Parents • Students • International


Let’s look at the numbers.

You are going to school to learn valuable skills; skills that you will use to launch a career and make a living. And the sooner you get out there and begin working, the faster you’ll be on your way. In the past, traditional four-year schools were the only way you got ahead. But today’s students have more options. Have a look at the figures below and you’ll see why an SFSDF education may be the best option for you.

TRADITIONAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Average costs (without room/board)

Private four-year $25,143/year ($100,572 total)
Public four-year $6,585/year ($26,340 total)     
Public two-year $2,402/year ($4,804 total)     

SOURCE: College Board's Trends in College Pricing 2008

FILM SCHOOLS

New York Film Academy
1 year, $35,000 + fees

LA Film School
1 year, $41,720 + fees

University of California, Los Angeles
2 years (no freshmen), $28,917/year, (non-resident), $8,309/year, (resident)

University of Southern California
4-year, BA degree
128 units @ $1,329 = $42,528/year

American Film Institute
2-years, $35,857/year

San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking
1-year, $26,900 + fees

If you are ready to be a filmmaker – and ready to get out there and work – SFSDF will give you the skills and experience you need, fast but without compromising quality.

Another year in school is another year in which you are not working and earning money.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PARENTS

Q: What else will a student get besides a Professional Certificate at the end of the One-Year Filmmaking Program?
We know that the three most important things an aspiring filmmaker needs to be competitive in the job market are; a reel of your work, credits on a film and contacts within the industry. This is our commitment to each and every student graduating from SFSDF.
 
Q: What other expenses are there on top of tuition?
A: Students pay for their production expenses over the course of the year. We estimate this cost to be approximately $1,000 for the year.

Q: Can we get financial aid?
SFSDF has a trained financial advisor on staff ready to work with you, one-on-one, to help assess your tuition options. Call 415.824.7000 to speak to a school representative directly.

Q: Is housing available?
SFSDF does not provide on-campus housing to its students. However, we will provide resources and work with you to help you find a safe and comfortable home-away-from-home.

Q: Is there any support or assistance from SFSDF once I graduate?
One of our greatest strengths is the continued support we offer each of our graduates as they move into the workforce. We field many job opportunities and present them to our students - often before the positions are open to the public. We are often a simple phone call away.

INTERNATIONAL

Q: What is the policy for foreign students?
We welcome international students and are excited to experience influences and ideas from around the world. We will work with you to obtain an M-1 Visa and make it as easy as possible for you attend SFSDF. For more information, please contact our Admissions Department, 415.824.7000 or email admissions@sfdigifilm.com. Learn more about how to obtain an M-1 Visa.

Q: How many international students attend SFSDF?
This number varies by class. But, to date, we have welcomed students from Spain, Israel, Great Britain, Germany, Kenya, India, Switzerland, Poland to name a few.

Q: What programs are available to international students?
All of our programs are open to international students provided you have the proper documentation. Depending on your length of stay, you may be able to take a course at SFSDF without a Visa.

Q: What are the requirements to attend school at SFSDF?
Before considering attending SFSDF, you need to have the proper Visa and associated permissions. With these documents in order, we will welcome a wide variety of students. Most of all, we require that you truly want to be a filmmaker, actor or screenwriter. We value passion and promise over grades and test scores.
   
Q: Does SFSDF assist international students with obtaining their M-1 visa?
Yes. Our knowledgeable Admission Department is familiar with the M-1 visa rules and procedures and will be happy to help you qualify.

Q: How do I start the process of receiving a 1-20 to obtain my M-1 Visa?
The best place to start is with the United States Government - http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html

Q: What else will I get besides a Professional Certificate at the end of the program?
We know that the three most important things an aspiring filmmaker needs to be competitive in the job market are; a reel of your work, credits on a film and contacts within the industry. This is our commitment to each and every student graduating from SFSDF.

Q: Is there any support or assistance from SFSDF once I graduate?
One of our greatest strengths is the continued support we offer each of our graduates as they move into the workforce. We are often a simple phone call away.

Q: Is housing available?
SFSDF does not provide on-campus housing to its students. However, we will provide resources and work with you to help you find a safe and comfortable home-away-from-home.

