Aspiring artists who are joining any film school to start their careers will quickly realize just how much training goes into preparing for a professional career in Filmmaking.
There are several film schools in Califonia that will help you achieve your dreams of becoming a director, filmmaker, editor, actor, and more. Most of these film schools will equip you with the best training and skills required to become the best in the filmmaking industry.
California is a hub for several film schools. However, looking for the best film schools in California can be time-consuming. Therefore, in this overview, we will list some of the best film schools in California and everything you need to know about them.
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Table of Contents
12 BEST FILM SCHOOLS IN CALIFORNIA
Here are some of the best film schools in Califonia:
1. THE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL
The Los Angeles Film School is a private for-profit college in California offering accredited programs in the entertainment industry. It is one of the best film schools in California. This renowned school provides students with the opportunity to learn and be guided by top professionals, benefiting from their extensive knowledge and experience in the film world.
The school offers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to dedicated and interested students. It integrates technical knowledge with artistic exploration and creativity in a hands-on learning environment, taught by experienced instructors in the heart of Hollywood, the premier entertainment capital of the world. The Los Angeles Film School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
The Los Angeles Film School offers the following degrees in film: A bachelor’s or completion degree in Entertainment Business, a bachelor’s degree in digital Filmmaking, an Associate or bachelor’s degree in Film directing, and more.
Specialty: Film Cinematography, film directing, film producing, film production, writing for film and TV, and film making.
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2. CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
Chapman University is a good option for students interested in pursuing a career in film. The University is a private not-for-profit university in the city of Orange. The school ranks as one of the best film schools in Califonia.
The school boasts fully equipped studios and spaces. It has a reputation for maintaining an uplifting, supportive, and motivating atmosphere where students can experience the transformative power of Filmmaking and film production.
The University is dedicated to offering students personalized educational opportunities and a world-class faculty. The Dodge College of Film and Media Arts at Chapman University is designed to encourage and facilitate creativity, it provides a foundation in all aspects of film and television making, as well as expertise in a specific area of your choice.
Specialty: Film and media studies (BA), film and television production (BFA), screen acting (BFA), writing for film and television (BFA), public relations, advertising and entertainment marketing (BA), Broadcast journalism and documentary (BFA), Creative production (BFA), and minors
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3. LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
Loyola Marymount University is a globally recognized private Jesuit and Marymount research university in California with a ranking of #8 nationwide. It is a top-ranked catholic university with a good range of film courses.
Loyola Marymount University presents one of the most competent film schools in California, which is highly recognized for its degrees and the opportunities it provides both in and beyond the classroom, providing access to a wide range of industry professionals and special programs.
The School of Film and Television at Loyola Marymount University is consistently ranked among the top film schools in California. It is dedicated to preparing students to master the creative, practical, and business aspects of Filmmaking.
Specialty: B.A degree in recording arts, B.A degree and minor in screenwriting, B.A and minor in film, television, and media studies, B.A degree in film and television production and B.A and minor in Walter and Grace Lantz undergraduate animation program.
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4. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles. Established in 1880, it is the oldest research university in California with a ranking of #1 nationwide.
The School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California is globally recognized and accepted as one of the best film schools in California. It has a mission to develop and articulate the creative, scholarly, and entrepreneurial principles and practices of film, television, and interactive media.
The school of cinematic arts is divided into seven divisions, including film and television production, Cinema and media studies, John C. Hench division of animation and digital arts, John Wells division of writing for screen and television, Interactive media and games, Media arts and practice, and Peter Stark producing program.
The division of film and television production teaches students how to make compelling, in-demand content for screens of every size. Bachelor of arts, Bachelor of Fine arts, and Master of fine arts.
Specialty: Bachelor of arts, Bachelor of fine arts, and Masters of fine arts.
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5. CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS
The California Institute of the Arts is a private art university in Santa Clarita, California. It was founded in 1961 as the first degree-granting school for students of both the visual and performing arts. It ranks as one of the best film schools in Califonia.
The California Institute of Art is renowned internationally as a game changer in the education of professional artists. The school offers over 70 degree programs in the visual, performing, media, and literary arts.
The School of Film/Video at The California Institute of the Arts is one of the world’s top places for the study and practice of the art of the moving image as a personal, evolving, and innovative art form.
The school of Film/video has four areas of study, including Character Animation, Experimental animation, film directing, Film and video.
The film and video program is designed for students who use film and video as media for personal expression exploration. Students acquire a full range of technical and practical skills, learn to think critically about their chosen media, and work to develop a precise language aesthetic for personal articulation. After completion of the program, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Video or a Master of Fine Arts in Film and Video.
Specialty: Story – and character-based work in live-action and animated cinema; essayistic; socio-political and observational documentary projects in live actions; animation, installation, and hybrid forms.
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6. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LOS ANGELES
California State University, Los Angeles is another notable school in California that has a strong emphasis on performing art. It is a public research university located in the eastern region of Los Angeles.
It is part of the California State University system. California State University – Los Angeles is easily one of the best film schools in California offering a good range of film classes at a reasonable cost.
The film program at California State University, Los Angeles is under the School of Television, film, and Media Studies, which teaches film from a theoretical and technical perspective. The department offers a nationally recognized undergraduate program leading to a bachelor of arts degree in television, film, and media studies.
Students can also pursue a master of arts degree in television, film, and media studies or, jointly with the Department of Theatre and Dance, a master of fine arts in television, film, and theatre.
