Latest Film School Reviews

Columbia is one of the top colleges in the world, period.
Reviewed by: Current Student
Degree: MA/MFA
Concentration: Screenwriting/Directing
Pros
  • Prestigious Ivy League University
  • Knowledgeable/Experienced Faculty
  • Track record of successful alumni
  • Diverse student body
Cons
  • Isolation from other years/depts
  • Lack of up-to-date equipment
  • Some faculty issues
  • Cost of living
  • Narrow storytelling focus
I am at the end of my first year in the Screenwriting/Directing MFA at Columbia University. I wanted to wait to give a review until the end of my first year; needed to get the lay of the land. I want to preface this by saying that I am but one student of many and my opinion is my own. Many current and former students will have different opinions/experiences, so please, if you are considering applying to/attending Columbia ask around, you will get many perspectives.

First I'll start with what I like about the Columbia Program. Certainly attending one of the "Top Five" Film MFAs in the world is a bonus. CU is often ranked as one of the best film programs in the world. I cannot compare it with other programs (since I am not a student at those schools) but I certainly believe it is a very strong program with alot to offer.

Columbia is one of the top colleges in the world, period. It's an Ivy League University and has a big alumni association and long history that is impressive. I looks great on a resume. The campus is beautiful, with some exceptions (see below) and it's located in one of the biggest cities in the world. Some people say its one of the best cities as well, but it's not Boston. As far as I am concerned there is Boston, and there is everywhere else. It's no Boston, that's for sure. I'm from Boston, in case you hadn't figured it out.

The Film Program is located in Dodge Hall on the west side of campus, close to the train station side. We share a building with the other School of the Arts programs; writing, music, fine art, ect. The film program has an entire floor, with a small theatre and classrooms. It's intimate and lots of people hang out in the hall and shoot the shit all day. I don't, but some people do.

Class sizes are small and aside from larger, full-class courses, all of the smaller classes are about 12 people, so the class time is open and intimate.

Many of the professors are really wonderful and giving and available. I'd say about half (more on this below). Their experience and insight has been invaluable. I had complete respect for all of the faculty when I started the program and many have earned and exceeded that respect.

The school focuses VERY HEAVILY on story. Structure, dramatic blocks, narrative storytelling are king, and all of the faculty do this very well. They may teach it differently, but they are all focused on stelling a story, even when discussing camera moves, blocking, ect. This is a big reason why I chose the school and I have been satisfied with the strong story focus.

Another thing I really love is the school's diversity. Nearly half, perhaps more than half, of my current class is international and I suspect we have half or more female students. The interests and perspectives of my classmates is wide and diverse. Its wonderful. And I would like to add nearly all of them are genuinely good human persons.

Columbia has had some nice successes in TV/Film and it seems we have as much a chance as everyone else. I do not feel like Columbia is an industry school, but certainly more of an indie darling. Some alums have done big studio pictures, but the school seems more focused on indie filmmakers, festival circuit films and writer/directing social drama auteurs. They always have a nice presence at prestigous festivals like Tribeca, Sundance, Cannes, ect.

I have seen a nice evolution to my work and I am pleased at where I am after one year.

My critiques are ranging. These reviews aren't meant to paint a complete picture. Life is complex, informed opinions are complex; so they should be taken individually, as one part of the whole.

Columbia is a wonderful institution, but the SOA is kind of a bastard step child. We are not research, so we do not get the nice buildings, or the renovated classrooms. Dodge Hall is wonderful for what it is, but the building is old and most of it is not updated. The heating/ac is terrible and the windows are those old heavy kind that take three people to lift.

