Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts was ranked No. 4 among public schools and No. 15 among the nation’s top film schools on The Hollywood Reporter’s 2023 list of the Top 25 American Film Schools.
Recognized as one of the entertainment industry’s premier publications, The Hollywood Reporter measures film schools on the success of their alumni, reputation among film professionals, and the quality of faculty, facilities and filmmaking equipment.
“The Florida Legislature knew what it was doing when it created a small program in a public university that was devoted to preparing young filmmakers for careers in the film industry,” said Reb Braddock, dean of the College of Motion Picture Arts. “We adapt to changes in the industry, but our hands-on project-focused approach has remained the same — and still works.”
The publication cited the college’s new dedicated mental health specialist to assist film students to cope with stress, an emphasis on collaboration in learning, the tight-knit alumni network and affordability as key factors in distinguishing it as one of the nation’s most prestigious film schools.
“We’re proud to be one of the 15 best film schools in the country and even prouder to be one of the four best public film schools, offering filmmakers a first-rate education without the dizzying price tag.”
— Reb Braddock, dean of the College of Motion Picture Arts
The College of Motion Picture Arts is also noted as having one of the finest production facilities in the world dedicated exclusively to motion picture education. The college functions as an industry-grade production studio, with writers’ rooms, sound stages, post-production suites, animation labs, screening rooms and a new virtual soundstage.
The school’s Torchlight Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship educates students in current and emerging business practices of the industry and seeks to provide students with internship opportunities to gain in-depth experience in these areas, which helps with the post-graduation transition into Hollywood.
The Torchlight Center also provides opportunities for faculty members to produce their creative work. Notable faculty productions include: “Rachel,” a new feature film by Professor Victor Nunez; the feature documentary “Courtroom 3H,” directed by Professor Antonio Mendez Esparza; and two documentaries produced by Professor Valerie Scoon, “Invisible History: Middle Florida’s Hidden Roots” and “Daring Women Doctors: Physicians in the 19th Century.”
Noted as one of the most affordable film schools by The Hollywood Reporter, the College of Motion Picture Arts has ensured that tuition covers core production costs of all students’ films, including but not limited to industry-standard camera/sound equipment, lights and electrical equipment, production vehicles, catering/craft service, a professional post-production facility and entry fees/expenses for finished student work shown at film festivals.
“We’re proud to be one of the 15 best film schools in the country and even prouder to be one of the four best public film schools, offering filmmakers a first-rate education without the dizzying price tag,” Braddock said.
For more information about the College of Motion Picture Arts, visit film.fsu.edu.