Folks,
This is for the cinematography applicants (2010) ... their options, choices, reels and other discussions.

I've applied to AFI, and I'm considering Chapman and NYFA.
And I'd really love to have a few more options.

I hope this thread helps other cinematography applicants to discover new avenues as well.

NYU - Cinematography Concentration
AFI - Cinematography
Chapman - Cinematography Concentration
UCLA - Cinematography
USC - Cinematography Concentration

Also applying for directing programs at FSU, UT Austin and Columbia

Currently working as an AC on a couple of TV shows

Will post my reel if you post yours

Well, the schools I applied for were NYFA, Temple, Florida State, and Chapman. I suspected that my grades and test scores wouldn't be good enough to get me into an AFI, NYU, UCLA, or USC, so I didn't apply. In hindsight, I probably should have, just to keep my options open.

quote:

Originally posted by Christopher Shank:
Well, the schools I applied for were NYFA, Temple, Florida State, and Chapman. I suspected that my grades and test scores wouldn't be good enough to get me into an AFI, NYU, UCLA, or USC, so I didn't apply. In hindsight, I probably should have, just to keep my options open.

Yes you should have and I think you still should if any deadlines have just been closed.
I don't think grades matter as much as a good portfolio. What've you heard about NYFA? I was considering it too.

It was a matter of money, in the end. I had to tread the fine line of applying for schools that would give me the experience I wanted, as well as applying for schools I knew I could have a chance of getting into.

I've visited NYFA a couple of times...it's hectic. Honestly, the only thing that is keeping me on the edge about that school is that it's in NYC. Their housing is basically they take students and cram them into an apartment. There are no opportunites for work, so you'll have to take out large loans to pay for school as well as living expenses. I'd much rather not have to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars because I went to school for two years, ya know?

Seeing as cinematography is what I was going for, I looked for schools with MFA programs in cinematography or programs that offered a lot of classes in it. Chapman has the specialization, and I'm impressed with the work I'm seeing from there. So they're my #1 pick. We'll just see how it goes. I know that the deadlines have passed for all those other schools, so if I don't get in this year, perhaps I'll apply to them next year.