Q: Do I need my TOEFL or other English training to attend SFSDF?
SFSDF requires a TOEFL certificate. For more information and to take the test, go to: http://www.ets.org/toefl  Our Institutional Code is 3258.*
 
Q: Are there application deadlines?
Because you may be dealing with visa and immigration issues, it is recommended you begin your application process as soon as you have decided to attend. We ask that you apply no later than 4 months before the start date.

Q: Why San Francisco? Why SFSDF?
San Francisco is one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting cities. Spend a few minutes learning about what makes San Francisco special.

STUDENTS

Q. How is SFSDF different from other film schools?
This is a great question and one we love to answer. Our philosophy is "the best way to learn the art and craft of filmmaking is to make films!" The curriculum at our school is entirely project-based – meaning all of our classes are based around the films each student makes. Whether a student is enrolled in our intensive one-year or 5-week program, each student writes, produces, directs and edits their own films. Students enrolled in our one-year program also apprentice with a professional crew on one of two feature films the school produces per year.

Q: What is the difference between an internship and an apprenticeship?
At SFSDF, we believe in apprenticeship rather than internship. Other schools place their graduates at outside companies for internships with the hope these companies will teach them valuable professional skills. It's been our experience that most of these internships are a waste of time. At SFSDF, professional working experience is guaranteed to students because of their apprenticeship on school-produced feature films. It is on the movie set of these features that students take their filmmaking craft to the next level and become themselves professionals in the industry.

Q: Will I really work on a professional feature film?
Yes, you will. Students in our one-year Digital Filmmaking Program work with and are mentored by motion picture professionals on school produced and co-produced feature films. On these productions students fill key crew positions such as – associate producer, assistant camera, set decorator, best boy, wardrobe, boom operator, assistant to the director, key grip, and assistant editor.

Q: What kind of cameras and editing system does the school use?
Students shoot their films on the latest HD cameras, including the new Sony EX-1, the tapeless Panasonic AG-HVX200, and the Sony HDV-Z1U.  In addition, students work with some of the highest end HD cameras while crewing on feature films including the Panasonic Varicam, the new Panasonic HPX-3000, and the infamous RED camera. For editing, students use Apple's industry-standard Final Cut Studio HD running on super-fast Mac computers with 23-inch HD Cinema Display monitors.

Q: Will my movies be shot on film or High Def video?
Your projects will be shot on High Definition digital video, using the latest High Def digital cameras and equipment.
 
Q: How does SFSDF prepare me for working in the motion picture industry?
Every aspect of the filmmaking program at our school is designed to prepare you for becoming a filmmaking professional. This is true whether you want to become a writer/director or be part of a film crew.

Q: How hands-on are the classes?
From the very first day of class you will be getting your hands on the equipment. This is one of our guiding principles.

Q: Will I make my own films or be part of a group project?
You will be writing, producing, directing and editing your own films. In addition, because all of our students work in production teams, every student will gain valuable experience and credits crewing on other student’s pictures. By the end of our one-year program students will have worked on over 25 films.

Q: Do I need a background in film or photography to attend your school?
No, you don't. You need a passion for filmmaking and a willingness to put in a maximum effort to achieve your goals. We are looking for committed people who care.

Q: Can I work and still attend classes?
We have designed our curriculum to accommodate working students. Students can choose either a daytime or evening course schedule for our Filmmaking class. The evening class receives the same amount of instruction and production hours as our daytime students.

Q: How much access will I have to the equipment?
Students need to have as much access to equipment as possible. We realize that the greatest frustration a student faces is waiting for equipment. Because of the structure of our curriculum and the small size of our classes, students have great access to all equipment.

Q: What other expenses are there on top of tuition?
A: Students pay for their production expenses over the course of the year. We estimate this cost to be approximately $1,000 for the year.

Q: What else will I get besides a Professional Certificate at the end of the program?
We know that the three most important things an aspiring filmmaker needs to be competitive in the job market are; a reel of your work, credits on a film and contacts within the industry. This is our commitment to each and every student graduating from SFSDF.

Q: If I come for a tour, may I sit in on a class?
We welcome all visitors and would love for you to sit in on any of our classes.  Our school is open Monday through Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Speak with one of our admissions representatives to make arrangements.           

Q: Can I contact a former student?
We have many former students who would love to share with you their experiences. Contact our admissions office by phone, fax or e-mail.