I’m a French (F22) future international student in the US and ought to chose a California City College for Spring 2025.
I am a young screenwriter and director. I have hand-on experience as an amateur filmmaker in France, I worked on several professional film sets at different posts, I have a certificate in Screenwriting from a school in Quebec (Canada) and in 2021, I spent 3 months in New York for an course in another area (dance).
I am now aiming to get into a CCC to get an Associate Degree in Business Administration and then transfer to a 4-year university. My goal is to gain skills in leadership, accouting, law, negociation, budget, finance, management, human ressources, communication, marketing, etc. in order to be able to co-produce my own movies (I still want to write and direct movies), as well as to produce those of others, and establish myself in the United States and into the international film business.
While spending 3 weeks in Los Angeles just before Covid, I found out I disliked the city very much. However, currently my only study opportunities are in California.
My advisor asked me to chose between Diablo Valley College, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Monica College and LACC.
Having all these infos, can anyone currently working in the film industry in the US offer advice concerning which of these 4 CCC would serve me best?
I do not work in the industry, but know several college students currently studying some aspect of film, and a colleague’s husband working in it, and most (but not all) are in doing it in L.A.
Of the 4 schools you listed, Diablo Valley College the only one that is not in Southern California, but in the Bay Area.
If you intend to study Business Admin, you can do that at any of these schools. All of them offer film studies as well.
You’ll find housing to be a major issue in both Santa Barbara (which is 2+ hours north of L.A.) and Santa Monica. Finding affordable housing in proximity to DVC would not be as much of an issue, but it’s nowhere near L.A.
If it boils down to proximity and what you think may be improved opportunity, Santa Monica would be your likeliest choice (since you disliked LACC), but again, there’s housing, transportation and cost of living to consider there, which would likely not be as big of an obstacle in Northern California.
@islandmama1 I don’t think he said he disliked LACC. I think he disliked Los Angeles as a whole.
If you dislike Los Angeles, I can’t see why your advisor recommended LACC or SMCC. Is it that you are trying to transfer into USC, Chapman or LMU and the CC your advisor recommended have some sort of articulation agreement with the 4-yr universities you are interested in?
True. And disliking L.A. and wanting to be in the film industry poses a bit of a complication though not an insurmountable one.
The CCC’s have a program where you can complete your associates in Business Admin and then get priority consideration for admission to a CSU for the BS - but it’s unclear if OP wants a bachelors in business or hopes to transfer to a film program. (guessing the latter)
FWIW DVC is well regarded in the Bay Area and there is no shortage of film industry businesses/activities as well. OP may well prefer Northern California if L.A. was not to their liking.
The associate in science in business administration 2.0 for transfer is intended for students who plan to complete a bachelor’s degree in a similar major at a CSU campus. Students completing this degree are guaranteed admission to the CSU system, but not to a particular campus or major.
Read OP’s career goal made me think of this guy who gave several speeches over the years at my local CC. I don’t think he is our most famous alum, but his story is very cool and probably close to what OP is aiming for.
I’m confused by the end goal here…is it a film degree from a university, or a business degree?
Diablo Valley College (DVC) is a fine community college, but very suburban/sleepy IMO. Why are you limited to the four community colleges your advisor mentioned? DVC with transfer to San Francisco State University is a common pathway, and SFSU has a well-regarded film program (but I’m still unclear if that’s your goal). Alas, SF is very expensive (the area around DVC is much more affordable, but a terrible commute to SFSU).
No one has addressed the visa issue. Once you graduate, you will be expected to return to your home country unless you can find an employer to sponsor you. This is not easy for employers and will be the biggest hurdle to this plan. I’m not that familiar with the film industry but I expect there are many people trying to get into it so there is no problem finding a US citizen to do the job instead.
though not an insurmountable one.