u/Rough_Serve_7871

Hello! So, as we all know, the United States college system is EXTREMELY corrupt with admissions and aid, and elite colleges/universities cost over $100k+ nowadays. I wanted to go to USC, NYU, Chapman, etc., all those types of schools for film, but I have really realized that it is not worth all that money and I was aiming at the wrong target. I realized I would not get anywhere on that dream and figured out what I really want to do- I want to be an executive or producer at studios- not independent. I would do a regular 4 year degree, NOT 2 year. But at the same time, I don’t want to go to a school that's not really respected because of the money. I’m full pay, by the way. So I did some research and thought about Hollywood North, which is still a big move but just as far away as I would be in California. They have a good school in Canada with no lottery acceptance rate, very high prestige, and a balance of hands-on and theoretical work. I would rather that than a trade school-type program because I genuinely like learning other things, too, and want to have a great experience! They have a semester in LA, great views, a huge campus, a laid-back vibe, and clubs that I would love to join! It’s the University of British Columbia I’m thinking about. Or even better TMU would be cool and is consistently ranked top in top 15 film schools internationally.
I think would have a good chance of getting in. And it’s a very frequently filmed spot! Is it worth going to Canada for a lower price? I’d probably be cutting back 73k, and I believe I could definitely get some scholarships as well. I don’t want to burden my family and want to save room for my sister. I also don’t know if I want to do law school, so I want to save money for that too. What do you guys think? Is a degree from there recognized and respected? I mean, it's known as one of the top, generally, and for film in Canada. Aldo it wouldn't be as high stakes and cut throat like regular admission process. Will it be hard to do and crazy long if I'm a U.S. Citizen? REMINDER - I want to clarify this would not be a traditional film thing and I would come back to America after the degree for everyone saying it is worthless. The major would teach contracts, finance, intellectual property, and definitely be more business leniant on the creative side.

I wanna say before I put the stats, tbh I am really worried and have visions, nightmares, and panic attacks about not getting into any of these, especially my dream, Barnard. I'm an incoming junior this year, and it is important to note that I wanna be a film and musical producer. Here are my stats:

GPA unweighted 3.8; has been pretty much all As since first year.
My school is small, doesn't do aps before junior year, they only have 3 humanities options for juniors, and AP Gov is unrelated, so I'm not taking that. This year, a push for AP Lang, along with Spanish honors IV and honors art IV. Dual enrollment in film or media studies related to this year.

Full pay also but I am gonna try to get a lot of external scholarships.

I've taken 6 honors classes so far, btw.

Clubs:
National Spanish honors society
Lead of the photo club, which I really enjoyed helping make lesson plans for club days, helping with contests too, and trying to push a bit this year.
Pretty much restarted the diversity club, so I'm president. We're gonna do a documentary for different generations to combat ageism
I think I'm getting inducted into the national honor society this year

Extra- have been a competitive figure skater for 11 years. I do shows and competitions, but I really care more about the storytelling. I fully direct mine. I pick custom outfits and hairstyles, help choreograph, do makeup, edit my music, and choose my own. I like to blend them all into something emotionally compelling, which means a lot to me.

I run a YouTube channel and track stats and metrics, but I also do vlogs and tips for concerts, travel, music, film, etc. Love doing reviews on Broadway musicals, too.

I worked with a magazine near me this year, which was stressful, tbh, but rewarding. I'm hoping to do more with them or higher up, but this year I did the photography, journalism, and interviews, and led them myself, and came up with the idea to showcase the photography winners for faculty and students at my school. It's getting published in July.

Haven't won any awards really- I know I should get on that. Please advise also which I should try for.

I've taken classes that align with my narrative, like TV1, TV2, creative writing, and American legal (for legal and business purposes).

Co-writing some parodies and psychological horrors with some adults. It's a fun experience.
Gonna turn those into short films.

I have some photography pieces as well.

I know someone who knows Milo Manheim’s agent and is thinking about doing an interview with them and turning it into something.

I know I should do some volunteering or something, also ik yikes

I have written pitch decks for musicals I genuinely want to create, and they're professional.
I kind f want to do some case studies as well.

I have a friend who is writing a few books, and I also want to do a piece and a spotlight on her with journalism. And, also something within cinematography to help the hero out, while giving me a stronger portfolio. Kind f behind the scenes and inspired by her writing process and upcoming books.

Working a summer job in arts and media for camp co-counseling this year.

This is very ambitious, but I am planning to create a one-night music festival by summer next year to give myself time to make everything perfect, celebrating queer artists and young women, and hoping to donate to foundations for lgbtq+ and female filmmakers.

For future recommendation letters, I have strong connections with the photo club and a push teacher (the same person). As well as a sociology and history teacher, I'll figure out others as high school goes on.

My school is super small, does not do class rank, barley does any Aps so I'd have to find someway to do ap psych and stuff, I seriously think I would be the only person in my grade interested in this college and applying. Not competitive at all. (I didn't choose 😭)

I feel so behind and burnt out. I am also going to try and take 2 aps and dual enrollment senior year, but idk. I know I'm not doing enough. What else should I do? Barnard is emotionally tied to me, and my mom got in. It would really make her proud that she's done so much for me. I want to max out my chances, but I get overwhelmed easily and have intense anxiety. It is disheartening and discouraging ot see ppl who are perfect getting rejected! What should I do?

