NEED ADVICE: CSUN vs. DePaul

[ethan2_7]

Hi, title is basically it all. I'm in at both CSUN and DePaul. CSUN is leagues more affordable and I could probably transfer somewhere better after a year or two, or should I just go to DePaul? I'm really lost, any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Tammy]

I graduated from CSUN film option major so I can provide you a little bit more information, our head of department called Nate Thomas graduated from USC, and he trains students in USC way which means our classes setting, classes arrangement, teaching style, etc all follow USC film production program. But CSUN doesn’t have as much resources or advanced equipment as USC.

 

[StevieFlicks]

Hi, title is basically it all. I'm in at both CSUN and DePaul. CSUN is leagues more affordable and I could probably transfer somewhere better after a year or two, or should I just go to DePaul? I'm really lost, any help would be greatly appreciated

I can vouch for Nate Thomas, at CSUN being a great guy (I worked on a project he was in charge of). However, I know nothing about DePaul film school. There is a lot more than just the film school to consider. Do you have or need a scholarship at one of the schools? (If you are not a California resident, CSUN can be expensive.) Did you get into the Directing program at CSUN or is that not your focus? If you are an incoming freshman, you maybe did not get admitted to any film school's directing program because you probably need to submit a portfolio and grades as a junior to apply for the limited spots in that program. Dig into the details. Find out if you will be able to take classes with access to equipment as a freshman and sophomore if production is your goal. There are a lot of G.E. requirements at most schools that freshman are having to take before the meat of the film program starts. When I was a freshman I helped on a lot of senior and grad student films so I could learn even before being allowed to take a production class. I ended up doing a lot of editing and really enjoying it. Talk to current students at both places. Some people go to CSUN or CSULB with the idea that they will be paying for AFI or USC grad school after they get an undergraduate degree and some film experience. It varies with the person. There is no direct shot. Some people get what they need out of a school and go work in the industry and come back to the school. Either way, if you are an incoming freshman plan on making lifelong friends at whichever institution you choose. Work on both keeping your grades up and balancing your life to have time to work on student film projects where you will make friends. Ask the current students at either institution about that. I know that CSULB Cinematic Arts has "student ambassadors" who talk with prospective students. Perhaps CSUN and DePaul have someone similar who can talk about student film clubs, student life, making friends, access to equipment. I did a deep dive into the screenwriting professsor's backgrounds at CSUN, CSULB, USC, etc. and made sure they have good professors currently on staff with produced credits and they do. The most current information is what you seek so contact the school and try to find current students or students that have graduated within the last year and visit the campuses.