The department also offers graduate programs leading to a Master of arts degree in television and film studies and a master of fine arts degree in television, film, and theatre.
The teaching method at the Department of Television, film, and Media Studies is committed to the arts in all their forms. Curriculum and classroom experiences are strategically crafted for students to learn valuable skills and get hands-on experience.
Specialty include media writing, studio production, film history, script writing, digital post-production, digital sound post-production, writing for games, cinematography, documentary field production, and others.
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7. ARTCENTER COLLEGE OF DESIGN
Founded in 1930, ArtCenter College of Design is a reputable private art university in Pasadena, California. It is easily one of the best film schools in California. offering a good range of film programs.
ArtCenter College of Design presents one of the best undergraduate film programs which leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in film. The degree program equips students with state-of-the-art production equipment, facilities, and post-production tools to make compelling films starting in the first semester. Students can pursue the film major in one of three tracks: Cinematography, editing, and directing.
The ArtCenter College of Design also offers a graduate film program, which leads to a master of fine arts in film. The degree program equips graduate students to excel in directing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, or producing.
Specialty include animation, cinematography, documentaries, editing, educational Filmmaking, film production, music videos, screenwriting, television production, and narrative film.
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8. POMONA COLLEGE
Founded in 1887, Pomona College is a highly recognized private liberal arts college in Claremont, California, offering a solid progression of courses in all areas of performing arts in an ideal environment for intellectually curious students to pursue their academics and life goals. It ranks as one of the best film schools in Califonia.
Its film courses are under the Department of Media Studies, which works cooperatively with students and faculty at the other Claremont colleges through the intercollegiate media studies program, providing a range of course offerings, media resources, visiting filmmakers, and film screenings and other approaches to media theory and practice.
The department covers all the aspects of analog and digital recordings of film, television, and video production.
Specialty include Film making, sound recording, production, and documentary.
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9. NEW YORK FILM ACADEMY
Founded in 1992, the New York Film Academy is a globally recognized private for-profit school in California, with a strong emphasis on film and acting. It is one of the best film schools in California.
The school offers master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degrees, as well as one-and-two-year conservatory programs, and short-term workshops in acting, film, photography, and more. It is located in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.
New York Film Academy offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Bachelor of Arts degree, and Associate of Arts degree in film, media, and entertainment for undergraduate students. As well as Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Arts for graduate students.
In addition to the in-person degree programs, New York Film Academy offers a selection of innovative online degree programs. Each degree program is nationally recognized, providing students with a concentrated education in film, media, and entertainment.
Specialty: Filmmaking, producing, acting, production, screenwriting, photography, cinematography, animation and visual effects, documentary Filmmaking, entertainment media and game design
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10. SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
San Francisco State University is another perfect destination to pursue a degree in film. It is located in a fun, high-energy environment in California. The school ranks as one of the best film schools in Califonia.
It is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 93%. It is part of the California State University system and offers master’s, bachelor and doctoral degree programs along with credentials among six academic colleges.
San Francisco State University, School of Cinema is consistently ranked among the top school offering film programs in the country. The School of Cinema boasts well-equipped facilities and a lab. It has a reputation for excellence in all its programs.
The degrees offered at San Francisco State University, School of Cinema include a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Master of fine arts, as well as animation minor and Cinema minor.
Specialty includes Animation, Filmmaking, Cinema media studies, documentary Filmmaking, film and television production, directing, and screenwriting.
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11. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE
The California State University, Northridge is one of the best film schools in California. It is a public university in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, offering over 170 undergraduate programs and more than 100 graduate programs.
The Cinema and Television Arts major at California State University, Northridge is under the Mike Curb College of Arts, media, and Communication, offering students the education to gain conceptual thinking and technical skills needed for the filming industry. Students will gain the practical knowledge required to produce a TV show, film, or mass media storytelling forms
Specialty includes Film production, television production, screenwriting, emerging media production, and entertainment media production.
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12. AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE
The American Film Institute is a non-profit film organization in Los Angeles, California, offering a wide range of programs in film, and television. The Institute is built on the mission of celebrating Excellence in the art form and creating national education initiatives that inspire artists and audiences alike. It ranks as one of the best film schools in Califonia.
The programs offered at the American Film Institute are at the master’s level. Accepting candidates who have a minimum of five years of experience working in film, television, or visual arts. The AFI Conservatory is a two-year master of fine arts degree program in six disciplines: cinematography, directing, editing, producing, production design, and screenwriting.
IS LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL LEGIT?
Yes! Los Angeles Film School is a private for-profit college in California offering accredited programs in the entertainment industry. It is one of the best film schools in Califonia and it is accredited.
IS IT HARD TO GET INTO LA FILM SCHOOL?
No! Los Angeles Film School is one of the easiest film schools to enroll in. The school has a 100% acceptance rate and lower requirements compared to other schools.
WHAT IS THE BEST FILM SCHOOL IN CALIFONIA?
Some of the best film schools in Califonia include Los Angeles Film School, Chapman University, Loyola Marymount University, University of Southern California, California Institute of the Arts, ArtCenter College of Design, Pomona College, and more.
CONCLUSION
The best film school will provide you with relevant skills that will help you become a successful filmmaker in the long run. This overview has featured some of the best film schools in Califonia, and we hope they help you decide on the best one for you.
REFERENCE
- Filmschool.org
- Onlinecollegeplan.com
- Universities.com
- Wikipedia.org