Location: rockland community college, new york
I can’t figure out on the web site if there are actual filmmaking courses, not just theory. If there isn’t much, then can you take courses at some of the art schools in Toronto and transfer the credits? And are the courses at UofT good? Do students actually get to make films?
despite what some?nerd?might have?to say about the cinema studies program, it’s really not for the faint of heart. the cinema studies program is entirely theoretical, meaning that instead of “SOUND 1” we receive “American Popular Filmmaking in the Studio Era”. instead of learning how to record someone on a boom mike, we instead, sketch out theoretical arguments on the politics of Lynchian room tone. so there is a big difference. i mean, you will end up watching a lot of really great films which always helps anyone as a filmmaker, but you will end up writing a lot of sucky essays too.
as for credit transfers, well, that’s another tricky territory. it might be easier to try and switch your more practical courses with an art college like OCAD (which does have a integrated media program) or Ryerson’s film production program. but you can’t start U of T’s program, and finish it up at OCAD. not really at least.
the absolute best thing to do (i think), is explore the options in film at Ryerson (heavy on production), OCAD (heavy on technical stuff with a performance art sort of bent), U of T (mmm…theory!) and York (a mix of all). check out the courses, email the college secretaries, etc. you might find that a little theory goes a long way, but the university experience is very different. after all, we’re not in rockland anymore.
cheers, askastudent