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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q. Can I get a job when I finish your program?

A. State law prohibits an approved school like ours from guaranteeing employment. However, we do provide on-the-job training in some of our courses. Employment opportunities vary for different categories of film work. Prospects for employment are included in the individual course descriptions.

Q. Do you offer a degree in film?

A. We are a vocational trade school not a degree granting institution. A Certificate of Completion is awarded to our students for each course. A film degree is rarely considered an advantage for employment in the film industry and is not normally required for film employment.

Q. There are many film schools across the country. Why should I go to yours?

A. For two basic reasons:
1. Cinema Arts Tech has the best, most professional and experiencedfilm instructors in the country! Steven Spielberg's production managers, vice presidents of production of major Hollywood film studios, Directors Guild committee chairmen, and producers and managers of many of Hollywood's biggest motion picture productions can certainly train you in the real professional filmmaking process.

2. To get work and earn money. Even just starting out, our graduates are qualified craftsmen and professionally prepared to perform on the job even starting out. Most people working in the entertainment industry start their career at the entry level as an intern or production assistant. It is only after many years that they will rise up into a department head key job. Many of our graduates start in films as a department head in a key job with high pay, and then they may rise up into film management as producers, directors, and production managers much earlier in their careers. This saves many years of ladder-climbing toward success.

Q. Do you have short courses for quick learning?

A. Our training programs are only two to six months long, which is much shorter than a four or five year school and much longer than a one or two day seminar-type introductory film program. We do not approve of partly trained graduates with a short period of training who then attempt to do a professional’s job. Some of our courses to train department heads provide over 100 hours of instruction.

 

Q. How much do your courses cost?

A. Costs usually range from $1,000 to $6,000 for a course. That’s at least $25,000 less than most film schools.

Q. Is student financing available?

A. Limited financing is available. Vocational training sponsors include the California State Employment Development Department, Rehabilitation Claims Counselors, and major motion picture and television studios (i.e. Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, NBC, CBS) as well as many independent film company employers. Check with your employer’s Human Relations Department to discover if a tuition reimbursement program is available for you. Unfortunately, no federal student loans or G.I. Bill sponsorships are currently available through the school.

Q. I am employed five days a week. Can I study at your school?

A. Yes, definitely. Many of our courses are offered in the evenings or on weekends. Even on-the-job training for our students can be provided on weekends. Many commercials and music videos shoot their productions on weekends. Most of them pay a good rate. When you start making more money on the weekends than you do on your day job, then you can quit your day job.

Q. I am currently attending a film school. Can I still study with you?

A. Yes! Our programs and class schedules can often be arranged to satisfy evening and/ or weekend study. There is very, if any, little homework, Our cirricula should make you a far superior, outstanding film student at your other school. With our school's guidelines for production, your student films should be the best in your class!

 

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