The LAFSC is a CCCU run extension program. Founded in 1991, the program was originally located near Universal Studios. It has since relocated to West Hollywood on the "Miracle Mile" (the exact address is 5455 Wilshire Blvd for those interested).
They run a semester long program that focuses primarily on writing, producing and directing. It is a 16 credit course consisting of; a 6 credit internship in the industry (that equates to 20-24 hours a week), a 3 credit lecture class called Theology in Hollywood, a 4 credit Hollywood Production Workshop course (where we make a short film) and a 3 credit elective which is one of either Professional Screenwriting or Motion Picture Production (I will be doing screenwriting).
For housing the program sets us up in fully furnished apartments in the Park La Brea apartment complex a few blocks away. We are housed 4-5 in a 2 bedroom apartment. You can see a picture of the layout to the left. The apartment is 1,112 sq. ft.
The LAFSC facility takes up approximately half of the 16th floor in the 5455 building. They have a small soundstage, editing lab, audio lab, foley stage and lecture room. The editing lab, as well as a student lounge area (equipped with Blu Ray and high def tv) stocked with about 1,500 movies. The facility is modest in size but really packs a punch with what it delivers.
As I mentioned in my previous entry, I truly do feel God's call to come to this program. But there are other practical appeals to this as well. For one, the LAFSC boasts a very impressive resume of graduate accomplishments. These range from Arrested Development to The Exorcism of Emily Rose. The LAFSC helps prepare people to actually work in the industry and they have the track record to back it up.
Another thing that attracted me to this program was their dedication to story telling. Throughout my initial visit I became aware of a growing disconnect between film schools and the stories that films are supposed to be about. Schools like USC will teach aspiring film makers to make pretty movies but they forget to teach their students that the importance of creative story telling. Writing creative original stories is an emphasis of the writing tract and immediately caught my eye.
Of course the biggest bonus of this program for me is the Christ centered environment I will be entering. All the students in the program come from Christian colleges around the country. I am more excited for my Theology in Hollywood class than I have been for any lecture class in my life. I have visited a church that I really liked the two times I was there this spring and I hope I can make a few trips there during the semester (it's 30+ minutes away from the school). There are also several good churches nearby so I will be checking those out some too.
The bottom line in all this is I will be spending the semester with fun, exciting people that share my dreams. I will be able to hone my craft with fellow Christians from around the country (and a few from beyond). I will have the opportunity to intern within the industry and make connections that will help me down the road in my career. Oh, and I'll get to live in an awesome apartment!
You can find their website here if you have any more questions.
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