Hey everyone, my name's M. M. Rempen and I'm a film student. This is my first post on what looks like a really great site. Now down to business.

I am a second-semester freshman undergrad here at Chapman University in Orange, California. I want to tell you all why this school really has the best film program of any I've looked at. I've looked at pretty much any school that offers a film program, and extensively at those in California. I want it clear off the bat that I don't work for the school, promotion or otherwise. This is my personal opinion. I love this school and its program, and anyone with a passion for filmmaking will too. Here's why.

1. YOUR FILMS ARE YOUR FILMS
This is number one on any indie filmmaker's list. At most other big films schools - USC, UCLA, you name it - the school owns any film you make in any class or with their equipment. You sign a paper that says so. The films you make belong to the school.
At Chapman, that's not the case. Any and all films you make here are exclusively yours. Period.

2. EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE
At other, bigger schools, like the aforementioned, filmmaking equipment is available to only the luckiest of Undergrad seniors and possibly juniors. Even then, the equipment is shoddy, outdated, and poorly maintained. Even grad students don't have a much better deal.
Chapman's equipment facilities are available to most anyone at any time. I'm a freshman and I am currently shooting a film on a DVX-100A with all the equipment I need - C-stands, combo stands, shiny boards, stingers, sound equipment, and a dolly with 24' of track. If it were an indoor shoot, I'd have HMIs, 1ks-12ks, and other electrical grip equipment available. I'm shooting digital, but they have an expansive array of film cameras as well. The only requirement is a truck to carry it, and they even tell you about the best truck rental deals. Classes, of course, have priority over indie shoots, but hey - most schools don't even let you touch the stuff. Which brings me to my next point.

3. YOU GET REAL ON-SET EXPERIENCE
Know what a C-47 is? What soft sticks means? How to rig up a flag to cut down 2 stops on the 2k? I sure as hell didn't before I came here. I haven't even been here a full year, and I've already worked on more than 5 senior projects and other larger-scale film sets, both grad and undergrad. I've talked to kids who've been on more than 14 sets their first year here. I've been a grip, a first AC, a boom operator, a sound mixer, and more.
That's because Chapman encourages kids to help out on the bigger projects. You may not get a high position, but the experience you have will be invaluable. I've talked to people who have graduated from USC and UCLA and never set foot on a set before in their life. How is anyone going to hire you with no experience? Chapman knows this. The amount of real, on-set experience you get here at the class level you're at is unsurpassed.

4. THE PROFESSORS WORK IN THE REAL WORLD
While this isn't that much different from other big film schools, it's at least comforting to know that your editing professor in fact edits as a profession, and that your cinematography prof has been shooting features for 15 years. Look up Bill Dill, Mark Parry, or Michael Kowalski on IMDB. They're professors here. They have real experience. They know their stuff.

5. THE NEW FILM BUILDING ROCKS
The new Marion-Knott Studios film building at Chapman, brand-spanking new, clobbers pretty much any other filmmaking facility. It boasts twenty video editing suites, two full Avid editing labs, two soundstages (that's more than the entire city of Boston!), a green screen, a motion capture suite, a gigantic movie theater for screenings and classes, an equipment room to match, and tons of classrooms and other facilities available for students. Hell yes.

6. THE LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CHAPMAN PHILOSOPHY
For some of you, that may be a turn-off. Rethink that. I get my ideas from literature and philosophy. There are so many incredible classes out there. In my opinion, it's much better to be expanding your horizons while in a film program, or you may lose steam or ideas. We all know that nothing's worse than a stale, unoriginal film - and spending all day in film school can indeed perpetuate this.
If that's your philosophy too, don't worry. Chapman knows this, and promotes a liberal arts education with requirements in all fields. While this may seem annoying, I see it as an opportunity to see storytelling in all aspects of life. It's everwhere, and film draws from everything. Furthermore, if for some reason you decide film isn't your thing (gasp!), then you can choose from many, many other paths.

On top of that, Chapman has a plethora of other advantages for the budding indie filmmaker. They have guest speakers up the wazoo, filmmaker forums, clubs and groups of film students willing to help, and a guy whose job is specifically to help your films get into festivals. As a cherry on top, all equipment and facilities are available 24/7 to Chapman alumni. You graduate, you can still use the stuff. It doesn't get much better than this.

