The competition in the filmmaking industry is so cutthroat that those who live in this world are willing to do anything just to get to the top. For some the road to stardom may be hard, harsh, and rough while others have found an easy access like those whose parents have been established names in the industry. Luckily for you if you happen to have one.
The same is true with film education. Everyone would agree that film education is the most expensive investment one can ever get into. The cost of film education is really very expensive which will most likely amount to almost $100,000 for high-end film training from a very reputable film school. However this capital will never go for naught since the graduates will definitely enjoy the perks and the career opportunities after schooling.
If you are one of those who have been dreaming of joining the world of moviemaking then you better have a lot of money to finance yourself, more than talent alone in order to get to the most prestigious film school. So what if you don’t have the former and you believe that the latter can help you get enough funding for a film education? How would like to achieve that dream?
Yes, you may be partly right that your talent may get you somewhere, but in the real world the competition among the financially needy and most artistic people is really very stiff, which will make anyone’s chance of clinching a scholarship really slim. Nevertheless trying your luck will never do you any harm. Another great idea would b e to get involved in the media field. One young man worked his way up through the ranks of a television station, learned much and applied this knowledge and won an emmy award for his productions. He now works for a Tampa Video Production company.
In the same token, the financial assistance of some film schools are so limited if there are any. Film education grants are thus sourced from private organizations that provide modest financial aid to those who are pursuing film education.
Here are some of the notable organizations and institutions that are committed to helping filmmaking enthusiasts in achieving their dreams.
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
This organization is TV’s version of the famous Oscar’s where bright and talented people in the TV industry are give due recognition. The organization through its numerous sponsors has provided financial assistance to financially needy aspiring individuals in continuing their film education.
Summer Internship Program
The program is one of the thrusts of the Educational Programs and Services department of the Television Academy. It invites all qualified students for both full-time undergraduate and graduate students in any of the films schools of various universities and colleges all across the United States.
The interns will have the opportunity to work hands-on in both the administrative and production functions that are assigned to them. Those who will be selected for the program will get a stipend of $4,000.
Application Process:
The screening committee will only accept only one application per student that they can make via online (www.emmy’s.Getting into the film and video production industry is not easy, however, it is not impossible either. It takes work and planning to get where you want to be. Applicants shall choose only one category among the 29 that are listed for the internship. The applicants are required to submit the following:
Cover Page --- indicating the name, permanent address and phone number, name of college or university attended, address of the school or university attended, major/minor taken and the last GPA, name of the category chosen.
Professional Statement--- the applicant shall submit a statement of not less than 300 words the objective of the applications and the reason for choosing such category including but not limited to the roles that will performed in the that category.
Resume--- applicant should submit the most recent one.
Letters of recommendation--- the students shall secure two letters of recommendation which will addressed to the Internship Committee. One of the letters must come from the academe.
Transcripts of Records--- unofficial photocopy will be honored
Applicants who are Non-US citizens are required to submit their INS work authorization permit or CPT letter.
The Fred Rogers memorial Scholarship
In honor of Fred Rogers’ valuable contribution to children’s television, the Academy for Television in cooperation with their generous sponsor, Earnst and Young LLP is giving away scholarship grants amounting to $10,000 each for 2 qualified applicants.
The grants is primarily conceptualized to support the aspiring brilliant students to endeavor on the production of children’s program fro TV with the aim to integrate values and the principles that Mr. Rogers espoused.
The financial grant is open to all upperclassmen undergraduates and graduates students from accredited universities and colleges. All the applicants are expected to show keen interests in pursuing a career in children’s TV production. Applications can be downloaded from the same site above.
The fields of concentration are as follow: early childhood education, child development or child psychology, film or TV production, music, and animation. Those who are coming from the rural or inner city are given priority.
A select of individuals who have been identified by the Foundation shall screen the applicants. The successful grantees will receive their financial aid through their schools’ registrar or financial aid officer.
University Film and Video Foundation/ Eastman Scholarship Program
UFVF is a non-profit organization, which helps budding individuals in realizing their dream of becoming a filmmaker. The organization is the training ground of the Kodak Student Filmmaker Program grantees.
The organization provides the necessary skills for the students through hands-on exposure while Kodak provides the funding. With the aim to take care of young blood professionals who will continue to provide the society quality films in the future Kodak has allotted $ 5,000 for the tuition of a film education.
Applicants must be a university or college students who are currently taking up a degree in film, cinematography, and video production for both in the undergraduate and graduate levels. Their college or university nominates the applicants. The students must be coming from Canada or the US.
Institute for Humane Studies, George Mason University
The Institute for Humane Studies is offering Film And Fiction Scholarship worth $10,000 for each grantee fro tuition and stipend. The student should be taking up a Masters of Fine Arts with concentration either in Film, Fiction Writing or Playwriting.
The applicants are expected to have demonstrated a penchant for the “liberal ideas” and should be able to perform how these ides are applied in the present time and place. They should also convince the juror through their demonstration of the desire to excel in their chosen fields of endeavor.
The Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation
The foundation was established in 1988 with the aim to provide the financial support to the underprivileged individuals who are aspiring to have a career in the filmmaking industry. Likewise it also provides financial aids to organizations and institutions that provide excellent education and training.
The scholarships are given to students who are presently enrolled in any of the colleges and universities in the US for both undergraduate and graduate levels. Here some of the available scholarships:
The King Family Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The program provides financial aid to deserving undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in television and film. The lucky grantees will enjoy $5,000 in scholarships.
The King Family Foundation/New York University Heinemann Award
This award is given to an outstanding senior student in film or video enrolled in NYU. The winner will receive $10,000.
The King Family Foundation/ University of Southern California Award
Thins annual award is given to a graduate student taking up MFA in USC whose film or video project has catch the attention of the jury. The winner will receive $10,000.
The King Foundation/ UCLA Post Production Award
UCLA graduate students of the MFA degree are qualified for this award. The jury will choose the outstanding students’ projects in film or video that are in their completion stage. The winner will receive $10,000.
If you are one those who are lucky to enjoy scholarship grants from private and non-government organizations then you just hurdled one of the difficult challenges in film schools. The next obstacle for any filmmaking enthusiasts is to find enough funds for the first solo film project.
In the US alone there is quite a little of generous organizations that share their financial resources to creative individuals who can’t afford to produce their first project. Here is the list of organization, which can be tapped for funding.
Center for Asian American Media
The program is committed to helping creative individuals who can integrate in their film projects the Asian American experience both in film and television.
The Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project
The Writer’s Film Project, which is hailed as the most esteemed fellowship for screenwriters in the US is based at the Paramount Pictures. Famous screenwriters of some of the top-grossing films in our times like A Walk To Remember, The Lake House, Free Willy 2, and Proof among others have attended and credited the workshop for the success of their screenplays.
Film Arts Foundation Grants
The aim of Film Arts Foundation Grants is to motivate artistic individuals to produce quality film projects that are otherwise would have gone to the starting line for financial reason. The categories that filmmakers should engage in include personal works and development.
Finding the right organization to finance both film education and film projects is seemingly a difficult task for anyone who is afraid to take the risk. Amidst the stiff competition playing in the film industry talent might not be enough in securing a surefire financial grant. Working with a local video production company like Florida Video Production can also give you and edge. Greater experience and a better looking resume.
For someone who is itching to become one of the best names in the industry she or he has to be bold and aggressive because in this sort of competition only those who dare will survive.
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