Chapman University Film School Applications Fall 2018

[Jason]

As someone that lives in Santa Monica, Chapman is about 60 minutes away from SM without traffic and about 120 minutes during rush hour. While living in orange was originally a negative, I now find Chapman's isolation a positive. 1) You save money in rent and expense. 2) You are kind of forced to focus on spending all of your time collaborating with other students and becoming a better filmmaker. There are a ton of distractions in LA. After graduation, you'll have enough time to network and there are a bunch of Chapman Alum in the LA area.

 

[Jason]

As someone that lives in Santa Monica, Chapman is about 60 minutes away from SM without traffic and about 120 minutes during rush hour. While living in orange was originally a negative, I now find Chapman's isolation a positive. 1) You save money in rent and expense. 2) You are kind of forced to focus on spending all of your time collaborating with other students and becoming a better filmmaker. There are a ton of distractions in LA. After graduation, you'll have enough time to network and there are a bunch of Chapman Alum in the LA area.

As for the train, its 60 minutes from DTLA Union Station. The issue is that, after 6:00PM, there are only one or two trains scheduled.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Hi guys, I got to talk to some current students at Chapman and they have a lot of good things to say about the program and school. However, there is one downfall they all seem to share: the location. I was wondering how you guys view this? Even though, the school is located close to LA in distance, from what I have heard, it takes a long time, due to traffic, to get there. Therefore, not many students end up going to LA or taking internships. I'm International so I cannot really decide on my own how much of this is true.
How would this affect the possibilities for networking? Or other opportunities? Is the location in this case a big factor or do you guys think it doesn't matter as much as the quality offered in education, facilities, faculty, and opportunities to make movies and submit them to festivals overpowers the location? Interested to hear anyone's thoughts on this!

I was told by students and faculty that many 3rd year Chapman students move to LA. LA is massive - so depending on the area and time of day it could take as little as 30 to 45 minutes to get there from Chapman but yes, as @FirstTimer noted, it can take nearly 90 minutes or longer in traffic. I got the opposite impression than you did it seems - I was told that many students frequently go to LA from Chapman for various reasons and are expected and encouraged and facilitated to do so on a regular basis also. This is especially the case when casting for projects. Students and faculty encourage casting in LA vs in Orange. The school also provides lots of opportunities on campus to meet with LA heavy weights. It's a judgment call on your part.

Personally, after visiting, the distance does nothing to discourage me from attending vs if I were to get accepted to AFI. If I am fortunate enough to choose between the two programs, location is not a deciding factor for me between those two schools.

I'll also note the facilities at Chapman are far superior to any other MFA program.

I can't speak for production programs besides Chapman and AFI but both told me that the internships rarely happen for directing track students and are not considered important. In fact, both schools directing faculty told me they hate that the internships are promoted in their brochures for directors because they don't think it's helpful for our track/can even be distracting from the goals of the program. They said generally the internships are important for producers but not directors.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

As someone that lives in Santa Monica, Chapman is about 60 minutes away from SM without traffic and about 120 minutes during rush hour. While living in orange was originally a negative, I now find Chapman's isolation a positive. 1) You save money in rent and expense. 2) You are kind of forced to focus on spending all of your time collaborating with other students and becoming a better filmmaker. There are a ton of distractions in LA. After graduation, you'll have enough time to network and there are a bunch of Chapman Alum in the LA area.

That's been a concern of mine also - getting distracted by being in LA. I've lived there before, have friends and family that could easily take my attention away from what I should be focusing on.

 

[xLorenzoM]

Just got the email that I've been accepted at Chapman. So far I've gotten admission for LMU and Chapman. Now I only have two weeks to decide which one I want to go to after months of not knowing if grad school was a possibility.

 

[snoopdog]

Just got the email that I've been accepted at Chapman. So far I've gotten admission for LMU and Chapman. Now I only have two weeks to decide which one I want to go to after months of not knowing if grad school was a possibility.

