How to choose a filmschool?

F

Fredric

Active member
Hi guys,

Been a while since I posted something here. I've been busy applying to the only filmschool in my country. I got through the first round, but I didn't make the cut. There are only 6 spots and about 100 aplications. I got to the last 14, but there my road to filmschool had to end.
However, I still want to go to filmschool, maybe in another country, maybe even outside of europe.
So my question to you is: Do you guys know about any filmschools in Europe? And if I decide to go to the US, how do I pick the right filmschool. I've looked around, and there are a lot of them.

Thanks for any reply,

Fredric
 
Are you looking for the typical same old same old type of film program or are you interested in a program of studies which centres around Digital Cinema Production where you would be doing your actually shooting using a Red One?
 
Actually there are a couple more options in the Netherlands. Among others there is Digital Media Design in Hilversum (KMT Utrecht) which basically is filmmaking aswell. And since you seem to have the funds to eventually go study abroad, there's also some private schools like the SAE, which has a filmmaking degree course in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. (and by coincidence I saw they use HVX's ;) )
In Belgium there are 5 or 6 filmstudies aswell, two or three are in the dutch-speaking part.

If you prefer going abroad the US/Canada are not your only options if you want be close to 'the source'. Australia is a great alternative aswell that has a pretty thriving film industry aswell. (mmmh... where was the matrix filmed?)

And if you're really adventurous you could also explore a path that is often forgotten: Bollywood, India has a BIG film industry and surely they must have some filmschools over there

Of course 'si tu parles francais' or 'si ablas espanol' there are lot of other options (e.g France)

I hope this helps some, I know I sidetracked a little from your initial question about specific schools...

Good luck
 
In the US... USC , AFI , UT (austin) , NYU are among the most prestigious... Other secondary alternatives are, CSUN, Ithaca, Northwestern. I have experience with graduates from USC, CSUN, Ithaca, Northwestern and my alma mater - Chico State (proof that you can party like a rockstar and have a worthless degree and still break into the industry).

USC - generally good graduates. Often times they feel themselves to be entitled, thus making them cocky and not good team players at the lower levels of the industry. It makes sense that they feel entitled because many of them have been making films or part of a hollywood film family since they were children. They are also very smart and the program, if you get involved gives you good instruction and opportunity to get hands on experience. I'm a huge USC fan (football) but the graduates... I'm %50 on. The ones without the ego that want to work are the most valuable people you can have. The one's with the ego... it really depends on how good their work actually is.

CSUN - California State University at Northridge - minutes from hollywood: On the whole GREAT! The main reason they are great is that they are neighbors to the USC crowd and know the industries opinion on the "spoiled USC grads". They understand that a production manager doesn't hire diplomas, they hire work ethic and team attitudes. So, they work hard and are hungry... very valuable combination. The program is also a good one. The classes are more impacted than other schools so it may be harder to graduate but by the time you do, you will be ready for the world.

I know nothing about the school for Ithaca and Northwestern but I do know about the alumni system. they have a strong network that gets their graduates job in the LA TV industry. Every person from those schools that I have worked with have been the top of their game. However, I have never seen a good student film from either school. This leads me to belive that their education is relative to how much they get involved and the people I worked with really got their knowledge after they got into the work force.

Best of luck...

Mike B
Proud alum from CSU, Chico
 
Thanks for all the advice, really helpfull!!
And to craig: I would be interested in something like that, I really think digital filmmaking is the future, so why not get in as soon as you can... Is there such a program and where?
Mike: Thanks for the insight, I would never have found out those things without 'inside information' :)
Another question though: How is UCLA, I heard that it's also one of the most prestigious programs.
And one more thing about NYU, I really love NY, so that would be my first choice as for a city, but do you guys think you should allready be on the west-coast to get a more easy entrance into Hollywood?

Thanks
 
Fredric said:
How is UCLA, I heard that it's also one of the most prestigious programs. And one more thing about NYU, I really love NY, so that would be my first choice as for a city, but do you guys think you should allready be on the west-coast to get a more easy entrance into Hollywood?
Click to expand...
I don't think anything is "an easy entrance into Hollywood"... USC or UCLA are no better than NYU for a student that can't make films. For example, Martin Scorsese's alma mater is NYU. Also, it's not like you can just pick and choose and say "Well, I want to go to UCLA." These schools have to pick you, not just the other way around. Any way you go, good luck.
 
-zach- said:
I don't think anything is "an easy entrance into Hollywood"... USC or UCLA are no better than NYU for a student that can't make films.
Click to expand...

I highly disagree... location, location, location.

You can literally spend 30 mins 'peoplewatching' in LA.. and you'll encounter
a half dozen people wearing 'crew gear' or some production related piece
of clothing... and because this is LA, where networking is king, you can
approach em and strike up a conversation.

The poorest quality 'filmmaker' in LA, can still have a career in the
industry... its not an A-List director or nothing proposition. Same goes for
NYC, but its a smaller community and you need to be a better networker.
 
Greggl said:
The poorest quality 'filmmaker' in LA, can still have a career in the
industry... its not an A-List director or nothing proposition. Same goes for
NYC, but its a smaller community and you need to be a better networker.
Click to expand...

Okay, that makes sense.

I interpreted his saying "entrance into Hollywood" as a higher position, but you're absolutely right. What do I know? I live 3000 miles away.
 
Fredric said:
...
And to craig: I would be interested in something like that, I really think digital filmmaking is the future, so why not get in as soon as you can... Is there such a program and where?
...
Thanks
Click to expand...

Its happening here in Kelowna British Columbia at the Centre for Arts and Technology, (CAT). The program is literally called the Digital Cinema Program. Development of this program was started last year and coincided with the institution's first Red reservation. The first intake is happening this October. The marketing officially starts end of May. If you'd like I can get you some information the day the marketing begins.
 
To go to any of the school mentioned above, you have to have good/ top-notch grades.

I just went through applying to many of the schools mentioned here.

I'm stressing grades because I have a 3.4, have taken 5 AP classes, basically all honors classes, have tons of extraciricular activities, and decent test scores (I'm not a storng english student, but my math score is almost MIT material) and I still got a bunch of rejection letters. Also, a good portfolio is needed at most schools.

With all that I still got rejected from American Univserity, SUNY- Purchase, Ithaca, NYU, Vassar, Johns Hopkins and a couple more. Many people I know where astonished

It's a crapshoot really. Some schools don't even look at your portfolio for accepting people into their film programs.


In the end, I am going to go to Emerson College for Film. I love the school. The key to everything is networking. Emerson College is known for their "Emersonian Mafia" in Hollywood and helps get the hookups. My best friend is attending NYU next year also, so I will start building a network there too. One hand really does wash the other. So, in the years to come, maybe the network we build together will let us create that next blockbuster hit.
 
Thanks again for all the respons, and craig, if you get the chance, and if you read this, I would really love to see some material on the Digital Cinema Program.
What do you guys think about London filmschools? I'm going to London this week and have appointments at the Metropolitan Filmschool and the London Film Academy, ever heard about these schools?

Thanks again,

Fredric
 
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