Chapman University
Locations: CA-Orange
Degrees: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorates
Programs: Art, Philosophy, Music, Education, Film Production, Digital Arts, Law, Interior Design and more (about 90 total)
Tuition Range: $18,750 per Semester
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ituated in southern California, Chapman University is a small but highly-ranked private university whose roots date back to Civil War days. The university enrolls about 6400 students and offers degree programs in about 90 different areas of study. Of particular interest is the Dodge College of Film & Media Arts, which offers an impressive number of bachelor’s and master’s programs in media-related fields, including Film Production, Screenwriting, Creative Producing, Television and Broadcast Journalism, Digital Arts, Public Relations/Advertising, and more.
Chapman University operates with a standard college schedule and curriculum. If accepted, plan on a four-year commitment for a bachelor’s degree. Tuition-wise, Chapman is not the most expensive among private universities, but at $18,750 per semester (not including housing), it is still a hefty investment.
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Student Reviews
ituated in southern California, Chapman University is a small but highly-ranked private university whose roots date back to Civil War days. The university enrolls about 6400 students and offers degree programs in about 90 different areas of study. Of particular interest is the Dodge College of Film & Media Arts, which offers an impressive number [...]
Review by Justin S.
July 12, 2012 1I graduated Chapman University in 2008 as a MFA Film Production. I found Chapman to be disappointing from the beginning because this was a Masters degree, but there were students who had no idea how to use Avid to edit projects. The first semester was basic things for beginners. There were a few classes like Visual Style and Audio which I learned a lot, but most classes were students reading their scripts with students commenting on them. The problem was there was nothing taught as to what the students should have been commenting. No techniques were taught first. There are very few skills that I could take from school to use to get a job. Most of the professors were disgruntled frustrated filmmakers themselves.
There were opportunities and money given by the school, but the favorite students got all the support. I had some undergrad friends that got together and made a feature for $25,000. I guarantee their time was better spent than my time getting a masters. As I look back at it now, it was wasted years of my life. I had some fun and made my films, but I don’t like where my career is now.
The other thing I would add is that no one cares where you went or if you have a Masters. It means nothing when applying for a job. It should mean more, it does in other industries. The best way to learn film is to do it so what is the point of a $50k education? Buy a camera and Final Cut and make a movie. I learned much more reading Story than I did in 3 years at Chapman.
As to me working? A few spotty assistant editor jobs on horrible reality shows that don’t pay enough and are few and far between. The film industry doesn’t have enough jobs. It’s hard to make ends meet and pay for health insurance. There is a HUGE divide between union level jobs and free lance. If you make it in you’re good, but the majority of people working in the film industry have no job security. A good job is 3/4 of a year long, and after that is back to the drawing board looking for work. I’m considering other fields to get into because the film industry will not take care of you. I feel very confident in my abilities, but it’s so difficult to find work.
I think the idea of film school is good in theory, but in reality it doesn’t teach you enough. It is also extremely expensive for the very good schools, but with no pay out at the end. These schools are making a killing.
Frankly, I wouldn’t do it again. In fact, I wish someone had helped me get interested in something else when I was younger. But I don’t think I could go back and convince that 17yr me to reconsider.
Debt Accrued: $10,001 - $25,000
Found work after graduation? No
Review by Ben B.
June 5, 2012 2.5I grew up in Kansas City, and moved to Southern California to attend Chapman University in Orange County, on like a music scholarship, but to study film. So while I was in the film school there, I sang with the choir and went on tours and ended up singing lead roles in two operas that they did at Chapman. I had a music minor; and I graduated with a degree in film and a minor in music. And worked on a television show at Paramount Studios for three years. And didn’t really enjoy it so I got back into music; and was asked to join the Domingo Thornton Young Artist Program, under Placido Domingo at LA Opera, this past May. It’s like an apprenticeship program, so it’s kind of like a bridge between school and professional opera singing.
As far as doing it all over again, I definitely would do it all over again. I think that film and music school aren’t right for everybody. I think you have to be really frank with yourself, and not just say, “Well, I wanna make pretty music and it sounds easy,” or whatever. I mean you have to really be aware, that it’s a hustle, and you got to be willing to put in the time and the effort. A lot of people are, thank God. That keeps the quality of the work high.
But if I was going to do it over again, the advice I would offer myself is that I sort of unconsciously had the idea in my head that when I graduated film school, I’d be an expert. Id’ know how to do everything and I could go out and just start making movies, which was obviously a little naive. What I realized coming out of school is, that it is what you make out of it. You can go to film school and get a degree, and not learn anything. Or you can go out and be working on films every weekend and just get a ton of experience and maybe not even graduate ,because you’re already getting offers to go and work. And it’s the same way with music. That’s the advice I would offer.
Debt Accrued: $25,001 - $50,000
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by DJ D.
February 6, 2012 4.8I have a client with a development deal with Mayhem Pictures for a pilot she wrote. Another client has a production deal with Curmudgeon Films for a feature he wrote. A third client has multiple feature scripts with name talent attached.
I’m a graduate of Chapman University, Graduate Producing Program. I met some incredible artists, as well as many heavy-hitters in the industry that helped propel my career.
I would more than recommend it. I definitely wouldn’t be in the position I am today without it.
Currently, I have a client with a development deal with Mayhem Pictures for a pilot she wrote. Another client has a production deal with Curmudgeon Films for a feature he wrote. A third client has multiple feature scripts with name talent attached.
Debt Accrued: Greater than $50,000
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by Elisen H.
January 11, 2012 3I entered Chapman University with the mentality that any experience is what you make of it. You can go to NYU and still end up homeless you know? About 6 months in I wanted to leave and go write, I stayed for the experience and because I’m really comfortable in academia. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t learn a lot, but could I have done that for less money? Perhaps.
I think it helps to have that name of such and such a school for assistant jobs and the alike, but honestly, you can do any of those jobs without a film degree, and many do. The film industry has changed so much even from when I started school in 2006, so it’s hard to say what works anymore, especially because the people who hold the purse have no fucking clue.. If you went to a high-brow school, you are essentially paying for connections, so yes, for that reason, absolutely go. If you want to experience an environment with a bunch of like-minded nerds and inspired lost individuals, sure, do it. Anyway you slice it, it’s going to be tough. Don’t you dare do it unless you love it.
Debt Accrued: $25,001 - $50,000
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by Elise H.
August 22, 2011 3.3I went in with the mentality that any experience is what you make of it. You can go to NYU and still end up homeless you know? About 6 months in I wanted to leave and go write, I stayed for the experience and because I’m really comfortable in academia. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t learn a lot, but could I have done that for less money? Perhaps.
I think it helps to have that name of such and such a school for assistant jobs and the alike, but honestly, you can do any of those jobs without a film degree, and many do. The film industry has changed so much even from when I started school in 2006, so it’s hard to say what works anymore, especially because the people who hold the purse have no f*****g clue. If you went to a high-brow school, you are essentially paying for connections, so yes, for that reason, absolutely go. If you want to experience an environment with a bunch of like-minded nerds and inspired lost individuals, sure, do it. Anyway you slice it, it’s going to be tough. Don’t you dare do it unless you love it.