Is CSUN or UCI better for film?

[cruzsara]

I recently got accepted into excellent film schools: UCSB, UCI, UCR, CSUN, CSULB, CSUF, and CSULA. However, my mind is set between UCI and CSUN they are closer to me and I can manage better. The problem is I have done my research and both schools have great explanations for the film/media courses they offer.

My main focus is film/television/media production. My goal is to begin working for a production company after I graduate. Therefore, I am extremely focused on the level of education I would be receiving and how good it would look on my resume. I want to get the best of both worlds meaning theory and practice courses. I am also looking for how well these schools do with internships and job options. But, both schools have offered me a bright and affordable path. So I don’t know where to go. I want to know which one you guys think has a better film department? and will serve me better than the other? Do you guys have any advice?

 

[blonde.death]

As a former CSUN student, they have excellent television production and screenwriting programs. I don’t know much about the film production other than it’s fairly selective. So if you got into that, I’d certainly say go ahead and give it a shot. One big complaint about the program is that the different film majors (entertainment media management, television/film production, screenwriting) don’t really work together outside of maybe a few of the beginners/elective classes. And recently, starting in 2019, the television production major has become more selective, making it impossible for screenwriters to take production classes at all unless required (like a television directing class I took my senior year).

If I could’ve done it all over, I’d been an entertainment media management major. I took two classes in that major. And the professors are chill and super knowledgeable about the industry.

A lot of my friends at CSUN have gotten jobs or internships in the industry while in school. Also, there are great opportunities on campus for TA’s or sports camera operators.

Bias part now: I really like the guy who runs the program now. He used to run the graduate screenwriting program there. I highly recommend seeking him out.

 

[cruzsara]

As a former CSUN student, they have excellent television production and screenwriting programs. I don’t know much about the film production other than it’s fairly selective. So if you got into that, I’d certainly say go ahead and give it a shot. One big complaint about the program is that the different film majors (entertainment media management, television/film production, screenwriting) don’t really work together outside of maybe a few of the beginners/elective classes. And recently, starting in 2019, the television production major has become more selective, making it impossible for screenwriters to take production classes at all unless required (like a television directing class I took my senior year).



If I could’ve done it all over, I’d been an entertainment media management major. I took two classes in that major. And the professors are chill and super knowledgeable about the industry.

A lot of my friends at CSUN have gotten jobs or internships in the industry while in school. Also, there are great opportunities on campus for TA’s or sports camera operators.

Bias part now: I really like the guy who runs the program now. He used to run the graduate screenwriting program there. I highly recommend seeking him out.

Thank you so much for the reply it is very helpful.
I was wondering if you can tell me what you meant by "the different film majors that don't really work outside of maybe a few of the beginners/elective classes"
I am a film, television, and media major and I am transferring. What is your major?
Also, what is the name of the guy who runs the program, do you know? is he running the film and television production department now?

 

[Chris W]

We have this interview with a CSUN student if you haven't seen it yet.

Andrea Zevallos, MFA in Screenwriting Candidate at CSUN, Talks Perseverance, Pedagogy, and the Writing Process

“I've always loved film and television — TV has been my dream job ever since I was pretty young,” says Andrea Zevallos (FilmSchool.org member @itsallhappening), leaning back in her desk chair. Behind her is a wall-sized bookshelf; beneath it is a tiny replica taco truck labeled El Gato. “Years...

• Alexa P.
• Mar 14, 2021
• Category: Film Student Interviews