<p>My son is into filmmaking. He also wants to an Army Ranger. He understands that these two fields are probably mutually exclusive, but he hasn’t yet chosen which direction he’ll go.</p>
<p>What I am wondering is whether he should de-emphasize his filmmaking in his WP application since it might seem too “artsy”. On the one hand, it might help him look well-rounded; on the other hand, I’m not sure that well-rounded is really what WP is looking for.</p>
<p>The truth is that it is his major interest right now. What I have learned, and WP admissions people might not know, is that filmmaking employs a great deal of leadership skill. My son has had to lead/direct a cast and crew to achieve the outcome he was looking for. Most of those he was leading were much older than he, and it was challenging for him to gain their respect since he was so young. He was able to do that though, and ended up making a short digital video which has garnered him an award.</p>
<p>So, should he play that up or play it down?</p>
<p>If its his interest, play it up. The Academies are looking very much for well-rounded. Just make sure he has other EC’s with sports to emphasize the physical aspect. </p>
<p>Film-making requires leadership and creativity, officers are expected to adapt and deal with radical situations, are they so different now?</p>
<p>nowadays everyone in the army has videocameras and regular ones <em>cough</em> abu ghrab <em>cough</em>. Also who can forget those crazy Plebe films…too funny…anyone see those christmas ones??? TOO FUNNY</p>
<p>I had this same dilemma when applying to USAFA. I’m big into percussion and a fair share of my leadership/major awards came from this. I decided it couldn’t hurt, and now I have an LOA. If it shows commitment to something, put it on.</p>
<p>Play up the film making things. You don’t have to say that is what he wants to do for a career, just that it is important for him. Like jq722 said, everyone in Iraq has cameras right now. Just don’t make it sound like that is the ONLY thing he does. jq, what plebe films? I missed out on those.</p>
<p>Go for it! The Academies aren’t looking for one-size-fits-all cookie cutter applications. They are looking for young people who have demonstrated leadership, commitment and passion – sounds like your son has all three. I would suggest that no one ever downplay anything that is important to them. If you do, you’re just trying to game the system. Good luck to your son! And when he gets to West Point, may he be kind to USNA in the football spirit spots he will probably be producing!</p>
<p>I saw a few plebe films while at sls. As one cadet said last week, “(the films are) what happens when you put a bunch of smart kids in a closed enviornment for four years”</p>
<p>I saw one where it was lights out and a kid and his roomate were still “doing” there homework and singing some songs on the radio. There was an outside shot of the barracks and all the lights were out but their room. Anyway…a guard on duty sees it and starts walking towards their room…all the while the plebes are singing carols and “merrily” going about their homework. The guard finally gets to their door and in slow motion turns the door knob. The two plebes see it and throw a boot at the sterio…hitting the power button with incridible aim and ricisheying to hit the light switch. Then they dive into bed and under the covers from across the room. The guard finally opens the door and shines a light into the room seeing they are asleep. As soon as he leaves…they both open their eyes…look to their left and right…and smile.</p>