<p>Commenting first on how USC is not known East of the Rockies- I live in Massachusetts, and part of that statement I would say is true. Most people think when I say USC, I’m referring to U of South Carolina. However, the people in the film industry, no matter where you are in the country, know of USC and the kind of students that go there. The people that matter know USC is a great school.
Secondly, my brother currently attends NYU, although not for film, his roomate is a film student. My brother loves NYU and tells me that his roomate really enjoys the film program as well. Like what most people have said before NYU is better known for the “indie” approach, producing more “independent-type” filmakers (however that is not an absolute, you can be whatever you want to be at either school.) USC seems to be better known at producing more “in the biz” type filmmakers-ones who know the business and know how to succeed with their own vision. However, like I said before they are both great schools and you can be really anything that you want to be at either of them.
Now, for the only major differences I know about (beyond location etc…) For USC, in the production track, students are able to “specialize” in a certain aspect of the production side of filmmaking- like becoming an editor instead of a director. I don’t know if this is possible at NYU, but everything I have heard from my brother’s roomate is that the focus is on directing. The next big difference though is that (from what I’ve heard from admissions people etc…) is that at USC, if you want to be a director, for your senior colorsynch thesis (the movie you will show as the highlight of your portfolio to get a job) you have to be chosen as 1 of 4 out of 10-20 directing focus students to have your film funded and the materials granted. At NYU, this same thing does occur (I’m not as sure on the numbers though) for the senior thesis film. However, each NYU student gets to make a colorsynch film just as a requirement in their junior year, not solely for their thesis film, so there is a little greater opportunity there.
All in all, both schools are great, I’ve been to NYU many many times and really do enjoy the city (however, this is my preference.) But I am going to be going to USC this fall for Critical Studies because I feel USC has greater opportunities for me (especially being located in LA and the “trojan network”) and has better facilities (although again a personal preference.) When deciding between the two schools, the best thing you can do (especially because both are fabulous schools to begin with, and you are very lucky to have this choice) is to decide where you are most comfortable. In the end, the school does play a big part in your developement, but success is really up to you. Good luck with your decision.
(PS the flight time is about 6-8 hours depending on stopovers from LA to NY, so that might be a factor too-just saying.)</p>