From Russia with Questions
My name is Nerses, I am from Moscow, Russian Federation. I have two questions and I hope you will find time to answer on some of them.
I am 16 and next fall I’m going to apply to US universities as an international applicant. But before getting into film school (like USC or UCLA), I want to receive my bachelor in something not connected with filmmaking. That’s one of my problems, as I haven’t yet decided what other specialization I can be good at. Right now I am thinking about undergraduate Advertising and Public Relations in Chapman University (by the way, it also has very good film programs). But my question is, can I get into Screenwriting or Producing program of graduate film school, if I already have BFA in Film Studies (a.k.a. Critical Studies) or Television & Broadcast Journalism?
And, my second question is, did any of your friends from USC get into Hollywood film industry and become successful filmmakers being international alumni? I am asking this question, because I didn’t hear much about famous people, who had similar situation to mine (kid from another country trying to find his way to get noticed)?
– Nerses
Advertising is a great and relevant degree to choose for undergraduate studies. You’ll learn a little bit of production (probably shooting some commercials on video), but most of your time will be spent writing and pitching, which are skills you’ll be using a lot of in the film industry. Having some marketing classes under your belt will also be a help.
I speak with first-hand experience: I was an undergrad Advertising major, with a minor in English.
However, if you find an undergraduate film program that appeals to you, don’t dismiss it out of hand. I strongly believe you should pursue what fascinates you at every stage in your education (and life). I don’t think it would affect your chances of getting into a film graduate program regardless.
As for your second question, yes, we had several international students in my film school class who went on to be quite successful. For instance, Miles Millar, the executive producer of Smallville, hails from England. In my class of 25 students, four were international students, and three of them are still working in the industry.
Articles
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:10 pm
John,
Did you edit Nerses’ letter? If not, for a person using English as a second language (I assume) s/he wrote an excellent letter! I thought that was worth mentioning. I place my bet on Nerses succeeding wildly at whatever s/he tries to do.
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:11 pm
Thank you for response, Mr. August. I am very glad that you found time to give advice and help me. I’ll try my best to get into USC film school, though it won’t be so easy.
And, I used to watch Smallville, so I heard about Miles Millar, but I realized that he’s from England reading your answer on my second question. I asked you about that because of worries about what to do after film school. Usually the answer is get some job through internship, but I’m afraid it will be way harder for me, especially with receiving job visa. But if Mr. Millar did that, I think there is some chance.
Anyway, thank you for this response and I hope to hear more about and your upcoming movies (I’ll watch The Nines right after it gets released in my country)
October 22nd, 2007 at 2:20 pm
Thank you Fred. I am not Armenian (though I have been living in Russia for about 14 years) and I’m a guy
October 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Slavic people tend to have good English. I have quite a few Russian and Ukrainian friends and they are without a doubt some of the hardest working people I’ve ever met.
October 23rd, 2007 at 7:37 am
If I somehow understood this correctly - he is Armenian even though there is a negative before that noun in Nerses’ comment. And Armenians are not Slavic people.
But there is one thing in this letter I don’t understand — how can having a BFA in Film Studies impede you to enter the graduate screenwriting program?
October 24th, 2007 at 10:56 am
Marco Papadopoulos, sorry me, I usually type very fast, so sometimes I forget about my grammar mistakes. Anyway, yes, I am Armenian and I am Caucasian.
What about your question, I talked to friends from America, who had been been accepted in USC, UCLA and NYU. They told me that such film schools as those ones usually accepted students with bachelor in other majors. As example, most of applicants got into USC Producing with bachelor in either Business or Journalism. Besides, I checked out course requirements in other film schools (Film Studies and Television) and almost all of them have Production and Screenwriting. So does it make sense to go to graduate film school spending $50,000-60,000 after receiving BFA or BA in the same major?
P.S. I have four academic hours per week with American professor, he prepares me for taking TOEFL and ACT
October 25th, 2007 at 8:21 am
Hey, Nerses! It’s not a grammar mistake, it’s just some sort of lapsus calami. I’m glad to see you put so much effort in this and I hope it turns out well!
P. S. I love the duduk, at this moment the most popular ethnic musical instrument in Hollywood!
October 27th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
Really? This sounds intersting. Sadly, I don’t know so much about musical instruments (at least I know what’s duduk, lol!)
By the way, I am not sure, but your nickname (and a real name as I assume) has Greek roots, am I right?