film school advice

  1. cinenym

    Preparation for a competitive MA/MFA Directing application (UK)

    I've been looking at both MA and MFA directing courses, with a particular focus on two: the NFTS Directing Fiction MA and the AFI Directing MFA and an aim to start in 2026 or 2027 - by then I'll be in my late 20s. As both courses are highly competitive, I'd really like my application to be as...
  2. Director Liz Hinlein Talks VR in Filmmaking and the No. 1 Skill Filmmakers Need (Part 2)

    Director Liz Hinlein Talks VR in Filmmaking and the No. 1 Skill Filmmakers Need (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this exclusive interview for FilmSchool.org Supporting Members, Alexa Pellegrini speaks with award-winning filmmaker Liz Hinlein about her current projects, including a prequel and an immersive VR documentary. Hinlein discusses her work as a film coach, sharing how she helps...
  3. Tydx

    Thinking About Film School? Ask a Peter Stark Producing Grad Anything

    Hi everyone, I'm Thomas Xie, and I’ve spent the last 10 years in the film industry, producing 6 feature films and over 200 episodes of TV across the US, China, and France. Currently, I work in Business Affairs at Sony Pictures Animation. After completing the Peter Stark Producing Program—the...
  4. M

    Midlife career shift - film school

    Hello I need some advice please. I am a 45 year old with a passion for story telling. In the past months I experienced a traumatic event that led me to question my life choices, one of which is my career and passion. Having been a story teller in a variety of ways throughout my life, and...
  5. Tal Lazar, Professor at Columbia University and CCNY, on Choosing the Right Film School (Part 1)

    Tal Lazar, Professor at Columbia University and CCNY, on Choosing the Right Film School (Part 1)

    Tal Lazar is an award-winning cinematographer, producer, and educator who has studied and taught at some of the most prolific film schools in the world. In the past, Lazar taught at the American Film Institute Conservatory, where he also earned an MFA in Cinematography, along with Columbia...
  6. Alexa P.

    What Questions Do You Have for Tal Lazar, an Instructor at Columbia University SOA and The City College of New York?

    Hi everyone! I'm excited to announce that I'm conducting an interview with Tal Lazar, an instructor at Columbia University School of the Arts and The City College of New York, a partner & CEO of New York based production company MiLa Media, and the head Quonder, a next generation online learning...
    • Alexa P.
    • Thread
    • afi award winning instructors city college of new york columbia university columbia university soa film school advice input needed
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: FilmSchool.org Announcements
  7. m_w

    Genuine Advice Needed!! - I aspire to become a cinematographer

    To provide context on my future goal, I aspire to become a cinematographer. I'm pretty much clear about my future. Nevertheless, I want to learn all aspects of filmmaking before diving into cinematography. Oh also, I'm an international student Okay, so I need genuine advice from people who are...
  8. D

    FAMU One Year Directing Program

    I'm interested in applying to the FAMU one year directing program but it's missing some critical information 1) How competitive is the program? 2) What do they expect from the creative portfolio I've only directed one short film before and it's not great
  9. Y

    CSULB vs UC Irvine

    Hey everyone! I’m a transfer student and I got accepted to csulb for narrative production and uc irvine for film and media studies, but i am having trouble deciding which school to choose. Any advice?
  10. Columbia University: How to Apply for 2026, Acceptance Rate, and What To Expect as a Columbia SOA Film Student

    Columbia University: How to Apply for 2026, Acceptance Rate, and What To Expect as a Columbia SOA Film Student

    Columbia University’s School of the Arts film program is widely regarded as an elite hub for storytellers. With MFA concentrations in Screenwriting & Directing, Creative Producing, and Writing for Film & Television, and a BA in Film & Media Studies for undergraduates, Columbia combines rigorous...
    • Alexa Pellegrini
    • Article
    • 39 min read
    • application advice ba film and television best film schools in the world columbia columbia 2023 columbia university east coast film schools film school advice film school applicants mfa film and television
    • Category: Applying to Film School
  11. Biden’s Student Debt Relief Plan and Your Film School Loans

    Biden’s Student Debt Relief Plan and Your Film School Loans

    After months of speculation, the Biden-Harris Administration wiped away a minimum of $10,000 in student loan debt — good news for film school students, who often borrow tens of thousands to attend prestigious institutions like the American Film Institute Conservatory and New York University...
    • Alexa Pellegrini
    • Article
    • 4 min read
    • biden debt relief film school advice financial aid news paying for film school student loan forgiveness student loans
    • Category: Film School News
  12. Alexa P.

    Current Film School Students: Would you like to be interviewed for an article on the site?

    Do you currently attend a BA/BFA or MA/MFA film program? Do you want to share the highs and lows of your film school experience with thousands of other community members? Reply to this thread OR direct message me to be added to our interview list! Please check out our student interview series...
    • Alexa P.
    • Thread
    • admitted students current nfts students current nyu students current students film school advice help needed interviews student interviews
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: FilmSchool.org Announcements
  13. Suyashsp

    Which is Better For 3D Animation?

    NYFA LA Vs Langara CEA, British Columbia. Which one is better for the 3d Animation Diploma/Degree? NYFA LA: Langara CEA:
  14. F

    Can I act in my film submission?

    Especially with COVID and just not having many friends in general, I’m kind of limited on actors. Can I be featured in it? Is that allowed for me to still produce and direct it but also be a lead actor? There’s only like 2-3 actors that occur in the film.
    • fpeepee
    • Thread
    • #nervousfilmstudent applicant application advice directing 2021 film & tv production film school advice film school applicants film school application advice student projects
    • Replies: 5
    • Forum: Application Questions
  15. andy001

    The Debt Conversation: let’s talk

    Hey all, I read one of the older threads on student debt through film school. I’ve been kind of overthinking things but the whole debt is concerning me a bit (this happens every couple months when I think harder about it, 😕). I’m already like 70k in the hole and I love the program but I’m...
  16. St4rry

    What are the best film schools that specializes in animation?

    So I wanted to be in film school, specifically I wanted to learn about animation and live action stuff. My dad wanted me to go to college that is 2 hours or less from home. So any film schools from the west coast is out. Only colleges from the northeast. Thank you!
    • St4rry
    • Thread
    • advice advices film-school animation college college help film film school film school advice
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Application Questions
  17. R17

    Which film school are affordable and best for hands-on training? URGENT

    Hello, I want to apply for a Master degree or a year training program in filmmaking (or directing more precisely). I would like hands-on training only since I already have a MA in film and television which was academic with a thesis and didn't help me find an internship or a job in this field...

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