| When looking into college film programs, which should I be more impressed by?

When looking into college film programs, which should I be more impressed by?

yeahh asked:


College A, whose alumni almost all have behind the scenes careers as crew members (casting directors, production assistants) on big name productions with just a few who have actually directed small films…

Or college B, whose alumni are almost all directors, shooting mostly smaller indie/avant-garde films and documentaries, with only a few who actually have regular crew member type jobs.

I’m wondering because I think it would be great to go to College B because the fact that most of the alumni are now directors makes me think that the program probably prepares students for directing positions more so than College A and probably has students that are very passionate about film.

But at the same time, College A’s alumni all have actual paying jobs, not just out there directing whatever they want, so it makes me think maybe employers are more impressed by a degree from College A and the employment prospects are better than those at College B.

And please don’t tell me “Go to NYU” or something stupid like that.
People have a tendency to answer every question about film education by simply telling the person to go to UCLA or something.

NYU and UCLA aren’t even options.

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Comments

2 Responses to “When looking into college film programs, which should I be more impressed by?”

  1. anniehall on June 13th, 2009 4:20 am

    i’m afraid that the situation with the professers at college b will be that of the pretentious artist: “i don’t care about making money, i just care about making my art. i love eating out of trash cans and not having a consistent job. life sucks.” this attitude at a school really isn’t the best to be around if you’re hoping to make actual money in your art form.

    but actually. i think there is merit to both schools. it really just depends upon what you’re looking for. if you want to make money, maybe school a is right for you. if you don’t care about dollaz, go school b.
    but what are the school names?!?????

    also, i wouldn’t have said nyu or ucla. i would have said usc.

  2. derdaktari on June 15th, 2009 3:38 am

    College B is probably one of those places where they “know quality when they see it’” but when pressed, could not define it. Sounds to m like they have their heads in the wrong location.

    College A focuses on a more traditional approach: apprentice, journeyman, master (best boy, production assistant, director) This is far better. never mind the jobs of the grads…….. all of that is hype anyway.

    As for suggesting NYU or UCLA, well, those are THE top schools, so they Do enter into the equation. Your generation is so intent on asking questions, but then telling those who provide answers that only certain answrs are acceptable. I wish I had you in one of my classes…

    There is a top notch film school in Iowa (U of Iowa I think, but could be Iowas State, cant recall.) Also I believe that Nebraska-Lincoln has a ‘decent’ film program.