Yeah the grad screenings are regularly scheduled-- we're on spring break just now, but I'll let you know when the next screening happens--

How'd you like mamitas? That film has done GREAT in the festival circuit.

This forum insane. Just goes to show how the intelligence/information of a group is far greater than the individual.

I saw the posts about the promo DVD and wondered if I got one too. Surprise! It was sitting in my mailbox. I found the situation really entertaining.

I can't wait to check it out. It's nice to know they haven't forgotten I exist..even if it's only promo material

quote:

Originally posted by foxwithcpu:
Hi everyone,

I just received a promotional DVD from Chapman in the mail. Is this normal protocol for applicants at my current stage?

It seems odd to try to advertise to me after I've already applied, but maybe they think I am trying to decide between them and another school? Of course, I haven't heard a peep from Chapman about either disciplines that I've applied to, so that still doesn't make sense.

Tara

I got that DVD even though I never applied. I had my letters of rec. sent to them and signed up to receive info but in the end decided not to fill out an application.

i WANT ONE TOO! whah... maybe they don't like New Yorkers.

Hmmm just checked my mailbox, no dvd yet but I am in Florida so I'm sure it would take a little longer depending on where you guys are from.

I'm really interested in watching some of the films that were made, i've been trying to look for some online but couldn't find too much.

Just a general question to all the people applying this year...Have you guys already graduated from your undergrad, or is anyone still in the process graduating either this semester or over the summer? I am still in the process and I was wondering if it would hurt my chances at all....

Nah.... by spring break they mean a week with no classes with twice as much homework and 3-5 sets to crew for. I'm busier than ever.

That DVD sounds interesting. I wonder how to go about getting one? Did you go on a tour, too, fox?

I've been accepted for MA Film Studies at Chapman, but am hoping to get into Cinematography. Still waiting on that one. But if not, at least I'm in!!

Winterreverie - as a production major, do you take any film studies courses?

quote:

Originally posted by foxwithcpu:
Hi everyone,

I just received a promotional DVD from Chapman in the mail. Is this normal protocol for applicants at my current stage?

It seems odd to try to advertise to me after I've already applied, but maybe they think I am trying to decide between them and another school? Of course, I haven't heard a peep from Chapman about either disciplines that I've applied to, so that still doesn't make sense.

Tara

Sirkin,

I graduated from UC Irvine last year with triple major, but I really don't think that gives me an edge over someone on the verge of getting their Bachelor Degree.

SD Grad,

I did take a tour, but it was about a year ago. They probably sent me the DVD because I asked for an application and turned one in. Also, congratulations to you for getting into the Film Studies program! Secretly, it's kinda my first choice.

Ryan C.,

I'll let you know what I think of the films as soon as I get a chance to sit down and watch the whole thing through! Oddly enough, I have been too anxious to really watch anything for the last month. I've just been trying to keep my hands busy. Been chopping a lot of potatoes and onions. And threading a lot of celery. And filling a lot of Easter eggs.

Hey everyone,

I am a 1st year cinematographer at Chapman. I was thinking about how helpful these forums were to me last year when I was applying so and I decided I should help out. If anyone has any questions about the cinematography program or the production program in general let me know.

Ryan

Ryan, I got accepted as an editor, but I'm not 100% sure that is what I want to be focused on. So I was wondering what the first year is like as far as allowing me to take some other course and find out what I reallywant to do.

Hey, I just found this site the other day, and what I've read so far has been incredibly helpful. Thank you to all the contributors!

That being said, I've got some questions, haha.

Like Bartleby Fink, I just got into Chapman as an Editor, and I'm pretty excited to have gotten in to such a great school. The thing is, I'm not entirely sure that I want to be locked in as an editor either.

I know the first year is the same for everyone, and that there is some room to switch focuses or take electives, but I haven't been able to find much about the Editing focus in terms of what they do after that first year. If I stay as an editor, will the bulk of my "Chapman Experience" be sitting in front of an Avid station editing things that other people make? I understand (and admire) the collaborative process that Chapman is trying to enforce, but before I send in that hefty deposit or commit myself to over $100,000 tuition, I'd like to know as much as I can about what I'll actually be doing with most of my time there.

I really appreciate the time that the current Chapman students (Winterreverie, theswillmerchant, etc..) take to help us newbees out, and any insight you can give me (and I'm guessing Bartleby as well) into what the Editor path is like will be even more appreciated. With any luck, I'll see you all in the Fall!

