Why? How can you know this if you haven’t yet made any films? I am not talking full length films, I am talking about the type of short films that HS students might typically make.
I also expect there are film companies in your home country? Start contacting people in that industry and network with them. If you live close to any, perhaps you could get a part-time job or volunteer role. My last advice would be to start making films, does your HS have a filmmaking class?
No, there is no film making class
Indeed, Oscar-winning ones too.
Thank you all for your comments. (Thanks everyone) So in the long run, what are some ways to work as a director in the United States?
The people who have responded to your post have already told you what you need to do to work as a director for film or TV.
You need to gain experience; no one is going to hire you without experience and the experience has to be, not just good, but great if you hope to make it in the US.
There are thousands of US high school students now producing their own little films with their phone cameras. My children played tennis with a student who went to NYU for film school. He made a number of little films around the neighborhood and on his high school campus. He had to arrange his own actors, his own equipment, permissions to film “actors” and use of locations. When he couldn’t get help from his family and friends he had to do everything on his own. He’s been doing this type of work for more than 10 years.
Is he a film Director in the US?
I think so.
Is he getting paid?
Some, but not much. His parents support him.
Is he well-known? No
I think you have a very narrow and naive idea of what it takes to direct. You don’t just go to film school and expect that they will teach you how to be a Director.
You learn it on your own.
No one pays you to do this Unless you’re a very exceptional Director and have experience with multi million dollar films that you’ve directed.
A number of film students have a really rough time getting into the industry. They work on basic jobs, sometimes for free. They don’t get paid a whole lot and they spend years trying to direct any films. There’s no way you’re going to get a US work visa if you don’t earn any money.
You need to find colleges that offer a film&media major, with film study and screen writing classes (often as part of a media major) as well as production workshops then work on films as part of your extra curricular activities.
Colleges as different as UIUC and Franklin&Marshall offer the above.
You need to find internships that involve any sort of film work, including right now in Korea (as an extra, a volunteer for a TV show, etc.) and practice shooting short videos - documentaries about your life, a series of serialized 3mn fiction pieces, skits, “genre”* shows with attempts at special effects …
Perhaps get a following on YouTube, or get them sent to youth film competitions…
I suppose you’ve seen Super8 and the Fabelmans. If not, check them out.
If you are in the 11th grade, graduating December 2025, you would apply starting August 1, 2025.
What’s your budget - how much can your parents afford to pay each year (without loans taken on your behalf)?
What’s your GPA? Have you taken the SAT?
Sorry I left the wrong information, I will graduate in February 2026.
I’ll take $11,000 with me, and my parents will probably send me about 1400 dollars a month.
The budget is not that big. The GPA is not as good as it says in the text, and the SAT has not started.
If I need a score, I’ll go to a certified online school and try to get in the best way.
I’m going to film a movie this winter vacation, is there a competition coming up? I think it will be difficult to go to college in Korea and work in the United States unless it starts locally. Because I don’t know anyone in America
I don’t know what would be the best way. I want to go to college and take a movie with students there.
I’m still trying to understand what you plan to do here. What score are you hoping to achieve via online school? What courses will you do?
You have to make sure the online courses you take are part of your HIGH SCHOOL education. Otherwise you’re no longer eligible for scholarships.
You can switch to a HS offering an AP or IB or A Level curriculum if it’s available,for instance.
With your whole transcript, you’ll need 4 years of English, 4 years of history&social science (geography, political science, sociology, psychology, economics…), math through precalculus and/or statistics and/or calculus, 1 each from biology, chemistry, physics or a mix of the 3 over 3 years +1 more year of science, and Korean language&literature, plus preferably 1 year of art history, performing arts, music, etc. All those should be at a level considered strong, like an A (a few Bs are possible). You can be homeschooled and take online classes but it has to be as a secondary school student.
Are there online Korean schools offering an English language curriculum (AP or A Levels) or IB?
You’re right it’ll be easier for you to be involved in the US film industry if you’re in the US. Right now, hotspots involve not just NYC and LA but also Atlanta for instance. In addition, many universities have solid contacts even if they’re not located there.
However there’s still a long road ahead for you. Remember that Korean film school may be more direct, since after Korean film school you could attend a US grad school for film too.
First step if you want to attend a US college, work through Khan Academy (free, online) and get the highest possible scores on the SAT. You need to practice till you score at least 1400, preferably higher. You’ll need a high score at most universities. You can take a test this Winter (Nov-March) to see how well you did with your preparation and recalibrate your plans if your score is disappointing.
Second step, you need to get a book called Princeton Review’s Best Colleges and find about 25-30 colleges you like. Because your grades aren’t very good, you’ll need to eliminate all the famous colleges but there should be at least 30 that work for you.
FWIW, NYU Tisch specifically says test scores are not required. I don’t know about other film schools, but I imagine a portfolio will be most important at the best ones.
“ We DO NOT require the SAT/ACT or any other standardized test. We are a “test optional” program.”
Yes, NYU does not require tests (beside TOEFL/IELTS) from internationals, not just Tisch.
But since Tisch is almost impossible to get into, especially for an international who currently doesn’t have a portfolio and will need financial aid, OP as an international who will need a full tuition scholarship would also need to apply to many schools requiring the SAT; fortunately the Korean school system trains kids for this type of tests so Korean students tend to do very well on standardized tests.
I have a question. By portfolio, do you mean making a movie and putting it on your YouTube channel or something?
Also, would it be meaningful to receive an award in Korea if you do? Or would it be meaningful to try out for international competitions
A local award for students would be good, a regional or national award for amateurs/high schoolers would be better but obviously very uncommon. Those may be organized by TV stations, etc.
There are no film international awards for students.
Portfolio format is a last step. You need to start making 2’30-3mn films or short documentaries that show you know the technical basics and have something to say.
I know a kid who won national competitions for short film and got rejected ED from Tisch. It’s very competitive. He goes to another very good school for film on near a full ride now. He was a domestic student although I don’t know his family’s financials.
I imagine it’s near impossible for an international student from a well represented country who needs aid and has no film accolades to gain admission.
You’re being generous: No need for “near”, it’s impossible. As you say, even with everything, odds aren’t good. 
OP needs to find a set of appropriate colleges thet are a match for his grades&scores and work on his portfolio.
I agree, but I don’t like to say impossible or never 
What else do I need besides Sat?
The numerous posts above set forth what you need.
Not specific to NYU but I attended a presentation recently from ArtCenter in California and it made me think of this thread…sharing in case it’s helpful to OP.
ArtCenter has a well-regarded film program and, I recently learned, that the school as a whole (not specifically film) is >40% international students. They also offer generous merit scholarships, including for international students. Admission is to film major is competitive and scholarships are very competitive but grades and test scores so not play a big role. The AO said there is no minimum GPA and as long as your GPA is 2.5 or higher it’s definitely good enough. If it’s below 2.5 they will still consider you. Test scores are completely optional and most don’t submit. They said that by far the most important part of the application is the portfolio.
So…competitive yes but there’s another option at least that does give scholarships to international students. Still a long shot, I’m sure but just wanted to share in case it helps. Good luck!
A parent of a senior who just submitted the portfolio for film major this year. I will only answer to your last question about portfolio.
This year the requirements were: