By
eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Step1
Research. Go to your school library, your local library, the Internet, friends and acquaintances to find out what schools are most recommended and appropriate for what you want to do.
Step2
Keep in mind that a school with a top name and a great reputation will help you in your career. Some top film schools can be found at New York University (NYU), the University of Southern California (USC), The American Film Institute in Los Angeles and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Step3
Talk to everyone you know who attended these schools. Ask them if they recommend the school and, if so, whether they'll serve as a reference to help you get in. Connections are extremely important.
Step4
Get catalogs, application materials and financial aid information from the schools that interest you.
Step5
Prepare all work you have done in film, television or mixed media for your portfolio. The school will want to see your work included in your application. Have your "reel" (a tape of all work you have done) professionally mastered at a film laboratory; have a professional recommend the best lab.
Step6
Fill out the application, then send in your reel, references and other supporting material by the deadline.
Step7
Sign up for an interview and dress nicely for it; dressing neatly and professionally shows respect and seriousness. Many people underestimate the importance of this first impression.
Comments
jgcast said
on 3/6/2007 I'm trying to decide whether or not i need to go to acting school if I want to make it big. This one article I read says I should:
http://www.instantcast.com/casting/AskInstantCast_School.asp
What do you think?
z3r0c001 said
on 2/20/2007 I am a junior in high school and i am more than just interested in directing. I will apply for Columbia University in New York and as far as directing goes i am wondering if it is offering a good film school.I already looked over the faculty and there is a high number of very experienced and inflental people working.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 The New York Film Academy (with locations all around the US) is a great school in which to learn the art and the trade of filmmaking. They have programs of different lengths (I took the one-week program), and you get so much more hands-on experience with the equipment than you would at an expensive film school like NYU. Plus, you get to experiment within different roles of filmmaking--direction, editing, cinematography. The teachers are also very knowledgeable and friendly (mostly former NYU students who were unsatisfied with the NYU film school experience). Check out their website for more info: www.nyfa.com.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Find out if there's a filmmaking group, club or film festival near you. They may have suggestions or a resource library. If not, contact a national filmmakers' group like IFP or AVIF and ask them for tips and suggestions.