NYU film vs Chapman and USC?

Question

So I've been accepted to NYU, Chapman, and USC. I guess the big debate then is, east coast film vs. west. I've heard great things about all the schools, and alot of negatives. NYU esspecially seems to be great for indie film making, which is really what I'm interested in... where as USC seems to just shoot you out into the studio system. So thats great and all, but I'll still need to make money, obviously. Will a school like NYU, so far away from Hollywood and the studio system prepare me to make the right connections in Hollywood? I'd hate to spend 4 years there and a rediculous amount of money, and have nothing to show for it.

Answer 1

I've not heard much of Chapman. But the way I heard NYU and USC is this.
USC has George Lucas as an alumni. Big budget hollywood films. Blockbusters, big name actors and such. It's right next to Hollywood and all the L.A. studios. They can give you an edge to get into Hollywood scene better than NYU but no guarantee.
NYU has Woody Allen as an alumni. More indie films. Artistic and a lot of activism and political agendas going on. It's in Manhattan and the main campus Tisch is right in Greenwich village. Large Gay/Lesbian community, very open minded, very liberal. This route is good for getting into the more Broadway, stage scene. Still no guarantee.
Now they both have a lot of similarities as well. Both made a lot of indie films and both had a lot of big "Hollywood" type films too.
These are just the stereotypes.
A lot of people spend forever on artistic careers and have nothing to show for it. If you really love performing arts you shouldn't worry about money but give it your best. Yes it sounds cheesy, but perhaps you should call each school and buy some plane tickets to check out each campus. Better that then to spend all that cash.