Dodge College of Film and Media Arts

I visited Dodge College of Film and Media Arts (http://ftv.chapman.edu) and Chapman University on Friday, May 13, 2011, and it turned out to be a lucky day for me. I loved what I saw—from the enthusiastic and engaged students, to the incredible facilities, to the charming surrounding town.

 As is often the case in Southern California, my mom was with me for the tour. She was really curious about Chapman because she knew of two students that had gotten into the film program at USC and UCLA, but had chosen to attend Dodge. Like any good detective, she wanted to understand why.

Our tour guide was from the Seattle area. He had applied to Dodge as a high school senior and did not get in. Because his heart was set on attending there (and nowhere else) he did a year of community college and reapplied. He got in on his second try. I don’t know too many students who are that sure about the college experience they want, but he said the wait had been completely worthwhile. He did not think he could get the same level of hands-on film production experience on state-of-the-art equipment anywhere else.

My dad was a USC film school grad, and my close friend is Foley artist (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foley_artist) so I have spent a bit of time in studios. The Marion Knott Studios at Dodge are amazing. A partial facility list includes:

• 2 sound stages (2200sqft and 3900sqft)
• Cinematography and Directing insert stage
• Television and Broadcast Journalism Hi-Def stage and control room
• Foley stage
• Motion Capture stage
• Set Design shop
• Production Design studio
• 36 individual editing suites
• 3 mixing studios
• Spirit 4K Datacine
• 500-seat Folino Theater with Kinoton 35mm projectors, Barco 2K digital projector

My college coaching students know that I believe every student has a story to tell. Great storytelling is essential to getting accepted at a good match school. What I liked best about Dodge was the focus on filmmakers finding, creating and sharing a compelling story.

Acceptance into Dodge is extremely competitive. Students must apply to Chapman University and complete an extra application for Dodge College by November 15. The Dodge application gives you the chance to tell your own story, in a creative manner.