LMU vs Emerson

[Chang]

Hey Everyone,

I applied several schools and eventually gotta to choose between Emerson MFA Media Arts and Loyola Marymount University Film/TV production. I've been looking up these two programs on this and other websites. Although I find a lot of useful information, I haven't been able to make up my mind yet.

According to my research LMU is a conventional, industrial style film school, whereas Emerson's program is more multi-dimensional (including Film/TV/Experimental Video) and inclined towards independent filmmaking. I personally want to be a filmmaker for my future career, so originally I prefer LMU to Emerson and think that the other areas within Emerson's Media Arts program are not very meaningful to my future plan. However, someone mentioned on this site that LMU program only allow you to make 3 films including your thesis. Is this a little bit insufficient for a 3-year program? I e-mailed the Emerson program director and she told me that Emerson program lets you make 6-8 short films including your thesis.

Regarding to Emerson, I know that Media Arts also include film production, but is this just a minor area in the entire program? If most people in the program focus on the areas other than film, will I be on my own while making films? I may have to recruit crew members outside of class.

I hope someone who know more about these two programs can help me with my concerns. Thanks.

 

[Elianarra]

Hello!

I don't know anything about LMU, but I will be attending Emerson in the fall. There are definitely ALOT of people that focus on filmmaking. All of the students I heard from at the Graduate open house were in filmmaking, except one who was into visual design type stuff. Also, personally, I plan on focusing on film production as well. I can send you a link to Emerson's vimeo group, where all the students have been posting films...
The director, Jan Roberts Breslin also sent us a DVD in the mail, with the full version of some of the students films that were shown at their L.A. showcase (trailers in the vimeo group). So yeah, I think they definitely emphasize the film production aspect.

p.s. the facilities looked awesome, also. Okay, completely biased answer concluded. : - )

This is one of the documentaries we saw clips of at the open house, by Emerson students.
http://www.thelower9.com/thefilmmakers

 

[Chang]

Hi Elianarra,

Thanks for your information. It is quite helpful. I just found out my acceptance yesterday online but haven't received the official mail. I guess it'll take more than a week to arrive in China.

I guess I'll make my decicison in the next few days and hope I can join you in Boston.

 

[Elianarra]

Glad to help! Good luck, you've got two awesome schools to choose from. Have you been the the U.S. previously?

 

[Chang]

Yes. Actually I had my undergrad at BU, so I'm also thinking about going to a new city, though I love Boston a lot.

 

[Elianarra]

Oh really? Well I will say this, having lived on both sides of the U.S., I prefer the East Coast, but it's hard to beat those California beaches...