<p>I'm accepted into Art Center College of Design's film program starting in fall. I received a scholarship; though, it will still require a significant investment. As such, I want to make sure I'm making the right choice.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how their film program compares to USC or Chapman (or any other film school)? I'm not talking so much about facilities or their name, but rather, but how much better at filmmaking you will become by the time you graduate.</p>
<p>It's difficult to find specific info as many sites tend to not list Art Center when it comes to film (but will list CalArts)... I think simply because their program is much smaller than the others. Though, from the graduate level work I've seen, they appear to be a step above films that comes from other schools in most cases.</p>
<p>If anyone has any additional info I'd really appreciate it! Thanks.</p>
<p>I’m also wondering the same thing as I contemplate whether I want to apply or not. That’s why I’m attending a online live conversation with the chair of the Film Program, Ross LaManna tomorrow at 5:30 PM PST. I’m guessing we’ll be able to ask questions there.</p>
<p>It was approximately 5k/term in scholarships + 5k/term in student loans. My friend who goes there for Graphic Design says about the max they give in scholarships is around 6k. </p>
<p>Still definitely not free; but it’s a doable amount. Also, they have scholarship reviews each term where they award people based on the quality of their work for that semester.</p>
<p>Yeah it’s really hard to tell if AC is worth it as far as film majors go. It doesn’t help that one of the most popular lists of the top 25 film schools doesn’t include AC; but, includes CalArts film program as like #4 or 5. And from everything I’ve heard, AC is generally a step above CalArts except for animation.</p>
<p>Not bad. Not bad at all for a scholarship… Congratulations on your award! </p>
<p>From what I see on the AC Film Vimeo page:[<a href=“https://vimeo.com/groups/artcenter[/url]”>https://vimeo.com/groups/artcenter</a>] Their stuff looks really good. It seems there is an emphasis on commercials though. Plus, many of the short narrative films are advanced in a technical sense rather than impressive storytelling (which is what we filmmakers should focus on). </p>
<p>Still, I’d consider this school as a backup if I were you. Did you apply to Chapman, USC, or other film schools?</p>
<p>Thanks! I thought about both Chapman and USC; though, I didn’t apply. I’d probably pick USC over Chapman… but, I don’t think realistically I could have gotten into USC… like I could probably get into their film program, but, not the school, itself. Though, I have heard their program is very rigid and not as creatively oriented as others.</p>
<p>As far as Chapman goes, it’s a rather good school; I don’t particularly love where the campus is located and when I’ve been there I’ve felt a bit like the people there are a bit on the more immature side. Though their facilities are hands down the best.</p>
<p>But overall, Art Center appealed the most since I already have been to college for several years and really did not want to have to deal with G.E.'s not transferring and things like that. Also, I grew up in Pasadena, and so, all of that made it seem like the best choice for me personally. </p>
<p>Yeah I’ve seen a lot of their work on Vimeo. I love how visual many of their films are but I get where you’re going when it comes to story. So I don’t know really! </p>
<p>One thing I did consider was that even though AC is not as popular for film, some of their other majors are ranked like #1 or #2 in the world and I think being in an environment with people like that would be a huge plus.</p>
<p>But, what it all comes down to is picking whichever school specifically suits you the best.</p>
<p>So, I attended the online live conversation and they were very professional in the answers that they gave:</p>
<p>Faculty sounds brilliant for the most part (and for the film program specifically). They claim the students are very talented and serious as they only admit students with an impressive portfolio. Again, congratulations on getting accepted! You even got a scholarship, which only means the caliber of your work is exceedingly excellent. </p>
<p>The fact that AC is a portfolio based admissions process heralds that the community of student filmmakers must be excellent. Ross warned us that this isn’t a party school, which is great if you really want to make the film/television industry be your prospective career in the future. </p>
<p>Ross graduated from USC actually, and he said that USC owns pretty much everything including your negative. At Art Center, they don’t do that as -you- yourself own pretty much everything. </p>
<p>From what it sounds like, Art Center is definitely worth it. Plus, with your scholarship – it just makes the choice that much more desirable.</p>