The School of Visual Arts

Date: Aug 03 2007
Major: Fine Arts - Painting/Sculpture/Photography/etc (This Major's Salary over time)
For all the money you pay in dept fees and tuition, the film dept does not have enough equipment to lend out to students. When one does get their hands on the equipment the majority of it is archaic (dating 20 + yrs or older) and is in disrepair. Much of the lighting equipment is unsafe for use and should be replaced (many a fire has been started at SVA!) The equip that is relevant to know how to operate for work in the industry is only given access to in the senior year. Students are held liable for the prehistoric equipment malfunctioning. The students are not adequately instructed by the professors on proper use of the equipment, which often results in film shoots collapsing because none of the crew can figure out the mechanical functions of the camera or sound equipment. Just because one has worked successfully in the film industry, it does NOT mean that they are proficient enough to teach a classroom about it! Most of the professors are teaching as a day job and do not care to convey their knowledge to you, but they will gladly tell their naive drooling starstruck body of students extensively about the awards they have won and their various accomplishments. Be prepared for many class sessions of watching movies when the professors do not feel like teaching that you with minimal discussion afterwards that you could have paid 4 bucks to rent and talk about with your friends more analytically. This is normally the rule and not the exception, also be prepared to kiss arse a lot if you expect to get a good grade, and NEVER complain about the professors to any of the advisors or other professors ( it is a boys club, don't ever forget it!) If you wish to learn at this school speak to the grunts who work in the production office, they will help you and teach you more than your professor ever did. And If you wish to succeed when you leave this school it is important to have a lot of money and relatives in the film industry ;)