Need To Know: What Are These Undergrad Film Programs Really Like?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>Applied to several undergrad filmmaking programs and am waiting for a few still to respond. Then it will be decision time.</p>

<p>Can anyone give me the straight story about what actually happens at some of these programs? I'm most interested in how soon do you actually get to make a movie (no matter how poorly), how many "core" classes you have to take outside of the film program (science clasees, foreign language, etc.), how competitive it is within the program (do you have to scratch and claw to work on other people's projects? is it collaborative or cut-throat?) and how many productions you'd probably get to work on over the course of the four years.</p>

<p>Maybe I'm not looking in the right places (if not, help is appreciated), but it's really complicated to figure out what these places are really like. BFA, BS, BA....do the different degrees really mean anything if your goal is to work in the commercial, narrative film industry?</p>

<p>The schools I'm looking at are:</p>

<p>USC (waiting to hear)
CalArts (waiting to hear)
UNCSA (accepted)
Univ. Texas RTF (accepted)</p>

<p>Any and all comments (as long as they're based on experience, not speculation) would be a huge help.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance......</p>

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<p>The only two on your list I know well are USC and UT. At USC you need to fulfill GEN ed requirements prior to actually getting to make your own films, which generally takes about 1.5 years. However, you can crew from day one on other peoples films. It is collaborative, to a point. In the upper years only a certain number get to direct their own films, others fulfill other roles. You work on as many as you wish to crew, then multiple others for classes. I believe the education you will get here is second to none, and the connections invaluable.</p>

<p>At UT: you can make films from day one. And, it is collaborative, and less selective at the upper years. There are Gen ed requirements here, too, and you can do them along side the film in the first year to two years. Again, you can crew for others right away as well. How many you work on in that capacity is up to you. It is a larger program, and being in Austin has a thriving film community, but is not in the heart of the industry. They do provide opportunities to intern in LA- and there is a large network of alumni working in the industry in LA. The first core film courses are taken by everyone, and can be large. </p>

<p>I think you are right on track with your questions. In fact, I co-wrote a whole book on this subject, asking just the questions you are posing- and some others. In researching it we learned the answers are not easy to find. Most of this data is not published, and can only be gleaned by asking each program. In the book we provided the answers given to us by SOME schools, but not all participated by returning our questionnaires. Once you are admitted, take this list you asked here and ASK THE SCHOOLS you are considering attending. Ask both the faculty and the students. They will give you straight answers.</p>

<p>Also ask about hidden costs: how much will YOU have to spend on your films, vs what the program will pay for. At both UT and USC they help subsidize films, but not ALL costs. Also ask who owns rights (at UT you pay more, and you own, at USC they pay most and they own).</p>

<p>As far as working in the industry: the degree gets you the connections that get you in the door. Your drive, talent and ambition will keep you in a job. You can have every degree in the book, and if you are not a nice person with some talent and a good work ethic, you won’t go far. Conversely, some make it all on their own (think Spielberg) but that is a lot harder to do in this competitive market without some training and connections.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much; that is really helpful. Supply a link to where I can buy your book?</p>

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<p>I know that CC frowns on anything commercial on this site, but the book is called Lights, Camera, Application! It is available on Amazon. </p>

<p>Note: We actually did not write this book as a money making proposition- but as a service to other families seeking the into we tried to find. The other author is also a poster on this site, and is the Dad of a recent film school graduate. I’m the Mom of an applicant to film school this year. The book was a way for us to share what we have learned in helping our kids apply. He and I actually met on this website, and even though we wrote the book together, have never met in person. CC was our link.</p>

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<p>I too am waiting on USC and UCLA. I got in UNCSA and SVA in New York(they are offering a $15K/year merit scholarship-bringing the cost down to $31K/yr). Of UNSCA and SVA, which do you prefer?</p>

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<p>maddenmd,
I appreciate that you listed your book information. We (son, dad, and I) have learned so much from you, Digmedia, and the rest of the CC gang. We would surely have been flying blind without CC! </p>

<p>Do you cover only film production, or also digital arts/animation in the book? </p>

<p>Our son is through the application process and awaiting final acceptances now, but a younger niece is sounding interested in the film track and your book may come in handy. Partly in thanks to what we learned here on CC, DS was able to target the programs that seemed ‘best fit.’ And so far, so good! He is accepted already at Chapman Dodge, LMU, UCSD (Visual Arts) and UCSB. He’s waiting on USC and UCLA (thought the latter is not a good fit, as it turns out, given there is no direct admission to animation or film). </p>

<p>I thank you on our son’s behalf! You all have been of immeasurable help to him on this journey!</p>

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<p>gladiatorbird… Wow. Thanks. Looks like your son’s search has been successful (and best wishes for his future career success).</p>

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<p>I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts gladiatorbird! I smiled from ear to ear when I saw how over the moon your family was about Chapman. It brought joy to me just thinking of the celebrations in your house that day! It sounds like we have a lot in common… I started my search on CC a couple of years ago when I knew little to nothing about film schools and learned so much from the posters here, its nice to be able to give back a little. </p>

<p>Please let us all know what gladiadiatorbird jr decides. My son is awaiting a scholarship decision at USC- (and so am I, biting my proverbial nails to the quick) but he really really really (can’t say it enough) loves that school and it will likely be his home next year.</p>

<p>You’ll have to join us in the coming year and share your experience and advice with the next crop of up and coming kids. Especially as it relates to animation.</p>

<p>The book is mostly helping kids (and their parents) fine tune their understanding of themselves and what they are seeking. Its a bit of a roadmap with self-assessment questions at the end of each chapter. It seeks to help the applicant narrow down just what they are looking for. Because both our kids (the authors) are interested in aspects of film production, thats what we know best- and where a lot of our examples came from. But we tried to help kids figure out what they are interested in- in all aspects of film, production, editing, animation, etc… For those already deep into the subject, its a fairly basic book. For those just starting the search or figuring out where to apply, it was designed to help them think of the right questions to ask themselves and the schools to narrow down the search.</p>

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<p>Thank you, maddenmd! We’ve also enjoyed following the adventures of your son, Digmedia’s, and others. Fingers crossed on that USC scholarship!</p>

<p>I will definitely stay around on CC and share what DS learns on his animation/digital arts journey. We’ve seen first-hand how helpful such insights can be (Wheaty, Shrinkwrap, Taxguy and others also come to mind–all have been a huge help in son’s search). </p>

<p>Thank you!!!</p>