<p>I am in Syracuse Newhouse School and Chapman Creative Writing (I can minor in screenwriting); I thought I wanted to go into journalism or writing. Now I realize I really want to end up (dream job) in film: directing and screenwriting. Should I take the Syracuse because I am in the film department, or Chapman because I can try to get into film department and I will be in Los Angeles? help May 1 is approaching!</p>
<p>Is money an issue? Have you visited the campuses? Which school has the best facilities to do film? If you want to do film, it’s better to be closer to the action. You’ll have more internships and job opportunities within the film industry in the SoCal area. Chapman would fit the bill better. Keep in mind that you can apply to transfer to a different major or double major or even double minor at Chapman. DS fell in love with the film school at Chapman as soon as we step in the door. If you haven’t visited the campuses, you must go and see for yourself. Chapman is very impressive and among the best film schools in the country and the world. Best of luck in your decision!</p>
<p>adding to the confusion, I think Syracuse has film production in their art department also, Newhouse is more journalism. Trouble is, May 1 is around the corner. OC asks the right questions, but there are other hard questions that switching your major at the last minute should be asked. Most important one may be answerable by OCELITE, how many transfers are successful to Dodge from within Chapman vs. outside? Screenwriting as a career is the least dependent on a film school major, directing as a career has similar odds as professional football player.</p>
<p>Wow, that’s a tough one. (I say, take Chapman for the weather!)</p>
<p>jt is correct about Syracuse film production being in the art department, located specifically in the bowels of the art building. Newhouse is not the film dept; it is the school of communication. Film is a very small program, but they did want you to submit a portfolio (10 minutes of your best work) to be accepted. Not sure about switch of major after acceptance. Call them! Both admissions, and the film folk (in the art dept) there.</p>
<p>I don’t have any direct knowledge, but word is it’s rather difficult to switch into Dodge from within Chapman. Again, call Dodge and call Chapman admissions. You’re running out of time, so get your questions answered directly by the sources.</p>
<p>thank you one and all.
Chapman offered me much more money than Syracuse, and I live in CA so the commute is much much closer-it is all around about 14,000 less per year (a big difference). It is really dumb but I didn’t realize until a few days ago that the “real” film dept at Newhouse is in the art dept. It is confusing as they have a FILM/TV part of Newhouse, and they offer screenwriting classes in that. I did contact Chapman who said it is as hard to transfer into Dodge as to get in, but I hadn’t applied before. They also said I can minor in screenwriting any time. I have been part of my high school improv troop since freshman year, and will try to continue to do that through college (either one and they both have troops). I have gotten much of the same advice from friends’ parents that are/were in the film industry: they are a little torn but think staying in LA area is much better for film than Syracuse area.
My main hesitation is that Chapman is so small and seems very “protected”. i am a little more edgy. But I guess LA is around the corner and easily accessible.</p>
<p>I mean the “real” film dept at SYRACUSE is in the art dept-not Newhouse,why do they have screenwriting and directing classes in the newhouse TVRF?</p>
<p>journalism12</p>
<p>Don’t feel at all bad about not figuring out the film thing at Syracuse. We didn’t get it until the day we visited. In their literature, they talk all about Newhouse, but not much is said about the teeny BFA film major. There we were at the admissions talk before our tour, all signed up for a tour of Newhouse, when something about what they said made me think we weren’t talking about the same thing. We backtracked, the admissions folk called up the art department, and they found someone to give us a tour over there.</p>
<p>Syracuse is nowhere near the film industry. Not even near NYC. After visiting, D decided not to apply. If you are a huge sports fan, that might be a reason to consider Syracuse over Chapman. As a Californian, the weather would be an issue for you since you’d be going from a rather pleasant climate to some of the most severe we have in this country. But perhaps that appeals to your edgy side?</p>
<p>Syracuse has two film programs–one in Newhouse (which is not just journalism) and one in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (not “the art department”). Both are good. And Newhouse itself has an extremely strong reputation and many alumni in high places. Admissions for Newhouse are also very competitive, so congrats on getting in! I would say if your dream job is in film, you should major in film. True it would be good to be in LA but Newhouse has tons of connections in the industry (I would assume more than Chapman but don’t know) which will open more doors than simply being in LA. Also Newhouse has an LA Semester program where you can spend the semester living in LA taking courses and interning.</p>
<p>Google Syracuse grads in the film industry; there is an LA mafia…Newhouse and otherwise…</p>
<p>Regardless, I think Chapman is a better choice for you…all around…</p>
<p>The fine arts department is what houses the BFA in film at Syracuse that I’m talking about. Ok, perhaps it’s officially the department of Visual and Performing Arts. In fact, it was a student getting an MFA with a specialty in porcelain who showed us around. We saw lovely studios full of light where students created paintings and sculptures upstairs and the film department was down in the basement. It was explained to us that film was considered a “visual” art, so students take a variety of art classes. Syracuse also offers internships in 16 mm film in Prague, FYI. It is less of a Hollywood-based movie industry focus for sure. Newhouse is more broadcast journalism and, yes, it well known for that.</p>
<p>Ack! Not internships in Prague! I meant study abroad. Sorry!</p>
<p>argh such hard decisions!
yescuse, do you mean I should major in film in the visual arts dept or in Newhouse? or do you think it matters? also in the film part of Newhouse, is there opportunity to create film too?</p>
<p>The Newhouse program is a full-fledged film program and you would absolutely be doing a lot of hands-on film work. It also has a major Hollywood/entertainment industry emphasis. (Newhouse is as well-known in film/entertainment as it is in broadcast and print journalism, BTW.) Some Newhouse film students just won a college Emmy. I think the VPA program is supposed to be more artsy than professional but still good. But Newhouse in general has a much stronger reputation so I would say that’s the better bet. If you already got accepted to Newhouse it’s a moot point anyway. Also, the Newhouse program is not in a basement–they have multi-million dollar facilities there. I would suggest you reach out to one of the faculty members in that dept (television-radio-film). Website is [S.I</a>. Newhouse School of Public Communications](<a href=“http://newhouse.syr.edu%5DS.I”>http://newhouse.syr.edu).</p>
<p>thanks I have a call in to Newhouse and Chapman; they are supposed to call back. BTW what did you graduate in? and are you working in the same industry? I assume you went to SU from your user name, and assume you graduated from your birth date.</p>
<p>Also I just heard back from Syracuse, and I was accepted into the department of Transmedia. SO my last question is, should I go into the very prestigious Syracuse program that I’ve been accepted into, or go to Chapman and risk not being accepted into the Dodge film program?</p>
<p>wow- i am blown away. I asked Syracuse if I could switch into the Visual and Performing arts film major instead. They said they would look into it…and said yes! It is such a low acceptance rate and I am in it…I was actually leaning towards Chapman. Wow.</p>
<p>No, I think there is still some confusion. The “artsy” film program (not the Newhouse program) is in the Department of Transmedia, which is part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). So it sounds like you were accepted to VPA to begin with, not Newhouse.</p>
<p>No I was originally accepted into Newhouse, then after finding out about the MFA in VPA I asked if I could switch. I was just told that I could. I was very surprised as I thought a portfolio submission was required, but I am thrilled.</p>
<p>journalism12</p>
<p>Good for you! Sounds like you are getting lots accomplished over the phone. Now you have more choices!</p>
<p>So you have been to Syracuse and seen it, yes?</p>
<p>Journalism12:Newhouse is a more selective admit, so it makes sense they would let you switch schools, even without the portfolio…ere are alot of intrauniversity transfers the other way every year…</p>
<p>If you want to, you can try to dual VpA and Newhouse; it is not listed as a dual, but it has been done…</p>