<p>I have an interest in the USC School Of The Cinematic Arts and Tisch School of The Arts. The only thing which keeps me from deciding fully, is because I want to know what are the options you get once you graduate form the Undergraduate course in one of the Film Programs…</p>
<p>I’ve heard that USC has a great network of alumnus who always help fellow USC students. Wheras, most people hold Tisch with high regard. </p>
<p>Also, I am an international student, if that helps.</p>
<p>I just got admitted for film production at both Tisch and USC. I’m going to go to USC in the fall, and while I’m probably not the most knowledgeable from what I understand a film degree doesn’t necessary help you get a job at all. The industry is largely based on who you know and who knows you. The only job that a film degree qualifies you for is to be a production assistant, and that’s a job that anyone can get even without a degree. Tarantino worked as a PA at times and he didn’t even graduate high school. </p>
<p>I don’t see how a degree at tisch would give you better job options than a degree from USC or vice-versa. I’ve heard about the whole USC alum, but I’ve also heard that it isn’t as strong as it’s made out to be. Technically, film degrees are practically worthless. What makes it worth it in some people’s eyes are the connections that they make with their classmates and the opportunities to work internships and as PA on sets in order to network with people in the industry. So choose the school that you think will give you the better opportunities to network. As I said, job opportunities in film is all based on who you know and who knows you as the degrees don’t matter.</p>
<p>I did the BFA Screenwriting program at SCA.</p>
<p>What program at SCA are you considering? (Writing, Production, Critical Studies, Animation, Interactive Design) If you be specific, I and others here can give you more details on the opportunities both in and outside of school the degree program gives in terms of jobs and internships.</p>
<p>I will note that it is the common belief that a film-related degree from Tisch is better if you want to work in small art films or independent cinema and an SCA degree is better if you want to work in major studio/TV productions. This mainly is because of each school’s alumni base and connections based on the universities’ respective locations. </p>
<p>It doesn’t mean, however, that a Tisch grad couldn’t work on a major TV show, or an SCA grad couldn’t make an indie movie. But, SCA’s training is more based on the traditional studio model and most professors are experienced in major films/productions. I did find (and really disliked) how students who were more independently-minded at SCA often received resistance from professors/students and weren’t as encouraged as the students who wrote/created more “marketable” films.</p>
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<p>This is absolutely 100% untrue. Many SCA graduates (not just production students) get jobs as assistants at agencies/production companies, work as post production coordinators, assistant editors, producers, writers, cinematographers, sound/foley editors, special effects coordinators, critics, researchers, etc etc etc etc. </p>
<p>There are many different “jobs” in the film industry and not everyone at SCA comes in wanting to be a director. Additionally, there are many different paths to a single “job” in the movie/TV business and it is not required that everyone start out as a PA on a set. SCA prepares you so that, when you graduate (if you’re production, for example), you have the skills and knowledge to apply for a desk job at a production company reading and soliciting scripts to make or to work as an editor at a commercial production house, or… (Get the idea?)</p>
<p>“**This is absolutely 100% untrue. Many SCA graduates (not just production students) get jobs as assistants at agencies/production companies, work as post production coordinators, assistant editors, producers, writers, cinematographers, sound/foley editors, special effects coordinators, critics, researchers, etc etc etc etc.
**”</p>
<p>I’m not saying that people don’t get good jobs out of film school, all I’m saying is that none of those jobs that you’ve listed requires a film degree. Would it help? I’d say it would look good on a resume. I probably shouldn’t have used the word “qualified” looking back at my last post, SCA students come out knowing a lot about the film industry and different aspects of it. But having a film degree doesn’t guarantee anything. </p>
<p>If you’re trying to get a job as a cinematographer, let’s say on a low-budget $2 million film, and all you have is a degree from SCA/Tisch with no other experience, no connections, no awards, nothing, then I would think you’d have a hard time. They’d want someone with industry experience first and the person with just a film degree would probably be a last resort. Someone with 2-5 years of experience and no degree is going to beat out a Film school grad. </p>
<p>Just because you have a film degree doesn’t mean you’ll be viewed as being qualified for the position, or any other specific position for that matter. I guess that’s a better way to say it. You’re not guaranteed anything with a film degree. The only job that you can get guaranteed is a job as a PA, as everyone would view you as qualified for that position with a film degree. Not everyone will view you as qualified to be a DP on a low budget two million dollar film just because you have a degree from film school.</p>
<p>The opportunities you have after film school is heavily dependent on who you know and the experience you have. If you don’t do anything at film school but go to class you’ll find your job opportunities far less than that of a film student who took internships, worked as a PA, and networked. The Job Opportunities you have are highly subjective and depend from person to person. As for how much a degree from Tisch will help you versus a degree from USC depends on the opportunities you encounter at the schools and if you take advantage of those opportunities. For the most part I believe who the degree is from is almost negligible when talking about who would have better job outlooks.</p>
<p>From what i have read and heard from people who are involved in the entertainment industry, USC and UCLA focus more on the “blockbuster” side of the industry. NYU’s program focus on independent filmmaking. I had a choice btw NYU, UCLA and USC, and i chose USC, because i would like to work on films and tv shows. USC has the best connections when it comes to the big studios. I am not saying names but i heard from a famous music video director that USC was way ahead of the other schools, and he is not even a USC alumni. I personally think that if you really want to work in the major studios the best choices are either USC or UCLA. If you are more interested about small projects, than maybe NYU is a better fit. If you look at USC’s SCA website you will see that all the major studios and tech houses have some sort of partnership with the school.
