Hi. Now I’m in a situation I need to make a decision between Emerson as a video production major and UC Berkeley as a film study major.
I can tell I’m more interested in film production rather than analyzing films, but I think my experience in UC Berkeley might help me to expand my thoughts and perspective which can impact my future films’ contents. i
Can you give some advice ??
Both have advantages. Berkeley on the intellectual side, and Emerson on the technical. Do you see yourself as requiring a more generalized education at this stage (Cal will likely have more gen. ed. requirements than will Emerson). Would you be planning to earn a BFA if you enroll at Emerson or a Bachelors in Art/Science? How much video have you been doing over the past few years - did you submit a portfolio to Emerson? And would you be doing the LA program for Emerson or staying in Boston? Finally, what is your financial situation like because Emerson would definitely be four years (they have an admirable 4-year grad rate) but they are private. In contrast, Cal would probably be a five year program but the potential for in-state tuition is there (if you are not a resident already).
It’s perfectly ok NOT to get too specific (such as enrolling in video production at a dedicated media arts college) right away. There is always grad school. Plus a Cal degree will be more transferable in the job market. However, if your heart is set on video production and you are absolutely in love with it, know at this point that this is what you want to do, and wish to dedicate the next four years to this field, then film studies at Cal-Berkeley probably isn’t going to hold your interest.