comment_mprtwyl

comment April 29, 2025 Score: 2 u/Good_Requirement2998

Comment_mprtwyl

I graduated with a bfa in 2015, I majored in film production and creative writing.

I can’t say how it is today. But I will say back then it was the strongest cuny program for film and I can happily attest that our yearly film festival screened shows that easily competed with those from nyu, Columbia, sva, etc. in the NYC circuit (even if most of those filmmakers didn’t know it - I volunteered, got around to different screenings. In my view, I came to realize BC filmmakers were gold and that was undergrad. We had good professors back then; shout out to Hornsby).

However that may have been the last year we actually shot in film, and it was the opening year of the grad program. Some things may have shifted.

From my personal experience, I fell into location sound and ended up working on nearly 30 advanced productions and thesis films. Given that we were all broke, we worked on each other’s projects, worked our asses off, but had great fun and made good films. I regret the loans I took out to keep up (if you’re overzealous you will want to spend on set materials, extra rentals, expendables, help with catering, etc.), and even though I took every business of film and producing elective class available, the indie industry was only then discovering the power of crowd sourcing and phase funding. Some of the first and successful thesis films Kickstarter campaigns took place while I was there (average funding was anywhere from 2-15k, as opposed to the 70k films we heard were coming out of nyu in undergrad thesis films). We certainly learned how to do a lot with a little. I miss it like you have no idea.

BC film had a lot of respect from other film schools across NYC too. At the time, I was always proud to hear how other crews talked about us (once you get some experience you do end up working on other uni sets, I was on multiple of the above mentioned - just make sure to spend time at the rental houses in case they bring in higher grade toys to production. Most places back then let you tinker around with cameras, steadycam rigs, lights, etc.)… I just realized I’m biased.

I have a longer story of how I ultimately fell out of favor with the administration, but the program itself was life altering for me. Very curious how it is today, but if the culture kept on, then it hands down wouldn’t let you down. Brooklyn is still a good place to become a filmmaker IMO.

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