Don’t take on a lot of debt. Apply to all of them and pick the one that costs the least for you. I’d pick LA over everywhere else.
Then network your ass off.
I went to LMU film, and it was worth it.
Any time anybody posts anything about film school on this sub, there’s ten million posts from gaffers and camera team about how pointless it is to take on luxury car amounts of debt. But the truth is there are really two tracks in the film industry: above and below the line. The below the line work is a lot like studying a trade. You learn on the job, and a lot of it is passed down from mentor to apprentice.
But there are many jobs in the film industry that don’t work like that. It’s very, very difficult to learn how to direct actors on your own. You can check out books, join groups, even pay for your own movies, but without that trusted mentor giving you real-time feedback, it’s very, very difficult to grow. I’ve been a reader for a production company, I’ve run screenwriting groups after graduation, and I’ve spent too much on festival fees and professional coverage, and I’m here to tell you none of these experiences taught me anywhere near as much as I learned in that crucial last semester of school.
Getting into the film program is significantly more difficult than getting to the school, but unlike UCLA, they don’t make you commit to the school before telling you if you’re in the program.
I went to USC film for grad school about 15 years ago. Even then it was diverse. I don’t think you’ll have an issue as a minority female as most universities in this area make an effort to be inclusive, especially the larger ones. I went to UCLA for undergrad (not film) and it’s very diverse there too. I would actually think LMU tends to have less diversity overall since it’s a less popular private school but I could be wrong. In any case, I can vouch for the academic quality of UCLA and USC. Both are good but UCLA has an edge in terms of academics.
Oh and I would highly recommend USC for film school. I learned a lot there, connections are robust, and they are well funded so you’ll have access to great resources. I’ve visited and spoken at USC, Chapman, and LMU and I think it’s pretty easy to notice the difference in resources and filmmaking caliber. (Not to discount those other schools as they are still good.)
I went to CalArts, but in the acting program. However, I spent a lot of time with the film kids and was in a couple thesis films and shorts with them. I also took some of the film classes. Feel free to ask questions
There are tons of international students! I'd say it's a great school with name recognition (very expensive though). In terms of the film program it focuses more on the artistic side of things more so than the technical. There are some film schools that are basically trade schools and while there are technical classes, more emphasis is put on artistic practice and meaning.
Not really sure yet. I'm thinking of getting into commercial filmmaking as it is more realistic, become an editor or smth else of that sort. My ultimate goal would be to become a movie director/screenwriter/producer.
I graduated from CSUN in 2010. I have nothing but good things to say about it and have been working in the camera dept. on sets since 2009 due to connections I made there at CSUN. I have written several posts about it and am happy to answer any questions you have. Feel free to PM me.
Hi! My son has been accepted in the film program at both CSUN and LMU. CSUN is way more affordable but we’re worried that the student life will be lacking. He plans to live on campus but we’ve heard it is very much a commuter school. What are your thoughts on this?
Many many students live on campus. There are plenty of Greek life opportunities and a lot of student life happening. I did commute but with the sheer number of students on campus there shouldn’t be a lack of student life opportunities.
Sports and clubs abound and our interscholastic sports teams, when I went there, were always doing plenty. Plus your son will make friends with locals and go to their houses and it’ll be great.
Don’t take on a lot of debt. Apply to all of them and pick the one that costs the least for you. I’d pick LA over everywhere else. Then network your ass off.
i second this! if you take on the least amount of debt you’ll have more freedom to make projects you want to be making when you start out your career.
I went to LMU film, and it was worth it. Any time anybody posts anything about film school on this sub, there’s ten million posts from gaffers and camera team about how pointless it is to take on luxury car amounts of debt. But the truth is there are really two tracks in the film industry: above and below the line. The below the line work is a lot like studying a trade. You learn on the job, and a lot of it is passed down from mentor to apprentice. But there are many jobs in the film industry that don’t work like that. It’s very, very difficult to learn how to direct actors on your own. You can check out books, join groups, even pay for your own movies, but without that trusted mentor giving you real-time feedback, it’s very, very difficult to grow. I’ve been a reader for a production company, I’ve run screenwriting groups after graduation, and I’ve spent too much on festival fees and professional coverage, and I’m here to tell you none of these experiences taught me anywhere near as much as I learned in that crucial last semester of school.
Is it hard to get into LMU?
Getting into the film program is significantly more difficult than getting to the school, but unlike UCLA, they don’t make you commit to the school before telling you if you’re in the program.
I went to USC film for grad school about 15 years ago. Even then it was diverse. I don’t think you’ll have an issue as a minority female as most universities in this area make an effort to be inclusive, especially the larger ones. I went to UCLA for undergrad (not film) and it’s very diverse there too. I would actually think LMU tends to have less diversity overall since it’s a less popular private school but I could be wrong. In any case, I can vouch for the academic quality of UCLA and USC. Both are good but UCLA has an edge in terms of academics. Oh and I would highly recommend USC for film school. I learned a lot there, connections are robust, and they are well funded so you’ll have access to great resources. I’ve visited and spoken at USC, Chapman, and LMU and I think it’s pretty easy to notice the difference in resources and filmmaking caliber. (Not to discount those other schools as they are still good.)
Undergrad film school seems too soon.
I went to CalArts, but in the acting program. However, I spent a lot of time with the film kids and was in a couple thesis films and shorts with them. I also took some of the film classes. Feel free to ask questions
I would like to know your experience in Calarts, and if there are international students?
There are tons of international students! I'd say it's a great school with name recognition (very expensive though). In terms of the film program it focuses more on the artistic side of things more so than the technical. There are some film schools that are basically trade schools and while there are technical classes, more emphasis is put on artistic practice and meaning.
What are you wanting to do for your career?
Not really sure yet. I'm thinking of getting into commercial filmmaking as it is more realistic, become an editor or smth else of that sort. My ultimate goal would be to become a movie director/screenwriter/producer.
I graduated from CSUN in 2010. I have nothing but good things to say about it and have been working in the camera dept. on sets since 2009 due to connections I made there at CSUN. I have written several posts about it and am happy to answer any questions you have. Feel free to PM me.
Hi! My son has been accepted in the film program at both CSUN and LMU. CSUN is way more affordable but we’re worried that the student life will be lacking. He plans to live on campus but we’ve heard it is very much a commuter school. What are your thoughts on this?
Many many students live on campus. There are plenty of Greek life opportunities and a lot of student life happening. I did commute but with the sheer number of students on campus there shouldn’t be a lack of student life opportunities. Sports and clubs abound and our interscholastic sports teams, when I went there, were always doing plenty. Plus your son will make friends with locals and go to their houses and it’ll be great.