Hey,
Any idea about film schools in NYC?? Other than New York University that is.Every time I ask about this all I get is NYU Its too costly and hard to get into for international students like me.
What about " School Of Visual Arts "?Whats its like? Or "Pratt Inst."??
Any other non traditional institutions? Ones that dont offer a degree?
Please Help!!

Welcome

Most schools only have a degree program. There is the New York Film Academy... but that's expensive too.

I go to NYU but all my best friends go to SVA and they LOVE IT... they simplay LOVE IT... I've worked on their films... Its a good place.

Hi Tania,
searching for film schools? You will never reach a pragmatic solution - If the inst. is good then the money os high or if it is cheaper then the quality of the institute is not good. if you are young, then try to enroll in a three- four year program( you will be down by 100,000$ at the end, though). OR as I suggest, join a one year program like LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL, NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY etc. you learn three years stuff in one year and very high degree of practical knowldege. DEGREES dont matter in this industry, unless you want to pursue teaching later ( MFA certainly helps).
regards
prashant

Pratt / SVA not film schools in the same sense that NYU is a film school. That is not a judgment, however. SVA and Pratt are more focused on the individual artist and film/video as art, while NYU is more focused on the film industry. Having said that, of course someone from SVA is completely capable of getting into the Industry, and someone from NYU is capable of pursuing film outside of the film business, but that is where the foundations of the programs lie in my understanding. As for New York Film Academy, they're lame and run by hacks. As for degrees not mattering in this industry...that's a fool's thought. Go to school. It's good for you. Eat your vegies too.

I was looking for a 3 to 4 year school. But I will be free for about 6 months now, so might try workshops. How is Maine? NYU is fine with me but I'd really prefer Pratt or SVA. Im not looking to work in Hollywood.
I have a few friends at NYFA..and from what I've seen, I agree with Coconutmunk..its not worth it. But how are the Maine workshops? They are a bit costly but anybody who's actually been there?? can you tell me?

And , Thanks everybody for your help!!
Tania!!

I also have something to add about SVA vs. Pratt...It's important to think about what kind of environment you want to live in. There is a big difference between living in Manhattan and living in Brooklyn, think about which one you'd prefer and try to visit schools first if possible.

I'll be in NYC in a month, I will visit the schools. I'd love to live in Manhattan though.

Thanks for your advice!! !!

hello tania, It's interesting that you bring this up now. I have been living in NYC for the past month, and looking in to exactly what you are talking about. It seems that these are the canidates:

NYU
SVA
Columbia - Grad only.

It seems like there would be more but these are the best programs. There are plenty of other workshops/training places for film in NYC, but NYU and SVA are 4 year programs.

I toured NYU last week, and SVA today. NYU's building is beautiful and it should be considereing how much you pay to go there. NYU seemed to be much more focused on academic and filmmaking. My NYU tour guide was accepted in to various ivy league schools but ended up going to NYU Tisch to study film. My SVA tour guide told us that she was thrilled when she realized that she didn't need more math cources to graduate...

Also, SVA is about half the price of NYU.

go figure...

good luck

-cody