Florida State University

I met many fine people while at FSU, which has been very helpful in maintaining a support structure post-graduation. I went to film school, which is filled with top-notch students (they accept 15 freshman and 15 transfers into the program each year). In hindsight, film school was a waste of time. It taught many wonderful things, and I met many wonderful people, but a film education is not necessary to work in the industry. The school also is awash in problems. The faculty of this department, with the possible exception of one or two actually qualified instructors (if you are interested in motion picture sound work, this may be the place to go), the majority of people teaching and running the film school are self-absorbed idiots more interested in boosting their own ego rather than building filmmakers. In fact, a high percentage of teachers are recent graduates of the program. The University just fired the director of the undergraduate program for embezzlement, which is probably kharma for the school hiring a 26 year old graduate of the undergrad program who had never worked for anyone but the film school as the head of the program. This hiring of its own graduates is an embarrassment that the administration seems oblivious to. The Dean is a blustery waste of space that contends he works to promote the school, but wastes nary an ounce of effort doing so. He's basically a life-time member of academia that once taught at USC and worked with Coppola for a little while. Apparently that makes him qualified. FSU seems to be where he has decided to enter retirement - even if he is still drawing a check. The students that enter the film school are smart and passionate, but they generally leave the film school embittered and discouraged. The Film School likes to suggest that this is a weakness of the particular students, which indicates their attitude that they are not there to help students, but rather to break them down. The school is rife with politics. Teachers are not encouraged (and certainly do not take the initiative) to become mentors, which is disastrous. Considering that there is at least one teacher for every 10 students in the program, it is insane that the faculty seems utterly disinterested in nurturing students. If you are planning on going to FSU, you have chosen well. If you are planning on going to the Film School, you have chosen poorly.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000