Top Film Schools

Top Film Schools NYU Tisch School of the Arts Tisch School of the Arts, centered around media arts and performing arts, is part of New York University's College of Arts and Sciences. The renowned school, known as Tisch, claims the top spot on CEOWORLD Magazine's list of the best film schools in America and the number two spot on USA Today College's list of the ten best schools for a film degree. Related Articles List of Top Documentary Films List of Top Documentary Films Equipment Needed for Documentary Filming Equipment Needed for Documentary Filming Makeup Artist Schools Makeup Artist Schools Admissions and Statistics There are over 25,000 students enrolled at NYU, and tuition runs in the neighborhood of $49,000 a year. To attend Tisch, you must first apply to NYU using the Common Application, making sure you submit all academic transcripts and SAT or ACT test scores. Tisch is highly selective and requires that you undergo an artistic review, for which you must submit a portfolio showcasing your creative interests and ability. Programs and Specialties Programs of interest to aspiring filmmakers include Cinema Studies, Dramatic Writing, and Film and Television. All these programs lead to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Degree. Charlie Rubin, accomplished writer and producer, is an Associate Professor of Dramatic Writing. Tisch boasts an impressive roster of celebrated alumni, including television writer and producer Damon Lindelof, independent filmmaker Joel Cohen, and directors Oliver Stone, M. Night Shyamalan, and Martin Scorsese. USC School of Cinematic Arts Heralded as the top pick on The Hollywood Reporter's list of the top 25 American film schools, the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts is located in Los Angeles, California, near Hollywood, the movie capital of the world. The school also won the top spot on USA Today College's list of the ten best U.S. schools for pursuing a film degree. Admissions and Statistics To gain admission to the School of Cinematic Arts, you must apply to USC using the Common Application and submit official transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. Each film-related program requires you to submit a SlideRoom Application, which consists of samples of your work, a portfolio, and letters of recommendation. USC has an enrollment of 43,000 students, and undergraduates pay around $51,000 per year in tuition. Programs and Specialties The School of Cinematic Arts offers five undergraduate programs that relate to multiple aspects of the film industry, each of which leads to either the BA degree or BFA degree. Screenwriter Howard A. Rodman is a Professor in the Writing for Film and Television program. Notable SCA alumni include producers Susan Downey and Shonda Rhimes and directors Jon Chu and Rick Famuyiwa. Animation and Digital Arts focuses on how to bring animated characters and their stories to life. Media Arts and Practice teaches students how to apply technology, whether web design or virtual reality, to communicate a wide range of stories and messages via digital media effectively. Cinema and Media Studies emphasizes how various careers in the film industry work together to make a cohesive whole, from directing to writing to management to film production. Film and Television Production is all about lights, camera, and action, developing skills in creating and editing film and video. Writing for Film and Television concentrates on how to create scripts for film, television, video games, and web pages.