Hi all!
So I’ve been accepted to both schools as a film production major and wanted to know how do they compare in terms of film school (facilities, internships, classes…) and schools in general (social aspects, academic life)?
If any of you have any idea would be very helpful!
Thank you!
bump!
Congrats!!
Both schools are excellent and both have invested huge amounts of money to grow their film/production programs.
The Dodge school at Chapman is a couple of years ahead of LMU as far as investments go.
LMU, however, has just just leased a massive facility space adjacent to their campus, that will allow them to expand their program dramatically for Fall '18.
http://newsroom.lmu.edu/2017/02/09/lmu-university-silicon-beach-announces-new-playa-vista-campus/
Although Chapman/Dodge has really carved an excellent niche for itself, but I see the partnerships and proximity of local production houses near LMU giving it the advantage.
Best is to visit both and see where you feel most connected.
The one thing I would strongly suggest is that if you plan to go to an admitted students day at one, be sure to do admitted students at the other as well. Conversely if it’s not possible to attend one, don’t attend the other. Bottom line is that you want to compare apples to apples, or in this case, oranges to oranges.
sorry, I’ll show myself out…
Thank you for your response!
I saw the silicon beach new campus! However, it will only be used by Graduate students. Do you think that will have an impact in my connections and resources at LMU? @hop
I am trying to plan a visit next month to both, so hopefully that helps!
Thank you so much for your insight and information, it is really useful! I will try to visit both to get a better idea
@bcnbound, Congrats on your acceptances and let us know what you think of LMU or of both. We haven’t been able to visit yet. Only comparing LMU with another film school (not Chapman).
Although the new campus will be primarily geared toward grad students, because LMU (and Chapman for that matter) are both smaller schools, they generally need to have undergrads participate in production to get it done.
All good for the ambitious undergrad!!
Two great choices, decision could be based on best financial aid package. Two kids that have graduated from Lmu, they both could have worked almost every weekend on a grad or undergrad production, That’s where the real education takes place. I think that is available at either place, did you get a chance to visit yet?
Yes @jtmoney I visited two weeks ago! I visited Chapman first and fell in love with Dodge College. They have over 5 studios with 3 huge foley rooms and are now building another building with 7 sets that undergrads will be able to use for their productions. I talked to several students and even the first time freshman had already worked in 3-4 sets for juniors or freshman, it really felt like whoever wanted to be on set and get experience could be on set. I went to a class (Production Design I) and even if it’s not the part of film I want to work in, the professor seemed so engaged in the matter that it made me get really interested in it too. The whole program seemed really hands on and the facilities were available for anyone who wanted to take advantage of them. Also, for your junior film they give you 1,500$ and for your senior thesis up to 8,000$, which I think showed how much the faculty cares about you and your success.
Then 2 days after I visited LMU and I think it might have been bad luck, but nothing seemed right. I did the same tour, followed a student and attended a class. I was not allowed to attend a class in my major and attended a core class, which I wasn’t as enthusiastic about as I was at a Dodge class. I also felt that when they talked about the film school and new building they referred to Graduate students too much and to the graduate programs you’ll be able to go to after your degree. Before my visit LMU was my first choice and I was in love with it, but I think in my case it’s numbers did not represent its reality. I believe it was a bad day for them though, since first time I visited I fell in love with every aspect of it.
Finally, Chapman’s program is a BFA and more flexible in terms of what you like to do and what you’re passionate about, while LMU’s program is a BA with a more general curriculum. I think that the “students passion” was more portrayed at Chapman, which might be a result of them focusing a lot on Dodge kids. LMU’s curriculum was too general to me.
Although I am going to choose Chapman because of their obvious passion for film and it’s undergraduate students I do still believe that LMU is a really respectable film school with amazing facilities and connections! It just looked better on paper to me.
Hope this helps future students! But remember that it’s a “feel” and it depends on the person!
@bcnbound, nice summary. I just wanted to second your statement that it depends on the person, and the “feel.” This is very true. My daughter also visited these 2 schools and LMU was the best feel and choice for her (theater, not film school, but of course we learned a lot about the film schools on our tours). And BFA vs BA should be a big part of this decision too…no right or wrong, just what do you want?