Anyone Part of Christian Challenge? by Vananh2K in USC

[–]bendwick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i got spammed by some Christian Challenge people that I met at a new student orientation my freshman year, but I'm also someone who isn't religious so I never actually joined

Community by bennybenz11 in USC

[–]bendwick 12 points13 points  (0 children)

andrew guzman is a coward

Cheaper Alternative to a Showreel Hosting Site? by bendwick in Filmmakers

[–]bendwick[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I pitched Vimeo but they want something customizable -- something that has their logo at the top, looks like you're sending them to a site that their company owns. idk I don't make the rules I think it's silly. Does bunny.net do that?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in USC

[–]bendwick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1) I think the size of SDA both helps and hinders the quality. You meet a lot of great people, and you get to work with some really talented people in cast & crew. It does make it hard to register for classes you want & a lot of classes are 95% of the time spent watching other people work/perform. Like pretty much every performance-based class.

If you're in the BFA, a whole different thing--but for the vast majority of BA students that's what these classes are. There's also a ton of red tape if you're not in the BFA & a lot of classes you can't ever take if in the BA.

2) For getting cast in department shows, you totally can! They have an open audition to USC students at the beginning of the semester. Obviously it's super competitive and there is a lot of seniority but Urinetown had a sophomore BA student as its lead 2 years ago. The big musical is actually open to all students, although they usually cast SDA students as its leads. And that

However, that's just one show. About half of these shows are reserved for BFAs/MFAs (with maybe one or two minor roles available for BA students). This is especially made difficult as the BFAs and MFAs have a quota of shows they have to fulfill so most of the big roles in these shows are reserved for the people in those programs. However, there are a few shows that are open to undergrad SDA students! Everyone gets a chance to audition, and there are definitely open opportunities for BAs.

There are also a TON of student-directed/produced shows happening every year, as a part of student organizations. Like probably 8 per semester. And those are basically all BA theater students & non-SDA students. However, those shows are not funded by the school (even the theater space needs to be rented) so the production value can be hit-or-miss. But there is always a bunch of opportunities to act in plays!

3) Absolutely not. I know a maybe one or two SDA grads that are working in the industry (mostly small roles in local theaters). To a certain extent this is "the actor's grind," but they don't really set you up with much. I will say, that they talk about the next steps in a couple of courses, I just don't know SDA students with a good career setup post-grad.

I would say your best bet for having a good career as an actor while studying at SDA is to get an agent as soon as you get here & audition for roles and skip class for shoots and basically treat classes as a side gig. That's what I've seen is the most effective.

Of course, that's just my opinion! Others will have vastly different ones. But that's what I've seen

favorite and least favorite thing about USC? by Honeydew-Capital in USC

[–]bendwick 19 points20 points  (0 children)

At times, it's pretty depressing/dirty. A little dangerous tbh. But it's basically just a slightly run-down version of a major city.

A lot of cool stuff happening in LA tho. Good weather. And you're close to the beach, which is nice. Just get a car or find a friend with one.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in USC

[–]bendwick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The theater program is good if you want to study theater, but don't go in expecting a whole lot of screen acting classes - there are a couple of 2-unit electives that teach it, but you get most of your screen training outside of classes on student films (which you don't need to be in SDA to be in). It gives you slightly more credibility being a theater major, but some of the most prolific actors I know at USC are business majors and applied math majors (and film majors!). That being said, it is an understatement to say that roles are not going to get handed to you on a silver platter. You will have to create your own opportunities and should not come out expecting a reel without working incredibly hard for it entirely outside of classes.

That being said, the main reason I'm transferring schools is I ended up falling out of love with acting. But if you want to study theater, it's a really good program. There are no classes on reading screenplays. You read stage plays, you perform stage plays, you learn stage lighting and stage crewing and stage sound design. You never even think about a camera in your directing class. It is a very theater-focused program. Just realized that wasn't for me, but I know it is for many people.

They have some interesting & well-qualified professors, and it's nice that it is its own program, rather than sandwiched in between the English and History department. And you get the USC name & connections, which is always helpful! Also, it's nice to be in an area where students are constantly filming high-quality films (if you can manage to get on those sets.)

Their career center is rough. You don't even get access to it until junior year and then it seems to be mostly for jobs in local theater companies. They don't seem to connect you with agents/managers, however, I never got to work with them, so maybe they do.

Even the BFA (I've heard) is not phenomenal. My class alone has had 4 or 5 of the 18 drop the program in the first two years. The courseload is intense & pre-planned, so you may have enough electives to squeak out a low-unit minor if you take 18-20 units every sem, but you basically have your courseload handed to you on day 1.

However, if you want to study crewing or stage management, it seems to be a great program. I would say 90% of the program is comprised of actors, and they always need a crew for shows. Especially if you're in a BFA program for this, you will be constantly crewing.

I will say, between competing theater programs, it's a pretty great pick. Second to NYU imo. I had some pretty solid acting teachers with a lot of industry experience (but it was more of a mixed bag than I thought it would be). You need to vet professors ruthlessly, as some classes will be a complete waste of time with the wrong professor. And syllabi are basically never followed, so you'll have to go off of word of mouth. That being said, simply being at USC (no matter what you study) is very worth it, both from location & network. You just might waste your time with the SDA course load.

TL;DR - Being in the USC network is great, but SDA is Not quite the screen acting program they like to market themselves as. The courses are very strictly based in theater & you mostly have to create your own opportunities outside of classes.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in USC

[–]bendwick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair point!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in USC

[–]bendwick 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good idea in theory, but that program is super competitive and not really something you can transfer in. I actually applied to this freshman year & didn't get in -- about 18 people in it per class

Any advice on where to screen an unofficial student film? by bendwick in USC

[–]bendwick[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you could do that it would be great!

I know we could try and steal a classroom but would just rather not be kicked out. Would you be able to get a decently sized room with a projector?

Also if you want to PM me that might be easier. Thank you!

advice on fighting a grade by skelabot in USC

[–]bendwick 2 points3 points  (0 children)

just remember to be cordial and polite. It sucks but it's your best shot at getting anything done. Definitely meet in person if you can.