<p>My son has been accepted into and is trying to decide between SCAD and the VPA program at Syracuse as a film major. He is interested in Cinematography/production as opposed to animation, etc. We have visited both colleges and they are as different as night and day and both have their pros and cons. He loved Savannah and the vibe at being at an Art school but feels that Syracuse may be more prestigious. He hates winter weather, is not at all interested in sports or the greek life that Syracuse offers. But, he is determined that all that really matters to him is where he will get the best education and opportunities. He's been offered scholarships to SCAD but we are willing to look beyond that if Syracuse is a better choice. Help! We need advice!</p>
<p>Hi kaygela,</p>
<p>Honestly, I do not know much about the schools. </p>
<p>However, Syracuse is crowded. Everyone is flooding that school for exactly what you’re looking for too: the prestige, the “good” programs, etc. With this point, SCAD might be a better option - not as many people (which lowers costs), and gives him more focus on what he wants to do. If he hates winter weather, and the greek life at Syracuse, why go there? And he’s been offered scholarships at SCAD, which is a good start. </p>
<p>If I may ask, what did your son find interesting about SCAD?</p>
<p>He loved Savannah and the all arts “vibe” of the school. They also make a claim that 88% of their graduates have a job in their major area within 6 months. But I have read a lot of negative comments, as he has as well, on these boards and he’s not sure that a film degree from SCAD will carry as much weight. I think they are very well known for animation, computer graphics, and fashion but not sure about film. Unfortunately, when we toured SCAD, we were shown very litte of the film facilities, and the faculty member who spoke with us did not do a very good job, so it was hard to get a good feel for the program.</p>
<p>Maybe you need to call them or even visit again to see the film facilities. If you make it clear that you and your son are serious, and that you are considering another program partially because it seems to have a more prestigious reputation, they might just fall over themselves trying to be helpful to you. </p>
<p>And even so, it may be better for him to be in a “smaller pond” at SCAD if Syracuse is indeed that crowded. It sounds like he would be happier there.</p>
<p>My D was at a summer program there and there was a movie with Alan Rickman filming in the city. They were using Savannah as a stand in for lower Manhattan, of all places, because it was cheaper and easier to film there. I don’t know how commonly films are set there.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we just don’t have the time to make another trip. It’s too far from here and we have too many obligations this month. Syracuse’s program is actually smaller. They only take 35 freshmen/year into the film program and no one at SCAD has been able to give me an answer to how many they take. I get the feeling there is no cap on how many they accept which makes me question if the program is as good. There’s something compelling about going into a selective program. I think my son feels that it will up his game and challenge him. The individual attention that they can get is also a plus. I think he is going to go with Syracuse for those reasons.</p>
<p>Good luck to him! Let us know how the film program is at Syracuse.</p>
<p>Have you looked at University of NC School of the Arts? Their film program is really getting the nod from industry insiders.</p>
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<p>Hi. Here are a few points.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>When institutions give you placement rates, etc, the data is generally biased and incomplete. For example, SCAD sends out email surveys to graduates in order to gather data. Some students fill them out, some students do not. Guess which students are most likely to respond? Yes, the ones that have something to brag about. SCAD is no different than other institutions, so no need to vilify them. It’s common operating procedure. </p></li>
<li><p>Where a student receives his film degree is of little consequence. Whether your son goes to SCAD or Syracuse isn’t going to make a whole lot of difference. The quality of his demo reel will mean everything, and it will be more dependent upon his commitment and motivation than the actual program at SCAD or Syracuse since both are sufficient.</p></li>
<li><p>Many major motion pictures have been shot Savannah/Hilton Head area, as well as some smaller independent productions. For example, I have watched parts of Baggar Vance, Forest The General’s Daughter, and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil being filmed in Savannah – matter of fact, Paula Deen got her break and started to gain attention because Clint Eastwood loved her fried chicken and hired her to cater the production of Midnight.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Check out the City of Savannah Film Office for more info
<a href=“http://www.savannahfilm.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=About_Us.Savannah_Filmography[/url]”>http://www.savannahfilm.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=About_Us.Savannah_Filmography</a></p>
<p>Neighboring Effingham County recently announced approval for a $90 million movie studio.<a href=“VIDEO: Movie studio approved in Effingham”>VIDEO: Movie studio approved in Effingham;
<p>RainingAgain…thank you. That’s all good food for thought.
Amanda6037…he considered UNCSA but decided not to apply because of some things he had read that turned him off (not about the quality of the program but rather the isolation of the campus and some other things). He just didn’t think it was a place that he would be happy.</p>