On that same line; Columbia has never been a "production" school and it has yet to really update its equipment to be inline with other MFAs. I understood this when applying and accepting, but certainly a "Top Five" MFA program still using 1st/2nd Gen Kino's in 50lb cases and P2 Card cameras could use some updating (*** Update, the school has upgraded to Fs5 cameras for exercises and 1st and 2nd year projects with available vintage and CP2 Zeiss primes). It was a constant complaint from many of the students. Also the good gear they do have, like their sound recorders, have all been beaten to shit and always have a loose wire or a broken pot. Production-wise the school gets a C-. (*** Updated to a B- with gear upgrades and a move to a better equipment facility)

One of the tech staff spoke to our entire class during a post-production workshop and railed for ten minutes on how "terrible filmmakers" use 4k to re-frame and that 4k capture is a waste of time. While I wouldn't necessarily disagree (I do disagree actually), they should have presented 4k capture for what it truly is, a new tool that if used properly can benefit filmmakers of every kind. This is indicative of the tech and production staff which is cranky at best and dismissive often, especially to first year students. I would not say they were a "forward thinking" bunch.

It was widely agreed that most of the faculty is AMAZING and the others are a waste of tuition. This is a bit harsh in my opinion however anyone spending $60k a year is going to have high, probably unattainable expectations. I do believe the faculty is "uneven" with many amazing teachers and some teachers that are either:
1. Great filmmakers, but not great teachers
2. Past their prime (probably amazing teachers 15 years ago)
3. Do not meet my personal needs.

Of course they have no control over number three, but they have alot of control over the rest. Many students, myself included were more interested in our second year faculty. It seems many of the students were unhappy with first year faculty, many which ONLY teach first years.

There is one faculty member in particular that told some wonderful creative, hardworking students they should quit the program. This faculty member is not respected or liked by many of the students, but does not look to be leaving any time soon. So, good luck.

NYC is expensive and that sucks. The end.

Columbia is a social-drama heavy school. They focus alot on the Sundance story model. If you want to make different types of films, and there are about 10 of us this year that do, you might feel pushed, pulled and a little bit ignored. I certainly feel that some of the faculty push students heavily towards this type of story telling, even when it is not what they want to do. I have had classes where the teacher adjusted for each student, but that is a rarity, I think. Especially with the directing staff; not necessarily with the writing staff.

However, for me this is a positive, because these types of films rely heavily on story structure and I felt that was a personal weakness of mine. As long as you know this going in, you will be fine. If you don't know this, you might be butting heads with faculty and other students.

Of course because the faculty and staff are geared towards those types of films, the awards, grants and the annual film festival winners all skew that way. The annual film festival, which showcases thesis films only brings a small selection of films to LA for an industry festival. This year the five films were all international; subtitled, social dramas.

My last critique is about the lack of mixing between the years. At anyone time, there are 200-250 students in the program; in sequential years between first-year and thesis. The program has ZERO academic mixing between the years. So the students very rarely mix. They do and many work on different year projects, but the majority of students do not get to know anyone in the other years. It's crazy to me that there are not mixed year courses or projects.

Overall, I have not had too many surprises and am overwhelmingly pleased with the program so far. I am looking forward to my second year and working towards my thesis.

Good night and good luck.
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Zeno
Zeno
You'll have more mixing between the years in your 3rd and 4th year. The first years kind of feel siloed off as they are green as well. Especially when you are working on thesis projects. Nevertheless, I graduated in 2023 and I know a ton of people in front and behind my year. Keep your chin up, it will change :)
Definitely unique compared to other Film University/Colleges
Reviewed by: Alumni
Degree: BA/BS/BFA
Pros
  • Attentive teachers, interesting and varied curriculum, taught great tips and tricks to navigate after graduation, help with finding a job while attending/graduated
Cons
  • Sometimes difficult to get into certain classes, favoritism
It would be good to start this off by saying this school is definitely unique compared to other Film University/Colleges. By Day 1 I was getting some hands on experience in a mock studio located in their somewhat small campus. But don't let that fool you. It's actually quite impressive that this building is able to house the amount of stuff they have. ADR booths, foley booth, editing bays, 2 small sound stages, a working TV studio set with multiple cameras, and more. This school also is set up so that the whole building is pretty much a set. And when I say that, I mean that you can literally set up a camera anywhere and shoot.

