Hey everyone, Im a high school junior and i'm a little stuck on were to go after hs. I have a few questions about various schools and what to major in. I know I want to get into film, specifically Directing and screenwriting but really the only reason I want to go to film school is to get connections and also learn in general how a film is really made (learn all the technical details). I was wondering if majoring in something that is hands on and will give me alot of experience like Cinematography is a better major rather than going for directing. If I get a BFA in cinematography then would it be a good idea to go for a MFA in directing or Screenwriting?

Also while im on the subject my first two years of HS pretty much sucked and I averaged about a 2.0 gpa (rounding up), im just starting my junior year so if I bring up my grades for my last years do I have a chance at UCLA, USC, or NYU

To my knowledge, you cannot major in JUST cinematography. Schools such as USC and NYU have cinema production majors, which teach you all aspects of the production process (but in which I believe you have room to specialize).

But I would beg of you to please not just think of film school as a place to get connections and some experience. You can get the experience working on your own or on any film set, and connections are what you make of them. What film school will do for you is develop your understanding of film, it's making, it's history, it's theory, etc. There is a lot more to filmmaking than just making films.

Also, if you get a BA in production, it is almost certain you will not get into any MFA production programs (there would be no point to).

As for GPA...if you really want to go to the best film schools (which you listed), you'll need to bring those grades up. Work as hard as you can, and also make sure to work on getting good SAT scores. I'd also start taking a look at each individual school's application - it's very helpful to know what you'll soon be up against.

Dude, Cinematical...you're like Peter Bogdanovich when you post like that...were you ever a kid, or have you always been this wise and clear-headed?


Great advice, disregard my two cents.

quote:

As for GPA...if you really want to go to the best film schools (which you listed), you'll need to bring those grades up. Work as hard as you can, and also make sure to work on getting good SAT scores. I'd also start taking a look at each individual school's application - it's very helpful to know what you'll soon be up against.

Also, start making student films and writing screenplays and add them to a portfolio. Maybe get an internship or just work for a local video production company for you last two years. I had decent grades in HS but it was my recommendation and portfolio that got me in at Tish.

If you dont have a chance to bring up those grades, community college and transfering is always an option.

What about receiving BA in Television/Screenwriting (I mean film schools like Chapman, Emerson and CSUN) and then getting into graduate Production (USC/Columbia/CalARts)?

P.S. Do UCLA accept internationals applicants with BA degree from US university for their MFA programs?