mattice

Wow. Thank you for such helpful responses! I guess what worried me (from talking to a friend whose S attended a "lesser" film school) is if there is even sufficient room at the bottom. Her son has been out of school for 2 years, in LA, and not finding enough of any kind of work (except waiting tables, etc.) He spends hours each day trying to find even the lowest level jobs -- both in person and online. He isn't wanting to direct -- is willing to do any production assistant work, etc.

His mom feels like too many schools are churning out too many film students and there isn't enough even entry level work. She's not talking about someone thinking they should start out as Scorsese.

So, I continue to wonder -- if someone is talented, willing to work, put self "out there" -- does the Tisch connection help at all? I know there are no guarantees in anything, but there are probabilities.

My husband is an attorney and wonders if there are parallels between film and law schools now... He says there are not enough elite attorneys -- which he defines as top of the class from elite law schools. Top candidates have great chances to succeed (though, again, hard work and starting at the bottom of the firm are required). However, as more law schools have cropped up and more folks are going to law school, many who graduate now have trouble making a decent living. We just wonder if something similar is happening with film studies.

nyumom

mattice,
It's not only about the connection, but it's more important for the student to network - that's basically what it's all about, and also it helps if the student has the financial backing of his or her family - that certainly makes it a lot easier. I have heard of other film school grads (not Tisch) who have gone out to LA to find jobs, and some have succeeded quite nicely - it all depends on the person and his or her networking/contacts - for some people, it's easier for them to be able to do this, and for others, it's not so easy. There are film students who come to study at Tisch who are from very affluent backgrounds, and that's certainly a plus. Please feel free to send me a pm, as I would be happy to continue the discussion in more detail and perhaps be able to offer some advice in terms of your friend's son.

nyumom

I just want to mention again that there is plenty of entry-level work, but frequently the only way to get the work is to know people/have friends/acquaintances who are actually working in the field - on film sets/shoots, working in production offices, etc. Again, I can't emphasize enough that it's all about networking - that's the bottom line. Even though it's somewhat of a saturated field (like law), there are still lots of opporunities, because there are so many branches of film.

nyumom

Just another thought - I also know many college grads who are working in the film industry both in LA and in nyc, and they do not hold BFA's in Film. These are people who hold Liberal Arts degrees who happen to be able to make the contacts and network themselves into positions in the field. They are working as producers, casting associates, public relations associates, etc. The list goes on and on. So it's possible to be able to work in the field without having the BFA. Another way to make contacts and network is to take internships, which are very helpful in determining a person's specific interests. There are some people who have recently graduated (this is generally speaking, and not specific to Tisch), who are taking internships now, because they haven't in the past and aren't sure as to what they would like to do, so they're pursuing this route at the present time. Of course, again, they would have to have some sort of financial support or backing to be able to do this.

ScionCars

I do not see how a "lesser" school would prevent someone' from attaining a job. There must be other factors as well. The most probably ones are a lack of experience, lack of leadership-showing roles in interest or career related activities, and mediocre grades.

I may not go to an Ivy League school but I was able to get an internship in the Information Systems/Technology department at a top financial corporation in New York despite being a freshman at Fordham (a lesser school compared to NYU and Ivy League schools), and all I did to find the program was a couple of hours using Google search. No connections were needed although I did discuss strategies and tips concerning on getting the internship with my advisers and professors.

However, connections from a school do help if someone actually take advantage of it, which I found to be quite rare in my opinion. Still, every student should increase its connections through socializing with their friends, school alumni, professors, etc..

I believe that employers seek people who are creative, think outside the box, and having great communication/social skills (No one wants a person who only thinks about work all the time and does not socialize with others.).

I do believe the name Tisch does help a film student, especially if the employer is an alumnus from Tisch.

oonyah

Hey NJ. I am a Junior and looking to enroll at Tisch for Film Production
Gender: Male
Location: Westchester, New York (near the city)

Academics:
GPA: 3.6 unweighted, around a 3.9 weighted
Sat: I dont think I am going to send them, did not like the test, preferred ACT.
ACT: 28, going to take again
Haven't taken SAT II's yet, but can I send in my ACT with writing in place for them?

EC:
President of my film club
Various other clubs
Captain of my tennis team
Interning at my tennis coaches autistic school

Now I know my portfolio is a huge part of this process. I have made several films, and have asked various professors and filmmakers what they thought, most reviews very positive. Would it be a good idea to ask my friend who goes to NYU now for a recommendation, his documentary was recently played on Showtime, and his new documentary is being aired on ESPN (very successful). Also what should I include in my creative resume? My recommendations would be very strong, and my essays would as well. I have a huge passion for film and the village, and would most probably incorporate those into my essays haha. Also does NYU Tisch favor the SAT more, or does it not matter, and what is lowest grade you can get on the ACT to be admitted? Thanks so much

oonyah

also, if I want to send in my SAT II's can I do that without sending in my SAT's?

NOCCA Junior

I mean, once again there's no way I could possibly know what the auditors are looking for artistically, but your grades and test score is definitely good academically for Tisch. You can call NYU about recommendations, but do NOT send in more than the required recommendations, unless you get permission. They'll just probably throw anything extra away without prior notice, because they have to go through THOUSANDS of applications, and they don't want to make their lives harder (well, you don't want to, either haha). And there's no preference...NYU takes either the ACT (with writing) or the SAT and weighs them equally. There is no "lowest" grade to be admitted, but you'd do best by going on the website and checking the median range for NYU admittants (I think it's like between 29-31 is the middle 50%) but a 28 is definitely really, really good. You can send in SAT II scores by requesting it when you take the test, and you don't have to take the SAT Subject Test to have SAT IIs sent. But also know that they're not required for Tisch (since the audition is another factor weighed for admissions). But I guess they wouldn't hurt :-). Good luck!

oonyah

Thank you so much, and one more thing, can I send my ACT (with writing) in lieu of my SAT and SAT II's? This is not only for NYU, but any school. Thanks

NOCCA Junior

You have to look up policies for each school, but if the school says they accept either the ACT or the SAT, then you can send one or the other (or both, if applicable). So the answer to this question specifically for NYU and schools like NYU which accept both tests, is yes.

scorp_ion

I think you have to send in SAT II's (if the school requires them) even if you send in the ACT

NOCCA Junior

Yep, you do, at least at NYU...but you don't have to send in SAT IIs for Tisch or any of the audition programs in Steinhardt.

NotMamaRose

Yay for Tisch and Steinhardt not requiring SAT IIs. Of course, you all have to sing, dance, act and so on, so there's that ....

rszanto

Is it possible to select specific FLOORS for student housing (specifically floor 7 in Brittany)?

NOCCA Junior

Not for incoming freshmen...room/floor selection starts for rising sophomores on.