Hello everyone. At my school we started doing college stuff and I am really worried about getting into a good film school. Here's a little about myself:

I am a 16 year old chicano (Mexican American) full scholarsip student at one of the top private schools in California. Its extremely tough to get into in the first place. I entered in ninth grade with about 5 other people from a pool of 500 applicants. When i was in public school my GPA was perfectly flawless and I took every honors class known to man. Lucky for me I was selected to apply to a couple of the top private schools in Los Angeles (expensive too...around 24,000 a year). However, the challenge has proved to be more than adequate. I have a 3.32 average GPA which I can raise to a 3.43 by the end of this semester and I'm doing pretty well this semester so it looks very likely. Anyways, I love film and I have been dreaming of Tisch film school for the longest time. I'm planning on applying to a bunch of film schools but NYU is my NUMBER ONE choice. Can anyone tell me what my chances might be?

Here are my STATS:

GPA: 3.32 cum. (around a B+ average)
Class Rank: My school doesn't rank because its so tough.
School type: It's a really prestigious school and I am really lucky to be there. Although its been really hard to fit in being one of the only hispanic kids at the school. They send most of the kids to TOP institutions.

Freshmen year - AP Spanish. (Got a 5 on the AP)

Sophomore Year - All the regular classes. Although a regular class at this school is practically an honors class anywhere else.

Junior Year - AP Enviornmental Science and AP US History. Rest are normal classes.

Senior Year - (classes Im planning on taking) AP Human Geography, AP Literature, AP Art history, and AP Studio Art. Rest are normal classes.

SAT: I havent taken the SAT yet, but here are my predictions:

Overall: 1900-2100 (Math - 600-650) (Verbal 600-700) (Writing 600-750)
I'm a good writer, but suck at Math.

Extra Curriculurs:
-Founder and President of the film club at my school - We make movies and run the film festival at school. First ever film club at shcool ever too.
-Member of the LSA (Latino Student Alliance) - Next year I have been guaranteed a spot as vice-president because of what I did for the club this year.
Part of the Honor Code at school - We promote at honor at school .
-My community service is OK...I tutored at a public elementary school 9-10th grade and now I coach a boys under 12 soccer team.
-I play Varsity soccer at my school.
-I make movies outside of school (which i hear is good for film school)

Work Experience:
- I've held a steady job since I was 14 years old. Full-time during the summer and part time on weekends during school-year. I help with the rent at home. Work is also a reason I have less time for school...not to mention I get home at 8:00 and have 6 hours of work every night...hard to stay up.
-I have also actually worked PROFESSIONALLY in the comic book buisness. Which is like the film buisness in the sense that it is storytelling. I was color assistant on BIG books like Batman; Detective Comics. Batgirl, and Lady Death. I worked on some pretty big names and with one of the two comic companies that practically monopolize the comic book industry.
- I'm also working on getting my own comic books published. In Chile I have something in the works.
- Also trying to get a job at the theatre to go along with the whole film thing.

So pretty much I just wrote a lot of stuff that may or may not help you in assisting me to see my chances of getting into a good film school. ALSO, something that may or may not be important...Last year a kid similiar to me who was chosen from the same public school as I was by the same program and went to the same school that i did. (pretty much me with a slightly higher GPA and less extra-curriculurs) He had a 3.6 cum. GPA and he got into COLUMBIA!!! which I think is top 10 in the country. My recommendations should be good too. Especially from a man who knows and has spoken to Jonathan TISCH about me. (Im applying to a summer program and the TISCH man might be helping me get in).

Here is my list of schools as of now:
1. NYU
2. USC
3. UCLA
4. FSU
5. Emerson
6. Chapman
7. Any other good film school.


ANY and all information you may have for me regarding my chances to the above mentioned schools would be wholy apreciated! I really need some help to set me on the right track since currently I cant even concentrate on my school work because Im so depressed about getting into a good college.

Thank you in advance for your time and help!

-Efren Hernandez (Don't look here for a witty signature)

Good Luck in your quest at going to you top choice Film School. While I have not been to any I can't vouch for any School. Out of pure word of mouth my first choice would be NYU. That being said let me just tell you that talking with those already in the Film Industry...quite a few don't have degrees from a prestigeous film school. While it help you land contacts in the business, a degree is not useless, but not as important as it might seem.

