My son has been accecpted into the Cinima-TV Critical Studies program at USC (Production was his first choice) and the Film Production Program at Chapman. He got good scholarships at both schools. USC was his #1 choice, and he's now torn because he would be in Critical Studies if he went there. If he went to Chapman, he'd be making films, not just learning about their history, but USC is his "dream school". Do any of you have an opinion about the Critical Studies Program? Would it be worth going there for that, if film making is the goal? I would appreciate any dialogue on this subject. (He also applied to NYU, but hasn't heard back yet)
Thanks!!

I'd suggest Chapman. USC is good, but so is Chapman, and a cinema studies program will be severely disappointing to anyone who wants to be a filmmaker.

Do you think there is any value in a degree in Critical Studies? I know there are some production classes in it, and it would be a good degree to have to go to grad school. Do you know anything about the actual USC program?

Is it possible to transfer from cinnema to film later on in the year?

I don't think a filmmaker would be at all happy in critical studies. A real film program is much more suited for filmmaking. I can't argue that strongly enough.

His ultimate goal is to be a Hollywood Director, so putting off what he want's to do now, to reach that goal is acceptable. What is your take on getting into grad school if he goes through Critical Studies first? What are your thoughts on Grad school vs undergrad film programs and the success afterwards?

And Yes, he can try to transfer into the Production Program at a later date, but I have no idea what the success of doing it is. He will call the school and find out if he is on any kind of wait list.

Well, one thing to consider is that grad school is very hard to get into. If he didn't get into USC's undergrad, who knows what his chances for grad are. Also, many filmmakers don't go to grad school. This is a very fast, and very competitive industry, and the success usually goes to those who get there first. I feel that if he wants to direct, he should be directing now.

Chapman is a very good filmschool (arguably the best in America right now, based on resources and policies) and is kind of the "new kid on the block," with brand new facilities and equipment. As soon as NYU and USC realize how much competition Chapman represents, they're going to panic.

What do you believe is the one best way to become a Hollywood Director? (If you had to chose a single way)

I was reading UCLA's ten year plan and they are already beginning to panic about Chapman. However, to play devils advocate-- USC is so well known in the industry, the alumni connections are fantastic, and the education they give is more suited to industry filmmakers (as opposed to Chapman or UCLA which tend to groom more independent filmmakers. Your son could always go to USC and change majors as the faculty get to know him-- thats not at all unheard of in impacted programs like the film school.

the critical studies diploma at usc says the exact same thing as the production diploma, but your son will lack core production classes and experience on set if he goes in that direction. chapman is a very good school for production especially with all the new resources they have. he could get a job on set quite easily with that.

also to transfer to production at usc you must wait until second semester of sophmore year.

Does anyone have any idea of how difficult it is to transfer into the production program from Critical Studies?

I pretty much agree with what you've all been saying. It makes sense to me that he goes to Chapman. But, he is more interested in big budget movie making vs Indie films. He is afraid that missing the oportunity to get into the program at USC would be a mistake. He doesn't want to go to Chapman and then regret not going to USC. My fear is that he'll go to USC in hopes of transfering, and then be stuck in Critical Studies. (Plus the fact that even with a half ride scholarship, we'd still have to come up with $30,ooo a year.) In all honesty, I'm not really sure what the Critical Studies program is really for, unless you want to be a film critic or go on to a masters program.

If he wants to go to SC, let him go to SC, there are plenty of private scholarships to apply for outside of the university one. I do think he should visit both schools however. because if he truly has his heart set on USC then he won't be happy going anywhere else, plus if he really wants to do production he will make it happen once he's there. I went to USC Briefly in undergrad and the community and campus was really great and offered so many opportunities to get involved even if you weren't focusing on film (at the time I was a Theatre student. But it all comes down to how much he likes the school as to whether or not he will thrive there.

We visited both campuses this fall. Chapman first...liked it, a lot. Then USC...blew his mind. His heart has been there ever since. I'm just afraid that he will let that emotion distract him from his ultimate goal. I've been reading all of your responses to him, and we've had some really great discussions. I really appreciate all your feedback!

I wouldn't be discouraged by getting into the critical studies program- that's still one heck of an education in film. You can learn a lot about filmmaking through studies. You won't get the hands-on experience necessary, but anyone can work on student projects no matter what major. Remember that he'll still be going to the School of Cinematic Arts at USC, so he'll have many of the same opportunities as the production students.

Transferring is probably difficult, to be honest. Don't worry about having to wait until 2nd semester sophomore year, though; no one at USC takes any sort of production class until then anyway.

Besides... and not at all to sound judgmental, I found for myself and so many undergrads after me, those first few years of college you're defining your ultimate goal beyond what you grew up "wanting to be". He may walk in there wanting to direct and walk out as an architect or a business man. A campus that makes you happy goes a long long way. I work in a Dean's office at a medium sized college in So. Cal and can't tell you how often students change majors or add double majors for that very reason.

You all have given some great advice and thoughts. Thank you!

If you were my son, knowing all that you know, and what I've told you, what would you do at this point?? Chapman Production or USC Critical Studies?

Personally, I would attend Chapman and if he's unhappy, he can attempt to transfer to USC Production from another renowned production program.

There is no formula to being a Hollywood director, but someone who needs to make films no matter what should be making films.

If he wants to go to USC just to go to USC, be in LA, be a Trojan, party, whatever, then he should go to USC.

It's a question of what he really wants from his college experience.