UT Film School | An Honest Review (Sophomore)

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UT Film School is considered one of the top ten film schools in the world. Though, there are a lot of things that are left unsaid about the program. Being an RTF major, here are 5 things you need to know about UT Film School. (No, Matthew McConaughey is not my professor)
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My name is Will Tran. I'm a filmmaker currently studying RTF at UT Austin.
I choose to create films instead of writing essays about making them.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:39 1. It's Not That Great
2:06 Meeting Brandon
2:55 2. Create Your Own Opportunities
4:16 Getting Coffee
5:36 3. Be a Kid
7:18 Gig Speed Wifi
7:53 4. Connections
8:37 Meeting Lia
11:11 5. Film School is Not the Only Way
12:12 Outro

[@areeltrip]

Dope content brother! Keep it going!

[@francissosing]

Great message man. I'm trying to do my video/photo thing up here in Dallas

[@aygeezyyy]

i have a lot of questions. first, what did you have to include when you applied? like did you send a short film maybe or what? what was the process of that?

[@TraciDargan]

Thanks for making an in depth video on this! There aren't many videos on UT film school... at all lol. Since I'm transferring I'll be a junior when I go, so hopefully I do get some hands on classes. Cool to hear you were able to make connections and get on sets while only having 1 real RTF class. I'm just going for the connections, live in a city, and the film scene - so it's great hearing what to expect even the harsh reality

[@TheWillTran]

Something I didn't really cover in this video. When I said you can't touch cameras until as late as your junior year is true...If you went to UT as a Freshman, and you doubled down on the "core classes" of filmmaking, which again is a ton of "Think about making movies, what WOULD you do?" Legit, one of the projects I had to do in this RTF class was to write an essay on what I would do if I was making a film/TV show episode. Everybody has to take the 4 "core classes" of film school at UT, which are RTF 307, 308, 317, and 318. Only when you complete these, will they give you the option to enter production courses. Yes, you can get these out of the way in one semester, assuming you don't have to fulfill any more stupid core curriculum classes. Now, I did sneak into one of the production courses, and I really didn't see anything special. Maybe I haven't sat in that class for long enough, but for the hour that I was there, it was a lot of, "This is a camera, this is how you turn it on, this is how you turn it off, this is a lens, it zooms! Go have fun." Technique was not taught. Maybe they'll teach it later? I don't know. The biggest advantage you have here as a junior is that you'll be able to enter the school and actually check out equipment for yourself. For me as a sophomore, they don't allow me to check out any equipment at all. The worst part is this... The equipment for undergraduates is more or less kind of basic. The best pieces of equipment that I've seen (so far) are Rokinon Prime lenses, a C100, a Sony A7sii, and a dolly and track that is missing the pneumatic system that supports the camera... The really good pieces of equipment, such as the supposed RED and Arri cameras that are hidden somewhere in the school are only available to graduate students. As in 4 years of nothing, and more $$$ you have to pay just to actually get real, practical experience with any camera that is used in the industry. I've yet to see what happens in my second semester of sophomore year. When I get some more pieces of info, I'll make a new vid on it.

[@TraciDargan]

@@TheWillTran Damn yeah that sucks, I think the one thing I would expect is able to rent out cameras. But then I guess it really is what you make it. I think for me being around people who want to pursue filmmaking and being in Austin where they have film sets will keep me motivated. And it's like I'd love to go to USC or NYU but for now, UT Austin is the most inexpensive option, and I'll barely have any debt coming out. After researching communication majors in general, they all say you don't need the degree but to take advantage of the connections and network as much as possible, people who think they can just sit on her ass and for it to fall in their lap is unrealistic. Excited to see what you have to say in PT 2!

[@Jyotirmayshuva]

What about MFA? is it good? Do you know what MFA students say about it? I just graduated last week and planning to apply to RTF

[@diceflawless9115]

You don't go to a traditional University for arts or technical stuff.

[@Drummajortsu]

Do you know anyone that's blogged or made any content about the MFA program? I've got acceptance into MFA program and wanted to get a real perspective on things. As a former educator and someone in their 30's enjoy undergrad, once you start working it doesn't stop.

[@shyaboutmyart6254]

Lia's tight.....