Not trying to destroy your dream, just giving you insight.

Again good luck and much success.

yeah, skip it and just make films on ur own terms. any film that you need a million dollar script (or more than a couple thousand at the absolute most) isn't worth ur time and i always crap, so why bother having ur artfomr manipulated, used and raped by someone else?

I really get annoyed when people start encouraging others to skip film school, that it's not necessary. Give me a break. Whether you've got all the talent in the world and already know what you're doing, or are just starting out, you still need to go to COLLEGE. God forbid your not succesful getting into the bussiness, or wake up one day and say "You know what, I really don't want to do this for the rest of my life," and believe me, it does happen. You need to have something to fall back on, because face it, you can't go far without a college degree. Efren, go to film school. If you don't wind up getting some kind of job in film, at least your not stuck in the mud.

With that said, I think you're in a great position to get into NYU. NYU likes diversity, and the fact that you're of foreign descent is definetly a plus. I'm not trying to diminish what you've accomplished, because even if you were American, I'd feel pretty confident with your credentials. The GPA might be a tad on the low side, but I'm not sure that will have too big of an impact, considering you've taken a crap load of AP classes. Make sure you do well on your SATs, I'd say aim for AT LEAST a 1300 (critcal reading and math). I applied to NYU for fall term 2006, and they're not looking at the writing section of the test. I'm not sure if they'll do the same for you though. You need to pump out a solid portfolio as well. A short film or two that shows your best work would be best. They don't want to see clips strung together with music. Another VERY important thing is to write a kick-ass essay, you've really got to knock 'em dead with it. Write something that you know they'll remember. Lastly, I would reccommend applying early decision. I applied regular admission, but I hear that applying early greatly increases your chances of being accepted.

I wouldn't sweat it man, I think you've got a hell of a shot of getting in. If we both make it, maybe I'll see ya there .

GOOD LUCK!

I feel the need to agree with Mark. I recently was accepted in College Park Clark School of Engineering, and I'm getting an electrical engineering degree just for the sake of having one so I have something to fall back on if the film thing doesn't work out. I'll be making $55,000 to $60,000/yr right out of college, which is plenty to plan my film dreams on. A college degree is essential; you're just gambling with your future if you don't get one.

I'd just like to say that what Mark said is essentially what I would say if it wasn't 12:23 am and I didn't have three million things to do right now. Your chances look really good when you spell it all out that way!

Go to film school! If not for anything else, for the connections! Today I worked on a non-class project, shooting with about $15,000 worth of equipment (rented, for far less, but still), with the best crew I've ever seen. A crew of fellow filmmakers. That's worth it right there.

I never said don't further your education, that WOULD be stupid to say to anyone. We don't all need it but even I recommend it, I'm doing it myself now. Maybe I had the wrong experience, but from all that I've heard or seen in people, film school seems to do anything BUT promote creativity and honesty. You should be aware that it is unfortunately more about the "indusrty," how to conform to their standards of easily congestible pre-packaged Hollywood garbage, or fake indie legitimacy ala. Capote, Brokeback Mountain etc. And if all you want is money go into real estate, or electrical engineering like funkbomb said, because the sad truth is that funkbomb with his degree is more of an artist than anybody goin' to NYU for film (not that I'm trying to put you down or anything funk, I think electrical engineering is a very honourable career choice).

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film school seems to do anything BUT promote creativity and honesty. You should be aware that it is unfortunately more about the "indusrty," how to conform to their standards of easily congestible pre-packaged Hollywood garbage

Hill... that might describe some film schools, but it sure as heck doesn't describe NYU. Creativity is one of the highest priorities. We mock the studio system daily, and learn about it anyway, so we're prepared to work within it when necessary, and create outside of it when possible. I assure you. Tisch is nothing like what you described. It's filmmakers heaven.

HDK, I honestly feel that the only reason you reject the idea of film school is for fear of being deemed "unartistic." The fact that you're a rebel doesn't make you an artist. Making art makes you an artist, it doesn't matter how or where you do it.

but WHY do i feel this way!???!?!??!?!

When it comes down to it, what good is art if nobody sees it? Then it's not art. It's an outlet. While USC teaches their students to work within the studio system, it by no means encourages "anything but creativity and honesty". To say that film school teaches it's students how to "conform to their standards of easily congestible pre-packaged Hollywood garbage" is like saying learning how to read teaches you to obey "the man".

