ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
“I did not see the cost of each of the workshops and was wondering what the tuition was?”
We are partnered with US Performing Arts in the presentation of our Arts Camp Program. Established with this organization six years ago, we share the same integrity and professionalism in offering a quality education to the next generation of performing and media artists. All registration information including tuition costs can be found at their web site: www.usperformingarts.com
“How does this program compare with other programs of this kind?”
The Arts Camp Workshop is the only program that has faculty from the school and working professionals from the motion picture, television and theater industries leading the workshops. In other workshops professionals may give a lecture or two but the actual day to day and moment to moment function of the workshop is led by graduate students from colleges and universities who themselves are still learning their craft. In our program, graduate students are in the workshops as assistance to the faculty but do not do the actual teaching or guiding of the art and craft of what is being taught.
“Who are the faculty in this program?”
That is the question which is asked the most. And the answer to that is unequivocal: They are UCLA TFT faculty. Our faculty are all working professionals in theater, film, television and the media arts. Many of them teach not only during the summer program but also during the normal academic year to the schools’ graduates and undergraduates in both departments. And they are EXCLUSIVE to the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television summer workshop. They do not teach at any other school. Several of them teach internationally, are published and are considered experts in their field. Which is one of the reasons why students come back year after year to work with our summer faculty.
“Do people live on campus?”
Yes, The UCLA Arts Camp/Workshops are entirely a residential program and the tuition includes the cost of room and board. Activities relating to the daily workshop may continue in the evening and it is important that our participants live in the dormitories on campus. This also lets them experience what campus life is like at UCLA while at the same time immersing them in their art and craft studies. For more information visit: www.usperformingarts.com
“Is it possible to participate in more than one workshop?”
Absolutely! Many of our participants stay for more than one workshop. In fact workshops are scheduled to allow someone to concentrate on an area of study, such as acting, writing, or digital filmmaking.
“Do I get to see any famous people or celebrities if I am in workshop?"
Actually this is a question that we are asked from time to time and deserves an answer in this section. Including our professional faculty we have had people drop by from time to time to visit or work with our workshop folks, for after all we are UCLA and in the center of the industry. Jeff Goldblum, Ken Page, Sammy Williams, JoBeth Williams, Luvarre Burton, Susan Egan, Henry Winkler are just a few who have visited with us. And oh yes, our workshop people have had an opportunity of watching not only the series HOUSE shoot on the campus but also a couple of independent movies and meet the actors and production crew. And the city of Westwood where our campus is located is often the spot where new movies hold their premiers. So you never know what may happen from one summer season to another!
“Will I find out about the schools’ academic programs and how to get into the school when I am ready to go to college?”
Sure. Time is set aside each week for everyone to meet with a representative from our Student Services Department. It is then that they explain all the ins and outs of what one does to apply to the school and is your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. You will also have a mentor in your daily workshop who is a student in the school and who can give you some insight into the program.
“What makes the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television different from other schools?”
That’s an easy one to answer. Our school is the only school in the country that has both a Theater Department and a Film, Television and Digital Media Department in its school And both departments have courses that are cross disciplined between the departments. We also have the UCLA Film Archives which is the largest film archive in the world second only to the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. And the Geffen Playhouse in Westwood is a professional theater that is affiliated with our school and UCLA. Another unique aspect of our school is that we have the only movie theater in southern California that is able to screen all movie and digital formats including original nitrate films: and do!
ABOUT COLLEGE CREDIT
“Is College Credit Available?”
Yes for an additional fee a student can be enrolled in the workshop for UCLA School of Theater Film and Television college credit. The fee structure is based upon the number of units for the course and most of the courses are worth 2 units. You will be enrolled as a UCLA summer session student in the School of Theater Film and Television.
“How are college credit courses graded?”
Students enrolled in college credit will be required to do some written work alongside the work they do in workshop. The written work pertains to cognitive thinking regarding the material they are learning and applying it to their craft of study. Time is provided for them to do the work which is turned in to the faculty either daily or weekly as required by the syllabus for the course. Grades are based upon the written work and participation in workshop.
“Does having a UCLA college credit course mean anything for a high school student?”
Having taken a college credit course while a high school student indicates to any college or university admission office that you are able to handle college level work. UCLA is one of the top universities in the country with a world class reputation for quality in education and research.
“Will the college credit course be accepted for credit at any college or university I may go to after high school?”
Of course we cannot guarantee that every college or university will accept the course for credit at their institution. But the courses associated with this workshop are courses that are in the university catalogue and are part of the college academic curriculum. Since the UCLA Theater Department is rated number one in the country and the UCLA Film and Television Department is one of the top three schools in the world we have every reason to believe that the courses would be transferable.
ABOUT DIGITAL FILM
“What facilities and equipment are used in the Digital Film Workshops?”
Both the Digital Film and the Advanced Digital Film Workshops use the same state of the art equipment that is used by our own film students. Our Canon, Sony, and Panasonic cameras record in mini dv. And the editing facilities use the same Final Cut Pro systems that are used in the motion picture and television industry. Workshops are held in the schools’ soundstages, screening rooms, edit rooms, foley and mix stages as the workshop meets in the building that houses the internationally recognized UCLA Film and Television Department. However, the workshops focus on story telling regardless of the tools available so all the bells and whistles that equipment may have does not make a good movie.
“Do I keep the movie that I make in the workshop?”
Of course! In fact on the last day of the workshop all the movies are screened in a large theater for an invited audience and you are given a DVD of your movie to take home to show to your family and friends.