FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions: Film, Acting, Dance & Photography Camps

Or you may download our paper application and fill it out on your computer (just click on the form fields and type) or fill it out by hand. Please mail the completed application to our New York office.

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Application Requirements:
All applications must be accompanied by a recent school transcript or report card showing the applicant’s grades/courses from at least one marking period within the last calendar year. This does not need to be an official transcript; a photocopy or fax is fine. A $500 nonrefundable registration deposit (payable to SOCAPA, INC) is also required in order to secure your place in the program. If there is no space or you are not accepted to the program, your deposit will be returned.

Students applying to our Advanced Filmmaking or Advanced D&D Photography program in New York must submit examples of their work as part of the application. Advanced Filmmaking applicants must submit an example of a film they have made as well as a film treatment. Advanced D&D Photography applicants must submit a portfolio of 10-12 photos (please send us a link to your online portfolio).

You may fax, mail or scan/email your report card to:

Q:	Do you still have space?
A:	The best way to determine if there is still space in a given program is to start our online application process. If you can select the checkbox next to a program using our online application then the program is still available. If instead of a checkbox, you see the words "FULL," the program is no longer available.

What is your Application Deadline?

SOCAPA operates under a rolling admissions policy, meaning that our admissions office reviews and decides on applications as they are received until there are no openings left in the session/program. Applicants are generally notified of their admissions status within two weeks from the time our office receives a complete application, report card, and the $500 registration deposit. In past years, we have closed some programs as early as March and yet, due to last minute cancellations, we have had openings in other programs up to two weeks before the start date. We highly recommend early application as space is competitive and limited.

Why do you ask for a Report Card? What kind of grades are you looking for?

SOCAPA's Summer Programs are classroom intensive in a residential setting and therefore we want students who want to be in our classrooms during the day and who can abide by our rules at night. Generally, we are looking for students with at least a "B" average with no disciplinary red flags. For applicants with less than a "B" average, we may require additional application materials such as a short essay on why the applicant wants to attend our program and/or a reference from a teacher. We understand that some schools and classes are more difficult than others so we make decisions on a case by case basis. Basically, we want to ensure that the student is passionate about attending our workshops and that they are not going to be a disciplinary problem.

What level of experience is required?

FILMMAKING & ACTING PROGRAMS: We do not require or expect students in our introductory (as opposed to advanced) Acting and Filmmaking Programs to have experience in their chosen field. We start from the beginning but we move at an extremely fast pace. We usually split incoming classes into two groups, one for "no experience," and one for "moderate experience." Highly experienced students can apply to our Advanced Program.

DANCE & PHOTOGRAPHY: For Dance and Photography, we have Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels at our New York City Campus. For our other campuses, we expect incoming students to have "moderate experience." Please see the individual program pages for more info.

Q:	What are my chances of being accepted?
A:	As long as there is still space in the program your grades are decent, then there is a 99% chance that you will be accepted to the program.

Do you offer any scholarships or financial aid?

Financial limitations should not discourage you from applying to SOCAPA. We have a limited amount of scholarship monies available on the basis of demonstrated need. Unfortunately, we cannot offer financial assistance to International Students at this time.

To apply, please submit the following by April 15th, 2009:

1) SOCAPA’s regular paper application. If attendance is contingent upon receiving financial aid then you do not need to submit the $500 registration deposit.

2) Applicant’s Report Card from a marking period within the last calendar year.

3) Student Statement: In one page or less, please describe what you hope to gain from your time at SOCAPA and what you will contribute to the program.

4) Parent Statement: In one page or less, please provide any additional information you believe important in our assessment of your family’s need. In addition, please provide a realistic estimate of how much you can contribute to the cost of the program

5) Tax Returns: Please submit the first page of Federal Form 1040 for both parents. If you have yet to file for 2008, please submit returns for 2007.

6) You may also include any other supporting materials that you feel would strengthen your application (eg. Letters of Recommendation, Sample Work, etc.)

Mail to:

SOCAPA Scholarships
375 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10013

Financial aid decisions will be sent by early May 2009.

Q:	Do you accept international students?
A:	Absolutely. Last year, over twenty five percent of our student body came from outside the United States. A Tourist Visa is all that is required to attend the camp. You do not need to apply for a Student Visa for educational programs less than 6 months in duration.

