Film schools should provide each student with three basic opportunities: 1) Hands-on experiences with up-to-date hardware and software. Technical colleges and private-enterprise (non-degree-granting) film schools should provide these. Check to see that your prospective school has enough good equipment to allow every student ample opportunity to develop skills. 2) Training that is well-enough orchestrated that each student can build a portfolio or a list of credits to use after the education is over. Sometimes technical colleges do not allow for this; more often universities have too many other arts courses that interfere. 3) Contacts that can be used in later years. While it would be nice if film schools all could provide a pipeline into the industry via first-hand introductions to working professionals either in class or out, this is not often the case. What schools more often provide is contacts within the actual student body. IE, directors meet editors or cinematographers among their peers. In this regard, universities usually provide more valuable experiences, especially for those interested in writing, directing, and producing--for there are more than mere techies to associate with. Acting students, design students, marketting and accounting majors, creative writers, et al. are just some of the "added attractions" for these film students. Four year film degrees often offer more opportunities for students to develop "life experiences" that could prove valuable. Better information on prospective film schools can come from present students and recent graduates or escapees. Check with them. From a university film professor who has also taught in other venues, Gene Walz University of Manitoba ---- To signoff SCREEN-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF SCREEN-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]