Teachers are mostly working (or have worked) industry professionals. Their insight is invaluable. Especially if you end up with one of the good ones. Only negative thing I found at this school is that teachers sometimes favor other students. I felt excluded from a few classes that interested me because I wasn't close with the right teacher. I'm not the only person who experienced this as well. That's something I hope doesn't exist anymore.

Other than that one negative experience, I learned everything I needed from this school and I've been working in the industry 2 months after graduation all the way up to today (4 years). They also offer Summer Camps too, I believe. If you have any interest in this school, I'd absolutely recommend you check it out and see what it has to offer. I got what I put into this school. If you do the same you could get a great experience as well.

BOTTOM LINE: The experience, in my opinion, is up to you. You could get a ton out of it and really pick all your teacher's brains, or you could coast through and end up in retail after you graduate. It's all up to you and how badly you want to learn from these people. It may not be prestigious or well-known, but you can definitely take a lot from this school to build your future.
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Reviewed by: Alumni
Pros
  • Caring and knowledgeable staff & very informative
I recently attended IFI's evening seminar. I travelled from Georgia to NYC just for this class for my work. I had a pretty general understanding of the film process from start to finish, but by the end of this program, I felt a renewed confidence and passion for the art. The staff is friendly, caring, and they genuinely want you to succeed.

Despite it being considered a beginner/introductory course, even as someone who has worked in film for a little while, I felt I walked away with more than my money's worth. My only regret is that they're not in Georgia.
Reviewed by: Alumni
Even though it was just 1 week, it was intense and I've learned more than I did anywhere else. From screenwriting, directing all the way to hands-on lighting, I felt like I was learning useful information each and every class. Everyone was incredibly helpful and understanding. Overall this seminar leaves you motivated to get out there! I would recommend it to anyone who wants learn about film.
Reviewed by: Alumni
I am new to making films and recently took a one week nightly workshop with the IFINY. It was extremely informative and I left there with a true general understanding of how films are made. I would suggest this workshop to anyone who is at all interested in learning about film making and is completely new to the process. You will certainly not be disappointed.
You have to get out of your way to make things happen for you
Reviewed by: Alumni
Degree: BA/BS/BFA
Pros
  • Unique Professors, Great Academic and Professional Counseling
Cons
  • Not enough financial backing from the CSU System
There are people (Professors and Students) who will make you love the school.

All you need to remember about this place is that you have to get out of your way to make things happen for you. No one is looking to find the next big thing here, but if you show yourself there will be support, great support.

There are other types of departments that's not mentioned here. The TV Department actually allows you to work in professional Commercial spots. While I was there I produced a TedX Conference video (9 speaker videos total).

People can help you with a lot of different things. Some Professors here are actual professionals with really interesting backgrounds. The regular "professor teaches because can't find work" does not completely apply here.

Being close to LA is a plus, and LB scene is pretty good too. I was renting an apartment in Downtown Los Angeles when I was studying there.

If you work hard while there, you will easily find a job there. In fact, I found one.

It's a very positive school, but don't expect a USC treatment. It's a fact that you have to have some money in this business, even while studying it. CSU system is second to the UC system. But again you get what you pay for. Keeping that in mind, and you think about saving money for your Masters Degree, you will find that CSULB has enough reputation to get you in anywhere else you might think of post graduation.

I am proud to have chosen this film school.

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CFS is an awesome school to attend to really learn practical filmmaking
Reviewed by: Alumni
Degree: BA/BS/BFA
Pros
  • professors, practical filmmaking, small classes
Cons
  • location, no bachelors degree
CFS is an awesome school to attend to really learn practical filmmaking. Their professors are amazing, and have a ton of previous filmmaking experience. The courses are highly informative, and more than that very hands on, which allows you to develop the necessary technical knowledge base for making films (not just the history and theory, though they also teach that of course).

Unfortunately, they don't currently offer a bachelors degree, only certification or an associates. However, that could be seen as a plus, because with its location in Colorado you'll be moving anyway to really pursue a career in film.

