OK... i've been accepted as a transfer to AU, so i'd technically still be 09'

[micahdetrix]

I have a question to ask. I know that American is a fine school. However, I'm not entirely sure how strong/good American's Visual Media program (or "Film and Media Arts) is. Are there any freshmen here who are Communication: Visual Media majors? If so, is this a school that focuses on feature filmmaking? I know when people think of film schools

Comments

[fishyfred]

I'm a freshman in the School of Communications and Visual Media is probably my major, but I've been knocking out my gen-ed classes for two semesters, so I can't really give you a good idea of what to expect. Also, I'm not into feature filmmaking. I'm into TV. You should find upperclassmen and ask them. As for the professors, most of them are really good, especially in communications. The old fogeys are in the School of Business and SIS/PoliSci. If you have to take Visual Literacy (COMM-105), see if you can get Professor John Anderson. He is a god amongst professors.

In the time I've taken to glance into the room, we do appear to have a bitchin' digital editing lab. Dual-processor Macs make the editor in me squeal like a little girl.

[anonymous]

I am a visual media major freshman. Mostly, AU uses final cut pro and I think the grad school uses avid. The major is designed really so you can pick and choose the courses you like, whether they be in photography, television production, or film. As the person before me said, you don't really get into the specific major classes for a while so I oculdn't help you with that info. I know AU has a high-ranked communications program, but in regards to the film program in that, I am not sure. I probably was no help but hopefully you got something outta that. hehe Let me know if you have any more questions.

-Julianne

[babyappeal]

Sorry, that was me!

Hey guys thanks so much from your input

[micahdetrix]

so... the way you make it sound is that AU isn't really a school that has a disciplined systemic film course system... one can "pick and choose the courses"?
Could you guys elaborate on this? also, do you guys actually work with the cameras freshmen year? I know of alot of "film schools" that don't let their kids touch cameras until sophomore year (!)

Basically I just wanted to know how serious a school this is for film. Has your experience been good and worthy of your money so far, Julianne?

Re: Hey guys thanks so much from your input

[micahdetrix]

Hey- This website might help you out a bit. This is what I mean by 'pick and choose'. http://soc.american.edu/main.cfm?pageid=51

I am more into television and photography as well, but I have touched cameras in my vis. lit. class (I was in university college) and if you join something like ATV (student run TV) you are going to get hands-on experience right off the bat. But you will also spend most of your freshman year completing your gen. ed. classes so you don't really take many communications courses until later on.

Personally, I am not paying the full price to go to AU, which is part of the reason I am here. For the price I am paying, I think it is worth the money. The comm. school has a good reputation and DC is awesome. For film in particular, I do not have a great amount of knowledge. AU probably isn't one of those " amazingly prestigious" film schools, but it does have a great comm. program.

Re: Hey guys thanks so much from your input

[babyappeal]

Me again, sorry!

[sopranosweety6]

I was actually surprised to hear that AU has a really good film program, specifically in terms of documentary film making. You said you were interested in feature film making however I'm going to say that the entire film program is pretty solid. My TA for Visual Literacy went to NYU for undergrad and is getting his MFA from AU for film and he said he is really impressed with AU's film program. I'm actually concentrating in photography as a visual media major but I hope the little bit of info that I have helps.