At NYU we learn about the "3 act structure" and about what sells - but ultimately they urge you to find your own approach and teach you how to make that approach get from inside the skull, where it is useless, onto a reel.

You can learn electrical engineering by going to school for it - or you can learn by working alone. Likewise for film. Film School teaches you the craft. They teach you options. The rest is up to the student.

Pre-packaged Hollywood garbage exists not because it's taught in film school, but because it sells.

I'm curious, Hill - what's illigitimate about Capote or Brokeback Mountain?

brokeback mountain was just mind control for furthering the lack of anything real in love

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We mock the studio system daily, and learn about it anyway, so we're prepared to work within it when necessary, and create outside of it when possible. I assure you.

How can you control something you have no rights over? Sure, it might say you have final cut in your contract, but that doesn't stop studios from forcing you oen way or another. And if you hold out for all you've got chances are your film will never see the light of day. There are horror stories (some true, some not) about what happened at Miramax, is it any surprise they were releasing/dumping 3 year old films all the time? Why work inside of an industry you don't need? Why would you even want to consider it when you can make a film for 20 bucks and release it on this website for all of us to see?

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HDK, I honestly feel that the only reason you reject the idea of film school is for fear of being deemed "unartistic." The fact that you're a rebel doesn't make you an artist. Making art makes you an artist, it doesn't matter how or where you do it.

What the **** are you talking about? Of course I'm not an artist! I've proudly claimed that all along. i stand with a camera and let actors do their ****, that's what I do, and I'm a god awful camera man. Please don't use that word in the same sentence as me ever again, you're scarring me. Oh, and I disagree with the whole making art makes you an artist, often it can't be further from the truth. There's nothing like seeing two cars ripped to pieces after colliding in the middle of an intersection goin 100 clicks, but I wouldn't call the intoxicated street racer or the now pulverized mother of two an artist, would you (goes along with my claim that while Jackass is entertaining, that don't mean good films or art has to be entertaining)?

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When it comes down to it, what good is art if nobody sees it? Then it's not art.

So good art is anything mass produced? Macdonald's is the best 5 star cuisine? Britney Spears is the poet lauriet of our generation? It's this mentality that convices people to only work and think inside of someone else's box. I feel film schools (not by their own fault of course) are forced to conform to these standards, because theyre providing job training, and can only assume ppl arent going their to learn to be better artists, or amke better art, since theyre paying so much and obviously looking for a career.

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Tisch is nothing like what you described. It's filmmakers heaven.

I'm not sure on his cause I heard it from someone (and you can't really trust anyone about anything), but didn't Tisch reject Jarmusch's "Stranger Than Paradise?" Sorry if I'm wrong on that.

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How can you control something you have no rights over? Sure, it might say you have final cut in your contract, but that doesn't stop studios from forcing you oen way or another. And if you hold out for all you've got chances are your film will never see the light of day.

I'm not sure how we got onto the topic of the almighty powers of the studio, but, it's simple. Loads of successful directors get what they want. That's all I want. If I am a successful (read: good, well-established, high-quality) filmmaker, I will be happy. I'll also be happy to let the studios distribute my work.

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Why work inside of an industry you don't need? Why would you even want to consider it when you can make a film for 20 bucks and release it on this website for all of us to see?

Call me overly optimistic, but the reason I would consider working in an industry I "don't need" is because I'm looking for more money to spend, more production values, and more widespread distribution than I can get with a $20 movie on a website. I love SF.com, but it is by no means my end goal. This is just the beginning. I've never made a movie in my life for $20. Cheapest was Banana Road at $200.

Some people's aspirations are higher than others.

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When it comes down to it, what good is art if nobody sees it? Then it's not art.

So good art is anything mass produced? Macdonald's is the best 5 star cuisine? Britney Spears is the poet lauriet of our generation?

Stop twisting people's words. It's a valid question. What good IS art of no one sees it? He's not saying anything about what is and is not art.

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I feel film schools (not by their own fault of course) are forced to conform to these standards, because theyre providing job training, and can only assume ppl arent going their to learn to be better artists, or amke better art, since theyre paying so much and obviously looking for a career.