At the end of the day, a great basis for anyone wanting to go into the industry. My suggestion - don't pass this program up, because you'll get so much personalized attention from great teachers that will really give you a step up when you transfer to a four-year program. Do your time, listen and learn, and you won't regret spending time here first.
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Reviewed by: Alumni
Pros
  • Thoroughly boutique experience with teachers who genuinely care that you are learning and succeeding
Cons
  • One month is too short!
I attended the 2015 summer film making program and came out with a fantastic short film, way better than I ever imagined possible as a complete beginner and after just one month. I credit the wonderful teachers who were super efficient in condensing all the important basics into efficient classes and the founders who were always available and invested in our learning process.

I went into the course only hoping to learn to write better, yet when I came out I found the confidence to pursue film as a career. The course is very intensive but well structured so as long as you work hard and plan well, it is possible to make a really good short film. Film professionals tell me they are really impressed with the quality of what I was able to make in such a short time.

The advantage of this school over the other usually bigger schools is that you get very personal attention and tailored experience. I have been through big universities and felt totally lost. I feel much better guided and supported in this program.

I would recommend students to think of a few short story ideas before the course begins to save time from thinking on the spot. You will need all the time for perfecting your script and planning your shoot.
The film department felt like a carousel at times.
Reviewed by: Alumni
Degree: BA/BS/BFA
Pros
  • Great education overall
  • Good set up if you want to make docs about politics or social issues
  • Great faculty support for documentary/political/nature/wildlife filmmaking
  • Faculty can be a good resource for finding work/projects
Cons
  • Not great for narrative production
  • No portfolio requirement, classmates are on different levels
  • Grad and undergrad classes are combined
  • Your internship/work opportunities are limited in DC (compared to NY or LA)
I came into American University being quite averse to politics and government, and I always wanted to focus entirely on narrative film production. My other choice, NYU, would probably have been a better fit, but AU gave me better financial options and I could knock out a year at AU coming in with AP and community college credits. I finished AU in 3 years with minimal debt.

During my time, I was able to find the resources and crews to make narrative films happen, but it sometimes felt like an uphill battle. By the time I graduated, I warmed to documentary filmmaking and became more politically and socially interested. Most of my classmates, whether in the film department, in SOC or in the whole university seemed extremely passionate about politics, government and social issues. A lot of people in the film department were there because they saw it as a way to make their voice heard within these topics. The doc program, especially the Center for Environmental Filmmaking, is very strong. Combine that with being in the Nation's Capital and you're really in the right place for the right thing. Again, probably not for me. But some folks thrived on it. But you do end up looking for internships and work opportunities in the city that you go to school in, and DC doesn't have a lot going on for your average student.

The film department felt like a carousel at times. The older professors who were tenured seemed out of touch with the current scene; they had been tenured and working for the university for so long that the indie struggle seemed very much lost on them. Younger, adjunct professors were barely graduated from the same classes they were teaching, and could provide even less perspective. The boast of the film department is a two-time Oscar winner in sound; yet his classes are primarily a vehicle for him to talk about his experiences and his awards. He barely taught the class I took with him and though his anecdotes were amusing and at times insightful, it was certainly not worth more than just the check mark I received for the class.

In the end, I'll leave you with this: you get what you put in. I went to school with some amazingly talented people. Some people did great work while at school, some people did great work after school. Some people are still in DC and some are in NY or LA. Some are elsewhere. The most ambitious people have left DC. No school is a guarantee of success or failure, but if you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish, then you can really tailor your school experience to your ambitions. And I think that's true for any (film) school experience. Good luck.
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jn0pe
jn0pe
Thanks for the review! I'm curious- were you in the MA or MFA production program?
Reviewed by: Alumni
Pros
  • the faculty truly care and support; coursework in a broad range of film disciplines; access to film equipment and editing lab, and very hands-on; a good foundation in theory as well
Cons
  • the schedule is very intense and can feel overwhelming at times -but this is, from the little I know, fitting for the film world
I did the 5 week film intensive offered by the International Film Institute of New York at Sarah Lawrence College in July 2015. It was my first time with, really, doing any formal sort of coursework in film. It was absolutely wonderful! The five weeks are extremely intense and demanding -the work probably averages 7 days a week for 10-11 hours a day. The faculty are incredibly caring and dedicated -they want to see you excel, really appreciate if you show dedication and passion, and are available for help all the time. The program is awesome in putting each student in a container that supports them in creating, from start to finish, a short with the help of the faculty and fellow students.

