hey all...i've been looking for more schools. i know what i want in a school i want a pretty hands on experience that teaches me to be self sufficent in all areas of film unlike just one thing like cinamatogrpahy...so if anyone would know of a school like that or a more efficient way to look one i would appreciate the help.

Thanks!!

I think that the New York Film Academy is the most hands-on film school out there. I took a 4 week summer course, and I was shooting on the first day. The instructors are very knowledgeable, but they dont micromanage you, so you can really express yourself. Hope that helps.

Check out small start up programs in state colleges Cal State Long beach, the digital arts program at Cal Poly Pomona, I think Ohio state had a program where Jayimess and Bruno came out of.

Those smaller programs by virtue of their size are forced to be all encompassing. The problem (if it's a problem) is you really need to be self motivated.

I never really looked into undergraduate film-- I sort of fell into the industry-- but I've heard really good things about USC and Chapman's undergrad programs. I believe there is a thread if you use the search tool

I don't really think NYFA counts as an undergraduate school, so if you are looking for a degree or to be considered as "having an education in" I would steer clear. However it might be a nice supplement education. I don't know anybody who's been through it.

Bruno and I attended Cleveland State University, a small state school with a film and digital media major within its school of communication.

The faculty is devoted, and the program is very small, the equipment is decent, but not great, though they'll let you use it whenever you want.

Regarding our recent graduates, Bruno attends Chapman as a producing student, I attend USC as a screenwriting student, and we've got another alum coming into AFI as an editor this fall.

My former roommate works for BET and recently directed a video for Dwele (he sings the hook on Kanye's Flashing Lights), two more recent grads just moved out here and are working in reality TV, another is working as a script consultant, and one more is THE go-to guy back home when shooting in Cleveland. He lives the dream...he has a production company/rental house and supports himself doing only commercials, music videos, and shooting what he wants.

Both my former roommate and I had pretty successful festival runs with films we made there, on both local and national levels.

So...we're doing alright. I can honestly say that I haven't had to "unlearn" any bad habits from my film and digital media education there.

The faculty went to great schools like Columbia, AFI, and Emerson.

Like any program, I have to say that you only get what you put into it. We had slackers in the program who gave little effort, which showed, and most of 'em aren't doing anything film related these days.

The caveat: you're in Cleveland, Ohio. Now, I loved it because my entire friend and family base is there and the price was right, but it's not too vibrant of a place in general or as a film community.

I don't know how things have changed since I left in 2006...but the program is only growing.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Shady,
I think the kind of film school you are looking for can be found in many places and what you get out of it is what you put into it. For myself, I went to a little known film school, CU in Boulder CO, where the philosophy is much more about experimentation. I was allowed to do whatever I wanted and as the program continued I began to find my niche and what I like about making films-cinematography. I volunteered on everything and in every role until this happened for me. I then focused most of my attention behind the camera and on lighting. As far as the staff at CU it has a backbone built on the ideology of Stan Brakage-a very well respected experimental filmmaker. The critical studies department is excellent and I learned a great deal from my professors. The production department is more experimental in nature but I feel I was able to learn a lot through trial and error and was given great feedback.
I have also recently heard about a school in North Carolina that I would have liked to attended if I were to start over-I think it is the NC school of Arts but I am not sure about this-David Gordon Greene attended. It seems like a very professional atmosphere.
All in all film school will be what you make of it no matter where you attend. As far as my classmates- a close freind is graduated from USC this past June, and I am attending Chapman and interviewed at AFI, and another friend is headed to NYU Signapore in the fall. We were all very dedicated to the craft during our time in undergrad and it showed when we applied to MAster programs.
I hope this helps though I am unsure of how,
Donald Mckinnon

Donald, that's so cool that you're all doing so well out of another small unknown school!

Hooray!

See y'all, it's all what you make of it.