No one can presume the ability to teach a person to be a better artist. Film school gives us several things: the technical training we need; the practice we need; the connections we need; and the environment in which we are most likely to discover our own style, our own artistic direction, and to teach OURSELVES how to be better artists.

Looked but couldn't confirm anything on Permanent Vacation and Tisch, but found this quote by Jarmusch which we'll all have to settle for about if he thinks ppl need film school:

Jarmusch: That's a hard question, because it's such an individual choice. It depends on what their intentions are. I went to graduate film school at NYU, and at first I didn't get a degree, because I took a scholarship that was supposed to pay my tuition, and I used it to make a film. For the longest time, I never actually graduated. And about 70 percent of the things I learned there I had to unlearn, but 30 percent was really valuable. It's like Mark Twain said, "Don't let school get in the way of your education." But everyone has teachers during their schooling that change the course of their lives, and I had Nicholas Ray. [Ray directed In A Lonely Place, Johnny Guitar, and Rebel Without A Cause, among other classics. —ed.] I was fortunate enough to be his assistant in my last year there, and that was incredible for me. I learned so much from him just talking about anything—certainly about movies, but other things, too.

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Loads of successful directors get what they want.

Name a "successful" (something many have always considered to be connected directly to box office reciepts and Oscars personally) director whose films dont make money, but makes art and gets carte blanche or whatever to make his films his way inside the Hollywood system. It's usually a "one for you, one for me" system ala Soderberg and Linklater and Van Sant, and the "one for me"s arent pulling much weight either.

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Some people's aspirations are higher than others.

aka Greed

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Stop twisting people's words. It's a valid question. What good IS art of no one sees it? He's not saying anything about what is and is not art.

What would you rather do, have a real effect on 1% of people who see your work, or have a film that makes 100% of the audience cry and fall in love with it only to forget about it as soon as they leave the theatre, escapism you might call it? I'm not saying art is only liked by minorities, cause that's not always the case, but what if Van Gogh just burned all of his painting during his lifetime because nobody bought them, because no galleries would have shown them? What if he'd quit after 2 paintings? We all know what happened to Hitler when they told him that he needed "more people" in his paintings.

That quote by Jarmusch is really good. The thing is, and maybe Tisch has changed since then, I've ALREADY had teachers that changed the course of my life. My screenwriting teacher last year - I learned so much about writing, and we didn't follow the curriculum at all. He went out of his way to make sure we never ever wrote formulaic movies. After taking sound, I listen to things so much better. I've heard sound mixing on TV or in films that wouldn't have passed in my class.

For me, being a successful director INCLUDES making money. How on earth am I going to pay off my loans and scrape together the resources to make the films I dream of if I don't start making some moolah?

And, no, it's not greed; it's a case of me aspiring for more than you, and you trying to degrade that. I really want my movies to be seen - and you don't, which confuses me, but, to each his own. I'm not here to make crappy movies that my family puts up with and my friends won't watch. I'm here to make movies that everyone sees. Film is, by its very nature, an art-form in which we create to be seen.

You left out a critical third category. I would prefer to make a film that makes 100% of the audience cry and fall in love, and which they remember for years and years, and hunt down for their children to watch decades later. Surly you know that such movies exist. Just because you despise anything main-stream doesn't mean most of the world does. Star Wars is the best example I can think of, because it is THE most popular movie of all time. Star Wars changed the lives of millions of people. If I can do that, I'll be happy. And I promise I won't make three crappy prequels.

You won't get in, Efren, better luck next time

WELL SAID TD, except for the whole Star Wars symboliziation. No use arguing with Kane he's the most illogical thinking creature you will find on the planet that is why I"m always throwing him in the trash can

He just keeps coming back though like those monsters in those horror pictures

EFREN, dont worry too much. Important is your essay and portfolio. Your school is top and NYU will know that.

And the filmschool discussion? I came to the US knowing NOTHING about how to make movies. I learned everything in less than 4 years (well not everything....but a LOT) at NYU and C.W.Post. I have a decent DP reel. I have 2 shortfilms that I strongly believe will do great at festivals. I learned a lot of technical skills...but what I REALLY learned...and where I grew the most is as an artist. Having students around me...professors who KNOW what they are doing...it helped tremendously...