choose?</p>
<p>Hi Alex,</p>
<p>Since no one else has chimed in yet here is some ideas to consider and think about:</p>
<p>In The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 25 Film Schools of 2013 rankings Chapman U is rated #7 and University of Texas at Austin is rated #10.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/best-film-schools-hollywood-reporter-595712?page=2”>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/best-film-schools-hollywood-reporter-595712?page=2</a></p>
<p>Since Southern California is the capitol of the entertainment industry why you would want to isolate yourself from it by being located in Texas and not be in the Los Angeles area. My son since his freshman year at Dodge College has been able to obtain all of the TV, Radio, Music Video internships that he has wanted. He is meeting and making lifetime connections with very many people in the industry now. </p>
<p>Also thru the professors at Dodge College he is able to obtain as many contacts as he wants to people working in the industry. Possible Texas at Austin also has professors that have great experience so you should check into their staff as well. I listed below some of Dodge professors’ work that they have been involved in and in what capacity:</p>
<p>The combined filmography of the full-time faculty teaching at Dodge College includes more than 300 feature films and includes:</p>
<p>• Scott Arundale, editor (Rambo III, Hairspray)
• John Badham, director (Saturday Night Fever, WarGames, Short Circuit)
• John Chichester, production designer (Cowboys & Aliens, The Book of Eli, Alien: Resurrection)
• Martha Coolidge, director (Rambling Rose, Real Genius, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge)
• Bill Dill, cinematographer (Soul Food, American Playhouse)
• Johnny E. Jensen, A.S.C cinematographer (Lost in Yonkers, Rambling Rose)
• Bill Kroyer, animation director (Tron, FernGully)
• Alex Rose, producer (Norma Rae, Overboard, Frankie and Johnnie)
• Paul Seydor, editor (White Men Can’t Jump, Tin Cup, Turner and Hooch)
• Dawn Taubin, marketing executive (Harry Potter series, The Matrix, 300, The Dark Knight)
• David Ward, writer/director (The Sting, Sleepless in Seattle, Major League)</p>
<p>Adjunct faculty include:</p>
<p>• Anne Beatts, writer (Saturday Night Live, Murphy Brown)
• Fred Cline, writer/director/storyboard artist (Bebe’s Kids, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)
• Peter Debruge, film critic (Variety)
• Mary Beth Fielder, director/producer (thirtysomething)
• Bill Frieberger, writer/producer (The Simpsons, Drawn Together, The PJs)
• Ron Friedman, writer (G.I. Joe, Gilligan’s Island, The Transformers)
• Christine Fugate, director (The Girl Next Door)
• Cyrus Nowrasteh, writer/director (The Path to 9/11)
• Jeff Phillips, writer/director (urFRENZ)
• Michael Phillips; producer (Taxi Driver, The Sting, Close Encounters of the Third Kind)
• Michael Schiffer, producer/screenwriter (Call of Duty, The Peacemaker, Crimson Tide, Lean on Me, Colors, Very Bad Things)
• Tony Spiridakis, director (Queens Logic, The Last Word, If Lucy Fell)
• Jeff Stanzler, writer/director (Sorry, Haters)
• Harry Ufland, producer (The Last Temptation of Christ, Crazy/Beautiful, Snow Falling on Cedars)
• Andrew Wagner, director (Starting Out in the Evening, The Talent Given Us)</p>
<p>You probably saw the video below but just in case here it is again. It talks about the contacts you can make by attending Dodge College:</p>
<p><a href=“Prof. Pete Weitzner - Broadcast Journalism, Chapman University - YouTube”>Prof. Pete Weitzner - Broadcast Journalism, Chapman University - YouTube;
<p>If you are not sure I recommend that you visit both schools now while they are session again to help with your decision. All the best to your decision Alex.</p>
<p>Hi Alex,
I have exactly the same question. Money is also a big issue, I don´t know if it is worth it to go into debt than go to UT Austin and stay debt free. Also, I wonder if I would be happier in Austin rather than in Orange City.
I read everywhere that Austin has a great college of communications, but I can´t find any comments that go into further detail…</p>
<p>My son is currently a Chapman sophomore, majoring in television/broadcasting. I can’t speak for UT, but I can tell you my son is really happy with his choice. Also, he’ll be interning this summer at a major market radio station, a gig he absolutely would not have landed if not for his Chapman experience. Have both of you been accepted? Chapman has pretty good merit aid for students with good scores/GPAs, plus Dodge College gives additional scholarships on top of the general Chapman scholarships.</p>
<p>My daughter was accepted to Chapman and ultimately decided on another area college so been there, done that. Maybe I can add some perspective. You should go to the Campus preview days if needed. It will really tell you if the campus is a fit. It’s easy to do tours or view promotional materials, but I have to tell you - being on campus for the preview day was informing. It’s a good school with a huge heart and a beautiful campus (they said they have an endowment just for the landscaping). My D would have been happy there. But the campus culture is completely different from the school she ultimately chose. And also, the town is small and all Freshman live in triple rooms in the dorm. Ultimately she felt a different school with a larger campus was a better fit for her. You may prefer smaller and intimate.</p>
<p>So if you can afford it - go to the Preview day before you decide. I think it will help a lot.</p>