Rating:(10/10)

Review:

Attended: 06/99 - present
Recommend: Yes

I am a student focusing on Writing/Directing at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. Besides the stupid ads that the schools runs for itself on MTV, I don't think many people know about its film program. They offer both a four year BFA program as well as a two year MFA. From what I have found they have equipment and facilities that rival most other film schools. We have access to a wide range of camera packages from a number of super-8 and 16mm hand crank Bolex cameras at the low end, to a dozen Aaton and Arri SR packages, as well as 5 Arri 35mm cameras. Besides a ton of lighting and grip, they have atleast a dozen Media 100 systems, a dozen Avid systems, and a room full of Final Cut Pro systems for non-linear editing. This place is a dream for anyone with the money to pay the costly tuition and who is interested in learning the technical side of filmmaking. The only problem that I have found with the program is that it lets anyone in. The school is definately for profit and will take anyone with a credit card. This is good and bad. Good for those of us who are self-motivated and truly want to learn, because the slackers don't bother to use the equipment (until the last week when their projects are due) and bad because there is not a lot of competition amoung the students to push each other to new levels. Also, the level of the teachers varies widely. It is truly hit or miss. You might get a successful professional that wants to share their knowledge with young filmakers or a unsuccessful want to be professional that just needs to teach to pay the bills. Overall, I think that at any school and out in the real world you've got to make things happen for yourself if you want to get ahead in this business. And at the Academy of Art College, you have more opportunities to do so than probably elsewhere.

--------
Note: This review was auto-imported from an older LOAFS database. A "Yes" recommendation has been translated into a rating of ten. A "No" has been translated into a rating of one.
--------

Review Submitted by: Anonymous (unverified)