Expert: Phil Nemy - 11/29/2004

Question
Hi! My name is Annamaria and I would like to be a film/television producer. Although I've always wanted to be an actress, it wasn't until this year that I realized it's extremely difficult to be successful in that area. When I visited Los Angeles for the first time last summer, I took several studio tours at Warner Bros, Paramount and Universal Studios. The experience was amazing! I saw the tv show "Charmed" filmed for at least an hour at Paramount, and knew more than my tour guide at Warner Bros. I love movies and television; as soon as I come home I turn on the tv and search my computer for any information on upcoming movies and tv shows. I'm a junior in high school, so I'm looking for schools to attend. I live in NY, and would die to go to NYU or USC, but the odds of getting in these top schools is very small, as I have no experience directing, and very little working on a film of any sort. I do get the leads in my drama and musical productions, but I do realize that I need to work behind the scenes in this area. I am considering attending Full Sail in Orlando; I hear it's up and coming in the business and have received information from the school. I'm trying to get as much information as I can from individuals; I spoke to a teacher in my school who attended the Tisch School of the Arts, and my friend's father, Constantine Makris, is a cinematographer and director on Law and Order. I would love it if you could give me ANY advice. Thank you so much!

Answer
Annamaria,

Thanks for writing. To my knowledge, there is no undergraduate program for film or television producing. There are programs on the graduate level, such as the Peter Stark Program at USC.

Don't count yourself out just because you don't have that much experience. No one can expect you to have that much experience when you're only a junior in high school. I don't know much about Full Sail, but if you think it's right for you, then go for it. But consider applying to NYU as well. Or even Columbia - they have a good film program as well.

If you want to gain experience, begin working as an intern or PA on a film or TV show in nyour area. Since you live in NY, you should be able to contact a number of shows to see if they'll take you on/

Hope this helps!  Good luck!

Phil