I'm in the exact same boat with the two schools.. interested to hear your pros/cons on each and which one you end up going to. Finances would be the main factor for me...

 

[Russell Campbell]

Hey, question for everyone here (particularly screenwriters).

I don't know much about Chapman other than it always seems to be right below the more established schools in terms of rankings. I interviewed with AFI and Columbia, but Columbia's acceptances started going out yesterday and continued on today and I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm assuming that's probably a no. And who knows what AFI will tell me on the 2nd. I was accepted here without an interview, so I sucked it up and pulled a grand out of my savings just in case and put my deposit down.

I guess my question is, did anyone really want to come here or is this just kind of everyone's first backup if you don't get your number called from the big schools? I'm going for a tour on Tuesday, I just really don't have much of an idea about this program.

 

[xLorenzoM]

Hey, question for everyone here (particularly screenwriters).

I don't know much about Chapman other than it always seems to be right below the more established schools in terms of rankings. I interviewed with AFI and Columbia, but Columbia's acceptances started going out yesterday and continued on today and I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm assuming that's probably a no. And who knows what AFI will tell me on the 2nd. I was accepted here without an interview, so I sucked it up and pulled a grand out of my savings just in case and put my deposit down.

I guess my question is, did anyone really want to come here or is this just kind of everyone's first backup if you don't get your number called from the big schools? I'm going for a tour on Tuesday, I just really don't have much of an idea about this program.

Honestly I’m impressed by the facilities. The other schools I applied to were outdated. I visited UCLA and was highly disappointed by how old and used everything looked and the faculty came off as nonchalant.
For screenwriting though I think Columbia was my first choice but it’s so expensive. I got into Chapman and LMU which were my 2 & 3 but I’m still worried about affording the tuition along with housing. Chapman is pretty new but I haven’t heard much about industry connections and stuff. LMU I heard looks out after graduation more. Lmk how the tour goes on Tuesday and make sure you annoy the heck out of the financial aid department. Lol

 

[Russell Campbell]

Honestly I’m impressed by the facilities. The other schools I applied to were outdated. I visited UCLA and was highly disappointed by how old and used everything looked and the faculty came off as nonchalant.
For screenwriting though I think Columbia was my first choice but it’s so expensive. I got into Chapman and LMU which were my 2 & 3 but I’m still worried about affording the tuition along with housing. Chapman is pretty new but I haven’t heard much about industry connections and stuff. LMU I heard looks out after graduation more. Lmk how the tour goes on Tuesday and make sure you annoy the heck out of the financial aid department. Lol

I've heard the facilities are ridiculously nice. I'll give everyone a full scouting report by COB Tuesday . I just want to get on with my career, and don't want to reapply everywhere next year just so I can better satiate my ego by going to one of the blue blooded programs.

I'm a veteran and have a year and change of the GI Bill left so I'm not stressing quite as much about finances as most other people are.

 

[Chris W]

I've heard the facilities are ridiculously nice. I'll give everyone a full scouting report by COB Tuesday . I

If you could review the school from your tour on it's film school page it'd be awesome. Here's the link. :

Chapman University - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts (M.F.A.)

 

[civetta]

Hey, question for everyone here (particularly screenwriters).

I don't know much about Chapman other than it always seems to be right below the more established schools in terms of rankings. I interviewed with AFI and Columbia, but Columbia's acceptances started going out yesterday and continued on today and I haven't heard anything yet, so I'm assuming that's probably a no. And who knows what AFI will tell me on the 2nd. I was accepted here without an interview, so I sucked it up and pulled a grand out of my savings just in case and put my deposit down.

I guess my question is, did anyone really want to come here or is this just kind of everyone's first backup if you don't get your number called from the big schools? I'm going for a tour on Tuesday, I just really don't have much of an idea about this program.

