Hi, I am a high school junior who really REALLY wants to go to film school. I live in Florida so I am very strongly considering the film school at Florida State. I've done my research and it sounds competitive and I think if I am admitted I will have a sound foundation for working in the industry. However has anyone gone to/ or is currently attending the film school at the University of Central Florida? Orlando seems like a great area to break into film.

Also, how important is it to have taken film related classes in high school in order to be accepted to undergraduate film schools. I have high grades (a weighted 4.5, ranked 5th in my class) take a full load of IB and AP classes, am a strong writer, and take/ love creative art classes, but I'm afraid the absence of prior film related classes will hinder my application to FSU Film and UCF.

Nonetheless, I am determined to pursue film, even if it means getting a B.A. in communications or something else and applying for film as a graduate option. I know it will be hard and that success will not come over night with a degree but I'm going to make it.

If any one could give me advice on the benefits of undergraduate film versus graduate, their experience at FSU or UCF, or anything related to the industry/ film schools in general I would very much appreciate it.

Thank you so much for your time. Good luck to you all.
L.R.

Hey L.Richardson,
I'm currently an undergrad at FSU Film School and one great thing about the program here is that you don't have to have previous experience. Good grades definitely help because they only accept 20-25 undergrad students (non-transfer) per year. My class has a range of people who have done great work before coming here to not having any experience at all. The facilities are amazing and we are one of the only schools that is already using the Red Cameras (www.red.com) which shoot at 4K resolution...it blows minds. Also, once you graduate the BFA program here there is no need to go to graduate school because we learn the same things as our school's graduate program, but in two more years and with more production. You should definitely apply to the program, it is outstanding. So much so that I moved here from Pennsylvania to do it and I have never regretted that.
Hope it helps!
-Chris

Thanks so much Chris.
That is good to hear from someone who is actually doing it.
Thanks again. Good luck.