How to get into USC Film School (complete guide)

[@MakaylaLysiak]

Great video!

[@jiayangliu]

thank you! congrats on 300k btw

[@allinoneofficialchannel]

Makaylalysiak is My best crush 😍🥰

[@nazeehaletsplay4366]

Ahhh he Makayla!

[@jeffdarnell7942]

I didn't notice, but did even mention that the Statue is of the Great Douglas Fairbanks ?? I heard mention, "And we have this Statue, without even mentioning what it was!! That School wouldn't be there without Douglas Fairbanks, who died in either 1938 or 39. Now his Son with his First Wife was born in 1910, and lived to be 90, passing in 2000. DF II was a WW II Hero as well. Douglas The First , second wife was Mary Pickford, and she loved DF II like her own Biological Child. She was the only Actor that was Close to DF I fame. Alot of folks don't know these things, and should.

[@visions_of_noah]

Best advice to get into USC: Be super rich like richer than anybody in their 20s could ever be, cuz if you're not there's no way you're gonna finace something like this. These film schools are out of effin their mind, they have lost touch to reality.

[@jiayangliu]

it is insane the tuition they charge however there are many opportunities for scholarships and several of my friends are studying here, paying only half or even less. there are also financial aid people can apply for.

[@ashleybright5762]

Your journey is Very inspiring!!

[@jiayangliu]

thank you!!

[@pleaseenteraname1103]

I knew someone who had a GPA of 4.05 and got rejected, and I knew another person that only had a GPA of 3.4 if I remember correctly and he got accepted.

[@owanmah2933]

Did you have any major film awards prior to applying and getting accepted into USC? Do you know if they place a lot of importance in students having won film-related awards?

[@afilmbytailynsandhu]

I got in (film production) and did not win any awards for film! However, I was nominated for Best High School Drama short film internationally for 2023, which I put on my application.

[@ZenaAlexander-v6m]

Thanks for the info. Appreciate it. ❤

[@rydernotop8861]

Can I still join this film school if I'm at scratch level? I am a 17 year old boy from India and I literally don't have some sort of film career or something related to film. Just some videos I took on my phone of random things and even tried to make a short film but it's gone. Gonna make another one like the other accepted short films, so what can I do to apply for it? Is there anything additional process for it?

[@lisan_sv]

For the media sample, do you know if it has to be in English? I'm French and the people around me don't speak english at all so can we do it in french with english subtitles?

[@jiayangliu]

yea subtitles for sure would work, I know a few of my film production friends who did that with Chinese!

[@kaiquebritor]

that's awesome!! i'd really like to see you talk about the slideroom personal statement cuz i honestly think i used my best ideas on the common app one hahahhahaa

[@jiayangliu]

haha fs!!! I’ll keep that in mind, new video coming soon!

[@maliamamoa3083]

Hi! If I did an internship at a film festival, can I get my film manager boss to write my recommendation or it can only be a teacher? For the teacher evaluation?? Where can I add more recommendations other than my counselor?

[@Faddyb]

Thank you very much fort this! I have a question though. For the collaboration, I agree that it makes sense to put the failure first, but the question makes it seem like they want the success first, so should I stick to that or do it your way? And if I do do it your way, will I be peanalized for it?

[@jiayangliu]

I personally didn’t get penalized for that but idk how they will react to your essay. If you think your essay works without placing it in that order then stick to the order they tell you to use

[@ava-nat]

THANK YOU 💜😊

[@Sirsquintalot1984]

