Best film schools in the United States

Do you know your hobby of watching movies can turn into a lucrative career? Thousands of students every year enroll in film schools to study the intricacies of how movies are made, edited, distributed, promoted, and released. It is a high-risk and high-reward type of profession where success can lead to popularity as well as wealth. However, movies are not all glitz and glamour, there is a significant and methodical technique to them. And film schools in the United States are a perfect place to learn about the various techniques that turn an idea into a movie!

If you are someone with a penchant for movies and want to create a career in the field, studying in film schools will be the perfect opportunity for you to foray into the field. The United States is especially a great place to pursue this profession due to its proximity to Hollywood. In this blog, we are discussing the best film schools in the United States to help you choose which is the best place to pursue your film-making dreams. So, scroll down!

Why Study Film in the United States?

The United States is a favorite for international schools. As a developed economy, it is one of the best countries to study because of the exposure and opportunities students can get there. It is an especially great place for film studies. There are several reasons for this, so let’s look at them below.

• The United States is a thriving place for movies and has the best film schools in the world. The universities in the USA are top-notch and there are many good film schools that students can get admission to. There are many schools each specializing in certain aspects of film-making.
• Film schools in the United States also prepare students for the professional world. The courses are very well-curated and a focus is laid on practical aspects that are useful for students when working on real films.
• Apart from having the best film schools, the United States is also where Hollywood is! This means a plethora of exposure and job opportunities. Hollywood is the biggest film industry in the world and having proximity to it means that you can explore opportunities while you are studying. This can lead to great experiences and an even greater resume.
• The United States uses various high-end techniques while making films. The country is known for incorporating the latest technology in its movies; studying them is enough to set you apart.
• You can get the chance to use the best equipment in the industry and work with the brightest minds. The techniques and technology in the USA when it comes to film-making are second to none.
• The United States is culturally rich and the life there is certainly full of experiences a student will appreciate. There is a great deal of films and arts to explore that will surely prove very beneficial to your career in the long run.

List of Best Film Schools in the United States

Film schools in the United States have a prestigious status because they teach a wide variety of courses to students. These schools are popular among students and their top choices because of excellent faculty and facilities. Additionally, these schools are also known for producing some of the most talented individuals in the film industry today. Refer to the table below to know the best film schools in the US.

Name of Film School	City Name	Courses Offered	Annual Fees	College Website
University of Southern California	Los Angeles	Cinema & Media Studies, Film and Television Production, Interactive Media & Games, Media Arts and Practice, Writing for Screen and Television, Animation Research and Practice, etc.	$66,640	https://www.usc.edu/
American Film Institute	Los Angeles	Screenwriting, Directing, Producing, Editing, Cinematography, Editing, etc.	$68,103	https://conservatory.afi.com/
New York University	New York City	Advanced Animation, Sound Image, Frame and Sequence, Narratives, Performance, Cinema Studies, Dramatic and Visual Writing, etc.	$66,388	https://tisch.nyu.edu/film-tv/course-offering/course-offering
Chapman University	Orange, California	Film and Media Studies, Animation and Visual Effects, Broadcast Journalism and Documentary, Screenwriting, Film and Television Production, Creative Producing, Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing, Screen Acting, Writing for Film and Television, etc.	$62,400	https://www.chapman.edu/dodge/programs/undergraduate/ba-film-and-media-studies.aspx
Columbia University	Boston	BA in Film and Media Studies, MA in Film and Media Studies, Emergent Media, Cinema, etc.	$70,028	https://arts.columbia.edu/programs-study/film-and-media-studies
Loyola Marymount University	Los Angeles	Cinema, Cinematography, Animation, Editing, Screen Media, TV Series, Motion Pictures, Video Games, Screenwriting, etc.	$54,630	https://sftv.lmu.edu/academics/undergraduateprograms/filmtvandmediastudies/courses/
University of North Carolina	Winston-Salem, North Carolina	Screenwriting, Directing, Producing, Editing, Film Music Composition, Cinematography, Animation, Editing, etc.	$24,231	https://www.uncsa.edu/filmmaking/index.aspx
UCLA	Los Angeles	Animation, Cinema & Media Studies, Cinematography, Production, Direction, Screenwriting, Documentary, etc.	$47,000	https://www.tft.ucla.edu/
Emerson College	Boston	Media Arts Production, Film Art, Theatrical Design, Production, Comedic Arts, Cinematography, Photography, Media Studies, Animation, Sound, etc.	$54,400	https://emerson.edu/academics/academic-departments/visual-media-arts/undergraduate-degrees
CalArts	Santa Clara, CalifUSD 56,074	Character Animation, Film and Video, Film Directing, Experimental Animation, Digital Arts, integrated Media, etc.	$56,074	https://filmvideo.calarts.edu/programs

Admission Requirements and Eligibility Criteria for Studying Film in the United States

To study film study in the United States, it is important to fulfill the eligibility criteria put forward by the universities. It is important to have scored at least 60% in your 12th class and preferably, a portfolio related to your field of interest. These criteria are important to fulfill to get admitted into your preferred university. Check out the list of admission requirements for studying film in the United States below.

