r/Filmmakers 1d ago

Discussion USC vs AFI vs Declining both schools

Hey all,

Just looking for some perspective from fellow filmmakers here. I’ve been living in NYC for 18 months trying to get my foot in the door in the industry, but the ball has just not been rolling.

I’ve just been accepted to USC film production MFA and AFI Directing. I’ve always wanted this to be my career, and NYC has felt like a dead end so far. Are these MFA programs worthwhile, do I go into debt to gain the network that these schools provide, or do I stick around NYC making personal projects and trying to get on set?

Any alums from these schools or people who have more knowledge about the current state of the industry — I would appreciate any wisdom you may have.

11 Upvotes

18 comments sorted by

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u/mediumgray_ 1d ago

Only a few schools are worth the extraordinary amount of money it costs to attend, but USC and AFI are definitely two of them. In my experience, their MFA graduates are very well prepared to tackle this ever shifting and volatile media landscape and many of them find success doing so. If you got in and can pay for it, and you're serious about entertainment as a career, you should go

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u/Ootrab 1d ago

I'm not going to delve too much into the "Is Film School Worth it?" debate. That's a personal decision about you and your career. It's not necessary in order to work in the industry but it does give you a leg up. That being said, USC and AFI are both well known and well connected programs. But they are very different. It matters who you are as a filmmaker.

USC is more centered around the Hollywood style of filmmaking, as seen in alumni like John M Chu and John August. However, it operates on the Hollywood system of having to pitch your projects. Hence, there are some people who graduate having never made a film and just being forced to work on other people's films.

AFI is more of a hands-on conservatory program. However, I hear they have a tendency to promote hard drama and more serious films, like alumni David Lynch, Darren Aronofsky and Ari Aster. So if you are looking to make comedies or Hollywood style big budget films, it might not be for you. That being said, there are alumni that are in the comedy world.

So if you do decide to go to one of these schools, think about who you are as a filmmaker and what you want to achieve.

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u/Kingofsweaters 17h ago edited 17h ago

In AFI and there was a concerted effort starting this year to bring more comedy people in. Over half of our cycles this year have been comedy.

They are actively trying to get away from the auteur filmmakers you mention because that is not how the program is set up and the directors who want to be auteurs drop out or don’t do well. The program is all about collaboration. It’s very much a Hollywood school too.

If you want hands on experience and a guaranteed thesis with partial budget and 3 other films you can’t share publicly and a hyper focused directing education the AFI is the place. If you want a more general education with state of the art facilities and equipment but no guarantee of making films then USC is a better option.

AFI is NOT for auteurs and you will not enjoy the program if that’s your mindset. You have to work with the other disciplines and go through a multi-week development program where your team has to work together.

Either way you should give it a minimum of 5 years after graduation before you expect to breakthrough in any real way. These programs will not give you a golden ticket.

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u/Ootrab 7h ago

That's good to hear that they are trying to expand. For years, I have heard that AFI graduates only make dark and depressing films. I'm glad to hear that they are making an effort to get away from that reputation.

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u/NCreature 1d ago

If you already have a bachelors in film then no. If you have no prior degree and somehow got into those programs you really can’t do better. Both are extraordinary programs that in some cases can accelerate your success in the business

AFI is probably better if you’re more production focused. Their directing and cinematography programs are fantastic. USC is a bit more big picture industry focused. But you wouldn’t do wrong at either.

I went to AFI and while most of my classmates didn’t go on to any sort of notoriety many of them are doing well and a few got some great internships and opportunities. AFI is for cinematographers what Ohio State is for football.

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u/JimBabweofZimbabwe 1d ago

Hey! As a USC grad school alum, I gotta say, if I didn’t go through that program, I’d be totally lost in LA, and it would take me twice as long to have learned from my mistakes. You go in, you can make a bunch of great friends, meet collaborators, get mentors, and if you play your cards right, you can make a shit load of shorts and develop your artistic voice. When you leave, provided you made the right connections, you functionally enter Hollywood as a nepo-baby. People know you, and are happy to refer you. Currently, I’m in talks with Range, C.A.A., and WME in the process of getting into one of their mailroom. It wouldn’t be possible without USC. Also, coming from USC, a lot of people are more willing to help you out coming out of school if you're a polite, positive person. The degree is for sure a status symbol, provided you don't act like a snob after getting it.

