<p>For the past few years I have gone from being interested in screenwriting, to production, to management, and now directing. The only thing I know for certain is that I want to study the behind-the-scenes world of TV/Film, and that I want to put my good problem-solving skills to use. While I'm very interested in writing/producing/directing, I have no idea where to start with my portfolio. I've been thinking about doing storyboards because I'm a very visual person and that's kind of how I plan things in my head anyway. I also thought about submitting a few video treatments (probably for music videos and commercials). </p>
<p>My dream school is UCLA, and I'm pretty much planning on applying to all of the "big" film/TV programs (USC, NYU, UT Austin, Loyola Marymount, etc.)... what should I put in my portfolio and how do I get started? No one in my life works close to these fields so I have no idea of what I should do. I'm also wondering about summer programs- is it a good idea to take a class where I finish with a directed 10 minute short or something? I just don't know if my amateur creative writing/visuals are enough to get into these schools. Btw, I am a junior so I have a solid nine months before my materials need to be ready.</p>
<p>For film at least, I know you can submit either images or short videos itself. It’s probably a good idea to take a class at school or out of school. I recently gotten into filmmaking, but come from a mostly theatre background. For NYU, you can send in a script you’ve written as the creative compontent. If you’re going to apply to Ringling, they accept almost anything for film. </p>
<p>Since it seems you already have a list of schools you’re interested in, I would check each school’s website and read up on their program and what goes into applying there, since each school’s requirements are different. </p>
<p>The only one i know for sure about is NYU. You can submit either a short film, short script, or a series of images in the form of storyboards for the creative portfolio.</p>
<p>You know, rather than drop 100k for any of these schools, you could get 10x the actual “hands on” experience by working as a PA (production assistant). That’s for directing and production. For writing, you could snag a job as a script consultant, writers assistant for a television show, or a no-pay intern</p>
<p>Many of the jobs I just listed are in high demand, so grabbing one will be competitive (but hey, it’s certainly not as competitive as USC or UCLA). They don’t pay very well, or don’t pay at all. But here’s the difference </p>
<p>1 - the hands on experience will be 10x better, you’ll be forced to work your ass off outside the comfort of a classroom (learning to function in the real world is priceless), AND you’ll get the chance to network with real professionals (not a bunch of kids in a film program with nothing to offer you)</p>
<p>2 - you’ll be free of debt. Debt is a dream killer. If you’re going to crush yourself with it right out of the floodgates, you may as well kiss your filmmaking career goodbye. When the creditor rings you up everyday asking you to pay off your student loan bills, and you can’t find a way to make enough money to keep the checks rolling, you’ll eventually find yourself getting a “real job”, a day job, which eventually becomes your only job. Say goodbye to flexibility. Say goodbye to freedom. The temporary backup plan just became the only plan </p>
<p>You don’t want that, do you? I’m not trying to scare you. I DO think people should go to college (for something employable and in demand) within five years of graduating high school. But for a risky, creative career like writing and directing, you owe yourself a good year or two to get your feet wet without acquiring massive debt, and THEN deciding if this is something you really want </p>
<p>If you can get your hands on a video camera, you should try to make a short film with your friends, just to get your feet wet. Shoot it many different times at different angles and edit them together. Or you can take some nearby classes or a summer class in film production.</p>
<p>Lots of good advice, check those school applications to see what they ask for, and get started writing and filming on something. They are looking for story telling ability and creativity. Do it on your own, or find an inexpensive class to get you started. Abcde11 is so right about the hands on experience, but unless you live in LA or another film capital, you will probably be looking at no pay internships. Find out who is working in the business in your area and volunteer for them, you will learn a ton and it looks good on that app and might get you a great letter of rec.</p>