I’m preparing to study production design (art direction) in LA.
I went to an art school in South Korea and majored in printmaking.
I also participated in student films and some independent films as an art director, and had little difficulties working and creating a network with people in that field, so I understand it’s not a must to go to film school to work in the film industry.
However, as a person who wants to work in America, i decided to go to a graduate school first and learn how to be a production designer in Hollywood, because I haven’t really experienced the filmmaking environment out there.
But I found that most art directors and production designers who are currently working in Hollywood didn’t major in production design. They mainly studied fine art(painting etc), architecture or theater design.
I know there are a few universities have ‘production design’ division(such as NYU, Chapman) but it happened very lately.
I wanted to go to USC known as the most famous film school in America, but figured out it’s mainly famous for directing, editing and so on but not in art directing.
I can also apply on School of Dramatic Arts there, and could have chance to work with students in School of Cinematic Arts . But I’m not really interested in Theatre design and theatre stage design kind of thing.
Okay, So the main purpose to go to a graduate school there is to create a network and actually feel the environment from the bottom.
Which school should I apply to? USC? Chapman? (NYU is out of the list, cuz I prefer to study near Hollywood.) I also appreciate if you suggest other schools too.
Have you looked at the American Film Institute Conservancy? It is a graduate only program with six majors: director, screenwriter, producer, film editor, cinematographer, and production design.
I agree. AFI has the top grad program in Production Design. USC does not offer a Masters in Theatre Design in their School of Dramatic Arts, however, their MFA in the School of Cinematic Arts is excellent. You certainly can specialize in the area of Production you want there. All the grad films will need Production Designers/Art Directors. Both of these are expensive options.