Where are the film schools for the artsy weirdos?

[Trinity999]

Okay, I know the title might throw some people off but I'd like to go to a school where people are more on the alternative side. Let me explain, I attended a film program a year ago and it and the administration were a complete disaster. I am a non traditional adult graduate student, I really thought this was going to be my chance to get and MFA and learn a trade/career that I'm passionate about. The school is a private catholic university and on the west coast; that's all I'll use to describe it besides the fact they treat Grad students/adult learners like shit. I really want to find a place where I feel welcomed but I honestly am traumatized by my experiences at the previous institution; I say institution because it was ran like a combination of jail and psych ward. You can say I'm being facetious or full of s**t but ask anyone who isn't white, hetero or under 34 who went there. I could say a lot more but won't. My thing is I would like to attend a place that's more inclusive, including adult learners who don't fit the general mold of the average student. I'm also very heavily involved in visual arts, so maybe a film program inside of an art school would be best. I tried getting into USC but I think they're very traditional and I scared them off with my portfolio- short films. They're not polished, more experimental than narrative; I've been to USC campus and I like it there but I don't know how I'd fit in at very D1, athletic/wealthy school; I do love downtown LA ALOT; like I could find a film school there besides USC but weirder (if that makes sense) I'd apply there in a heartbeat. I want to continue to study my craft, there's a lot I don't know bc I spent over a decade dealing with illness/poverty and didn't get a chance to create a lot or study film like I planned.

My ideal place would be a film school/program where they encourage experimental filmmaking but will still give the tools to make narrative films; maybe even stuff for art installations. They have a high graduate success rate and help students gain employment, have scholarships/grants and funding for student films - my last school had none of that. Does a school like the one I described exist? If you all have any college/university suggestions please let me know.

 

[Chris W]

My ideal place would be a film school/program where they encourage experimental filmmaking but will still give the tools to make narrative films; maybe even stuff for art installations.

Check out UC Boulder. We just did an interview with them and they do experimental films.

How to Get Into CU Boulder’s Film Program: Tips from Kelly Sears, Associate Chair (Part 1)

The Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts at the University of Colorado Boulder is a pioneer in avant-garde filmmaking, with a curriculum that emphasizes the technical storytelling skills students need to succeed across genres and formats. With historic roots in experimental film, CU...

• Alexa P.
• Jun 17, 2025
• Category: Admissions Interviews

They have a high graduate success rate and help students gain employment

No one can guarantee that. Is cliche but it really is what you make of it. Nothing is guaranteed and making it in this business is pure hustle, talent, and luck.

 

[Trinity999]

Check out UC Boulder. We just did an interview with them and they do experimental films.

How to Get Into CU Boulder’s Film Program: Tips from Kelly Sears, Associate Chair (Part 1)

The Department of Cinema Studies & Moving Image Arts at the University of Colorado Boulder is a pioneer in avant-garde filmmaking, with a curriculum that emphasizes the technical storytelling skills students need to succeed across genres and formats. With historic roots in experimental film, CU...

• Alexa P.
• Jun 17, 2025
• Category: Admissions Interviews

No one can guarantee that. Is cliche but it really is what you make of it. Nothing is guaranteed and making it in this business is pure hustle, talent, and luck.

I understand you saying there's no guarantee for success in an industry full of failure, disappointment and rejection. I feel you on that. I just want to find a place that's good for ME; and the administration/faculty actually give a f**k about their students. You're absolutely right though. Thanks for the recc.

 

[Chris W]

I understand you saying there's no guarantee for success in an industry full of failure, disappointment and rejection. I feel you on that. I just want to find a place that's good for ME; and the administration/faculty actually give a f**k about their students. You're absolutely right though. Thanks for the recc.

Their program seems to be focused on the experimental side and the interview with admissions was interesting. I wish you the best of luck finding a program that is the right fit for you. Welcome to the site!

 

[themadnessmaker]

Today while doing a bit of AI research, I discovered that my thesis project at the AFI (
My film was about the abuse of
Native American children who were taken from their families and put
into boarding school to assimilate them. It was an honorable film and
totally taken advantage of.)
The film opened at The Sundance Film Festival in 2000, and was shown multiple times afterwards without them informing me. It played at other fests, showings at places like The Director's Guild and at the
AFI itself to other students. Oh yeah, AND on the IFC and Sundance
Channels. Zero forewarning. I was the main creative and production
force behind that movie, but not the director (who showed up a few weeks before shooting). It was my idea, my script and I put in the 15 hour days, making all
the calls and connections, spending time with Native Americans, going
to meetings, Pow Wows and even getting a Native tribe to donate
thousands of dollars on the film. AFI gave us $7000
and I raised the other $53,000. But they have ownership. At 25 years
old I had a film in Sundance and they used me. It should have been my
coming out party. My chance to show that I could be a successful
artist in the business. I had also written two Nichol quarterfinalist scripts.
But that wasn't worth shit to them and they used me and my art to sell themselves.
I'm sure the Native actors would have
liked to be involved in these screenings too. It also would have been nice to have an alumni office to go to for jobs/internships/etc. That didn't take place until 2020. Even though I love
films and would love to make them for the rest of my life, there are so few people in that
business that have even a remote sense of doing what is right. I
don't know why this surprises me. Makes total sense actually, but
still to get fucked over by the school you paid to go to is a slap
that hits real hard. I didn't stand a chance. To be an honest player
in a sandbox of lying dick suckers is a losing position. Just so
eye opening when you have the dots connected.