Good Universities for a video production/cinematography major?

[Caitlin Kauffman]

Hey all, I'm a current freshmen at Southern Oregon University. I've declared my major (it's currently referred to as a Video Production major, but it's changing next year to Film and Television Production.)and I'm minoring in Emerging Media and Digital Arts because I'd like to work in post production, specifically as a digital video editor.

 

I'm looking to transfer to a larger university. I was wondering if anyone knew of a University, outside of the typical UCLA and Southern California universities, that has what I'm looking for. Preferably something that is not private, and therefore affordable. I have no problems going out of state-with the sole exception that I need to be able to afford it. (UCLA's out of state tuition is slightly under $60,000, and Southern California's IN STATE is around $60,000. Both those numbers are a bit...heart attack worthy.) I would love a university that has Avid or Premiere to work with, as currently all SOU offers is Final Cut Pro X and I myself have Sony Vegas Platinum 9.

 

If all else fails, I would like to know if anyone has opinions on UCLA. Is it worth it to go there? Will it really get me ahead in terms of what I want to do? In other words-is the price and sheer amount of debt I would be in worth the education? Any help would be hugely appreciated.

[David Kitchner]

Have you looked at Chapman University?

[Tom Jensen]

Has anyone gone here. I have a friend that teaches a production class there.

http://www.nyfa.edu/

 

Also, if you are looking to edit, I think Avid may still have a school in North Hollywood.

Edited April 27, 2012 by Tom Jensen

[Dave Collins]

DePaul University in Chicago. Thats where I'm going now, and it's got a HUGE Digital Cinema program. One of the best parts, is access to pretty much the very latest technology (They just got some Red Scarlets). Also, tuition isn't that bad, roughly 10k per quarter, plus a lot of fun people to work with.

 

Also, they recently refitted one of the green-screen rooms into a production suite capable of live web broadcasting, and at the same time launched a rebuild TV production program along with a TV channel.

[Zander Kroon]

DePaul University in Chicago. Thats where I'm going now, and it's got a HUGE Digital Cinema program. One of the best parts, is access to pretty much the very latest technology (They just got some Red Scarlets). Also, tuition isn't that bad, roughly 10k per quarter, plus a lot of fun people to work with.

 

Also, they recently refitted one of the green-screen rooms into a production suite capable of live web broadcasting, and at the same time launched a rebuild TV production program along with a TV channel.

I could not disagree more with going to DePaul. As a favor to a friend I gaffed a DePaul shoot a few weeks back, easily one of the worst sets I've ever been on. First, the school barely has enough gear to supply to shoots in one weekend. We had to fly 8x rags on rolling junior stands the whole weekend. That's just one example of many. More importantly though, all the students on that shoot had the least experience and set knowledge of any film students I have worked with. They were very nice and respectful but when I had conversations about sets they've worked on, classes, etc. I came to the opinion that the classes and set experiences they have are very watered down.

 

I don't want to turn this into a DePaul vs. Columbia thread, but if cinematography is something that you're serious about Columbia is the place to go. I've worked with both schools dozens of times and I can't tell you how impressed I've been by Columbia students/alum.

[Darell Johnson]

I could not disagree more with going to DePaul. As a favor to a friend I gaffed a DePaul shoot a few weeks back, easily one of the worst sets I've ever been on. First, the school barely has enough gear to supply to shoots in one weekend. We had to fly 8x rags on rolling junior stands the whole weekend. That's just one example of many. More importantly though, all the students on that shoot had the least experience and set knowledge of any film students I have worked with. They were very nice and respectful but when I had conversations about sets they've worked on, classes, etc. I came to the opinion that the classes and set experiences they have are very watered down.

 

I don't want to turn this into a DePaul vs. Columbia thread, but if cinematography is something that you're serious about Columbia is the place to go. I've worked with both schools dozens of times and I can't tell you how impressed I've been by Columbia students/alum.

This really goes to show how dumb you are then. I haven't gone to either of these schools, but I've had the opportunity to work with students from both DePaul and Columbia College in Chicago. Both the Camera and G&E crews comprising of students from either school were good in their own right. To say that one type of student is better than another is sheer stupidity, when a more serious effort toward a career in cinematography is to actually avoid school, save your $$$, and learn your chops on set like the rest of us.

 

I've afforded my own gear, worked up the ladder and established my skill set on experience alone and currently work as a DP in Local 600. You sound pretentious enough where you probably just tag on and work with your rich, film-school brat, butt-buddies here in LA. News flash, your cocky as hell and you're not better than anyone else for the expensive waste of money you put down to attend what you consider to be a 'good' film program. I say this because my go-to Gaffer is from DePaul and he's easily the most relatable, experienced lighting tech I've had the honor of working with. Plus, he can probably light circles around your dumbass.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Tim Tyler
Abusive. Member has been warned.

[Vadim Joy]

This really goes to show how dumb you are then. I haven't gone to either of these schools, but I've had the opportunity to work with students from both DePaul and Columbia College in Chicago. Both the Camera and G&E crews comprising of students from either school were good in their own right. To say that one type of student is better than another is sheer stupidity, when a more serious effort toward a career in cinematography is to actually avoid school, save your $$$, and learn your chops on set like the rest of us.

 

I've afforded my own gear, worked up the ladder and established my skill set on experience alone and currently work as a DP in Local 600. You sound pretentious enough where you probably just tag on and work with your rich, film-school brat, butt-buddies here in LA. News flash, your cocky as hell and you're not better than anyone else for the expensive waste of money you put down to attend what you consider to be a 'good' film program. I say this because my go-to Gaffer is from DePaul and he's easily the most relatable, experienced lighting tech I've had the honor of working with. Plus, he can probably light circles around your dumbass.

Totally agree, Darell.