Good universities for film studies/video production majors near good skiing

B

blatt

Active member
Hi m&a,

I'm going into my senior year in high school and it's time for me to start considering what I want to do for the rest of my life. One thing I'm considering is film/video. I want to stay close to the mountains but I also want to attend a good film program (if I decide to major in film). Some schools I'm considering include U of Vermont, Utah, UC Boulder, and UBC for film. I honestly don't know how these schools stack up nationally but I know they offer film studies and I know they're near good skiing.

Are these good schools for film/video majors?

Are there any others I should consider?

(kind of a dumb question) Will I just end up doing freelance work for all of my career?

Help would be much appreciated.
 
I do not know much about Utah's film program, but I do not believe it is that in depth.

MSU (Montana State) has a pretty decent program from what I have heard (I know a few people that go/went there). I think they also have a graphics and animation program. I cant quite remember since its been awhile since I looked at schools. Its pretty close to some good skiing too.

Another option you can look at is if you are REALLY into film and definitely want that as your degree, then look at art schools.

I currently go to The Academy of Art University for Motion Pictures and Television and its pretty sweet. There are no writing, math, PE, or any lame classes like that. Its strictly an art school, so you dont waste your credits with classes that you wont need. You do still have "elective" credits but they arent what you would think. For instance my electives will all be visual effects and 3d animation courses. Those are the only classes I will take besides film classes.

Its very in depth and if you really want a good film degree, I would highly suggest it. Its in San Francisco, but you can get your entire degree online (I am only taking online right now).

I would suggest you take maybe fall classes in San Fran and then spend your winters up in Tahoe (sick skiing) and take some classes online. Just so you can get a feel if you like the online classes or not. Maybe even start next summer before the school year even begins with a class or two (summer school is tough because classes are done in half the time).

If you are really interested in film, I would suggest that route. You can PM me or hit me up on facebook if you want more information. I could get you with an admissions councilor thats really cool and would give you the whole deal.

As far as freelance goes, it is just how you begin. Freelance actually makes you quite a bit of money (I made over 300 today for just a few hours of work), but its not a consistant job. After you build a portfolio with freelance and meet people you will eventually find an in house job if thats what you want, which usually are salary based. School will really help you with this.

Hope that helped some.

-Bentley
 
To be honest, the only school with a half-way decent film program is Montana state in bozeman and i think they get their praise for their grad program. If you want to go into a good film program you're gonna have to sacrifice being close to skiing, period. NYU, USC, UCLA, Columba Chicago, etc. Now, you could do an undergrad film program at the U, UBC, CU or where ever else you WANT to go to school where its close to skiing then do a grad program at one of the better schools. But, it sounds like you don't even know if you actually want to major in film, so its a tough call.
 
Dont got to UCLA for film. That would be a horrible choice. If you can get into UCLA, you can pretty much get into SC, which is a MUCH better film program.

Its true though what e Heath said. Now that I think about it, I think Portland actually has a decent film school somewhere. I think I overheard someone talking about it once.
 
I go to Loyola Marymount in LA. super good film program, but not really that close to good skiing. 1.5 hours to mtn. high, 2 hours to Bear, and 5-5.5 hours to mammoth
 
Do you know someone named Austin Winchell (like the donut place)? Im pretty sure he goes/went there for film. He would be a senior this up coming year.
 
I'm interested in this since my mom lives there and school would be cheap for me. I took a class at NW Film School and I ended up having to teach the instructor about basic concepts like pedestal, clipping, advanced pulldown, etc.
 
I think it may be part of one of the art academies in Portland. I really do not remember. Maybe I will look it up in my free time. Portland would be pretty sweet to go to school in. I have been thinking very strongly of moving there at the end of the summer.
 
Oh and another thing to consider, CU Boulder has a very weird film program. You have to apply to get into it during/after your sophomore year, so you're only in the actual program for two years. It's also very heavily based on indie/experimental filmmaking (aka the type of filmmaking you probably can't make a living off of). I almost went there, but once I learned all that I decided against it. Then again, that's where Clarke went and he's absolutely killing it now.
Freelance work seems to be the way to go, and that doesn't necessarily require school. I used to really want to be a DP for motion pictures and such, but then I realized doing commercials and music videos could be a much better way to make money. While the jobs don't last long, there are way more companies looking for a DP for their commercials than there are studios looking for a DP for their feature film.
 
