Is it:
1.USC
2.NYU
3.UCLA
4.COLUMBIA
5.AFI

What about just Cali?
1.USC
2.UCLA
3.AFI
4.Chapman
5.CalArts

These are just guesses from what I've heard over the years...
What does everyone else think?

all in all that is pretty much right. you can usually throw chapman in as a #6.

i dont think that they need to be ranked. I think that they're all good schools, depending on what you are looking for.

Yup thats a good point. AFI is #1 for me, I'm trying to get a sense of where else to apply. Are there good schools in Canada?

Canada has kind of a different filmmaking atmosphere. the MFA program at UBC is condiered generally to be the best, but it only accepts 3-4 students per year.

another school is the Canadian Film Centre, but it isn't a MFA, and is only for experienced filmmakers... and i think you have to be canadian or a landed immigrant (not sure).

Anyone know about the Pasadena Art Center's Film program? Is it more/less/as competitive than/as CalArts?
Thanks

i think this all depends on what you want to do, Animation? Directing? Writing? Every school has different strengths and the top 5 is constantly changing depending on what aspect you're looking at.

So what is it you want to do, and maybe we can give you better advice.

Yup thats a good point. I think this is what I really want to know also, which schools are good for what. In my undergrad film program at Csun, my emphasis is editing and I'm sure that this is what I want to do (until I change my mind in the next year or two). But I like cinematography and camera work as well, so I'm not sure if I would like an AFI (the one I like the most so far) where I would only be editing or a UCLA where I would get a broad range which is kinda like my school now. I think I like both styles!
Anyways I think I have a pretty good idea about what USC,UCLA,AFI and Chapman are about from friends, online, reputation and whatnot. But I'm also thinking about CalArts and Pasadena Art Center. All I know is that CalArts is supposedly super experimental. I have heard some things about P.A.C., that it was a good school for photography but nothing about the film. Anyways thanks for the help!

Can you help me decide wich program is better? Film directing MFA in CalArts or MFA directing emphasis in Chapman? I know both are great, but What have you heard about them?

To all those who are looking into Canada for film school - set your gaze on Concordia (the grapevine is speaking pretty well of it)


To those of you looking at CalArts,

It is not all experimental. They have a great Film Directing program that focuses on Narrative filmmaking.

As for Chapman vs CalArts:
If you want a strong art community then go to CalArts if you want more of an industry drive then go to Chapman. Both will get you where you want to go if you are motivated and driven. It comes down to a gut feeling on which school suits you better (just make sure to visit both before your decision is made)

Good luck!

Excellent of you to mention it, Dream! I am a Concordia grad (Film Studies BFA) and know many people in the Film Production program who love it! Concordia is often overlooked, expecially being in the same town as McGill, but for film in Canada, it has one of the best reputations. Most of my studies professors were NYU, Columbia or McGill grads. One of my favorite profs in fact has taught communications at Harvard and I've heard just as good things about the production faculty. I don't know why it isn't better known, but anyway thought I'd spead the word!

Top 5 schools!!!!! GOOD PICKS.

OUT OF HOW MANY SCHOOLS?????? LOL

10? 100? 1000?

THRER ARE ONLY LIKE 10 SCHOOLS FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN FILM, IN ALL OF AMERICA........

UCLA .... 4 YEARS HMMMMMM .. HOW ABOUT HANDS ON FILMAKING. 2 YEARS ARE LIKE UNDERGRAD STUDY MORE THEORY CLASSES WHICH ARENT BAD.... IF YOU WANT TO TEACH THE SUBJECT

CHAPMAN ...... 3 YEARS... NOT BAD. BUT 1ST YEAR IS ONCE LIKE UNDERGRAD STUDY (FILM, HISTORY, ANALYSIS CLASSES ..ETC..) NOT BAD

AFI - HANDS ON BABY!!!! YOU NEED TO WORK WORK WORK........ READ AND EDUCATE YOURSELF IN YOUR OWN SPARE TIME.....

AS WITH DOCTORS IN MEDICINE THEY LEARN NOT IN MED SCHOOL, THEY LEARN IN RESIDENCY WHERE THEY GET HANDS ON TRAINING.... WHICH IS THE TYPE OF TRAINING I AM LOOKING FORWARD IN GRAD SCHOOL ..


