San Francisco State University (SFSU) - School of Cinema Reviews & Admissions Statistics

For a while, SFSU sat on the Hollywood Reporter's Top 25 Film Schools hovering around 20 to getting knocked off in 2021. It was the only CSU -- CSUN recently joining the ranks -- on the list for a longtime, making it the most prestigious yet cheapest 4-year university option on the list. This is a public school of cinema over 40 years old and while it has plenty of character developed over that time, the facade remains the same.

Two things for all prospective undergrads: this is a bachelor of arts program and a hybrid film program. The former means you will have to complete GE requirements like any major at SFSU -- every UC and CSU will require GE's; it is part of your degree and you just have to accept it. Unless you transfer or have preexisting credits, you will not start the film program until your sophomore year, where you can only take the CINE 200 pre-requisites (Intro to Filmmaking + Lab, Intro to Cinema Studies, & Film History I & II). That brings in the latter: this is a hybrid program and the faculty stress the importance of learning theory as much as learning production. You're not watching Tarantino or Scorsese or Coppola. The 400 Blows, Do the Right Thing, and La Jetée are the building blocks, and from there you dive into Ingmar Bergman, Park Chan Wok, and Lucrecia Martel. That's 3 theory classes and only 2 production classes your sophomore year -- and you don't even get to rewatch Pulp Fiction?! The imbalance of classes and lack of classic film study causes many to drop off/transfer halfway through their B.A., but the diverse selection of films will build your perspective and strengthen your filmmaking abilities -- just know this is what you're signing up for beforehand.

After your pre-requisites, you will be able to take upper-division film courses. There are more theory requirements: a graduate writing requirement (GWAR), the critical studies course + seminar, and 3 film theory classes of your choice. Yes, it is a lot of theory. If you know your way around the class schedule portal, you will still fit in plenty of production. The highlights include 16mm cinematography -- one of the most hands on classes and allows you to work with ARRI super 16mm cameras; projects in film editing -- Professor Pat Jackson is a legend in her craft and shows editing classes aren't the same as YouTube tutorials; and producing and financing films -- Professor Brian Benson runs a yearlong bootcamp in producing films and assures you exactly why you went to film school. The main two problems with the production courses are the limited tracks and antiquated equipment. 16mm & digital are the only two cinematography courses offered by the school -- an advanced lighting technique class might pop up a semester if they have the faculty. There are no tracks that you can follow; you are receiving a general film degree in production and theory (B.A. in cinema.) The thesis program is 36 students per year... (18 in the yearlong program and 18 in the spring semester program). Barely any students graduate with a thesis film unless you are one of these 36 or you actively shoot a thesis film outside of class time. Second, the equipment is fine -- just fine. The C-100's work great for any class project, but you can only check out equipment if you are in a production class. Do not be expecting to check out equipment your freshman year. Sharegrid will be where you rent the majority of your equipment from. After completing all of your requirements and taking enough production courses, you will have earned your degree.

While this review is quite expository, I had a positive and excellent time at this school, so here are some straight up pros. San Francisco... You are in one of the most beautiful cities in the world -- a city which allows students to permit locations around town for free. On top of this, the program itself is $7,000 (IN-STATE) a year and features no supplemental application, making this an easy backup school since no extra work is required. Plus, you own all films and scripts produced in class -- a hidden caveat to many of the large private film universities around the US. This school's emphasis on diversity and fringe filmmakers will broaden and strengthen your creative ability and knowledge.

In conclusion, SFSU School of Cinema has been treated as the public-west coast version of NYU and that is not too far off from the truth. A visuals over substance school whose out-of date facilities can set back the often incredible faculty and differing perspectives passing through. Most of you who end up going to SFSU will have no other options -- often due to cost of tuition. If you go here, do not worry. You will find the right group of filmmakers and you will make the most out of your CSU-budgeted public program. It really is the most fixer upper of all the film schools, so just have fun while you're there.