<p>samds6,
i really like the BCA program. its pretty small, so you basically get to know everyone in your year. you get all the perks of being in the cinema school, too. i wouldnt want to be in anything else. like everyone else has mentioned, you do get to take 24 units within SCA (but its a predetermined set of classes), and one of them during spring semester sophomore year, is an internship class where you have to get an internship in the film industry. so its pretty exciting.
especially with the new marshall curriculum, you will have many opportunities to pick up a minor or do electives.</p>
<p>if you say you want to do producing, then BCA would be a good fit for you.
i don’t think there is a “production” minor per se, but there is a cinematic arts minor so you can take various classes throughout the cinema school. </p>
<p>if there is anything in particular you want to know about BCA, feel free to ask me.</p>
<p>hello i jsut came back from an admitted students day at sc and it was pretty great. i talked to a girl at the cinema booth and she said with the amount of ap credits im getting (estimated 28) it is possibel for me to double major in BCA and film production (if i can get in…) If my schedule permits, would this be doable or is that too big of a workload? thanks! im really wanting to go… except i think the financial aid jacked us and id come out with a massive debt… its a tough decision</p>
<p>samds6,
USC has an amazing film and business program, so if its possible for you to do BCA and film, I would do it. both programs are pretty intensive, i personally think it would be alot. i would suggest talking to a film major (and BCA) and see what they think about their course load. and see if you think it is manageable.
i was at admitted students day too! i wonder if i talked to you!</p>
<p>Take the money go to Cal or NYU. I have a nephew that left SC after 2 semesters as they don’t touch a camera for the first few years. He is 28 yrs old and his USC friends are working in the mailroom while he is producing hids own films . Its harder than ever to make it at a Hollywoood film studio as most are losing money and trying to figure out how to survive.</p>
<p>Unless nephew’s friends graduated late, took a u turn in their careers (away from set design for example to wanting to be an agent) it is impossible that someone would be in the mailroom for 5 to 6 years. Your assertion, except for dramatic effect, in factually wrong.</p>
<p>In this economy it is true that agencies aren’t promoting quickly. But, the general rule is up to 18 months in the mailroom if you don’t get a desk, you’re out. You can float, and that makes you an assistant. But if you’re in the mailroom for 5 years…well, you’d be fired first.</p>
<p>The other problem with your nephew’s assertion (GREAT for him that he is doing his own movies!!!) is that if one wants to be a cinematographer (for example) the path isn’t via the agency. That is, if one is mainstream, a union job. Your career path is second assistant and then, hopefully, up the ladder. The agency route is for those who want to be agents, producers, or in the business end of the business be it development. Another reason to work in an agency (if a writer for example) is to try and gain representation. Do not bother to apply if one is an actor.</p>
<p>jwhitepa, did your nephew drop out of college altogether, or move to a different university? I have heard of another case where a SCAer didn’t want to attend non-film production classes, like the amazing Intro to Film class (they see a film each week and are taught by USC’s most highly paid professor) or GEs. For some, college is just not the right track. For others, the less actual university courses, the better. It’s about fit.</p>
<p>That said, USC’s program requires production majors to get the majority of their GEs out of the way at the front, so they can indulge in all-film, all-the-time in the final two years. The output is then most intense as is access to Hollywood connections, etc. That said, I know a wonderful SCA prod major who got an internship at Cannes Film Festival after freshman year. Another worked with the LA Film office. Another worked on the set of a network series. Etc. It takes a certain amount of drive to get these cool gigs, but the department sends out notices, has job boards, and really makes the opportunities available.</p>
<p>For OP, however, it seems like you need to get to L.A. and try out this career. The program that has accepted you is unique and will give you the best preparation. OTOH, I am a big believer in saving $$. Your other options, while a little off the track, may prepare you exceptionally well for the business side. If you are a real go-getter, you can do the rest.</p>
<p>if i do choose to go to usc, it will be 20k more a year. if i have my heart set on film industry then its better to be working out of college than pursuing a grad degree right? especially when my undergrad is the BCA program. because if a grad degree is very beneficial then i dont think i can afford usc and grad.</p>
<p>hey so i ended up choosing USC!! i’m going to try to ignore the financial burden haha. </p>
<p>anyone in the BCA program, how many free electives do we get? is it enough for me to double major in film/tv production!?! i know it would be a hefty burden… and also keep in mind that i’ll be taking the lower division requirements for production (8 units worth) for BCA. and i’ll be coming in with (hopefully) 32 units of credit for ap tests.</p>
<p>Congrats! Lots of geeod news today with transfer acceptances, Spring admits being moved to Fall, and now samds6! I don’t have any useful info - just wanted to say congratulations!!! :)</p>
<p>I don’t know very much about the BCA program, but I don’t think it is feasible to double major in SCA production. The requirements (units) for SCA majors allow no time for a double if the student intends to finish in 4 years. Perhaps someone else could verify this.</p>
<p>In addition, to transfer into the SCA requires a new application w/supplement and several other course and grade requirements–and even then, there may not be any spots in SCA open. So while a few may do it, it is highly competitive. </p>
<p>I’m sure you can get more info at orientation. Perhaps you can talk to an advisor from the SCA while you are there.</p>
<p>yeah i plan on talking about it at orientation but i just wanted to ask around beforehand. im actually thinking of critical studies now instead of production. i think that i could probably get in because i have a decent portfolio… i’ll plan on talking about it come july 6-7.</p>
<p>but with that, im not trying to sound over confident. its still REALLY tough to get in i just think i have a shot at it haha. im hoping i have enough extra room to take a double major with BCA if not i’ll just go for the minor.</p>
<p>ya i think it does not matter what kind of films u want to make because everywhere u get a chance to learn something new… its not rite to seteriotype the schools based on the type of the cinema most of the famous alumni have made…besides the martin scorsese type of filmmakers who try to make something “different” and artistic… u also have ppl like bret ratner who make blockbusters who have come out from NYU… in the same way u also have ppl like ari sandel who came out from usc hu are making artistic cinema…
ive got into the bca program at USC for fall 2011 and i want to be a film director and producer. i was also accepted at NYU Tisch. the main reason for me to select USC was the university feel to it and most importantly the amazing contacts that u make here. i am not looking at workin in hollywood (from india, where we have our own film industry bollywood, where my family has been reigning the big league) alotta ppl told me to go to NYU but wad got me to USC was the fact that it is afterall the home to Hollywood and if u really wanna make it big in lala land USC is ur place… peace</p>
<p>SC also offers the incredible cinematic arts library. For students, faculty, historians and writers it is a treasure of films, scripts, biographies, photos, clippings, pressbooks, posters, costumes as well as over 13,000 motion pictures.</p>
<p>The library preserves the entire Warner Bros. archives, Elmer Bernstein Collection, MGM, Universal, Fox and the Dimitri Tiomkin Collection among others. The family of John Wayne has donated posters and other memorabilia from his career. </p>
<p>A more recent addition to the library are the archives from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.</p>