I would suggest that anyone who has decided to do the program come in with a few ideas and if possible, a first draft of a script. But this may not be necessary. I have difficulty writing outside of a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, and the program is very fast-paced and demanding.

But overall, a really wonderful experience. The courses were great, the access to equipment were great, the teachers were genuinely supportive, real human beings, who work in the industry and appreciate a newcomer's wish to become a filmmaker, and the fellow students were awesome. It was hard work, a lot of learning, and good, good fun!
This is a great alternative.
Reviewed by: Alumni
Degree: Certificate
Concentration: Professional Producing
Pros
  • Inexpensive, great networking, valuable information, shorter than a full MFA program, shared faculty with MFA program
Cons
  • not a degree program, no practical course work (lecture based only)
Please bear in mind this review is specifically for the Professional Producing Program, NOT for a degree-rewarding program.
Professional Programs | UCLA School of TFT

I discovered the PP at UCLA through this forum when I was graduating from undergrad at The University of Michigan. At the time, I was getting my career started in production and Michigan had a tax incentive and I didn't want to miss out on those opportunities while I pursued a full MFA. The PP are only available to students who have completed their undergrad and they are a lecture based, simplified version of their MFA programs. When I attended in 2012, there were three programs; producing, directing, and screenwriting, They have now added others. I attended the Producing Program along with about 25 other students. There is an admissions process which requires transcripts, a statement of purpose and recommendations.

The lecturers were high ranking industry professionals. I cannot go into many details as to who or what was discussed in specifics because they require you not to disseminate the information in the lectures. This is because you are often given information that is proprietary. I can say that their list on their website is truthful and the lecturers were full of information about budgets, pitches, and the whole Hollywood system. You are not allowed to network with the speakers (you cannot ask them for their contact information), but the students often network with each other and many of my class still keep in touch or work together. In 2012, we also had the opportunity to work on a film which was being line produced by the program TA at the time. For some in the class this was their first time on a real film set. It's a great opportunity to learn how a set works from the ground up. The independent film world in particular in LA is very small and this is certainly a way to meet people involved and to gain valuable information.

If you don't get into an MFA program or you simply don't think a master's is for you, this is a great alternative.

From UCLA ...
COURSE TOPICS
The following topics are typically covered in the Professional Program in Producing: Production Preparation, Line Producing, Financing, Development, Story, Pitching, Contracts/Negotiations, Clearance/Copyright, Legal Issues for Independent Projects, Television Development, Feature Film Marketing, Television Marketing, Alternative Programming, Theatrical Distribution (Domestic and International), Budgeting, The Television Executive, Alternative Distribution, Producing/Directing for TV, Documentary, Post-Production, Producing for Video Games, Producing for Digital Media (Studio and Indie), Multiplatform Storytelling, Virtual Reality.

COURSE WORK & MATERIALS
At this time there are no required materials for this course. In the event that course materials are needed, they will be supplied by UCLA.
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Let's be honest: It's USC film school.
Reviewed by: Current Student
Degree: MA/MFA
Concentration: Writing for Screen & Television
Pros
  • esteemed faculty
  • talented cohort
  • successful mentors
  • guest lecturers
Cons
  • easy to question your skills when compared to successful cohort (big fish, big pond)
  • not much flexibility with the 2-yr program (for writer/dir/producers)
  • compartmentalized
It's tough to rate the pros and cons, since I'm still early in Writing program.

I will say that the benefits of being in LA, in a prestigious program, with working professionals as professors and mentors far outweigh any anxiety about tuition or eventually making it as a working writer (tongue-in-cheek).

I was personally apprehensive about being at a private school in the land of the "super-fake", where everyone's scheming to exploit you (I'm from the Midwest). I originally favored the NY schools because I wanted to be a "pure writer" and focus on developing my "voice", but USC SCA provides that by vouching for you and your talents.

