Interested in Film Editing (Transfer Student - CC to UC)

<p>Long story short, I've been at a CC for four years, and I'm finally looking to transfer with an interest in Film Editing. I was somewhat interested in the editing aspect of Film before college (editing videos and uploading them on Youtube) but for whatever reason discontinued. </p>

<p>With my GPA at a respectable level now (3.28), I'm intent on getting back on track and becoming a Film Editor (and possibly a Film Director, if I'm lucky). I've done research about this profession/career in regards to UC schools, but I haven't found anything that fits what I'm looking for. I know UCLA is more than likely to have a program for Film Editing, but my grades/resume(?) do not meet their standards. On top of that, I don't have any work under my belt which is a requirement for attending the UCLA Film Program. </p>

<p>So far, I've sent TAGs (applications to follow) to UCSC, UCSB, and UCSD as they seem to be only schools who are offering what I'm interested in. </p>

<p>What do you think? Also, I'm open to other institutions in California, just not Cal States. </p>

<p>Thank You</p>

<p>Tocane,</p>

<p>You should apply to the three UC’s that you mentioned but you’re a reach for all three. Possible but you need a backup plan or two. Why not Cal States??? CS Long Beach could be perfect for you! How about the privates? LMU, Chapman, etc.? How about out of state?</p>

<p>Wheaty</p>

<p>Wheaty, no disrespect but seriously dude, this is not Chance Me nor did he ask your blanket opinion about which schools he could or could not get into. He stated that he has done 4 years in CC and has a respectable GPA but did not state which classes he took. Just because people like to think they are the "Decider’ in Chance Me does not mean you should be too, especially when you are mimicking misinformation you see from there.</p>

<p>T, UC’s and CSU’s don’t offer a program specifically for Film Editing. The sequence of film editing classes is generally within a F/TV Production curricula but can also be taken whether one choose Film Studies or a emphasis like Screenwriting. UCLA’s F/TV Production program is great but very difficult to get into, especially without a working background/portfolio, reel, or F/TV AA. The cool thing about UCLA’s program is everyone works together and does all the production classes junior year and if makes it can do what they want senior year. I wouldn’t fret over not going to UCLA since it may be overkill for what you are looking to do. </p>

<p>The Cal States who focus on film actually do have very good programs but sacrifice 2 production classes for 2 LA classes like writing about Gender in Film and stuff like that. CSULB has a decent F/TV Production program but more gets undeserved props because Spielberg went there. In many ways CSULB has become a much more competitive school to get in over a good number of UC’s. LMU’s program is fantastic but is like 40 grand a year which is actually worth it for their program but Chapman for 40 grand a year IMO is so not. </p>

<p>UCSC’s film program is really weak, just not one of there strengths, as SFSU is the main bay area bachelors level film/tv/broadcasting school. I personally don’t think UCSD’s film program is very good, once again not really one of their strengths, but if you like the area and college, it may be worth to take a tour of their facilities, meet some of the professors first and see how it feels before making a commitment. </p>

<p>When it comes what sort of style of film making, SFSU and the bay area in general excel in Documentary Film making. Of course students do their own thing but generally speaking Doc style is one of the main focuses. The Santa Barbara area does some Doc but there is emphasis on environmental and wildlife but students do all sorts of stuff.</p>

<p>UCSB is a excellent Film Studies program but SBCC is the main F/TV Production school. The best thing one could do is take your FS classes at UCSB and your editing and directing classes at SBCC. SBCC has level I AND level II classes and help fill the gap to round out your overall education goals. I realize you have done 4 years but you really would be better off saving money and taking editing and directing there while honing in on your skills. The college and film instructors are great and you are right on the beach in DT SB plus it would assist in your GPA and transition to UCSB, if you decide to go that route. I use to overlook UCSB but have been bopping around all these campuses over the past decade looking for the best programs, classes and instructors to take.</p>

<p>There is more to editing than just knowing computer software and if did a Film Studies program over a production one would not hurt you in the long run. It takes about 5 years to become an Assistant Editor whether you join the Guild or not but worth it I think since use to cut and edit actual film. Peace</p>

<p>To me, when someone says “what do you think”, that means they are looking for an opinion.</p>

<p>His ‘what do you think’ inquiry sounded more like school options and there was nothing that stated what others thought his chances were. Plus a 3.3 GPA from a CCC will get you into film school at a UC just not UCLA without a F/TV AA, reel, or experience. He was realistic about that and was wondering what other film programs were out there. UCSB’s program is ‘Film and Media Studies’ which is very good while UCSD’s program is Visual Arts or something like that and is more media based and not an actual film program although has some film classes which I’m sure are of good quality still. I answered with my opinion the best I could within the extent of my knowledge from the 3 schools mentioned and information provided. There is always the AI of SF and Sunnyvale and a plethora of film schools in LA if you have lots of money to spend for a film degree.</p>

<p>I can’t afford to attend private, California schools nor out-of-state schools. I know there’s scholarships as far as paying for tuition but I don’t have the resources nor the GPA. Secondly, my dad is a veteran, which means I can obtain a veteran’s fee waiver for California public schools. Basically, I wouldn’t have to pay tuition if I attended a UC, Cal State, or CC. Much reliant option than a scholarship…</p>

<p>UC-Approved Classes I’ve taken </p>

<p>ENGL G100 - Freshman Composition (Grade: A)
ENGL G110 - Critical Thinking, Reading and Writing through Literature (Grade: B)
MATH G170 - Precalculus (Grade: C)
MATH A185 - Calculus 2 (Grade: A)
MATH G180 - Calculus 1 (Grade: B)
CS A170 - Java Programming (Grade: B)
HIST 185 - History of Western Civilization (Grade: B)
GEOL 100 - Physical Geology (Grade: C)
GEOG G100 - World Regional Geography (Grade: C)
HIST G175 - History of the United States since 1876 (Grade: A)
PSYC G100 - Introduction to Psychology (Grade: B)
HIST G150 - History of Latin America (Grade: A)
ANTH G120 - Introduction to Physical Anthropology (Grade: B)
PSCI A180 - Introduction to Government (U.S.) (Grade: A)
ART G106 - Art History and Appreciation II - Ren to Present (Grade: A)
HUM G140 - Jazz: A History and Appreciation (Grade: A)
SOC A110 - Introduction to Marriage and the Family (Grade: A)
SPAN A180 - Elementary Spanish (Grade: A)</p>

<p>A few withdrawals and a F grade but it doesn’t matter what classes they were. </p>

<p>Anyways, I’m thinking of saving up some money and buying film equipment. Then, hopefully make some movies, use them for scholarships, and apply for a private film institution. I wish I would’ve done this earlier instead of wasting four years. Meh…</p>

<p>And about Cal States, I need a Communication class in order to transfer. I rather not get into that topic.</p>

<p>Ye, generally Mass Comm but that is a fun class overall. Toc, there just aren’t very many scholarships available to film majors. Besides the 2 geo classes your transcript is fine and you’ve completed one of the biggest obstacles in education so should feel a sigh of relief, congrats. </p>

<p>At De Anza when you complete the basic F/TV production course you’d have access to check out film equipment. I also still recommend at least taking Intro to Film, History of Cinema plus Screenwriting, Directing, Non-Linear Editing at a CCC prior to transfer. The school is not as important as your skill level and reel, especially when starting out.</p>

<p>I’m taking a History of Cinema course right now. I’ll likely take another class related to Film next semester.</p>

<p>Anyways, thanks for the assistance</p>