I just started looking into transfer applications for going from UBC to some other film school. I was looking at the top brass film programs: USC, NYU, UCLA, CalArts, Art Center College of Design, and then also SVA in New York (where someone particularly interesting from eighth grade is going). I glanced at Chapman. I hope I don't have to go there.
USC, UCLA, and SVA don't require portfolios. I think I could get into SVA. And it'd be a lot of fun. I mean, for one, it's a film school. You get experience directly from the get-go and it's highly technical, as well as artistic. You live and breathe filmmaking for four years. And, it's in goddamn manhatten (which is most of what distinguishes it from Chapman, which is in God damned Orange County). So, it'd be more than fun -- it'd be like the best and longest summer camp ever. But I'm not sure summer camp is viable on a resume.
UCLA explicitly states that it requires grades that I don't have (though I'd like to think of it as not having them yet). And probably USC is the same, although I've done a lot more in terms of what classes I've been taking in order to appeal to their tastes.
Meanwhile, the portfolio requirements for CalArts and Art Center are pretty reasonable, and pretty similar. But I don't meet them -- which is to say, my work is not of high enough quality and there's not enough of it. With Art Center (if I interpret things correctly, but I'm really not sure about this), the application is due all the way in March, which gives me time to build things up (especially if I do get into that production class I so desperately need). So, I could make a couple to a few one-minute shorts between now and then. Unfortunately, CalArts's deadlines fit more into usual university standards, and they'd expect a porrtfolio from my by November 11th or something if I want to be accepted into the fall term of 2008.
Before any of this, I looked at the UBC Film Production website.
So apparently, which is to say basically, I can't even apply there, it seems, evidently, is how it appears, or that's my interpretation at least. If you find a way there where I can apply, please tell me. But that is one barren webpage in as far as I can tell.
Did I mention this is all so terrifyingly huge that I have no idea how I'm going to deal with it all and deal with my grades and make some short films all at the same time? And this isn't anything like the totality of the schools I think I want to apply to, it's just the surface scratched. So I'm feeling, um. It's like... what do they call it? ...Stress? Is that the word? It's not one I use a lot... or at least, it hadn't been. I now expect to consider it a true and powerful force in my life, for the rest of the term and year, if not indefinitely. But I must have control over what happens in my life. I must be on top of things and anticipate things before they even know they're going to happen. Yes. I must be the least like I've ever been in my life.
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Aha. And so it begins.
UBC's film page looks DISMAL. Aha, I really couldn't help but to laugh. That's.. ridiculous. So you're basically attending a school for a major they no longer offer? Jump ship!
My graphic designer friend is an SVA graduate. I don't know much about film, but SVA is private-art-school, and it's a big name. On par with Art Center/CalArts out here. I'd be like any of those choices - Fun, but Hard Work.
The nice thing about private "art" schools (SVA vs UCLA/USC) is that they don't care as much about GPA, and especially if you suck at math. This is usually countered by their interest in a portfolio (ArtCenter/CalArts), which can be tough in turn. I can assure you CalArts will be harder to get into than Art Center.. they have a really high reputation for film/animation, and they're picky as hell.
Two things I can tell you for sure - Art Center's deadline is March 1. Excellent stuff. The other thing is, if you were so inclined, during winter break I'm sure you could set up a meeting in which Mr. Elias would basically be able to tell you if you'd cut it or not. They're efficient like that. I'm sure you could do the same with SVA, but unfortunately it's cross-country. They do have portfolio days - when art schools tour and visit other schools around the US, and do quick reviews. Keep an eye on that, cos its good for both advice and information.
I guess the key here is diligence. And, it'll be like senior year all over again, I'm sure..
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