And luckily, the screen/tv writing program isn't cutthroat... but our guest visitors and lecturers never hesitate to remind us that the industry can be a tough nut to crack. And the cohorts bring a wide array of talent and experience. A lot of lessons that would take years to learn alone in the industry are expedited through the decades worth of experience shared.

Plus, let's be honest: It's USC film school. Even though there are other GREAT programs out there to choose from, The Industry is out here and there's a lot of Trojans making big moves. It's highly encouraging to know that many alumni are finding success in various facets. From being staffed within years of graduation, to linking up with other students to develop pilots, web series, and short films.

Yet, with only one semester to "judge/review", it seems like each program is compartmentalized. We spend a lot of time writing, while the other depts. focus on their projects. The writing program is only 2 years, while the production program is a 3yr MFA and they admit in the spring for their program too. There's probably more chances to collaborate later on, but there's also value in distinguishing yourself first and working on your individual craft.

All in all, I feel like I'm in the best program to help prepare me for a long career in film/tv. Even the cons are valid for specific reasons. There's no perfect program out there, but USC definitely makes sure to challenge you, while also preparing you for a long career. I'm much more confident in this program, LA, and producing good content.

(feel free to ask more specific questions if this is still too vague)
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D
ddcasimir
Hi, there. Can you elaborate here?

but there's also value in distinguishing yourself first and working on your individual craft.
Reviewed by: Alumni
Every so often, you should be able to look back on your past and remember at least a handful of experiences that elicit the thought “that was life-changing.” For me, enrolling in IFI’s One-On-One College Mentorship Filmmaking Program was one of the best decisions I ever made because of everything I learned and accomplished in just a short five-weeks. The course was uniquely geared towards helping me develop a quality, portfolio piece that I could use for my college applications. The program started with a phone call from the program founder and leader, Misael Sanchez, who began by prepping me with the details of what colleges would be looking for in an overall application and especially my art’s portfolio. This alone was such a valuable conversation but the benefits of the course don’t end there!

In addition to discussions about applying to schools, I would meet with my teacher-mentor, Andres Rosende, who was overseeing the success of my short film. He helped finalize my screenplay and provided guidance for how I should proceed with the pre-production and production of my project. Though I had the support of the mentors at IFI, the execution of the project was completely up to me. That aspect of the program is perhaps the most valuable as it taught me to produce my work, and make the transition from script to screen. Now as a sophomore in college, I realize that the ability to produce your own project is almost never developed in high school programs, and rarely at the undergraduate level. I’m so grateful for the rigor of IFI's course as it has more than prepared me for my undergraduate pursuits. They provided me with the opportunity to broaden my understanding of filmmaking and reaffirm my passion for the craft.

Lastly, everyone involved at IFI has the absolutely best attitude about making films and that outlook is completely infectious. If anything, you’ll definitely learn how to be professional on film sets and how to have fun in the process. I recommend this program to anyone who is serious about pursuing a career in film because you’ll learn all the nuts and bolts of filmmaking, and so much more!
Reviewed by: Alumni
Pros
  • Affordability
  • Access to equipment and facilities
  • Athens Film Festival
  • Visiting Artists
  • Freedom
  • Intimate relationships to Professors
  • Visiting Artists
  • Great Funding Packages
  • Opportunities to teach
  • Network of working alumni
Cons
  • Sometimes Southeast Ohio feels disconnected from the big industry towns
Ohio University has long been one of the best kept secrets in MFA film programs. Located in the foothills of Appalachia, in the small college town of Athens, there are beautiful natural exteriors. The theater program is top notch, producing talented designers, writers and actors who regularly work with the filmmakers to make films that do well on the festival circuit. The program is small and intimate with caring faculty who continue to produce their own diverse body of work. The 40 year old IMBD and Oscar qualifying Athens International Film and Video Festival brings amazing international, independent, experimental, narrative, and documentary film and filmmakers to Athens every year. Students have opportunities to see a range of new work and meet the filmmakers. The first year "Bootcamp" gives students a foundation in screenwriting, camera, production, acting, directing, sound and editing as they make two black and white films, and one HD documentary. The next two years allow more specialization and individualization as students hone in on their career tracks.