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for your offer. I have some questions. Can you describe what your experience has been like so far? How many films have you done the cinematography for? Were you in charge, or more like a camera operator in the beginning? Have you received good technical training on how to successfully be a camera operator/cinematographer so far? Have you learned about working with film?

Thanks!!

Ash

Ok. Here we go.

Yes, everyone takes essentially the same classes the first year but you do take a class specific to your emphasis as well. You are pretty much allowed to take as many classes as you want, and across disciplines. There tend to be a couple people who switch at the end of the first year although I wouldn't count on that.

The editors do a lot of editing but they are also fairly regularly on set, acting as script supervisors or sound mixers, usually. You can also crew in another department if you want, just ask around.

As far as my experience so far, it has been great. I have worked on many sets including several thesis films, 2 2nd year films, and many 1st year films. I have worked in many different capacities on these sets. Some jobs include grip/electric, best boy electric, dolly grip, 1st and 2nd ac, and so on.

I have acted as the director of photography for 3 1st year projects. On those projects I was pretty much in charge. Most technical training comes from being on set, so I would encourage you to get plugged in right away. That shouldn't be hard as you will be recruited heavily by 2nd and 3rd year students during orientation week. Everyone is always looking for crew.

My cine classes have been pretty good also. I have one with Bill Dill right now and it is awesome. We do some lecture, then watch clips, then we go in the soundstage to do lighting setups and camera workshops etc.

I would definitely recommend Chapman. The people are cool and non-pretentious for the most part. I haven't regretted my decision once.

Oh yeah, we do learn quite a bit about film. Of the 3 movies I was cinematographer on one was dv, one was hd, and one was on 16mm. We shoot something on film our 1st semester (16mm) and our 1st projects that everyone does (321's) are shot on 16mm.

2nd year cycle films are shot on either 16mm or super 16, and thesis films are usually shot on either super 16, hd, or 35mm.

When I went to visit Chapman some weeks ago, I had the opportunity to talk with a first-year Cinematography student. He was trying to get into the Directing program, but he said he thought it would probably be impossible. Only one or two people get to switch into the Directing discipline after the first year, is what he told me--they don't take any more than that. A LOT of people want to switch into Directing, it's the most competitive discipline to get into, apparently. It's not as difficult to switch into any other discipline, though. At least, this is my understanding of it.

Also, Bill Dill is awesome. I want to steal into all his classes at Chapman and learn from him, too! <--is jealous =]

yeah,

"What I really want to do is direct." everyone wants to be a director. It is the most competitive, but I think if you want to be able to get a job when you graduate another emphasis is better suited for that. I really like cinematography and wouldn't switch if they asked me to. I thought I wanted to be a director at first but you have to deal with actors which is a pain.

I totally agree with ryan. I didn't switch to directing AND they offered it to me. I think the more notoriety the school gets the more competitive the other disciplines become. And, last year the writing discipline actually filled up first.

Winter, I'm just curious - but if directing is so competitive, what were the circumstances for them offering it to you? Was this at the 1 year review point?

See, with me, I don't necessarily know if I want to be a director, any more than I know if I want to be an editor or cinematographer. My main concern is being "locked in" so to speak, before I actually get the chance to try it all out.

I'm assuming though that, if for some reason I end up being an incredible director or something (just hypothetically) then the review board or whatever will recommend me to the directing path?

Also, would either of you say it is easier to switch to other things, like into cinematography, rather than into directing?

Thanks again.

I would say directing would be the hardest to switch too, but actually cinematography isn't very easy. I know someone who wants to switch and is not having any luck. The issue is the numbers of people per discipline. They want equal numbers so everyone will work on a thesis. The easiest to switch to is sound design because we never have enough people who want to do it. hypothetically if you were amazing they would probably find a way to switch you. which is what has happened in the past.

When i was offered to change it was before I officially started the program during the admissions process.I had a meeting with the head of the department and do not feel deprived with the choice I've made.

I wouldn't feel locked in in any discipline-- I actually met a cine who switched to producing after the first year. I also imagine that if you show any potential in an area outside of your chosen discipline they wouldn't keep you from changing.

But so long as your doing something you like, I wouldn't worry about switching. You're given plenty of opportunities to wear your other creative hats. I've been production design, sound, AC, grip, and writer on many varied sets since I've been here. And everyone is given the opportunity to take classes cross discipline (If you're not too busy to fit it in your schedule)or to do independent study or location filmaking as a director even if you aren't in the discipline.