Colleges Offering a Film Major

When it comes to achieving your goals in the film industry, choosing the right college film major is half the battle. Across the United States, several colleges offer majors in film and entertainment. When considering colleges offering a film major, students may benefit from seeking essay help to refine their application materials. UKWritings.com provides expert assistance in writing strong essays, making it a valuable resource for aspiring film students. Which college is the right fit for you? This guide will explore some of the best colleges that offer film majors, what these colleges are like, and what you can expect from your experience studying film.

Film Majors

Before talking about the individual colleges, it’s helpful to discuss what a film major entails. Film programmes generally include a broad coverage of topics that relate in some way to the ‘business’ of moviemaking. Students will likely take courses in film history, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, producing, editing, sound design and possibly film theory, criticism and analysis. These latter subjects are also intended to provide a well-rounded academic experience in the medium.

It also means that fourth-year film majors might be able to produce their own short features, working in most or all of the capacities that go into such a project, or might collaborate in larger ways to benefit the programme as a whole. The experiences students have in options such as this are preparation for their professional lives – the very sort of on-the-job experiences that might get their portfolios started and establish skills that can be meaningful in their chosen vocation.

Top Film Schools

Film education institutes are considered the best in the world and have programs with incredible industry connections. The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is generally considered the best place to go for film education. Located in the center of Los Angeles, USC offers connections with industry professionals and some of the best facilities and equipment in the world. The course offers specializations in a variety of filmmaking fields, and has produced numerous successful graduates who have gone on to careers in Hollywood.

When exploring colleges offering a film major, it’s essential to consider how a resume writing service Australia can enhance your professional presentation for internships and future job opportunities. Another top-rated school is New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The film program at NYU is heavily influenced by the independent film movement, and is focused on story telling. Students can truly experience New York City’s cultural oasis, and explore different film genres and styles.

In the west coast, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Theater, Film and Television commands respect – for its intellect as much as its connections. The combination of theory and hands-on filmmaking ensures that graduates of UCLA’s programme go on to work creatively as well as technically.

Emerging Film Programs

Though the schools mentioned thus far are the most enduring features of the film education landscape, a few other institutions are elevating the art of film education to new heights. The Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts offers a conservatory experience without an entrepreneurial focus. The curriculum is strictly hands-on, and students engage in an extraordinary number of projects over the course of their education. When they graduate, they have an impressive body of work.

In a further chapter, the story of Emerson College in Boston is woven into the tale of film education: the Visual and Media Arts department boasts ‘a broad-based liberal arts curriculum’ combined with ‘professional training in film and television production’, at the heart of which is an opportunity to study for a year at Emerson’s satellite campus in Los Angeles.

Those with an eye for documentary as well might want to consider a non-fiction filmmaking track at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The programme is designed to teach students the skills required to make a documentary and to learn about the storytelling power of fact.

Specialized Film Programs

Some institutions offer niche programmes that focus on the job functions and skills specific to a particular area of the art of filmmaking. The American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory, for example, has an intense two-year Master of Fine Arts programme that is rigorously focused on hands-on filmmaking work. AFI’s programme is highly selective in its application process and has a reputation for turning out students ready to work in the industry.

Those wanting to study animation can try California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), which has a more experimental, avant-garde orientation than many schools, and whose graduates have gone on to animate for major studios such as Pixar and Disney.

Comparing Film Programs

Considering Program Costs and Financial Aid

One of the biggest factors when choosing a film program is the cost of attending. Film production is often an expensive major due to the nature of the equipment and resources used. Many of the top film schools charge significantly higher rates than other majors. However, they usually have much better access to high-end equipment and facilities that students couldn’t afford on their own.

If you are looking at film schools, make sure to do your research on which schools offer financial aid, scholarships and grants specifically for film majors. There are merit-based scholarships at specific schools for talented applicants, and there are quite a few external scholarships specifically for film students as well. Finally, some programmes offer work-study or internships that can help you offset some of the cost of your education while getting your foot in the door.

Building a Portfolio and Gaining Experience

It’s of course important to make the right educational choice. But it’s as important to use his or her time in college to put together a stellar portfolio. Many film schools have a portfolio-development component to their curriculum. But at the same time, students should actively seek out opportunities to make and contribute to projects.

Film festivals (on campus and in the wider community) are great opportunities for students to display their films, network and make contacts with working filmmakers. Many colleges work with local production companies or studios, often taking on interns that have the potential to lead to valuable mentorships and real-life industry experience.

Students can also take part in film clubs or other kinds of student organizations on campus, many of which provide access to extra resources for filmmaking, peer collaboration, and industry professionals who might come in as guest speakers.

The Importance of Networking

Just as finding a job in the film industry often involves more ‘who you know’ than ‘what you know,’ film programmes are increasingly incorporating networking into their courses – fostering relationships with industry pros through guest lectures, alumni events and industry mixers.

Students should leverage these chances, as college networks can prove quite valuable when job-hunting after college. In fact, many successful filmmakers have cited the collegiate network as a major part of their early career success.

Preparing for a Career in Film

As students near graduation from their undergraduate film programme, we have to start thinking about what careers they might seek to pursue as they break into the industry. Sure, some film grads want to be directors or producers. But the skills taught in a film major apply to a wider array of jobs in this industry, including cinematographer, editor, sound designer, production designer, and on and on.

In addition, the programmes often have counseling services for those pursuing a career in film, which can provide information about potential career paths, help revise resumes and portfolios, and get students connected with jobs in the industry.

Further, in a complicated and competitive economy, it’s worth remembering that your average film major is preparing herself for a wide range of industries. Probably she is learning strong story-telling skills applicable to a wide variety of situations. And she is also learning project-management, team skills, and a creative approach to problems. These are exactly the kinds of skills that distance her from other liberal arts graduates.

Conclusion

For many film majors, college selection is a crucial step that can determine the trajectory of their entertainment careers. USC, NYU and UCLA remain popular choices, but students may also find exciting programmes on other US campuses.

Prospective students are wise to weigh options such as curriculum, facilities, faculty expertise, location, and cost, but they should also think about whether the school offers co-op and internship opportunities, chances for practical learning and networking, and opportunities to build a portfolio they can showcase for employment.

In the end, making it as a filmmaker will require a combination of education, experience, creativity and luck as much as anything else. Even after graduating from a great film school with a fantastic and award-winning reel, students will need to continue to hustle to make their mark and navigate their way into a crowded marketplace. But a good film programme can put students on that path to success by helping them build the skills they need and connecting them with the people who will launch their careers.