There are downsides, of course. First, notice I specify: indie filmmaker. Chapman is not for he who wants to be a big shot in Hollywood. While I'm sure it's possible, you have a better chance in USC or UCLA. They're designed by Hollywood, for Hollywood, to produce clones. Go there if you want to be one. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Also, Chapman is not a film school in and of itself. Chapman HAS a film program, and a mighty one at that. It is a liberal arts college, a private institution. It costs a lot of money, and you have to be accepted to the regular liberal arts school as WELL as the film school (apply to both). There are scholarships. It's not easy, but if you're dedicated, you can do it.

At the very, very least - take a look. Open film school books and journals, and look up Chapman University. Visit if you can, you'll get a much better idea of the school. Just look into it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask. If I've said anything erroneous, correct me. I'm here to help. Happy filming!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mmrempen,

Chapman does sound quite nice. I'd just like to correct one thing: films created at NYU are the property of the students, not the school.

It's really amazing that you get access to all of the equipment right away, that's my only complaint here at NYU, really, is that we can't get at it for out of class projects.

does it really matter if you "own" your student film or not? isn't it just to show your talent? it's not like it's going to make you any money. in my opinion, NO film school is better than ANY film school. getting work on sets and moving up gives you a four-year jump on the competition. why not just save that tuition money to move out to LA, get set up, work for 4 years IN THE INDUSTRY, and then make your own movie? so you know how to work on student films? great... but working on real films is a whole different level. i know cuz i've worked in both worlds and there's no comparison. you dont really learn as much if everyone you're working with is learning at the same time.

When I was choosing a film school, ownership was a big deal for me, and it's what really turned me off USC. While I have no regrets whatsoever - Tisch is the bomb - I think you're probably right on the ownership issue. When it comes down to it, your film-school films' function is to get you experience and connections.

That said, I think that film school is the best environment for both. Communal exploration allows learning on a greater level than independent, and can catelyse great invention and deeper understanding. And, while I can't say from thorough experience of the professional system, I expect the relationships harvested are less nurturing and mutual than those in the communal-learning environment. While I'm not working with today's working DPs and Sound Editors and Producers and Execs, I'm working with tomorrow's.

Working on a "real set" can get you great crew experience, but second hand creative experience. (unless you've gotten yourself promoted reallllly fast, in which case I commend you!) Being connected with a school has its perks when it comes to putting together a project which you have creative authority.

Yeah... NYU's equipment is kinda nyeh.

USC students can't even put their movies up on their websites. I would never ever create a project that I didn't own the rights to. It's just wrong. How can any university claim to own the creative right of their students?

I think they justify it by... actually I don't know... NYU's policy is you don't own the movie until it's fulfilled its educational purpose(i.e. end of class) - a functional limitation.

Can anyone at USC clear this up? I don't *think* it's a money thing.

the one reason I would consider CHAPMAN as a UG is the head of the cinematography department who just came from AFI. he is Top!

the negative side...I know 3 friends wo transfered from chapman to tisch because they absolutely were disgusted by Orange county after 2 semesters and hated it so much, they had to leave. But thats personal taste I guess.

Chapman is def more and more a good place to be.

personally though, I dont care about ownership. The school WILL put a lot of effort into distributing your films all around the world (USC,UCLA) and that is all that matters realy.

I think that is my biggest concern as well Hoeks. I do not know if I would be able to take Orange Country for more than a few weeks. I went there to visit a friend in the film program last fall, and it seemed that all the film people were really awesome and smart, but a ton of the other students on the campus seemed to be vapid and cliquey... yuck. Then again it keeps on getting more selective and I could see Chapman evolving in to a really top tier school within the next couple of years. It is already that way with the program where I believe the selectivity this year is 1 in 10.

However NYC and NYU seems to have it all and if I get in there, I would absolutely take it over Chapman.

-cody

I agree that living in Orange County is a choice in personal taste. It's got its ups and downs. Personally, I love sunny southern California. Not everyone does. The location that your school is at is an extremely important factor in choosing your school - I apologize for downplaying that. That's the very reason I neglected NYU - I can't stand New York. It's all personal taste.
As for the people here, they come from all over the United States, and you have to understand that it's a small school - you're going to get vapid, cliquey people at ANY school. As far as Chapman, I can count the "OC" type-people I know on my two hands. My experience has been very positive.

Thanks for your comments!