Most students receive some funding packages that include some combination of tuition waivers and stipends for Graduate Assistantships. The funding combined with the affordability of living in Athens, the 24 hour access to an Avid editing lab, the access to lighting and camera equipment, and the affordability of shooting films in Athens makes this an affordable place to study and make quality films that will jump start your filmmaking career.

Ohio University has produced many successful independent filmmakers, film professors, experimental filmmakers, documentary filmmakers, and professionals working in editing, producing, screenwriting, casting, and all areas of film and media.
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Reviewed by: Alumni
The 5 week International Film Institute of NY program was, without a doubt, the best learning experience and ultimately, the best weeks, of my life so far. While I have been passionate about film for many years and have attended some summer film classes, this program really teaches you what you need to know to create a film. The goal of the 5 weeks is to produce a 5 min short film (particularly great if you need a portfolio to submit for college applications), and you do everything from writing the script, casting the actors, choosing the locations, instructing your crew (of fellow students), directing the shoot, and editing. There's a reason it's called 'intensive' filmmaking program; you are going nonstop for all five weeks. I was thrilled with the quality and accessibility of the professors, including Misael Sanchez and Kyle Wilamowski. I made a ton of friends among my fellow high school students and even some of the adult students. It is wonderful to be part of a community that is so passionate about filmmaking If you think you might want to have a career in filmmaking, I highly suggest you take the course to figure out if it is for you.

Cameron Lee
November 2015
I have to say that my experience was very positive.
Reviewed by: Alumni
Degree: MA/MFA
Concentration: Editing
Pros
  • You own the films you make
  • Flat rate (see con as well)
  • Up to date on technology
  • Professors are top notched
  • Equipment are very well maintained
  • new campus
  • very specific concentrations (but with the ability to take other classes if you want to)
Cons
  • Relatively far from LA (it's in OC, so internships will kinda suck driving up to la or burbank)
  • Flat rate (expensive)some emphasis(es?) have higher priority to get specific classes over others
I graduated from Chapman's MFA program back in 2012 and I have to say that my experience was very positive.
I was specialized in Editing and the program was very robust.
Chapman's system is broken into a conservatory model (they kind of treat you as if you've never have any experience with film in general). Your first year is spent on the foundations/basics of film. Shooting, writing, editing, directing, etc. These are then supported by projects that you do that is meant to take you through the steps of an entire short film. You will also be taking your specialization specific courses this year as well, but at the basic level. During the first year, you are also required to assist the 2nd years in their cycle films on set and sometimes even in post. This is to help build your general knowledge of filmmaking so you don't go into the industry looking/sounding like a fool who has no idea how things are done.
your second year is the time in which you really go into the specialization of your choice (that you were accepted into). You will also be working on atleast 2 short films called Cycle Films. This is a collaboration between ALL the students from each department. At this point it really tests your ability to work in a team as well as being able to independently work and make decisions as needed.
Finally your 3rd year is all about your thesis film. All you do at this point is work on your thesis film.

Between all 3 years you have the choice to take as many classes as you want. There is an "Interterm" where you can take additional classes or just take time off, (although I would suggest you try to get into one of the filmmaking classes so you can build more experience. During summer you can also get yourself certified in programs like Avid Media Composer or ProTools.

In regards to professors, you're looking at current working professionals and also those who are very well known in the industry. Everyone that I had the pleasure of studying under have all been extremely helpful and it's entirely up to you to make use of these resources.
Equipment wise, it's very well maintained and you just need to make sure you make a request for specific cameras that might be in demand early.

In general, there is a lot of things you can learn from here, but it's up to you to go for it. I learned sound mixing and foley/adr in my free time and got certified in both Avid and ProTools, so it's just up to you on how pro-active you want to be to make use of the money you spend.
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