Film school

I'm probably going to apply to: USC, UCLA, UT and AFI (is this even a college?).

I'm hoping to go to a southern California school, but who knows. I'm going wherever I get the largest scholarship (hopefully full).

Is it true that USC is "located in the ghetto and surrounded by barbed-wire fence"?

My friend just visited California and that is how he described the campus. This doesn't really affect my decision or anything, I'm just wondering.
 
What I would do is go to NYU... I'm looking at it myself and my sis goes there. I was just asking a counselor about this same question, but I told her I also wanted to have a backup in case film didn't work for me. What I decided on was doing a Pre-Business program (Bus. Administration, Economics, etc.) with a major in Film Production at Tisch (Performing Arts School). You see Pre-Business isn't really a major but it puts you on track to become a business man in most fields. And with your major as film production you'll be on your way to make films. NYU is a highly selective school so you have to have SATs within the 1900 to 2200 range to get considered. They also take to SAT subject tests. I think that would be your best option. They say it is hard though to do what I say because the Film Production and Pre-Business programs are in different colleges. Pre-Business is in teh College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and Film Production is in the TISCH school of Performance Arts. Anyway, have a good time choosing! I still have two years left... Good luck!

EDIT: Oh and by the way, since I did not read that you were looking at schools near Hollywood. I would recommend you look at Chapman University. Their college, Dodge College has top hardware and is a great experience. Go visit them. they're really good and one of their graduates was like in the top 5 on On The Lot. Have fun!
 
Last edited:
I didn't know I was going into video until I was pretty much done with my 4 year degree in another field. I can tell you this much. You don't need to go to film school to make connections. In a year and a half I have met plenty of people in the industry. You could do this through the many video forums, user groups, and simple cold calls "can I interview yous" I would continue to seek more wisdom. I would also suggest asking others who know you even better what path you should take. Safety in #s.
 
Andrew Brinkhaus said:
Definitely true, Nomadic. It's a sacrifice being across the country from where I want to be, but the program is great, and if you are passionate, you can make connections from anywhere, really. I have already been making some great contacts out in LA, and I've never even been there.
Click to expand...

Have you heard of Dan Dobi? He went to full sail, he lives down the street from me here in LA.
 
NOMADIC said:
disagree, No doubt prestige helps, but if you have nothing for a reel, all you have is a degree.

I go to California State - Northridge. I personally would suggest this plan. Go to community college in California for 2 years, transfer to Northridge. It's becoming a pretty good school for its price. State colleges are cheap in CA, Chapman is great, but its in Orange County, which makes it hard to get jobs/internships at the legit studios while going to school.

If you parents have deep pockets, and you have what it takes, apply to USC. You'll be in LA, not the everglades. They have master classes by real directors/writers/producers.

I don't have anything against Full Sail, but I just think its in a really bad place.

Work in the industry while in school, so when you graduate you already have connections.
Click to expand...

Hi Nomadic!

I sent you a pm about CSUN.

thanks!
 
bballplaya283 said:
I'm probably going to apply to: USC, UCLA, UT and AFI (is this even a college?)

Is it true that USC is "located in the ghetto and surrounded by barbed-wire fence"?

My friend just visited California and that is how he described the campus. This doesn't really affect my decision or anything, I'm just wondering.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is absolutely true, but the campus is pretty big. Also, that neighborhood has gotten slightly better recently as real estate values have skyrocketed in Los Angeles...But I wouldn't venture outside of the campus on foot at night.
 
Batutta said:
Yes, this is absolutely true, but the campus is pretty big. Also, that neighborhood has gotten slightly better recently as real estate values have skyrocketed in Los Angeles...But I wouldn't venture outside of the campus on foot at night.
Click to expand...

Yea, it is pretty "inner city" around the campus. Very nice campus though. My brother-in-law and I gave ourselves a little tour a few years ago. We snuck into a class and wondered around the editing labs :happy:. Anyway, I was impressed with what I saw. Nice selection of film related books at the bookstore too.
 
..yeah 2 kids got mugged last week at USC. ha. sucks.


AFI has workshops, but the conservatory has the masters program and I heard its a [female dog] and a half to get in to....but it is a masters program.
 
No Joke. Over here you only hear about Harvard, etc. The movie clichés, if you know what I mean...
 
It's the founder's name. Johns was the last name of his paternal grandmother, or something like that, and it found it's way down to him.
 
bballplaya283 said:
I'm probably going to apply to: USC, UCLA, UT and AFI (is this even a college?).

I'm hoping to go to a southern California school, but who knows. I'm going wherever I get the largest scholarship (hopefully full).

Is it true that USC is "located in the ghetto and surrounded by barbed-wire fence"?

My friend just visited California and that is how he described the campus. This doesn't really affect my decision or anything, I'm just wondering.
Click to expand...


Hey there, I'd say def. give it a shot and apply. I go to USC and USC is def. in a bad neighborhood but the campus is relatively safe considering what's on the outside. Just be street smart and aware of your surroundings. Aside from this issue, which they're trying to fix (buying out surrounding areas to expand the school) the education is phenomenal. All classes are taught by working professionals, some with Oscars too :-o I was and am still in awe... You are given the opportunity to work with 16mm, 35mm, HD...whatever you need (after passing pre req courses) and use various stages on campus.

The upside to SC is that you are able to focus in various areas in the field. It's really up to you. In your first year, they have courses designed to have you work in each area- whether, sound, cinematography, editing, producing and the like, to give you a taste of everything. So take advantage and make the most of it...They don't make you specify in one area from the beginning to the end, like AFI.

I did apply to AFI and was able to do a phone interview with them. They were very specific about who they were looking for, mainly people who have had a decent amount of experience in the field.

The downside to SC is the price tag. It's very expensive. I'm maxed out in financial aid. I couldn't apply to their scholarships during my first year-- didn't have enough on my reel yet. But did apply this past year and got lucky.

It's too bad USC is given names like the "University of Spoiled Children." Though, I can see that... I've met many folks here that are JUST that...and you want to just slap them. But those folks are the ones who make the worst films in school, so you learn to just ignore them.

One of my highlights so far was seeing Spielberg and Lucas on campus. This was for the Lucas donation...and I arrived early and saw Spielberg with a few other guys pass right by me, to prep for the function. I was totally :shocked:
 
Last edited:
USC is not 'located in the ghetto and surrounded by a barbed wire fence.'

It's ghetto-adjacent.

And there's no fence.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top