what are the best film schools in america ?

Hi Enajia!

As a film school graduate, I love this question!

Here's something to keep in mind about film schools: like any art form, film is a personal medium and a subjective one, too. It's important to choose a film program that suits your personality and style. Are you looking for a larger school experience, or something more personal and small?

I attended UCLA's film program as an undergraduate, which I really enjoyed. It's a 2-year program that begins in the Junior year. During my Freshmen and Sophomore years, I completed most of my General Education courses, so the second half of my college experience was almost entirely dedicated to Film. Every year, 30 undergraduate students are accepted into the program, which creates a close-knit, family-like department. In the first 2 years at UCLA, I had the opportunity to experience all the fun activities of a larger university -- football and basketball games, dorm life shenanigans, study-abroad programs and several events at the Student Center. Once I joined the film program, my college experience became much smaller -- intimate class sizes, more consistent interaction with my professors and classmates, and hands-on experience supporting student film productions. I felt quite fortunate to have a mix of both worlds, large and small.

Another benefit to UCLA is that it's a public school, so tuition is more affordable. The downfall of that is the facilities were slightly less up-to-date and there was limited support from alumni. Many friends of mine who studied at USC, NYU and AFI all had updated facilities, bigger budgets for their productions and, most importantly, a strong alumni network. For most, their alumni connections led to jobs after graduation. For those of us at UCLA, we had to rely on internships or any other contacts we made on our own.

Again, do consider the environment in which you excel and thrive the most -- large communities, small groups, a liberal arts program, urban, rural, etc. Outside of these top-rated programs, there are hundreds of fantastic film schools throughout the country; some of which are more theory-based critical studies programs, some of which have in-house production equipment and facilities. Figure out what interests you most!

Wherever you do choose to study, make the most of it. The relationships you build in college will last a lifetime. As a filmmaker, you'll want to find your inner voice and your message. Your friends in film school are your bouncing board and safety net! I actually work with many of my film school classmates now, as do several other UCLA alums. We find that we collaborate well together, and our shared interests and styles in storytelling have allowed us to pursue our dreams together. Cherish those friendships and make the most of whichever program you're in!

And, if for some reason you don't join an official film program, don't let that stop you from creating! Many filmmakers I know never officially studied film. Many studied English, History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology, Art! Filmmaking is a form of storytelling that requires practice, experimentation and taking risks. Create, create, create and share! You'll find your voice and you will be heard.

Feel free to add a comment if you want further feedback. Happy to help!

There are a number of prestigious photography and film schools. As with all things, you get what you pay for, so you can expect the more prestigious schools to cost more.

With that said, the best film schools in America for 2015 are:

1. University of Southern California (Tuition:$49,464 a year)


2. New York University (Tuition: $49,962)


3. American Film Institute (Tuition: $47,030 (first year); $58,216 (second year))


4. University of California, Los Angeles (Tuition: $15,131)


5. California Institute of the Arts (Tuition: $43,400)

California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) is a school not far from where I live. I knew many students in my high school graduating class that planned on attended. None of them regretted their decision. I hear that it is exceedingly difficult to get into and to graduate from, but that is how they ensure only the best students graduate.

I hope this helps!

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-film-schools-2015-top-828483

My advice is going to be different. First, why go to film school - it just postpones your working in the industry. I don't know what state you live in, so I don't know where "out of state" might be for you. But if you want to spend money (as in out-of-state schools) why not spend it to apprentice yourself to an active film production company in one of the major markets? The technique is clearly "old school," but keep in mind: Most of today's famous filmmakers did exactly that!

Find a prodco you like and admire. Tell them your career plan (make sure you have one), then offer to work for free to ultimately prove that it's beneficial to them to end up hiring you. I'm hoping you know at least a little about filmmaking and its industry so you're not going into this with just a hope and a dream and nothing more. Do your due diligence. Read. Watch. Listen. Then go forward.

IMHO, "film school" sounds great but I'm not convinced there is enough benefit, considering the time and money you will put into it, compared to learning on the job. In film school, you may end up with some contacts, but they'll mostly be fellow students, peers who are trying to make it just as you are.

Oh, by the way, I used to teach screenwriting, directing, producing, and editing at the college level.

Hi Enaja,

Vanderbilt University:

• The interdisciplinary film studies degree programs provides a comprehensive education in the cinema arts. Students learn about the cultural, historical, theoretical and aesthetic aspects of the field. The students learn through academic exploration and practical experience and training. Required courses for the program include film studies, film theory, communication, culture and consciousness, cultural rhetoric of film, culture and society, history of art, America on Film. In addition to the major specific courses, students will be expected to complete general studies courses in communications studies, philosophy, psychology, Asian studies, art, and European studies. In addition to the curriculum, students have the opportunity to participate in the film festivals and contests hosted by the University where they have the opportunity to compete and showcase their work.

University of Chicago:

• The degree programs offered at the University of Chicago include both undergraduate and graduate programs. The degree programs examine the various cinematic forms and techniques and how cinema is affected by production. Students also analyze the method by which cinema conveys a story. The cinema studies courses will explore the aesthetic perspective of films, film culture and the styles of film. Additionally, the curriculum will include studies in narrative contexts, racial and national identity, transnational media production and circulation, commercial and leisure entertainment forms and consumer culture. Students will concentrate on American films with some examination of European, Russian and East Asian films. The curriculum requires students to complete coursework in general studies as well as cinema. Students take courses in Anthropology, art history, music, history, philosophy, English and Comparative Literature. Students will also be expected to complete a research paper

University of Southern California:

• The curriculum provides exposure to all aspects of the various mediums of moving video including film, television and interactive video. Students, regardless of their area of focus, study all aspects of the field to develop an inherent understanding of the importance and impact of each and to expand their abilities into other areas. Students are provided with consistent opportunity to implement theory with substantial practice. Concentration areas include critical studies centering on the processes behind creating film and he effect of film on culture and social, political and economic facets of society; film and television production where students concentrate on scriptwriting and storytelling, editing, sound design, producing an directing; animation and digital arts, interactive media, producing program and media arts and practice.

You can have all the list with the 10 Best Film Schools in:
http://www.thebestcolleges.org/the-10-best-film-schools-in-the-united-states/

I hope this can help in your decision. Good Luck!