Just for the record if you do go to CU, the campus there is wonderful and there is plenty of skiing near by, but also it is one of the biggest party colleges in the country. So don't party to hard and not graduate.
 
yeah CU is the shit for sure, if i had been into almost anything other than film I would have gone there for sure, especially since a couple of my buddies go there.

in the end for me it came down to NYU vs. LMU, and I picked LMU since there was at least some decent skiing nearby, and mammoth not too far away.
 
I wish I knew what I wanted to do for Uni/College. I know Im going to go into the arts I just have no idea what really to pursue as a viable career. I love drawing, painting, Photography (both film and digital), Film making/ Videography, Illustration/graphic work, grafitti, and to top off the cluster fuck is goddamn SKIIINGG FOR FUCKS SAKE.

Im in the same situation as you, except I know I will end up in one of those foundation programs where I take a whole bunch of different shit for my first year and then hopefully transfer somewhere with a good program in what I find out I want to do.
Needless to say Im finding planning for my future a little stressful.
 
CU at Denver (I graduated from there) has a more technical film program than Boulder which is more creative in nature. Really think about what draws you to production though, if it's the planning, the locations, telling people what to do, staring at a computer screen... and use that when you make a choice. One thing, if you're at a more serious school you will have better classmates to work with and that can make a huge difference in what you have to show after 4 years there.
 
i was in this same situation last summer. ended up deciding to give up skiing for the year for school, hope you can find a place.
 
MSU is cool. I want to go there when I get out of high school. Also, Toy Soldier Productions started out of there.
 
Also this

"Along with Justin Brodin, Toy Soldier Productions is also comprised of

Shane Dowalby, Jonny Durst, Andy Hahn, AJ Meldahl, Dan Darling, and

Alissa Torvinen, all students in the MSU Film program."
 
theres a HUGE difference between in and completed, im not talking down on them im just saying, they know what they're doing NOT because of the MSU film program, hell they probably have barely taken a semester of two of actual film classes.
 
Yeah I'm very on the edge about it. I mean I love shooting/editing video no matter what the topic but my big concern is that I dont want to make a living off doing little "gigs" I'm looking for more of a career with a decent salary.
 
well, thats why you go to film school and become involved with a production company, no one is a "profession freelancer" they usually work for companies and get contracted gigs. But i mean, if you wanna sit in a desk and work 9-5 then look into business or econ or finance, etc. that is if that stuff interests you.
 
that article is kinda funny. the interviewer def. got confused at times. everyone has now graduated except for Andy, Dan (graphic design) and I(accounting). I know Andy has really enjoyed being in the film department at times, but he has mentioned that the first 2 years were very elementary and based around theater. Upperclassmen def. get into useful courses and have alot more creative control.
 
maybe in photo, i feel like for video they usually work for a company and stil do "freelance" jobs but through a company. I dunno, maybe im completely wrong, thats just the impression im under.
 
As was said before, MSU is your best option if you want to do film and be close to skiing.

As far as the program itself, I feel like you get out of it what you put into it. If you are passionate about your projects and decide to challenge yourself, you will learn a lot more than if you're just showing up to class and doing the bare minimum. If you're there simply to ski and get a degree, then you can do that too, but you're not going to learn as much.

MSU gives you a good overall film education. The program focuses on making sure you have a taste of several different aspects of filmmaking - cinematography, sound design, editing, directing, etc. That happens in the second year, and from there it is up to you to decide what you want to focus on, because most of the last two years is focused on your "Junior Film" and your "Senior Film." The 40 or so people in the program team up to make about 15 films a year, each taking up a particular role on 1 or 2 films.

Overall it's a good program with excellent professors who are passionate about their work and are willing to help their students succeed. I enjoyed every minute of my four years, and was able to ski for a good amount of it.

TSP did kind of get its start in the MSU Film Program and the school was (mostly) helpful in allowing us to produce "Come Find Us" while still taking a full load of courses. (Independent Study Courses!)

The film school debate is kind of a tough one. I can safely say that I am a much better filmmaker than I would have been without film school. However, that is mostly because film school surrounded me with other talented, hardworking people who shared my same passion. A good deal of learning is done in the classroom, but the majority of it is done outside of it.

Shane
 
Haha, no, I understand what you are saying now.