I only have two choices - Chapman or BU. I've attended BU Open House and I really like the program and the faculty., but Chapman was more generous with a fellowship so I'm still thinking. I share your concern about the Screenwriting program at Chapman because it's still new and they don't have famous alumni, but I really like the location - Orange County is warmer than Boston and closer to LA. I'm trying to contact the faculty to ask more about the internship opportunities during the school and after graduation, because I'm an international student it's pretty important for me.
waiting for your review of the school and the Screenwriting program particularly

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Here's the thing with famous alumni - Big name alumni is great, but also think about how small of a percentage of alumni that is compared to the general number of folks who attended a program. It's tiny. These are people who made it big regardless of grad school. That's a hard circle to crack into even if you go to the same school.

But here's my main point...Your network in grad school is your peers. Look at AFI for example - look at IMDB and the list they have of Academy Award alums, notice how many of them went to school together and keep working together. That's the value of grad school for networking. Look up the team the Duffers use for Stranger Things, theres a lot of Chapman alumni involved there too. The value of a conservatory program is that you're building a team. You're finding that director who is able to get your vision on camera. You're finding the producer who can help you develop your ideas. You're finding the editor, production designer that can bring it all to life.

AFI and Chapman are probably not the only conservatory programs, but they are the biggest ones. Both are highly regarded in the film industry because of that structure. You won't get the same team experience at UCLA, LMU, or USC or any East Coast school that I'm aware of. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to sell anyone that this is the best methodology for everyone. It happens to be for me as a director. For screenwriting, you really need to look at your priorities, career path etc.

I highly recommend reading Lee Jessup's book on building a career as a screenwriter and getting an understanding of how the business works when deciding on a program. The more you understand what comes AFTER film school, the better you can assess how to spending your time DURING your program.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

Also you guys realize that Chapman is a top 10 ranked school right?

 

[Russell Campbell]

I only have two choices - Chapman or BU. I've attended BU Open House and I really like the program and the faculty., but Chapman was more generous with a fellowship so I'm still thinking. I share your concern about the Screenwriting program at Chapman because it's still new and they don't have famous alumni, but I really like the location - Orange County is warmer than Boston and closer to LA. I'm trying to contact the faculty to ask more about the internship opportunities during the school and after graduation, because I'm an international student it's pretty important for me.
waiting for your review of the school and the Screenwriting program particularly

Yeah I'm just going to take down a couple mouthfuls of whisky tomorrow then start grilling them on internships and how they try and set screenwriters up for actual industry success.

But there is a lot of upside to Chapman and just living in Orange County in general. I live in LA now and it's a fucking migraine headache trying to go 10 miles sometimes lol.

 

[Russell Campbell]

Also you guys realize that Chapman is a top 10 ranked school right?

I'm well aware of how much of a spoiled child I sound like lol

 

[sharkb8]

Also you guys realize that Chapman is a top 10 ranked school right?

Yep, from what I can tell, there appears to be a clear top 6 narrative film schools, and then a huge drop off after that top tier. But Dodge should be firmly entrenched in that top tier.

Chapman is slowly rising up the ranks of film schools, but even now it seems to be the "best kept secret" among the top film schools, mainly because it's newer. But by all accounts, it has the best facilities/equipment of any film school, which should be enough on it's own to put it at or near the top of anyone's rankings, since that's a huge aspect of filmmaking that the school has taken care of right off the bat.

They have been right in line with USC, AFI, Columbia, and NYU at the Student Oscars over the last several years. Chapman had two narrative winners in 2016, one alternative win in 2015, and a narrative nomination in 2017. That's actually significantly better than UCLA, who hasn't had a winner at the student Oscars since 2012, nor have they had a winner in narrative/alternative filmmaking since 2009. Student Academy Awards - Wikipedia So Chapman is actually better positioned at the Student Oscars than UCLA, and right in line with all the other schools commonly thought of as "elite".