Hello, I’m an incoming junior. I am hypervigilant about college admissions, even though they are a year away. It is consuming my life and taking over y personality. I am fearing seeing visions f getting rejected, having panic attacks about this, and it hasn't even happened yet. I really want to get into Barnard, and I want to know, does everyone feel this way when trying to get into a top school like that? Everyone seems so at ease around me. It's heartbreaking seeing so many extremely qualified girls also get rejected and cry for hours online. I was wondering, for the people who got in (preferably in recent years), how did you do it? Do all stats really have to be that crazy? I feel that I’m really behind. I’m sorry if this sounds like a rant. I have a strong emotional attachment to the idea of getting in and am so burnt out already! I’m just looking to see if there’s any hope and what you guys did.

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to put together a 5-minute dark comedy/satire sketch based on Black Swan, which I’m planning to film with my sister and a friend for fun and use as a portfolio piece.
I’m looking for a co-writer who loves dark humor, awkward pacing, and heavy subtext to help me write it. Since this is a self-funded passion project for our portfolios, it’s unpaid, but you’ll get full writing credit.
Quick Project Stats:
Genre: Dark Comedy / Satire
Length: Around 4-6 pages
Budget: No budget / Self-funded
Cast: 3 leads (2 female, 1 male) plus a female ballet ensemble
Locations: Interior ballet studio and an office
The Concept:
The sketch targets the toxic, high-pressure relationship between the anxious, perfectionist dancer Nina and her incredibly pretentious, manipulative director Thomas (who has a thick French accent). The humor comes from the characters’ real, toxic behaviors instead of cheap gags.
The scene starts mid-audition for the Black Swan with the ensemble watching. Thomas is ripping into Nina with highly stylized insults while she nervously spins. The tension suddenly snaps when another ballerina, Lily, blunders in late, loudly carrying a coffee order, completely ruining Thomas's intense artistic vibe.
After auditions, Thomas sends the ensemble home and calls Nina into his office. He tears down her dancing, then instantly flips into a creepy, manipulative "gentle mentor" mode and crosses major lines. To escape, Nina bites his lip. This completely shatters Thomas’s dignified persona into a raw, screaming meltdown. Nina awkwardly packs up her stuff and flees while he’s still ranting, just hoping it blows over by Monday. Outside, she sees Lily chilled out on a bench, eating and looking at her phone.
Where I need help:
I need help shaping the dialogue, sharpening the status shifts, and building out the tension. I'm also totally open to ideas for what to do with Lily on the bench at the very end to hit a solid final punchline.
If you're interested, shoot me a DM with a 1-2 page writing sample (a sketch, scene, or dialogue) that shows you can handle dark comedy and tense character interactions.
I can provide more information if needed.
Thank you!

Hey everyone,
I’m looking to put together a 5-minute dark comedy/satire sketch based on Black Swan, which I’m planning to film with my sister and a friend for fun and use as a portfolio piece.
I’m looking for a co-writer who loves dark humor, awkward pacing, and heavy subtext to help me write it. Since this is a self-funded passion project for our portfolios, it’s unpaid, but you’ll get full writing credit.

* Genre: Dark Comedy / Satire

* Length: Around 4-6 pages

* Budget: No budget / Self-funded

* Cast: 3 leads (2 female, 1 male) plus a female ballet ensemble

* Locations: Interior ballet studio and an office

* The Concept:

The sketch targets the toxic, high-pressure relationship between the anxious, perfectionist dancer Nina and her incredibly pretentious, manipulative director Thomas (who has a thick French accent). The humor comes from the characters’ real, toxic behaviors instead of cheap gags.
The scene starts mid-audition for the Black Swan with the ensemble watching. Thomas is ripping into Nina with highly stylized insults while she nervously spins. The tension suddenly snaps when another ballerina, Lily, blunders in late, loudly carrying a coffee order, completely ruining Thomas's intense artistic vibe.
After auditions, Thomas sends the ensemble home and calls Nina into his office. He tears down her dancing, then instantly flips into a creepy, manipulative "gentle mentor" mode and crosses major lines. To escape, Nina bites his lip. This completely shatters Thomas’s dignified persona into a raw, meltdown. Nina awkwardly packs up her stuff and flees while he’s still ranting, just hoping it blows over by Monday. Outside, she sees Lily chilled out on a bench, eating and looking at her phone.

* Where I need help:
I need help shaping the dialogue, sharpening the status shifts, and building out the tension. I'm also totally open to ideas for what to do with Lily on the bench at the very end to hit a solid final punchline.

* How to Apply:
If you're interested, shoot me a DM with a 1-2 page writing sample (a sketch, scene, or dialogue) that shows you can handle dark comedy and tense character interactions.
I can give more information as well.

I want to clarify before I say this that I am not making fun of or trying to be mean about sombr, but so as well all know his singing is very good when he actually does (for example in certain parts of his songs that require more skill or other songs he covers) but a lot of the time he overprounounces his words to the MAX. I knew he did this for a long time but I feel like with ppl and his team run fan accounts saying they like it it’s just gotten even stronger to the point where I feel like he’s not even singing and the fake country accent is strong too. This is not hate but does anyone wish he would get some help on this vocally espically for the upcoming arena tour? I’m a huge fan and I got concert tickets because I love his music but I do think some serious training needs to be given, and maybe work on the weak parts like the pitchy falsettos, head voice, etc. As a singer I just wish I could genuinely give this advice because I know he has the voice.