The Santa Fe University of Art and Design

Date: Jul 03 2008
Major: Video/Media (This Major's Salary over time)
I went to CSF for about a semester. I love the city, love the campus, love the people there. They're so open minded, creative, fun, and very free spirited. The friends I made there will always be a part of my life.

I was a MOV student (film) and I have a strong background in film, especially TV, so I was expecting big things out of the place. What I found was so disappointing - the TV station is never used, the productions that come and rent studio space almost never really hire students, the Cage's equipment was nice but there's better quality stuff out there, and since it was staffed by students most were freshmen and gave you the wrong equipment, lost your order, etc. The professors were nice, some of them can be fairly stubborn and rigid and if you don't do things how they do, you get points deducted. Each one was different and I did learn some very interesting things. So, where there was good, there was bad, and vice versa.

I found that certain subcatagories of the MOV department were fantastic while others lacked horribly. They were very lax when it came to production - meaning that they didn't teach you everything you needed to know. I know of several graduated seniors who didn't know how to export a tape in FCP or how to properly edit their own work. They teach to the Hollywood factor or the Indie factor - have someone else do it or do it yourself. Unfortunately, lots of people take the Hollywood route and don't learn enough so when the chips are down they can do it themselves. Also, when you crew, people try to do things the way they want do, commonly disregarding what the director wants. This was a very common complaint.

Here's the thing about the MOV department: if you have the drive and want to be an indie/Hollywood person, then there's totally resources for you at CSF. If you want to do something else, don't bother. Their cinematography program is amazing, they have a fantastic media theory teacher and their editing teacher is absolutely fantastic. So, just be aware of that when you're going in.

The people are fantastic there. Some can be pompous, some are awesome, some are nice, a few are "normal", and some are pretentious. They're artists. And they are all awesome in their own ways.

Just be aware - security sucks on campus. There was a rash of bike thefts when I was there and it took security 45 minutes to respond and I could see them - I could've walked to them faster. They don't do anything.

As for outside life, Santa Fe is artsy, quite, and relaexed. Lots of great scenery, art studios, etc. Things are expensive and there's lots of Santa Fe food that's yummy.

Pretty much, if you're artsy and that's what you want to do, then CSF will be fantastic for you. I wanted to do more corporate/videography work and was pretty much shunned by the MOV dept and fellow peers. I still keep in contact with my friends there and there are so many talented artists there. Also, watch out, because the school is pretty much low on cash all the time. That's why they started the athletic program (which is hilarious, given the fact that 90% of the students are so artsy and hippie, it's a funny image) - as a resource to get more kids in.

In all, CSF is an art school to the core. Keep it in mind. It didn't fit me and it might not fit you, but it might. The people are still one of a kind there. It's an artsy and very gay friendly school, which is nice.