U.S. Northeast 

Accelerated Industry Access: Boston University

Bicoastal presence and a student-run content distribution network (BUTV10) and production company (Hothouse Productions) position BU as a pipeline for accomplished talent. Hollywood internship opportunities are available for both undergrad and grad students through the school’s Wilshire campus, under the guidance of industry mentors. BU’s connections abroad allow for programs in London and Sydney, too. Recent alumni successes include Joshua Weinstein, director of Sundance 2017 film Menashe, and creator of the YouTube series Nerdwriter, Evan Puschak. 

Outstanding Producing Training: Columbia University

Outstanding Directing Training: Drexel University

Putting cameras into student’s hands in their first week, Drexel University takes hands-on training to new dimensions. With only 16 pupils per production class, aspiring creators are guaranteed one-on-one time with faculty such as independent director Alison Bagnall (Buffalo ’66). “Students love our new Micro-budget Filmmaking course,” adds Film & Video Program Director Tom Quinn, “which examines features made for under $50,000 and requires them to make a short without Drexel equipment.” Drexel also has a study abroad program in Havana, where undergrads make a documentary short over winter break. 

Outstanding Screenwriting Training: Emerson College

Apart from being the only school in the country to offer a BFA in Comedic Arts, Emerson stands out for its intensive two-year Writing for Film and Television MFA, taking place between the Boston and L.A. campuses. Participants experience a six-day on-campus residency with workshops tackling diverse subjects: shorts, episodic TV, narrative features, and breaking into the business. Special topics include Comedy Writing for Television and Writing the Adaptation. “Each semester we feature a marquee-name film or television writer”—such as Jill Soloway, the Spring 2017 Semel Chair in Screenwriting—“who spends two days conducting workshops and masterclasses,” says Director of Graduate Admission Leanda Ferland.

Outstanding Cinematography Training: New York University

Outstanding Animation Training: Rhode Island School of Design

“RISD fosters personal vision, individual expression and the extension of the animation medium itself,” says professor Amy Kravitz. The Animation Track at RISD is a comprehensive entryway into the many techniques in the field, which have landed grads positions at studios such as indie leader Laika. Many RISD alums have worked on The Simpsons, to cite one example. Alumni Daniel Sousa and Dan Golden received a 2014 Oscar nomination for Best Animated Short for “Feral.” Campus facilities include animation stand studios and stop-motion animation studios.

Accomplished Faculty: School of Visual Arts

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