• 12 years of formal education with transcripts
• Valid Passport
• Statement of Purpose
• Letter of Recommendation
• Portfolio
• Income proof stating you have enough funds to cover your tuition fee and living expenses
• If applying for a Master’s program, one needs to have at least 55% marks in the Bachelor’s program

Language Requirements for Film Studies in the United States

Apart from the requirements stated above, studying in the United States requires you to have a good hold of the English language. To prove this, you need one or more of the following scores, as required by the film school you have applied in:

• IELTS – 7.0
• TOEFL iBT or MyBestScore – 100
• TOEFL Essentials – 11
• Duolingo – 130

Course Curriculum of Film Studies in the United States

Film studies in the United States is quite a vast field of study. It is not limited to just teaching you how to make films but these schools will help you master your interest area, be it screenwriting, directing, editing, or music. As a student of film studies, you will be required to study theory as well which will help you in the practical aspect of making movies. Check out the course curriculum of film studies in the United States below

Semester	Subjects	Courses
Semester 1	–	Introduction to Cinema History of International Cinema Photography
Semester 2	Cinematography	Sound Gender, Sexuality, and Media
Semester 3	Production Design	Directing Animation
Semester 4	Production and Post-Production	Writing the Short Script Television Script
Semester 5	The Screenplay Units	Motion Picture Script Analysis Film, Television, and Cultural Studies
Semester 6	Censorship in Cinema	Television Criticism and Theory Culture, Technology, and Communications
Semester 7	History of American Film	Film and Television Genres Studies in National and Regional Media
Semester 8	Developing the Documentary Production	Non-Fiction Film and Television Film and Television Style Analysis

Documents Required to Study Film in the United States

You will need many documents to study film in the United States successfully. It is advised that you start collecting documents three to four months in advance and also check that all your details are correct. your documents are crucial to your admission so make sure they are in proper order. Check out the list of these documents below.

• Academic Records such as Higher Secondary or Intermediate Transcript, Character Certificate, and Migration Certificate.
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Resume
• Writing Sample (Creative and Life Challenge Essay)
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Scholarship Application, if any
• Passport-size photographs
• Copy of valid passport
• Copy of government-issued photo ID
• Samples specific to the course may be required such as a Moving Image Sample, Photography Portfolio, Documentary Sample, Screenwriting Sample, etc.

Admission Process of Film Schools in the United States

For Indian students, the admission process to the universities of the United States can be quite overwhelming. There are too many steps and it is normal to feel confused and often, frustrated with the process and formalities. However, if you follow the proper method, you do not have to worry at all. There are many steps but we are breaking them down here for you so you can apply to the best film schools in the United States with ease.

• The first step is to finalize which college and course you want to join. After that, search for the official website of that school.
• Get all the important information about the admission process and read it twice, if needed. Make sure you check the requirements for admissions and fulfill all of them.
• Check the application deadline as well. Most of the time, you have to apply one year in advance to many courses in the United States. This makes the process lengthy and difficult for you to remember the various deadlines. However, you must remember that meeting deadlines are extremely crucial.
• Start filling out the application form and submit the paperwork while keeping the deadline in mind. Make sure you also apply for scholarships during that period.
• The details of scholarships are also required by college and you must have it handy by the time you are finally submitting all your documents.
• Prepare documents such as State of Purposes, Letters of Recommendation, Portfolio, etc.
• Your Portfolio is especially a very important part of your application along with your Statement of Purpose. Ensure these documents are perfectly crafted without any errors.
• You must also take any language exams like IELTS or TOEFL well in advance and keep a score that is valid for the duration of your application process.
• If you are accepted, you will receive an offer letter and will be required to pay the fee and submit the proof to the university. Ensure you do it as soon as possible to secure admission to your dream film school!

Conclusion

The United States is the place to be if you want to study films. It is a great career path for people who like being creative and have many options. The United States is also a very ripe market for young individuals to start their careers when it comes to working in the film industry. As Hollywood is the center of the world’s film business, the US is certainly a destination that will provide students with theoretical as well as practical knowledge.

If you are a student interested in studying film studies in the United States, then we hope this article provides you with a good list of options to choose from. The best film schools in the United States are known for offering many interesting courses in fields like animation, music, cinematography, photography, acting, etc. You can explore a lot of options and choose the one that fits your requirements the best!