As a USC alumni with massive loans from this school...don't do it. It's not worth a penny, and definitely not worth the weight of this debt. Use that money to take online courses, community college courses, make your own movies, PA on sets. Want the USC connections? Simply PA on USC student sets, they're desperate for help, and you get to network for free. While you're sitting in a classroom for 3 years as a grad or 4 years if you're an undergrad, another kid is out in the real world making real connections, gaining real world experience, and making movies. These expensive schools milk every dime out of you, and everything you learn in the school can easily be learned out there if you're proactive. Once you graduate, guess what? You'll be grabbing peoples coffee or working as an assistant in order to climb the ladder like everyone else. I'm tired of hearing complaints about USC grads in the industry because they are notoriously entitled when working a low level job, because they come in with the "I'm a USC grad, I shouldn't be getting peoples coffee" entitlement. I personally avoid mentioning that I'm an alumni because of that. If you need a film school to offer you structure and discipline, if you don't have the "street smart" attitude of finding information and learn on your own, no way in hell you'll make it in this industry. How will you even produce anything if you don't have the knack for researching and figuring things out? Or a Director if you don't have the ability to improvise or pivot when things go south? I had classmates cry on set because an actor didn't show up, guess what, decades later, they never got their foot in the door. This industry is not for the weak, it eats you alive, and you have to have the grit to keep kicking doors till you find one that opens. I'm privileged enough to have "made it" in this industry, but I can say with 100% certainty that USC had ZERO influence on my success. If you have a wealthy family member willing to drop all that cash, by all means, do it. If you have to take loans in order to attend this school, please, don't make the same mistake I and my other indebted classmates have. I don't think the school is 100% a sham, there's some value to it, but for that incredibly unreasonable price tag?! With a Dean that earns more than the president of the United States, while faculty earns peanuts?! You're better off DIY'ing your education for a career that you really don't need a degree for.

[@jiayangliu]

Very interesting points you bring up, thank you for your take on your experience! However I do feel like there’s not a one size fits all way of “making it” in the film industry, and going to film school or not going to film school depends on the individual. Just out of curiosity, what year did you graduate?

[@alexguo2880]

Thanks! Hopefully I get accepted

[@jiayangliu]

it would be blasphemy if you don’t get accepted 🤞

[@alexisryu9570]

Hii, your video was rlly helpful! I wanted to ask more questions so if it’s alright with you, could we talk in dms?

[@yenadiaye3806]

do you know if we can submit a past film for the media sample?

[@jiayangliu]

I think as long as it’s made within a year, it should be fine

[@brycenizu2711]

how much do u pay per semester at usc

[@iasminav3227]

where can i find a portfolio same as yours , is there a site where i can apply my work so that i can have an account or smth as you said before in minu 3:40

[@jiayangliu]

you can make your list of portfolios on like a Google doc or word document; for the website (optional) you can use anything really, I personally used Google site to make mine.

[@baby_potato9127]

This school is literally my dream school but I started my film journey just last year and have only a feature length script any tips to building a portfolio last minute? 😭

[@Solicez]

Rent a camera, focus on videography short 10 seconds clips. Shoot two short films under 2 mins. Put your soul into them. Pray.

[@Explainedin10-n2x]

4:39 COD?????

[@emmrck1501]

what program did you use to do your portfolio and your website? love the video

[@jiayangliu]

i used Wordpress for my website

[@sanzykproductions7536]

Hiii I love this video I think its very informing! I am applying this year and for my video my short film has a concept where the character changes but doesn't get a good ending. My question is would this weaken my chance of getting accepted. Ive seen a lot of USC accepted films and they're very motivational. Mines dark but the overall lesson is positive idk. The movies I usually make go the darker route but it don't want USC to be like 😬😬😬

[@sanzykproductions7536]

Or if you're down id love to share my concept on instagram dms or smth your willing to give advice! Tysmm!!

[@jiayangliu]

@@sanzykproductions7536 yea i would love to try to help, dm my insta, it’s in the description :)

[@shaktisafalyadash9505]

Hiii I am a bachelor and want to do masters from here can you please help me please

[@jiayangliu]

hey man, what would you like to learn more about?

[@reality3654]

What if I’m an international student?

[@jiayangliu]

I believe the process is the same, you’ll just need to take an English proficiency exam

[@lalitprasad8483]

Hey , Youre video was very informative , I have more questions, can I connect with you in instgram or sm?

[@jiayangliu]

yea sure, feel free to dm me