| I obtained the BFA in Film Production from NYU's | | | | their own films with other students acting as crew |
| Tisch School of the Arts. As someone who has also | | | | members on their films and vice versa. NYU has a |
| attended USC's Film School as well as having taken | | | | good selection of equipment. It is not always the |
| classes at UCLA's Film Program, I thought I could | | | | latest technology and technology changes so |
| offer some good perspective of what I thought of | | | | frequently, especially when it comes to video, but in |
| each and start with the one I spent the most time | | | | general you won't be lacking for anything. They have |
| at: NYU. | | | | ample editing facilities running from old steenbeck for |
| The Location | | | | film splicing to computer systems for use of final |
| NYU's film school is located in Greenwich Village on | | | | draft and adobe premier. Again, if a student wishes |
| the island of Manhattan in New York City. Going to | | | | to shoot more footage than the school is willing to |
| school in such an urban location offers both positives | | | | supply film or video for the student can pay for |
| and negatives. On a positive note, New York City is | | | | additional developing, etc. |
| your campus and therefore you are in the mix of all | | | | The Professors |
| the limitless cafes, stores, famous locations, iconic | | | | Generally I found the professors to be competent |
| neighborhoods and interesting New York personalities | | | | with a few 'exceptional' ones thrown in. They are all |
| that the city is famous for. | | | | working professionals with some more successful |
| On the negative side, also, New York City is your | | | | than others. In some classes you also have guest |
| campus so you don't have the 'protected campus | | | | lecturers and occasionally famous alumni will teach a |
| experience' you would have at a school with a closed | | | | class such as Spike Lee or Woody Allen. Each week |
| off dedicated campus. In my opinion I viewed living, | | | | the school hosts film screenings and the director or |
| taking classes and making films in NYC to be a | | | | producers of the film will show up to discuss with the |
| tremendous advantage. Where else would you get | | | | class and take questions about how the film was put |
| such great inspiration and material to draw from than | | | | together and the history of making the film. These |
| in one of the greatest cities in the world. The only | | | | are great opportunities to network with successful |
| negative would be if you wanted to get out of the | | | | alumni and often previous graduates of the program |
| city to shoot or just to get some quiet away from | | | | show up to watch these screenings so they are a |
| the hustle of the city. It's hard to keep a car in the | | | | great way to make contacts. |
| city without spending a fortune but subways and | | | | After Graduation. |
| trains can take you just about anywhere you need | | | | Where I felt the NYU Film Program fell a little short |
| to go affordably. | | | | was in career planning and direction. They didn't |
| The Curriculum | | | | dedicate a whole lot of time to teaching you how to |
| NYU Film School's curriculum consists of classes in all | | | | build a career after you graduated. This is one of the |
| the major areas of the filmmaking process. There are | | | | flaws I have found in most film programs. Luckily, |
| classes in sound, editing, writing, television technology | | | | NYU has so many graduates that work in the |
| and finally group classes where you make films | | | | industry that if you are proactive you should easily |
| together in small crews. Generally, as you move | | | | be able to find successful graduates willing to sit |
| through the program the projects you work on | | | | down and speak with you about your 'after |
| become more complex. In beginning film classes you | | | | graduation' game plan. |
| might make black and white 8mm or short videos. | | | | In recent years the school has been good at building |
| As you progress you make longer and more complex | | | | up its active alumni organization on both the East and |
| projects and can choose between experimental type | | | | West coasts so whether you decide to be based in |
| or narrative films. Generally students are given a | | | | New York or Los Angeles you can utilize this |
| certain amount of tape or film stock and the basic | | | | resource to create a network for yourself which is |
| equipment such as lights and dollies that one would | | | | very important. Overall, I found the NYU Film School |
| need. If a student wishes to make something that | | | | experience to be a good one for those wanting a |
| requires more complex props and/or equipment then | | | | generalized education in different aspects of |
| they need to provide the funding themselves. | | | | filmmaking before embarking on a career. |
| Generally, every student that wants to can direct | | | | |