<p>Hello! I am 14 and in the 9th grade, and also home-schooled. I have passion for both film production and musical theater, so I formed the idea that I could major in film production and minor in MT(with a BA degree) at college. What are some tips, advice, ideas, ect., to help? Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>tofugirl -</p>
<p>I am glad that you brought this up. On the sticky thread that I started about advice for HS students who wanted to go to film school, I totally ignored home-schooled students. So, while some of that advice is OK, some doesn’t apply.</p>
<p>I hate to be so ignorant about the home-school environment (e.g., activities with other kids, opportunities for creating clubs, etc). Perhaps some of the great people on this forum can chime in and help us out. I am really interested in what people might come up with. Also, maybe you can educate us on your environment and opportunities to work with others.</p>
<p>On the idea of combining MT and Film, I have my doubts. Both are ALL-CONSUMING, as far as I know. Maybe we’ll get some other opinions on that as well.</p>
<p>Well, the great thing about home-schooling is that it offers flexibility. Starting next year, I am going to be finishing “school” around 1:00 pm every day. Leaves me tons of time to really do stuff. I would also like to take a film history class at my co-op (a co-op is basically where homeschoolers meet up and take an array of classes at a local school). I’m hoping the film history class would build my knowledge about cinema.</p>
<p>My dream college is USC, and if anybody knows anything about that college would be extremely helpful. But I am open to any ideas and advice. </p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>@tofugirl, Would you consider taking a summer film program? There are institutions that offer summer programs you can look into. For example, here in SoCal, Chapman University offers the Summer Film Institute to high school students.
[Summer</a> Film Institute - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts](<a href=“http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/hs_summer_program/]Summer”>http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/hs_summer_program/)</p>
<p>If you are interested in a double major, Chapman offers that. However, the tough part is getting accepted to Chapman’s Dodge College for film production because they are very competitive and among the best in the nation. Chapman also has a very strong performing arts program. If you are interested in theatre, you can look into their College of Performing Arts as well, but to double major in both film and theatre, it’d be a juggle as both programs are demanding. I would suggest a major and a minor combo be a better choice, perhaps major in theatre and minor in T.V. since many of the programs from Dodge are similar in nature, so take a look at their catalog course list if you’re interested. Good luck.
[Chapman</a> University - CoPA - Department of Theatre](<a href=“Department of Theatre | COPA | Chapman University”>Department of Theatre | COPA | Chapman University)
[Minors</a> - Dodge College of Film and Media Arts](<a href=“http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/sodaro-pankey_undergraduate_school_of_media_arts/minors/]Minors”>http://ftv.chapman.edu/programs/sodaro-pankey_undergraduate_school_of_media_arts/minors/)</p>
<p>tofugirl - Do you want to make films? Have you made any? An historical documentary is a good way to combine your home school subjects with filmmaking.</p>
<p>Yes, I do want to make films, unfortunately no, I have not made one yet. 
I just need a camera. Christmas is too far away so I’m trying to save up money for one.
Is the film history class a good idea?</p>
<p>Film History class is a good idea. Getting a camera (almost any camera) and scripting, editing, directing, etc. your own short films is a REALLY good idea. Coordinate it with your school subjects. Are you big city or small town? That can affect your opportunities, but there are many opportunities within the framework of home school if you can find a mentor. Summer film programs are also a great idea but can be expensive</p>
<p>Study film for grad school. Learn other stuff in college. Trust me.</p>
<p>@OCELITE- I will consider film summer programs. Chapman looks like a pretty good college, but there program is expensive($3000!)</p>
<p>@jtmoney-Thanks for the help. I just need a good camera to get my hands on, and then I’ll be set. The thing is, I did get a camera for Christmas last year, but it was super suck and it malfunctioned in like 2 weeks. Also, I live in a big city(Dallas) so that really widens my opportunities.</p>
<p>@destinyhelp-Why?</p>
<p>Tofugirl, If cost is an issue, you might want to look into community colleges and maybe take a summer class there. If your dream school is USC, how do you plan on paying for your education there? Based on what I know and from what I’ve heard from other families, you’ll probably get a better merit scholarship from Chapman than at USC if you have excellent scores and grades. Something to consider.</p>
<p>Chapman has a budding film program as well. They don’t have the alumni to show it yet, but Chapman has probably the best funded film department out there. </p>
<p>Tofugirl, I think most people would agree that you need to have something to say in order to make films. How can you have anything to say if you haven’t been educated? College is a great time to explore many subjects, and to learn a lot. Going to a film graduate school can then help take the things you learn, and turn them into films. They also usually have better alumni networks to help you make your dreams happen.</p>
<p>Can you ask your Mom or whomever is doing your homeschooling to create a film class for you? You can study a subject and then do films to complement your learning? For example: study history, and do a documentary on the period you are studying. Do a search at your local library for a historical issue in your town (or close by) and go find primary resources; books, letters, locations. Film a piece about what you learn. Do a film about something you believe in: church? a cause? Support a community organization by volunteering to make a film for them: could be a community service project as well as a learning experience. You would need a camera (does NOT need to be top notch), and a computer with editing software. If you can’t afford these, maybe a local library or community college has some you can make an arrangement to use. How about a science project where you film the results. (Plants growing with various soils, film each day…or whatever). If your home school “teacher” is amenable, you could build film in to a lot of your learning.</p>
<p>Great advice, Maddenmd. Just to add to the expense a little, probably want a separate hard drive, film eats memory.</p>