<p>I was wondering how competitive USC and UCLA's film schools are to get into. Like acceptance rates would be great. Also, I have a general idea of what jobs you can get with this kind of degree, but can anyone give me specific jobs you would be able to get with a degree in film? Thanks</p>
<p>I don’t know that those colleges provide department level admit rates. I have seen presumed admit rates of 4 percent and 8 percent, but it is unclear if that is the grad school. You can be assured that it is very competitive and that you need to show some demonstrated talent to gain admissions.</p>
<p>Unemployment is a bit high for this major. At least you will be in a good location to job hunt. This kind of work is uncertain and often requires a lot of low paying dues paying jobs. But you will get some of that done as you go through the program. If you luck out you will have good internships, make connections and network, and land something. I know someone who got a job right out of college as a producer’s assistant on what turned out to be a hit HBO show.</p>
<p>Probably more info in Visual Arts and Film Forum. UCLA has just started admission to to film major as Freshman, previous to this you entered a very competitive school as a Junior. Not sure why they changed, perhaps they thought they were losing quality to schools that bragged about getting a camera in the hands of Freshmen the first week of school. Even so, looking at UCLA it looks like the bulk of the major takes place in your final two years, and they still accept transfers. So, being new, not sure there is much data yet on UCLA admit rates since the change.
USC is probably the toughest admit for film in the country, anecdotally as low as 2% for film production. Conclusion, you need to apply to other schools, no one can rely on these choices alone.
BrownParent is correct on job prospects. Your future employment will rely on contacts you make with classmates, internships, and networking. Much of this happens outside of the context of your own classes by working (often for nothing but food) on upperclassmen and graduate projects. This can establish your reputation and build your creative resume. LA is probably the best place in the world to do this, and USC or UCLA are top places for getting started. But, rest assured there are other quality programs, and you will gain work based on your talent and personal attributes, not where you got your degree.</p>
<p>I am the parent of a USC film graduate from 2007. He is now a copywriter in LA working in social media for a major film advertising company. Both jtmoney and BrownParent are on target. Film is a long hard row. Even with your USC or UCLA film degree, you will be at the bottom of the barrel and it will take you years to make your way through contacts, skill, luck, and hard work. Also, never underestimate the importance of showing up on time and being nice.</p>
<p>I would suggest that you consider the Critical Studies major at USC. It is somewhat easier to get into and provides you with a much broader film education including lots of stress on writing. You will have opportunities to make films in Critical Studies as part of your studies, and work on other people’s films on campus.</p>
<p>Consider this: I always though that it was more important to know why a particular camera shot was used than how to set up the shot. Critical Studies will help you understand the societal context of films and ultimately might make you a better, and more humane, filmmaker.</p>