What is USC MFA Film Production really like? AMA with Current USC Film Production Student

[Chris W]

That makes sense.

 

[Oriole]

How many films will you make on average within the program as a USC MFA film and tv production student? Like how many are guaranteed and how many do you have to pitch and earn the opportunity to direct?

 

[featherless]

How are the cinematography classes? And are any classes on photography offered?

 

[directedbyme]

How many films will you make on average within the program as a USC MFA film and tv production student? Like how many are guaranteed and how many do you have to pitch and earn the opportunity to direct?

Ok so this is a bit of a complex thing to answer:

Guaranteed I’d say you have 2. Your first year you will make 2 that you’ll feel proud of (hopefully), but they’ll be short -3 min and 5.5 min.

After that, it’s all about the classes you choose to take and if creating a film is a part of the curriculum or not.

On a larger scale, 546 and 581 are the only two guaranteed to make you make a short film, but you have to apply and pitch and petition. 546 is 3 films per semester given $13.5k from the school and I’m unsure on the amount of films that are approved for 581 but those are fully self funded and is considered a more traditional thesis of sorts

 

[directedbyme]

How are the cinematography classes? And are any classes on photography offered?

They’re pretty solid! I mean, depending on the section you get chosen for in semester two you may be lucky enough to have Robert Yomen teaching you cinematography for a semester. I’ve heard great things about the more intermediate and advanced classes, but I do know they’re hard to get into come registration day

As for photography, I’m unfamiliar with any off the top of my head