That does seem to be how it works in SLC for sure. There's actually a lot of freelance video stuff that goes on elsewhere... SLC is just kinda lame like that.
 
Emphasis.

You'll learn a lot wherever you are... but you'll learn more the harder you work. Some schools make you work harder, but you aren't going to necessarily learn more, just do more.
 
definitely depends on where you live as trevor said. i know helton brazil and vinny minton, both inline filmers who live in LA, make a living by doing a ton of freelance work from weddings to music videos to inline edits to TV shows, all sorts of stuff. Very possible to make a great living from freelance if you live in the right place
 
I am actually going to take a look at the campus and their film program on Monday. The school I go to now is based in San Fran and I really want to go to class instead of do everything online and I just could never see myself living in San Fran. I just do not like that place at all, but I love Portland and have already been looking at production jobs there and trying to move there, so I am going to look at the Art Institute as well.

The head of the film program actually just recently made a motion picture where everyone on his staff were all Art Institute students and the film won awards internationally. They also film leverage there and use students for that all the time as well.

Seems pretty sick.

And as for the first year or two of film school being "elementary," thats how it is everywhere. Not everyone goes into film school having multiple years of experience filming and editing. You still learn some the first couple of terms, but it makes it more exciting once you get to the upper level. Looks like I have one term left until I start getting into classes I will really enjoy and learn a lot in. Although I am not complaining doing all of the assignments quickly and getting easy As.

Oh and if you go to film school, expect to take some sort of script writing and storyboarding classes. They are not the funnest, but they are also not horrible. Recreating shot lists and re shooting them yourself can actually be pretty fun. Never thought I would have fun with it, but I have enjoyed my storyboard class so far.

And E Heath is right about freelance. Production companies are usually the ones hired to do projects, not individuals since you need multiple people (filmers, editors, ect) instead of photography where one person and an assistant will do.

But there are freelance film jobs where those production companies that get hired will go out and look for people to shoot for them sometimes so they do not have to travel.

 
That's pretty much what freelance is though. being hired as an independent to do a job for somebody. doesn't matter if you're being hired to do the job yourself, or being hired by a company for a specific job, it's still freelance. and very possible to make a good living off of if you live in a place where there are plenty of opportunities like that. as I said, look at Vinny Minton of Imperial Productions. He does plenty of work on his own, but also gets hired by companies (such as TV networks) to do single jobs.
 
i think what eheath was getting at is that a person will work as an independent contractor for regular clients (production companies, usually marketing firms), so you're not hustling new pocketbooks everyday.
 
This. Even when you work for a company, when you get a job from someone they're contracted with, you're still freelancing.
 
K I have another question I shoulda posted in the OP:

How good of a salary can a film grad make, either independently freelancing or working with a production company? My parents aren't too stoked on the whole film thing b/c they think the pay is low and you can't really make a "career" out of it.

inb4 it's not about the money
 
It depends on how well you do after school. You wont make much for the first 5-10 years
 
your twenties will be hard as fuck, and it's something they're trying to prepare us for in college. you get paid next to nothing, work so much, have the shittiest jobs, etc. a huge problem in the film industry lately has been young people getting into car crashes on the way home from work because they work such terrible hours, if that tells you anything.

the film world sucks big time, and if you want a part of it, you have to fucking love it.

honestly the odds of being able to become a director are extremely, extremely low. the odds of becoming a DP for feature films are extremely low. if you're good, it's good work. but for most, jobs come and go and it's hard to find a steady source of income.

the best bet for most seems to be in commercial work. might not seem as cool as getting to work on the set of a feature film, but you will actually have more creative freedom potentially, there are many more job opportunities, and the pay can be quite good. hours still suck.
 
Will nailed this question pretty much perfectly.

Dont expect to get paid much... well at least not consistently. Consistency wont come until you have a company or work for one if ever. For instance, I am SWAMPED with work this month, but come next month, I will have none and wishing I was swamped with work. Making one money one month and nothing for the next few.

As Will stated, Commercial work seems to be the best option, which is good for people like me, who actually want to do that over narrative productions.
 
for me, the thought of waking up at 5 AM to shoot dolly and crane shots of cars flying around race tracks until 1 AM sounds so much better than waking up at 5 AM to film two actors trying the same scene over and over again until 1 AM
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top