CA > NYC

NYC > The UNIVERSE!!!!1!!111!!!1!!1ONE1!

NYU > NYC

Think about it. Steven Seagal AND Arnold Schwarzenegger reside in California. Their awesomeness > NYC. They are more awesome therefore they are in charge. Thus, CA is in charge. Whats in NYC? ....Nuff said. Case in point CA > NYC.

As intriguing as that subject may be, to stick to the thread's topic, I would have to disagree with Trenterino. I think if you have the opprotunity to go to film school go. Take everything you can out of it. I believe learning besides students is an absolute invaluable expierence. You can get jobs in the industry whenever you want but I see it like this:

If you put 2 people back to back. One to go to film school for 4 years and one to get right in and start working in the industry. I think its safe to say at the end of 4 years the non film student would be working FOR the film student in a short amount of time after he graduates. Sure a film student 90% of the time gets a job as a PA right out of film school. But the advancement will be exponential compared to the non educated one. That being said I think film school, as a career choice, is a very good investment. A better investment then throwing all that money towards a film. It is never smart, although all of us are probibly crazy enough to do this, to put all of our cash into one movie.

Personaly, i'd rather get connections and an expierencefrom an institution to get me started. The expierence being learning along side people who arent doing this for a living (yet) but are doing it to become masters in their craft.

Chapman sounds very interesting...how do you think it compares in terms of like prestige with NYU and the rest of those big schools. Would a degree from Chapman be any different than a degree from NYU?

I like how this school sounds though...being able to use equipment whenever you want and even after you graduate sounds kick-ass!

I live in California...and I go to the school where Arnold has his kids...its a really rich peoples school thing (Im on scholarship) and Mr. Arnold almost ran me over once in a big black hummer car thing. I, being of strong character, ALMOST flipped him off, when I noticed who he was. I just kind of ducked my head and skurried along. Haha.

Id have to say I dont know which is better in terms of Cali or NYC, but I am REALLY intrigued in NYC...I want to go there so bad.

Yeah...thats all I have to say...

-Efren Hernandez

In terms of reputation and what will get you a job just based on name, right now NYU is... well, it's quite a name. On friday I'm shooting an interview with Wim Wenders and whatshernamewho'sinhislatestfilm, and going to a premier for the event tomorrow - solely because of the NYU name. The chap whose employing my - err - services is trusting me solely based on the NYU reputation.

That said, Chapman's film course is expanding exponentially. I remember when I first considered film schools, I looked at it as a possible backup. In the short amount of time since then, it's become really quite important - and in four years, who knows?! You may come out with the first big Chapman-film generation.

And together the world will be ours!



Echem... NYC > CA... caugh caugh...

Yes, that's a good point. The name of the school is obviously becoming rapidly more prestigious. By the time you graduate it may be a heavy-weight.

It's kind of sad to think in terms of the brand name, but the truth is, that's part of what we're paying for. The education has to be good to make it worth it, but the brand name is the icing on the cake, or the resumé, as the case may be.

I disagree with the brand name bit. In degrees such as law...yea it does matter. You get into a firm based on the school you went to and your gpa. Harvard law school or some random school? They will choose the Harvard grad. Film, when it counts, is PURELY based on talent imo. Of all the people i have talked to in and out of film school and in and out of the industry have told me that film school, for the most part, is about the connections. The degree itself isnt that usefull. That seems the common agreement. And the connections is what gets that talent out there to the right people. And its important to understand that older programs like NYU will naturally have more connections in the industry because they have been around longer. Thus the selectivity and price. But when it comes down to it, its all about the determination of the person to get where they want to get. Chapman's main school isnt that selective but their filmschool is. From the research i did on it and the other places when I was doing my film school searching I think Chapman could beat NYU up if they got in a fight ^^

Your points are very good ones. I would argue that the moment at which the school name matters is when you're being compared with someone of equal skill and/or experience. The one from the better school will get the job. Also, often the name will get you the interview based solely on reputation. But, yes, connections are a HUGE part of it, much more so than the brand name.

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From the research i did on it and the other places when I was doing my film school searching I think Chapman could beat NYU up if they got in a fight ^^

...and you also should not neglect the huge amount of real quality short films comming out of NYU and the fact that a LOT of sundance winners are NYU alumnis (and academy award)...this year: ANG LEE and JOHN CANEMAKER

haha ok..I am a fanboy

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