The experience at AFI differs greatly from specialty to specialty. I am a graduate of the Directing Program -- so will speak mostly to that course of study. Before I get into it though I will grade the other specialties to the best of my knowledge.

PRODUCING - Producers did get classes on budgeting, finances and evaluating material. But, the student DIRECTORS at AFI rule the roost. Consequently, many producers became chiefly responsible for the catering of their film shoots and did not really experience what a producer would be responsible for in the real world of filmmaking. Also, the first year at AFI is so competitive, the critiques so brutal... the comradery and life-long connections that other film schools might offer producing students did NOT tend to happen here. Producing program = B- .

CINEMATOGRAPHY - This is probably the most comprehensive major at AFI. The cinematographers took hands-on camera operating classes, learned all the ends and outs of their equipment and electrical needs for that equipment and took theory & techniques of lighting classes that made them think about the style and look of their films. The school offers little or no help finding work (for cinematographers or anyone else) BUT besides that shortcoming -- the cinematography folk come out knowing their stuff. Cinematography program = A-

PRODUCTION DESIGN - The production designers were too few and grossly overworked when I went to AFI. I don't think any of them had much time to attend any classes -- they were whores to student production after student production. Most relied on their undergraduate knowledge or professional knowledge BEFORE attending AFI (whether art or design). I would say that they must have learned some film stuff "under fire". But as a thorough, thoughtful, well-designed program -- it sucked. Production design program = C

EDITING PROGRAM - Was not around the three years I attended AFI. However, the editing and film equipment were were very good (with the exception of the sound equipment or interest in creating good sound quality. Sound tracks were often was VERY BAD on AFI student films.) Also, the time, access and handling of editing resources were scarce, arbitrarily harsh and often political. (Bribes of various kinds from being kiss-ass to bartering other school resources to pimping connections in the industry all happened.) I cannot really grade the current Editing program = ?

DIRECTING PROGRAM - You cannot compete in the directing program at AFI, unless you already know how to direct. The people who excelled and were chosen to be one very few who got to make a Thesis Film, which could be shown in festivals etc. -- came in having already graduated from a good undergraduate film school (like USC or NYU) OR had previous professional experience. (I had directed in television for 5 years.) Of the 25 directors in the first year program, ONLY 5 get to go on the second year to make that all important (and only reason for a director to go to film school) Thesis Film. Student productions start shooting the second week of school... and directors were thrown out into the general Los Angeles environs, to shoot a first year project -- with NO INSTRUCTION AT ALL. The theory being, I guess -- that when you show your project to be critiqued, you will learn what you should have done. The poor directing students who did not know how to run a set, set up a shot, talk to actors, break down a script... crashed and burned. And the competition for 2nd Year is all about the 1st Year projects. The "directing the actor" course was more appropriate to plays -- and there never were any directing technique (how to shoot a script) courses offered. To be fair -- you could learn alot while you crewed for other directors, by seeing what worked and what didn't. And the critiques (brutal as they were) did point out what NOT to do. But, like I said -- the people who excelled and could really take advantage of the program and opportunities, already knew their stuff. IF you are a novice, or switching from documentary to dramatic film, or stage to film, etc. AFI is NOT the place to go. You will end up a year older, with 2 student projects that the school will NOT release to be shown anywhere (they own them and do NOT let 1st year projects see the light of day outside of the school). I DID get to make a Masters Thesis Film. And my film won awards and opened doors. BUT I saw many talented potential directors that first year... who were immensely frustrated (justly so) and never really had a chance -- 'cause they came not knowing how to direct already.

Directing Program (if you know how to direct) = A-

Direction Program (if you need to learn how to direct) = D

Finally, for all AFI students. There is little or no assistance in finding work in the industry, networking or even guidance through the film festival world. As Jean Firstenberg (head mucky-muck fundraiser figure-head type there) says to every class "The only thing that AFI guarantees at the end of this year... is that you will be unemployed." That says it all.

Industry Assistance = D

Review Submitted by: Dennis McD (unverified)