1ST AFI
2ND CHAPMAN
3RD FSU
4TH NYU
5TH USC

6TH COLUMBIA (GOOD ONLY FOR SCREENWRITING)

ALL THIS PROPAGANDAON THESE FORUMS
A LOT OF MIXED OPINIONS. NO ONE KNOWS A GODDAMN THING ABOUT CHOOSING A SCHOOL. NEITHER DO I

PEACE

Aside from your gross abuse of the caps key, I'd also like to comment on your mischaracterization of UCLA. It's hands-on from day one and not theory-intensive at all. Its also possible to finish in 3 years if you want to.

And Columbia is not only good for screenwriting. From what I know, they are lighter on the technical craft than other schools, but the real meat of directing, ie visual storytelling, is emphasized as much as it is at other top schools.

I would have to say:

#1 AFI - This program is meant for more polished individuals, not so much for kids going to learn. You are expected to be somewhat proficient in your field of study before you enter the program.

#2 COLUMBIA - Great all around. You'll come out of the program with a clear sense of who you are and the types of stories you want to tell. If I was applying to grad schools all over again, I would def put Columbia as my #2 choice. (I applied to AFI and NYU only).

#3 NYU - More technical, but still a great school. Focuses on visual language and personal stories.

#4 USC - Most of the kids come into the school with little or no experience in film, but come out with tons. It's more industry, aka you will be working on commercial properties rather than risky independent pieces.

#5 UCLA - I don't know much about this program, but I heard it was great. Which is why it's in my top 5.

And that's about it for my list. If I didn't list a school it's because I personally feel it's not worth mentioning.

i think it should be top ten schools because really they're all good.

i didn't know ubc (in canada) had a mfa program.

This is a good topic and all of you have very valid reasoning behind your selections. I really think the top 5 is really interchangeable based upon what you want to accomplish.

Although, Anton4Cine, please do not make posts that are in all caps, it seems very douchebag-like and militaristic (not in dictionary?)

My list is for directors and those who want to come out as a storyteller, based on my own research and needs.

#1 Columbia
#2 NYU
#3 AFI
#4 USC
#5/#6/#7 UCLA/FSU/Chapman

I think Columbia is overlooked too often and it was only until I actually started to do researched that I realized the potential behind the university.

In my honest opinion, being able to know how to tell a story sets film school students and non film school students apart. Technology is changing, you can never be on top of the technical aspects completely, but you if you can understand the ideology of the visual medium you can accomplish so much with your schooling.

I don't pay six figures to put my hands on equipment, I pay six figures to be taught by those who work in the business about WHY certain films are good and how I can create my own.

It's all a gamble, and I understand that full and well. I could go to a lot of other schools and secure a job easily as a 2nd AD or 1st AC, but my goal is to be a director and these schools present that opportunity to blossom at that goal.

Best,

Andy

it sounds like you guys like to talk a lot about schools! dont flatter yourselfs kids!!!!
THIS ONE IS BETTER AND THAT ONE IS BETTER,
BETTER PROFFESORS, FOCUS ON THIS FOCUS ON THAT!

CAN ANY OF YOU DOOOOOOOOSHH BAGS MAKE ANY FILMS! TELL A STORY!!!! HAVE ANY OF YOU LIVED AT ALL!
BUNCH OF LAZY BUMS BY THE COMPUTER....
OH AND BEST OF LUCK

Stop jerking off and then checking studentfilm.com forums!!! hahhhaaaa

(CAPS LOCK OF)
best of luck,
aNtOn

Dude I was just pointing out an inaccuracy in your post. Considering people check this site to get info on schools, it was warranted.

And from the way you post you sound like a retarded twelve-year-old boy. For your sake I hope you act differently when you're on set.

But thanks for turning the caps off.

I noticed that almost no one talks about calarts, did anyone applied there? I´m between chapman and CalArts like I said before, but I can´t visit any of them I´m too far away! does anyone knows someone in either one of them? (Film directing program- CalArts) (MFA producing, directing emphasis- Chapman) by the way thanks...Dream of a Rarebit Fiend

Anton4Cine,

In no way did I mean to offend you. I don't like to get into arguments over forums. I was just stating that posting your opinion through CAPS seems out of etiquette.

I'm sorry, but this is a forum (used with computers) that is in a section called Graduate Film Schools in a thread entitled "Which schools are the top 5?" So, yes, people talk about film schools here.

I do make films, but that isn't the topic of discussion. Just be respectful of others that do want to talk about it here.

PS. Congrats on AFI Cinematography!

Best,

Andy