Meanwhile, Chapman has a film production studio literally located on campus, and their alumni are legitimate industry talents, like the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things) and Justin Simien (Dear White People). Throw in what Elle said about the benefits of a Conservatory, and I'm fully in agreement with her that it looks like the networking options should be just as good as any other school can offer.

Since Dodge is only 22 years old (younger than many of it's applicants) it might not be able to claim a long track record with names like "Francis Ford Coppola" but they shouldn't have to in the first place. Any school who's relying on the name brand of their graduates who came from a different century is pitching you a false premise. The question is whether or not graduating from this program will help your career goals today. Dodge seems to be putting their grads in situations where they can succeed, as well or better than any of the other top schools. I don't see anything in my research that would suggest Chapman belongs in a separate tier from the other top 6 schools. Some people might prefer the other schools for their own reasons, which is perfectly fine, but if they're looking down on Chapman/considering it second tier, I don't think they're viewing it correctly.

And also as far as living conditions, Orange County is so much nicer of a place to live than New York or LA. Next year if I get accepted at NYU and Chapman, I would strongly consider turning NYU down.

 

[Jason]

Yep, from what I can tell, there appears to be a clear top 6 narrative film schools, and then a huge drop off after that top tier. But Dodge should be firmly entrenched in that top tier.

Chapman is slowly rising up the ranks of film schools, but even now it seems to be the "best kept secret" among the top film schools, mainly because it's newer. But by all accounts, it has the best facilities/equipment of any film school, which should be enough on it's own to put it at or near the top of anyone's rankings, since that's a huge aspect of filmmaking that the school has taken care of right off the bat.

They have been right in line with USC, AFI, Columbia, and NYU at the Student Oscars over the last several years. Chapman had two narrative winners in 2016, one alternative win in 2015, and a narrative nomination in 2017. That's actually significantly better than UCLA, who hasn't had a winner at the student Oscars since 2012, nor have they had a winner in narrative/alternative filmmaking since 2009. Student Academy Awards - Wikipedia So Chapman is actually better positioned at the Student Oscars than UCLA, and right in line with all the other schools commonly thought of as "elite".

Meanwhile, Chapman has a film production studio literally located on campus, and their alumni are legitimate industry talents, like the Duffer Brothers (Stranger Things) and Justin Simien (Dear White People). Throw in what Elle said about the benefits of a Conservatory, and I'm fully in agreement with her that it looks like the networking options should be just as good as any other school can offer.

Since Dodge is only 22 years old (younger than many of it's applicants) it might not be able to claim a long track record with names like "Francis Ford Coppola" but they shouldn't have to in the first place. Any school who's relying on the name brand of their graduates who came from a different century is pitching you a false premise. The question is whether or not graduating from this program will help your career goals today. Dodge seems to be putting their grads in situations where they can succeed, as well or better than any of the other top schools. I don't see anything in my research that would suggest Chapman belongs in a separate tier from the other top 6 schools. Some people might prefer the other schools for their own reasons, which is perfectly fine, but if they're looking down on Chapman/considering it second tier, I don't think they're viewing it correctly.

And also as far as living conditions, Orange County is so much nicer of a place to live than New York or LA. Next year if I get accepted at NYU and Chapman, I would strongly consider turning NYU down.

 

[Jason]

Strongly agree on everything you just said.

 

[IndecisiveElle]

@sharkb8
I really look forward to seeing where you wind up. Based on our private conversations and your posts I feel like we're very like-minded and you have a bright future ahead of you. So much the better if we wind up at the same school and then I can show you the ropes when you start!

 

[IndecisiveElle]

I'm well aware of how much of a spoiled child I sound like lol

I totally get it. When you've been planning and dreaming about this step, it's hard not to want everything to be absolutely perfect and it's scary to think you might make the 'wrong' choice. That's a big part of why I post so much and thoroughly, I'm sorting it all out myself and some of what I write is for my own decision making process too.