School of Cinematic Arts

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
1

<p>I have a student who is interested in double-majoring in both film (BFA) and business administration (MBA). He realizes that film school is useless, and he cares less about getting a degree and more about actually learning how to use the equipment. His goal is to become an indie film director, yet he is also studying business to have something practical to fall back on. He is also interested in computers, although this is something he is interested in studying on his own time and not as a subject, since he didn't do so well in the programming class he took earlier this year before dropping it in favor of chemistry. </p>

<p>How does application to the USC School of Cinematic Arts work for an undergrad, and is it compatible with studying business at Marshall should he be accepted? He has also received stuff from Columbia College Hollywood, but that doesn't seem like a great school. He has never made a short film before, although he has demonstrated interest in writing screenplays. </p>

<p>Other info: SAT scores: 800 writing, 790 reading, 630 math (2220 composite). Planning to retake. Only three B's in high school. 14th in class. 4.3 weighted GPA. Numerous AP's taken. Planning to take SAT II (chem, math, US history) and ACT. VP of Debate Team. Starting a film club. Also in National Honor Society, National Math Honor, National English Honor, Tutoring Club. </p>

2

<p>Your son sounds like a great, motivated guy who has put a good amount of thought into his future. Here are some other things he might want to consider:</p>

<p>First, I would suggest that film school is not “useless” but I think you may have meant that a college degree from a film school is not required to get any sort of career started in the film industry. Very true. But where that degree may be useful, frankly, is in the company a USC SCA student keeps. The cream of the crop of creative film-making students tend to be among the cohort in each incoming SCA class. To spend 4 formative years learning technique and making films with and around such a driven and exciting group of creative peers is actually very useful. These students often go on to work together in Hollywood and build a great network as their careers get going. The same can be said of studying with instructors who are filmmakers who work in the industry. Not only do they have relevant experience, these faculty and their circle of friends and associates at all the top studios and production houses around town begin to form a base of contacts that are, indeed, very useful when one needs recommendations for internships, first jobs, leads to new projects coming up, etc. And I’d suggest that having a degree from USC film school is a useful pedigree–shorthand for the sort of person who is smart and talented and driven enough to make it into and through the top film school in the world. My point is simply that while no arts degree from any school will get an artist a career, other than perhaps teaching, it is often useful to help a young filmmaker start out well…IF they can afford the tuition. </p>

<p>You mention his desire to also study Business as a more practical degree. I’ll just mention that in your post you called it an MBA, but an undergrad would earn a BA degree. Completing a double major may not be possible in four years since I believe Marshall has 32 units of electives while most majors req many more units than that. In fact, SCA production major is now a BFA program that requires 64 units, many in sequence–so that would not work! SCA Critical Studies major (BA) require 52 units. So double majoring between SCA and Marshall would likely require extra time spent at USC beyon 4 years. However, either a Business Admin major with SCA minor, or a SCA Critical Studies major with a BusAd minor are both workable in 4 years. Btw, SCA Crit Studies majors get to take the beginning film production sequence at USC (290, etc) which would give your son the sort of hands on instruction/experience he’s looking for in screenwriting, casting, cinematography, lighting, production design, directing, sound, editing and more. The Production majors (BFA) get to go further in more advanced production courses. SCA minors, however, are not able to register for the production series, I believe, although they can take many excellent film courses. </p>

<p>Another thing for your son to think over-- most students who want a career in film want to practice their art/craft all the time. They may immerse themselves in filmmaking while at USC, using every available minute outside of class to make their own student films and work on the films of others. In so doing, they take great advantage of what SCA has to offer, but it may preclude having the time and energy and even interest in taking other time consuming classes outside of film. </p>

<p>But all of this discussion is moot until one has applied and been admitted. So–it might be a good strategy to apply to SCA, which is arguably the most competitive admission in the country and a very long shot for everyone with about 4% of applicants admitted, and admissions based as much on past creative work, scope of experience and interests, and artistic potential as on great HS grades, stats. Once admitted, one can usually minor in business or any other interest.</p>

<p>OTOH, if he’s more interested in having a business degree, perhaps your son should also investigate Marshall’s specialized major for Business of Cinematic Arts. It is a highly selective major within Marshall but more emphasis (I believe) is placed on GPA/test scores and your S’s stats look very good. <a href=“Home - USC Marshall”>Home - USC Marshall; </p>

<p>USC’s application allows students to apply to 2 majors. If he likes both of these choices, he should try applying to both and see.</p>

<p>Best of luck</p>

3

<p>My son is a junior in the BCA program. For him it was always about understanding/learning the business of entertainment. That said, he has learned a great deal about ‘making movies’ (we spent most of last night texting about the Oscars - his predictions were around 95% accurate). He now talks about subtleties and nuances in films that I’ve never noticed. You will learn about making films in the BCA program but how much is business and how much is cinematic arts is really up to the student.</p>

<p>For others in his BCA cohort it’s more about the cinematic arts piece. As madbean points out, SCA is an extremely competitive admit for directing/production. There are a few of my son’s cohort-mates who admit to being in the program because they didn’t have the portfolios necessary to get admitted to SCA (directing/production). </p>