They are all excellent schools, but each has a different focus. Good luck!!!</p>
<p>First off, I’m sorry about replying late, I never got a notification that someone posted here, and well you get the idea. But, thanks to everyone who responded. </p>
<p>@Marbas, I’ll agree with you on the fact that you need good connections to crack the industry. But, surely a degree from a more prestigious institution gains you a certain upper edge? </p>
<p>@Zelda, sorry for not including more details, truth be told, I’m still deciding. In a nutshell, I’d like to learn about films; everything from themes, to production, to directing. Critical Studies I think analyses films (If there’s more to it, then do let me know). </p>
<p>I’m thinking of USC as it could give a better chance, seeing as it’s got connections in the big studios, but NYU does have an excellent internship programme or so I hear. Either way, I do need a good job after the first course. </p>
<p>I’d be happy with USC’s theme of making more major movies and TV Shows. Granted, I’d love to be able to make Indie Movies, but I think career-wise, it’d be better to get more connections with bigger studios. </p>
<p>Then there’s the factor of cost. NYU being more expensive, much more so. Not that USC is cheap, but it is cheaper, although by not a large margin. </p>
<p>And also, I don’t intend on not talking to people and fully relying on a degree. I intend on socializing to the max, and acquiring trust and status with the people I study with, whichever college I end up going, so that won’t be a factor. ;)</p>
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<p>All programs in SCA expose students to all forms of filmmaking; production students must take writing classes, crit studies students must take production classes, writing students must take critical studies courses. (This also applies to interactive majors as well.)</p>
<p>I tell people that critical studies is the best program for people who want a comprehensive and well-rounded education in film. The program is structured as such that students have enough space in their course plan to take additional classes within the film school that cater to their interests. (For example, you can take more production classes or writing classes — or even pick up an SCA minor/double major.)</p>
<p>If you want to be an editor, sound artist, or cinematographer, you’d be best sticking to the production major. If you’re mostly interested in writing, I’d suggest the writing minor and not the major.</p>
<p>Oh well, when you put it that way, I think Critical Studies is what I’m looking for (Something that helps explore all the fields; directing, editing, sound, writing etc), and I may take the Dramatic Writing Minor. </p>
<p>What is the first thing that happened to an International Student once they finish the 4 year course?</p>
<p>Well, let’s say you finish your 4 years at SC as a crit studies major. If you have a job offer from a company lined up, you can either go work with them OPT or see if they’re willing to sponsor an H1B visa for you. If you have an admission offer from medical/law/business/some-sort-of-graduate school, you transfer your I20/F1 to their school and go to school there. If you do neither of these, you have 60 days (or something like that, not sure on the exact numbers) to exit the United States upon the completion of your degree program (graduation) before you end up overstaying your visa and end up labeled as an unauthorized immigrant. That would pose a severe, most likely insurmountable barrier to your odds of working in the United States. (Lesson of the day for those of you who aren’t aware: The majority of unauthorized migrants are visa overstayers, a significant portion of them accidental.)</p>
<p>Your odds of landing an internship/job/whatever with some sort of company depends on how outgoing you are, your level of professionalism, and how good you are at networking. USC will give you all the knowledge and background to be successful in the industry, and it will offer you plenty of opportunities to make connections, it’s just up to you to take advantage of those opportunities. Go to industry events, company presentations, etc all on campus - new opportunities will not come to you, it’s up to you to go get them. </p>
<p>Think of it this way: USC SCA gives you all the parts for a Porsche - it’s up to you to put it all together into a nice car.</p>
<p>Oh, thanks I wasn’t quite sure of it all. Yeah, I’m going to have a huge advantage with USC as an International Student, methinks. </p>
<p>Definitely don’t want to overstay my visa, no matter which country. </p>
<p>I think this is where USC wins over the rest of the places I’ve looked at. You have a lot of opportunities presented to you, parts of a car; whereas Tisch and UCLA don’t have the same caliber of opportunities. </p>
<p>On the same note, do these companies come to campus or look for potential people from Year 1, or does all the commotion go down in the final year or 2?</p>
<p>LeDoniv,</p>
<pre><code>Since you have looked over the websites for USC School of Cinematic Arts and NYU Tisch I hope you realize both these schools have huge numbers of applicants and very few open spots. It is not just a matter of choosing the best program. It also involves having fine scores, excellent grades, top notch portfolio and a stellar essay.
</code></pre>
<p>As I recall the admit rate for the programs in the USC School of Cinematic Arts is in the single digits. Follow your dream and apply, but do apply to other schools where you can still pursue your goals. </p>
<p>There are other threads here about SCA. Some of them have suggestions about the portfolio and other helpful comments.</p>
<p>If English is not your primary language it is necessary to demonstrate proficiency in English by doing well on the TOEFL examination as part of the application process.</p>
<p>I do know about the very restricted admitting policies. I plan on applying to more when I can think of more prestigious places, I have a good academic performance, and this is something that I really like, and hence will be able to excel in.</p>
<p>English is my primary language. However, I think all International students not from Britain or Canada need to take the TOEFL Test. Which I’m prepared to.
But then again, I plan on taking the SAT as well, wouldn’t the SAT suffice? (Not the subjects one, the one with Math and English)</p>
<p>No, you will still need to take the TOEFL.</p>
<p>A friend of my boyfriend and I who was a Canadian student with us at USC was deported last month for overstaying his visa. They don’t care who you are, what kind of job you have or what country you come from. It’s sad, but I bring it up to remind people that is does and will very likely happen to you if you don’t go through the proper channels.</p>
<p>Right then, no problem.</p>
<p>Alright, so once I’m doing the course, I’d have to hunt for a job and arrange for them to provide a work Visa, right? And assuming that the Visas overlap each others’ time period, so that I wouldn’t have to leave and come back.</p>