Recommendation Letters - Non-Film Background

[teletubby405]

I’m hoping to apply to film school this fall, but I’m a bit unsure about the recommendation letters. My undergraduate degree isn’t in filmmaking, media, or any creative field—it’s in an entirely different area.

The applications usually ask for 2-3 recommendation letters that can speak to the applicant's creativity and potential, things like that. I can think of two professors who could write recommendations, and possibly a third one but only one of them does relevant work.

Has anyone here applied to film school from a non-film background? How did you approach recommendation letters in that situation? Are film schools super strict about rec letters, I know that if it's from some industry professionals it could probably maximize your chance do I have a chance with these rec letters? Any advice or shared experiences would be really appreciated!

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[londonoutlaw]

I'm currently in the same boat as you are. I majored in Dance/Kinesiology and am coming from being a highschool dance teacher. I'm applying to the USC Peter Stark Program and decided to DM some people that just graduated. One girl got in and was a business major and a basketball player. I keep getting told that you don't necessarily need to come from a film background and the acceptance rate data on this platform shows. So I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[teletubby405]

I'm currently in the same boat as you are. I majored in Dance/Kinesiology and am coming from being a highschool dance teacher. I'm applying to the USC Peter Stark Program and decided to DM some people that just graduated. One girl got in and was a business major and a basketball player. I keep getting told that you don't necessarily need to come from a film background and the acceptance rate data on this platform shows. So I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for the reply! I think what you said makes sense, it's just ... seems like a lot of people have more or less some experiences in and out of class, so it's really hard to tell if that's a super critical factor.

 

[kingofsweaters]

Hi! Current AFI first year. Obviously I can only speak about AFI, but here you don’t need a film background as long as you have some work for your portfolio requirements. In terms of rec letters do not stress so much. They really only use them to make sure you’re a good candidate in terms of work ethic and as a student. You absolutely don’t need them to be from film related people.

If you can it would be cool to get one from a professional colleague and one from an educational institution. But if they both come from the same type of place that’s totally fine too. Both of mine came from my work as an art director for advertising and I was applying to the writing program. Your other materials really matters way more than your rec letters. You got this!