Not Sure How This Works?!? FILM MAJOR?

Feeling a little panicky about this. I am interested in film, but dont have an extensive portfolio. I have 2 nternships set up for film in summer. For application, such as Emerson or Chapman, is there no point in applying if I don’t have like good films already made? Do you need to go into these schools and have already been delving into the field?

Are you a junior in high school? Are you thinking of going into film production?

Junior yes. Maybe film production - or creative writing eglish…

I got accepted to Emerson with no portfolio

interesting.

@JulienEd - A portfolio is just another piece in their holistic approach to looking at applicants. My son attended a summer filmmaking session and was able to learn so much and make a few films to include in his application. I wanted him to go to see what it was like to make sure filmmaking/director/screenwriting was what he wanted to do. In his case, it reaffirmed and strengthened his desire for filmmaking. Some schools that offer a summer session for high schoolers are: UNCSA, Emerson, Ithaca College, Syracuse University, NYU, DePaul and SCAD. I’m sure there are other schools as well but just google to see if there is a particular school that has it. If you don’t have a film you can submit a screenplay you have written. Getting into a film program is extremely competitive for most schools. Many schools accept less than 10% of the applicants (such as Chapman, USC, UCLA, NYU, LMU). Portfolios and films are important, however the most important thing is your GPA and test scores. The poster above probably got accepted to Emerson without a portfolio because his/her test scores and GPA were probably excellent. Some of these schools will put stellar GPA’s and test scores above all else.

Chapman has very specific requirements for their film submission. This year you had to do a self introductory film without actually showing yourself on the film. It had to be under 2 mins in length. My son didn’t end up applying there, but that was one of the reasons. He didn’t realize what the requirements were until mid Fall and with all the other applications and school, he just ran out of time to do a quality video. It wasn’t his first choice school so he didn’t apply.

If you are thinking of screenwriting, submitting a good one might be your best option. Don’t panic. Research schools and see which ones you like then research what requirements the schools have for their applications. Consider how far from home you feel comfortable going, if you would like to go to a big city or a small one. an art type school versus a bigger liberal arts college. How much can your family afford to pay for college. First answer those questions and from there create your list. Try to visit your top few schools to see what their programs and campus look like. This application process is like a roller coaster, sometimes it’s fun and other times it scares you! Best of luck!

Should I do the two film interrnships I have this summer or a film program to make a movie?

Wow- that’s a tough one. Where are your internships and what will you be doing.? You might be able to do therm all if you pick on of the film programs that is shorter in length. I know my son did a 5 or 6 week film program and did a film internship as well last summer.

@JulienEd --look at the schools that interest you and see what the application requires. You’ll be surprised to see that some great schools do not require a creative portfolio while some do. If you are interested in some film schools that do require a creative portfolio then going to a summer college film program is a great way to make something for your portfolio. Some of the programs–like UNCSA, Sarah Lawrence, etc–specifically gear their programs toward students making films for that college application.

have u heard of syracuse summer film?

Syracuse is known to have a good film department, so their summer program should be good.

@JulienEd --I looked at the Syracuse program and it looks great. From a cost standpoint it seems very reasonable for 2 weeks, and it seems to focus both on script development and on actual production like lighting and lens choice. That impresses me.

@JulienEd curious what you chose and where you might apply next year. Some form of creative resume is almost required for the top schools, though they are flexible as to what it might be. They are looking for passion and commitment as much as technical quality. Going to a program or internship is fine and a good starter, but then kick it up and make it happen on your own.There is respect for independent work (short film, script,etc.) that shows creativity and story telling ability that happens on your own outside the structure of program or class. You want to make films? Start making them.

not sure about the film route. gonna take a college credit course over summer, but still gonna intern.

What are your internships and where?
How many films have you made so far?

When DD applied in 2011, only USC and NYU required a film submission. LMU might require one now. Chapman requires a film whereby you kind of show them who you are via a 2 min film.

You do not need an extensive portfolio, you just need one good film. (I forgot the length…under 5 min or under 3 min). The benefit of doing a summer film program is that you will have 1 more film to evaluate when you are trying to decide which film to submit. What DD liked about her summer film program was that they got to audition actors from the acting program, so that she felt that at least she had better quality actors in her film than in her HS or leisure time films. She did not submit that film, tho, and instead submitted a film that she made in her leisure time So you could make more films during the school year. Or if your HS has film classes, you could make films during the school year.

Besides a creative resume that @jtmoney mentioned, a school like USC will require also either a script or a short story which will be told visually, so here is an area where your writing skills might shine. And your creative resume does not need to include only films. It can include anything artistic or storytelling, such as your creative writing, theater, acting, drawing, photography, etc

@YoHoYoHo Which summer film program did your DD do?

@midwest98,
Here’s the thread where I asked the question in 2010. She ended up going to US performing arts which was done at ucla with the ucla profs. Got to use ucla acting majors in her film which is cute bc the actors in all of true student films are older than the students. Had I known about it at the time, we might have tried Chapman TIP program.

Would have loved loved to go to USC but it was so expensive. Also csssa looked interesting, but definitely very artsy (it’s done at cal arts)

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/930887-high-school-summer-film-school-ucla-socapa-nyfa-columbia-college-hollywood-p2.html