<p>If your son wants to learn how to run the equipment there are plenty of opportunities around campus to get involved in student productions. Combining the theory taught in the SCA classes with that practical experience and it’s possible to get a well rounded exposure to how good movies get made.</p>

<p>I’m happy to answer any BCA questions as best as I can.</p>

4

<p>I have a student at SCA. So far, it’s been incredibly rewarding and we feel the investment is well spent. Frankly, there are a lot of degrees in the world that don’t have a net return on investment that one could call a “guarantee.” We encouraged our children to choose college degrees based on where their passions lie.</p>

<p>One note in case you haven’t seen some of the other threads on SCA. SCA is taking only 4% of the people who apply. They don’t seem to look at grades and scores. Only the portfolio and supplemental materials. So to even be considered by SCA you have to be admitted by USC. Hence our daughter got two completely separate admissions packets - one from the university and one from Cinematic Arts. USC admissions will look at the scores and grades and activities to see if the student is a fit for their Freshman class. And out of 43,000+ applicants (did I hear it’s up to 51,000???) they take only 20%. </p>

<p>So it is possible to be admitted to USC but not to SCA.</p>

<p>Just wanted to make sure you knew that the odds are low for any student who is applying no matter how good or passionate. I agree, though. If he just wants to know how to use the equipment he could apply to USC undecided and crew on student films and do internships to get that experience.</p>

5

<p>USC had over 50,000 applicants this year for the freshmen class. A good guess would be about 9,000 applications from students who applied as transfers. The transfer number has not been released as of today.</p>

<p>In late September SC usually posts the freshmen profile which gives the exact number of applicants, SAT composite scores, ethnic distribution, ACT composite scores and other data.</p>

6

<p>Your son is correct. The college experience at USC is probably very fun: free equipment, no responsibility, plenty of friends. But the simple fact is that it’s an illusion. When he graduates, he’ll be NO CLOSER to getting a job in the film industry. He may have small leverage if he’s looking to get hired by a company that uses video. However, if he’s looking for a career in creative filmmaking, that’s on him </p>

<p>If you’re wealthy and can afford to send him to USC, do it. I’d be a great experience. If it’s just going to sink you, and him, into a hole of debt, don’t. The worst thing for an indie filmmaker is having the ball and chain of debt around their ankles. Indie filmmaking is about risk. You can’t take calculated risks if you have the bank calling you every month. Don’t expect him to succeed in a creative pursuit if he has that burden. If he gets a practical degree, that’s all fair and well, but accept how that “fallback career” (plan B) will most likely become plan A. Few students have the sheer guts (and twinge of craziness) it takes to embark on this risky career. Most turn to the comfort and safety of a fallback plan, which quickly becomes the primary plan. If they have debts to pay off, it will most certainly become the primary plan </p>

<p>I suggest you buy him the books “from reel to deal” and “cinematography”. Both combined would cost less than $50. It’s a better education than you could buy at most film schools. Grab him a camera, and see if he’s motivated enough to start shooting things on his own. If not, at least see if he’ll dabble in screenwriting. He won’t have film school kicking his butt his whole life, so don’t expect him to survive if he can’t work completely independently (hence the term independent filmmaker). See if he’s got the makings of what it takes now, before it’s too late. All of this can be done BEFORE you both sign into a 60k a year deal</p>

<p>From now on, you should encourage him to view filmmaking and school as completely separate entities. In the real world, and the world of a filmmaker, SAT scores and AP classes amount to squat. It’s a fantasy many parents and students are disillusioned by: my kid takes 5 AP classes, so that means he/she’ll grow up rich with a great career. While this may be true for those who invest in a highly employable degree like chemical engineering or medicine, it’s false for the art kids. Filmmaking is creative. Even if your son was getting D’s and F’s, you should still encourage him to chase his dreams. As a true fact of life, high school classes and prestigious colleges don’t teach creativity, and they certainly don’t hand out talent. That comes from within </p>

<p>It’s his choice. But this is something to consider </p>

7

<p>USC’s SCA is very upfront that connections only get you so far and that film is as much about talent as it is about proactivity and flexibility. And that the students who think the work stops at the admissions letter tend to do poorly. </p>

<p>So as long as a student takes full advantage of the range of training and seminars available, considers the full range of film career options, doesn’t wait until Senior year to start thinking about projects and internships, and has a back-up plan for how to generate income while looking for the dream job - they should be fine. NO degree is a guarantee of a long term job or career these days. But I’m coming to see the most successful students are the ones who are proactive and make their own luck, rather than the ones who think the door will open just because the diploma says USC.</p>

<p>Having said that - the film students seem to fit the profile above - proactive, talented, driven, don’t let moss grow under their feet. Which may be why SCA chose them for the 4% they admitted.</p>

<p>By the way - film doesn’t have to mean Oscar winning film. It can be commercials, non-profit work, documentaries, etc… Success isn’t always defined in dollars earned and mansions bought. Success is often about passionate pursuit of one’s interests.</p>