What schools have tv/film acting besides NYU, it also needs to have a journalism program?

Question

I have looked into alot of schools, and NYU is the only one the meets my needs, lol. I'm a freshman in high school, so I want other options... I've called so many schools and they all say the same thing: We only have theater. I thought USC and UCLA went into tv/film acting but they don't according to both their drama department. Cal Arts, Bard, UGA, and many others... USC is in a bad area so I don't like it. UCLA has no journalism program too. I called alot of schools. SUNY Purchase said that there school you have to sing for their drama audition. I can't sing nor dance and don't want Broadway or theater. Chapman U has a program but not too good, and no j school. NYU has a program but its not until Junior year but they said they have other programs, and I like it. I also looked into Flagler College which I liked but again only theater and ok school. I just like it because it is close to family and good campus, and only minor for journalism. I want to get into entertainment journalism, like working for Variety. I love to be in TV shows and also love to write articles about them. I'm also a good writer and could be a good journalist at a newspaper. I have done theater in the past alot, and got sick of it. I left it four years ago. I'm 14 and a freshman. I'm in theater in high school, and don't like it. My real passion is tv/film acting, not film. TV/Film acting is like in films and tv shows and not stage. I make good grades. I'm in all honors and a AP. I know alot of colleges only go into stage but I know I can find one. I want to double major in journalism and acting. Journalism is more like a back up plan, but maybe can work part time in between. It is another passion. I love NYU but hate the face its not in LA. NYC is more for theater and that's not good. I don't want to go to a conversatory such as Julliard or The New York Film Academy. It needs print journalism there too. What school do you recommend? I have checked most out. I have been acting since 6, and it's my passion. I just lost interest for theater and love tv/film acting. I know you should be able to go back and forth but I found my calling. I would like a college in NY or LA. I would prefer LA. I know there is no perfect school but I want one, lol. I live in ATL and have two agents. What do you suggest and what school? What is your feedback. I know I can do both passions. I am a great writer and actor. Thanks!

Answer 1

i attended arizona state university, second only to UCLA in size, and they fit your description.

Answer 2

Hi,

I guess its too bad that NYU, probably the best fit so far (has both film and journalism) is not in LA. However, it has served as a launch pad for many to move to Hollywood and achieve success in film/TV. Remember NYC is the second largest center for film in the US, and also according to Wikipedia "New York is a global center for the television, advertising, music, newspaper and book publishing industries and is also the largest media market in North America (followed by Los Angeles, Chicago, and Toronto)". So it is hardly an unsuitable alternative to going to school in LA. I personally feel you could make the most of both your acting and writing talents in NYC as compared to LA.

As for your best-fit college, if there is no one college that meets your needs exactly, you could look around or contact the colleges you mentioned to see if they have joint programs with other institutions that allow you to combine your interests in film/TV acting and print journalism. I do not know if NYU has any such arrangement, but there is a very high likelihood that you will be able to take courses at Cooper Union (great for the arts) and Columbia (great school overall, and should have courses in film technology as well as print and electronic media.) Plus, the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU has a film program in Singapore offered in conjunction with the National University of Singapore (NUS). The program is fairly new, but any flaws in its design should be ironed out by the time you get to college in 2012. Enrolling in Tisch will then allow you to study abroad in Singapore for a semester or a year, giving you a broader perspective of the film industry in different parts of the world. So all in all, I would suggest (this has nothing to do with me being at NYU) to trust your instincts (you have mentioned previously that NYU would be your dream school) and stick to NYU as your first choice, for it is the school most likely to have enough programs and courses, cooperative arrangements with local schools, study abroad opportunities and flexibility in desgning your major(s), and NYC is better for film and journalism than you think.

Two last comments however. It is very possible that over the course of high school, your interests will change and your abilities in other areas of the arts may come to your notice. So having a fixed idea of what you want from college right from the start of high school and sticking to them in the face of changing circumstances might not be a wise thing. You may find, for example, that you rediscover a love for theater (if your high school offers theater courses), or a subject entirely different from acting and journalism. You do want to keep your options open, and you will see your academic interests and choice of college change a great deal over the next four years.

The other is that you do not have to be h**l-bent on a career in print journalism. The popularity of blogging and online journals offer another outlet for your creative energies in the electronic (not print) media. You may consider freelancing your services to both print and electronic media outlets. So you do not need to be insistent on a major in print journalism. Lastly, remember that a degree in journalism is not even required to succeed in the journalistic field. What matters is your knowledge of the subject and your ability to hold an audience captive. If your writing skills are strong enough and your understanding of the subject is substantial enough to allow you to write content in great depth, you do not need a journalism degree to set up shop as one.

EDIT: I noticed your question in the other section and one user mentioned Emerson College (and its cross-registration with Suffolf U). I am surprised you never considered Emerson, well known for it performance arts programs. I woul definitely recommend Emerson, but I do not have a high opinion of Suffolk, plus the two are in Boston (neither NYC nor LA), so you do need to think carefully here.