Most film schools realize that not everyone has the same opportunities in high school to create their own movies. I applied to about 8 different film schools last year. Not one required that I send in any actual video that I made. NYU and USC both wanted a resume listing all of the creative things you've done (tv/movie projects, things you have written, etc). You aren't judged so much on the quality of that work as you are on just the fact that you put in the effort to do the work. Writing is very important. Film school applications require a lot of writing samples. That is what you are judged on so start working on that early. Also, grades ARE important, especially when you are applying to the top schools such as NYU, USC, UCLA etc. To give yourself the best shot at getting into one of these places, you NEED to get your grades up. Film school applications also require several letters of recommendation, so build some good relationships with your teachers, etc. A great recommendation can really make a difference. Good luck

Some other options for film schools are San Diego State, San Fransisco State, UC Santa Cruz, UNC Wilmington, Emerson

Hey,
I'm 22 and work security. I went off to college to work on ships and then planed togo to film school.
I ended up in the ER.
Now I have to work to pay bills and other things.
I want to go to film school. For me I will have to wait for a couple of more years to afford college.
So plan and make sure it is what you want. Take classes in high school that well help get you ready for college. Some of the schools in North Carolina that there talking about UNC Charlotte UNC Wilimington and NC school of the Arts. My younger brother goes to Western Carolina University on a teaching fellowship program he told me that they do have a good media program. I would not go there I hate the cold weather.
They are state schools which means unlike some film schools you will have to have classes in high school for them. Some basic Math and say Spanish. So do not do what I did and take the easy way out. I'm looking at Columbia College Hollywood, Full Sail, Maine Workshops. Look at the factors like Full Sail for me cost, like a boot camp, Will hardly have time to work and go to school. No on campuse houseing. Mom and Dad are not paying for my college and the Pell Grant when I was going to community college they took her and my income. So that is part of way I have to waite tell I'm 24 and put more money back, also and work while in school.
So plan ahead and take it slow you do not know what is comeing up. Look at me man:) I like the beach I live in a two light town. But I go to church and know that the answers will come in Gods time.
Remeber Rudy when he is in the church talking to priest and the priest say Prayer is something we do in are time answers come in Gods time. I'm not trying to preach to you Man but Cheer up. Hell if I got everything I wanted I would be flying for the Navy.
Take it easy
Matt
Wingate NC

When I was junior in high school I went from looking at going to Illinois Insitute of Technology for something with computers to Columbia College Chicago for Film and Video concentrating in editing. I thought about what I really wanted to do the rest of my life and I guess I was lucky to have edited and worked on small projects for school which sparked my interest into filmmaking. I really picked Columbia for several reason, it's relatively close to my hometown, but just far enough away, I went to the open house and I didn't want to leave, it's price tag although still steep isn't as a bad as other schools, and they had an open admissions policy which is kind of double edge sword sometimes, but it creates a unique community, and finally Columbia is known at least in Chicago and the midwest for being great for networking, alot of the staff have worked on films, also they offer Semster in LA and alot of times if your any good and work hard you will get an offer for a job or to come back for an internship. Anyway I should stop selling Columbia, but basically I wanted to kind of give you an idea on how I settled on the school I go to, but honestly it all comes down to if you feel like it fits you well, go to open houses, take college days from HS and go to tours. I hope my little insight helps you and good luck.

Edit: I forgot to add think about the type of filmmaking you want to do, do you want to do more independent stuff, experimental, or comerical (like Hollywood style, commericals, TV, etc). Even though Columbia is an art school at least in the Film Department it's the most Hollywood/bussiness oriented school in Chicago. Other schools in Chicago that have film programs like The Art Institute of Chicago are more experiemental or like University of Illinois at Chicago it's experimental, I believe Columbia is one of the few schools in Chicago that starts out on film and you work on 16mm film pretty much through the program.

just wanna share my opinion... just wanna know what is your first priority in life? if it is school, so what do is to finish it first before proceeding to your next goal because education is very important to everybody. and it can help you a lot through your knwledge and skills you've learn n your studies..

what about Los Angeles Film School?