Musicians James Dean and Jim Morrison attended the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Going to UCLA gives students the opportunity to be near all of the major studios and best talent in the biggest market for film and television in America. According to UCLA, applicants must prove that they are skilled writers by submitting three essays with a total of 10 pages of writing (See References 1). UCLA students must prepare themselves for a competitive environment with a significant amount of coursework.
Filmmakers Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee and Joel Coen graduated from New York University (NYU). According to Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, admission to the program is highly selective and requires an artistic review (See References 2). Attending the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU places film students in the midst of one of the most popular cities for the arts and introduces them to people who might be able to help their film careers.
Steven Spielberg attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles (USC) before dropping out due to bad grades. USC is a competitive program that gives students opportunities to learn about screenwriting, film business and film making. Since the school is known for being expensive, you might want to research financial aid opportunities before applying.
The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) introduces students to the blossoming independent film community in Austin, Texas. According to the University of Texas, the College of Communication is consistently rated in the top 10 programs in America (See References 3). The program offers a wide range of classes, top-notch guest speakers and internships in New York.
According to Florida State University (FSU), the College of Motion Picture Arts was recognized by the Directors Guild of America for its "distinguished contribution to American culture through the world of film and television" (See References 4). The program is notable for winning more Student Oscars and Collegiate Television Academy Awards in a year than any other film program. If you are on a budget, you will be excited that FSU is the only film school to pay for the production of student films.
Columbia University in New York City offers a master's of fine art in film and a master's in film studies. The M.F.A. concentrates on writing, producing and film making. The M.A. has a focus on writing about and analyzing films. Graduates from Columbia University have made films that include "Election," "The Hurt Locker," "Milk," "Superbad," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Girl Interrupted," "Eternal Sunshine," "Gangs of New York" and "310 to Yuma."
According to the Education Portal article "Top 10 Film Schools," American Film Institute Conservatory has a student population of 357 (See References 5). Attending such a small conservatory program gives students the opportunity to excel with discipline-specific programs and showcases. The screenwriters showcase is important for students who want to show their work off to film professionals in Hollywood.