gkGeorge

Hello everyone,
This is my first post.I am student from Greece(!) and i would like to study acting in USA.First of all,i would like to apologize in advance for my english!

My post have a lot of things in common with a JMaslin's post.

To begin with,i don't the differences between BA&BFA degrees majors&minors etc.All i want is to involve in tv&film and i would like to counsel me because there are many different paths to a similar outcome

My main priority to enter myself into a college is NOT to have audition in order to accept me.What is also important to me is the expenses while i am studying in USA.I want to go to a college that the annual tution isn't over $15-$18.000.I have to work during my studies otherwise i won't be able to afford them.I have searched many colleges' programs and i haven't found yet what exactly i want.I want a B.A/B.F.A(don't know the dιfference)in acting which focus in film&tv and a lot of in front of camera work and not in theatre/theatre history.As far as the location is concerned i would prefer L.A/NY but if the program is appropriate i don't have problem with it

As i haven' found what exactly i want in colleges,i turned into 2years conservatory programs.NYFA's program is seemed to be perfect if you want to involve in tv&film because has a lot of in front of the camera work.It is also doesn't require any audition/interview.However it is quite expensive($24000 annual tution).I am thinking to enter the 1year program(with a choice to continue to the 2nd year) and if i can't afford the 2nd year,go to another conservatory,cheaper,like Stella's Addler(bytheway both of them are located in Hollywood).

I am wondering if the 2years at NYFA are more useful(if you want to involve in tv&film)than any undergraduate degree.

I am very confused because i MUST make the right choice as there is no way back then if you consider the circumstances(distance,costs etc)

Let me know if threre are any colleges with the terms i placed and what is better.Go for a conservatory programs or college.I hope you will help me!
I appreciate any kind of help!

KatMT

Hi George - We have been communicating via PMs, but there are a few things you have posted here that I do not think we have discussed.

1) BA/ BFA - Both are four year college degrees. The main difference between the two degrees is the number of courses you will take within your major. In most BFA Acting programs about 70% - 95% of your coursework will be in Acting and other theatre support courses, with the remaining 30% - 5% in general education courses (ie. math, science, english, history, etc...). In most BA Acting programs about 30% - 65% if your coursework is in Acting and other support courses, with the remaining 70% - 35% in general education courses.

Transfering to another conservatory program after one year at NYFA - Unless Stella Adler (or another conservatory you transfer to) have a one-year training program you will find that most two-year conservatory programs will not accept transfer courses from another conservatory. This means that you could go through two years at tow different schools, but would not have a conservatory certificate from either (or at least not from the two-year program). This might not really matter to you one way or another. What might matter more is if you transfer to a two-year program at another school and only complete one year of the program. Most two year programs are structured on the assumption that people will complete both years of the training. So, if you only complete one year you will not receive the full benefit of the program. This is ot the case if a program is designed to be completed in one year.

BA Vs. BFA vs. Conservatory - Since you do not seem particularly interested in the liberal arts portion of the educational experience (you seem much more interested in the practical performance training), you may not find what you are looking for in a BA program where you ave to take many courses outside of the acting major. In four year programs the BFA would probably be of more interest to you. However, it will be VERY difficult to find a BFA program that does not require an audition. So, the two-year conservatory may be your best bet in terms of time, no-audition, and focus of training. While many two-year conservator programs will require an audition there are others that do not.

gkGeorge

Hey Kat,once again you helped me very much with your informations.
At NYFA's site has 2 different programs in acting schools
a)1year program in acting
b)2year conservatory acting
You can chek it in nyfa site if you wish

I didn' want to trasfer the one year to Stella's Addler.I wanted to complete the 1year program in NYFA and then go for a 2year conservatory and take both of the certficates.Total:3years,Is that doable?

If there isn't any BFA in acting without audition,i have to search for alternative 2year conservatory programs.Anyone who knows reputable 2year programs WITHOUT audition,let me know

Finally,i think is better for me the 2year programs because if i fail in acting,i will have an alternative.Go back in Greece to continue with my 2nd dream.Structor engineer

I am waiting for your response about 2year programs

KatMT

Yes it is doable to do 3 years total -- 1 year at NYFA and 2 at Stella Adler.

Good Luck!