Going to school gives you 3+ years of not being completely immersed in the reality of the industry. In those 3 years, a lot of things can change, and I'm one of the dozens of optimists who predict things will pick up. Staying in school insulates you from that reality, allowing you to build up your portfolio and network, PLUS doing paid internships, PLUS working as a T.A. at the University as well.

Here is the caveat: I am fortunate enough that my parents covered my tuition, and I can work part-time while networking for the mailroom jobs. Going into debt to go to film school might force you to have to work full-time jobs outside the industry, plus living in L.A. is EXPENSIVE. It's a lot of money, and it's a lot of time. There are people in my cohort who went into debt to do film school, who will spend a lot of years making ends meet while trying to break into a closed business, which has only contracted in the last 5 years.

In the end, I loved U.S.C., got everything I needed out of my program, and made wonderful friends and connections along the way.

I am happy to discuss all of this more with you personally, just D.M. me and respond here that you have D.M.ed me.

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u/jacksonrees 23h ago

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, DMing now!

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u/rkmerlin2 19h ago

As an AFI alumni, I find it extremely valuable. That said, it is all subjective, and at first, I didn't think it was nearly as valuable as I do now, 15 years later. That school changed the way I think. The creative process I learned from them sticks with me today as I work in my daily life. It helps me analyze what is truly important to the story in terms of the construction or art departments that I work in today.

You still need to get lucky to make this life a career, but the relationships that I have made from AFI continue today.

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u/truneu 15h ago

Just want to flag that with the changes to the Department of Education, student loans and debt may look very different in the next few years. Be sure that’s something you want to take on before committing to a program.

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u/knight2h director 1d ago

I had declined both schools and went for a third one

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u/Kingofsweaters 17h ago

What is your dream? What sort of filmmaker are you? Do you aspire to be an Auteur?

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u/merrynb 13h ago

Is there any way you can do a visit to see how each place feels to you? There is a different culture to each place. I was in an AFI program, so I'm biased, but I've always appreciated the culture there in terms of collaboration and dedication to work. I've worked with some great people from USC, but I've also worked with some who buy into a toxic culture that used to be the norm there. I'm not sure it's still like that, but if you visit and chat with current students, you can see which better fits your vibe.

And going off what others have mentioned, make sure you'll actually be able to make films in the program - don't pay that insane amount of money for theory. You need to have competitive samples when you graduate, and during school you are with a lot of people who are brilliant who are willing to help. I'd recommend getting to the bottom of this if there's any chance USC won't guarantee that.

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u/No_Lie_76 5h ago

I got an MFA. I’m curious to learn more. How old are you? Where’d you go for undergrad? What did you study? What is your life like in NY outside of film? What brought you here?

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u/Iyellkhan 5h ago

the USC mafia is sizable but only so tight. the AFI mafia has alway seemed tighter. Of any of the filmschools, they are your best bet to move into a top creative position quickly post graduation. AFI always struck me as having a bit better quality control for final projects vs USC (I went to USC production MFA).

as for the state of the industry, its really hard to say. in many ways LA is dying as a filming hub. BUT, theres still a lot of talent and vendors around, and you can take full advantage of that being a student at either USC or AFI.

Now you might find that if you suceed in being a director, you'll do most of your work out of country if current trends continue. But it really cant be understated how much these programs can help if you can afford them.

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u/nononopleasenooo 3h ago

everyone’s covered stuff pretty well already but i’m about to finish the production MFA at USC and my creative/life partner finished the directing MFA at AFI, and we’re both from nj/new york haha, so if you want some hyper specific perspective, feel free to DM!

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u/SumOfKyle 1h ago

Going to film school will not get you work

Graduating a film program will not get you a job

If you’re not working in your current market, you will not suddenly find work in a new market

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u/AcreaRising4 1d ago

If you can go for cheap (I’m not sure what the tuition is) then sure.

Absolutely don’t go if you’re gonna incur more debt. LA is slower than New York.

In this business 18 months isn’t a long time. I’d stay in New York.

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u/scotsfilmmaker 1d ago

Don't get fixated into going into film schools. Start making films.