Question about college application portfolio

Colleges & Universities Columbia University
1

Hello, I’m a senior in high school who is going to be applying to Columbia, and I’ve got a question regarding the portfolio. So I’m considering applying for Cinema studies (not film/tv production, I’m more interested in watching and analyzing films), but do I need to fill out a portfolio for it? The “Film” portfolio on Columbia’s SlideRoom is the production one.

For instance, NYU has portfolios separately for production and studies; you need to write an essay on a film/director for studies while you need to provide movies you have made for film/TV production:

NYU Cinema Studies

NYU Cinema Studies — Postimages

NYU Film & TV

NYU Film TV — Postimages

But Columbia has only one portfolio option about “film”:

Columbia Portfolio

Columbia Portfolio — Postimages

I have written dozens and dozens of essays on arthouse films I’ve watched over my high school to prove, but I’ve never made a short film or some sort myself because I didn’t have the budget nor the people willing to work with me. I hope my question makes sense and please tell me if there is a better place to ask such question.

2

I think of arts supplements (portfolios) as mainly being for applied arts, like music, theater or dance performance, film-making, art work, composition and writing. I think your work could be submitted as writing, right?

Usually you would submit an appropriate number of pieces of writing, a resume relevant to that, and a letter(s) from teacher or other adult professional who knows you and your work well. At the very least you should be able to submit some of your writing.

You can also write about this interest/focus in the supplementary essay that covers what the rest of the application doesn’t.

I would call or write admissions to ask them about this. If you get a student answering (less likely with COVID) make sure you talk to an actual admissions person. They can be helpful. You don’t even have to give your name.