Q:	Do you offer college credit for summer classes?
A:	High School students in the three-week Filmmaking, Acting for Film and Dance Programs may opt to take the course for three AP College Credits issued by Long Island University. [ More Info on College Credit ]

Parental Concerns:

What is the supervision like for the Youth Camp and High School Programs?

The number one priority at the School of Cinema and Performing Arts is the safety and well being of our students. SOCAPA has a full staff of qualified supervisors on-duty at all times during the program. All of our counselors and teaching assistants are at least twenty-one years of age and have strong leadership skills and experience. Most have degrees in either visual or performing arts from prestigious universities and many have been through Residence Assistant training programs. For more info see our detailed Supervision Policy on our Policies Page.

Q:	Can we contact parents or students from past programs to ask them about their summer experience at SOCAPA?
A:	Yes. Please see our references page to get email contacts and letters from former students and parents.

Q:	What is your drug and alchohol policy?
A:	Alcohol or drugs are strictly prohibited on all our campuses. SOCAPA supervisors have the right to search rooms for illegal substances. Any student who violates this policy will be immediately sent home without a refund.
Q:	Do you allow cell phones?
A:	We allow students to being cell phones to the program but we require that they be turned off during all classes and program activities.

General Program Questions:

How big is the camp? How many kids are in a class?

Last year, we had approximately one-hundred and twenty-five students in New York, fifty students in Los Angeles, and sixty students in Vermont, per session. We keep our core class sizes small so each student gets individualized attention. Class sizes range from ten to eighteen students per section. The entire camp convenes after dinner for our daily production meeting followed by the evening activity.

Q:	What are the main differences between the two and three week programs?
A:	Aside from the additional projects made during the third week (see curriculum), three-week students have a showcase of their work for friends and family on the final Friday of the program. In addition, three-week students in our Filmmaking, Photography, Acting for Film, and Dance Programs may opt to take the class for three AP college credits. Two-week students do not have this option.

If my child flies to camp, how does she get from the airport to your campus?

AIRPORT PICK-UP & DROP-OFF:
Our staff does airport transfers on the first and last days of each session. Airports we service are JFK & LGA in New York, LAX in Los Angeles, Hartford International (BDL) for the Berkshires and Heathrow (LHR) in London. We will greet you at the exit to baggage claim when you arrive and drop you at your airline?s check-in counter when you leave; unfortunately, we cannot escort you beyond security. There is a nominal fee per airport transfer of $25 for all American airports and $40 for London Heathrow.

Can my child attend as a day student or does she have to stay in the dormitories?

We accept local day students as well as sleep away overnight students. That is why Tuition and Room & Board are separate charges. However, 90% of our students stay in dorms. Day students are invited to participate in any and all extra-curricular activities. A detailed schedule of these activities are provided at the orientation meeting on the first day of the program. We ask that parents call our office to arrange for which activities your day student will participate in.

Dormitory [Residence Life] Related Questions:

Q:	How many kids to a room and how are room assignments decided?
A:	There are generally two students assigned per room, depending on the campus. We use age and answers to the questions on your application to pair you up.

Q:	If I come with a friend, can we request to room together?
A:	Yes, although most of our students come to our program not knowing anyone. If you would like to room with someone specific, please indicate their name on your application.

What are the rooms like? Do they have air conditioning?

Depending on the campus you attend, the Residence Halls are of either of the "traditional corridor style" (LA, VT) or of the more modern "suite style" (NY). They are generally co-ed by floor . Residents of a wing, hallway or suite all share a large common bathroom. A room typically is furnished with a desk, chair, bed, mattress, wardrobe/closet and dresser for each student, as well as a set of window drapes. Rooms at our NYC Campus have air conditioning.

Q:	Will I have access to a computer or the internet?
A:	Yes. Students have access to the internet at all of our locations. If you bring a wireless laptop, you can access the internet from your room.

Q:	Are there laundry facilities?
A:	Yes. And we recommend that you use them at least once during the program. You'll need approximately $2.00 in quarters to wash and dry, so bring some change and a small container of detergent.

Why SOCAPA is the Best Choice:

Why choose SOCAPA when there are other programs out there?

Here at SOCAPA we constantly strive to be the best at what we do. As you compare programs, please ask yourself some of the following questions:

Can I watch samples online of the students’ work that is produced during the summer programs? If you can, please compare them to what we do at SOCAPA. Make sure you are comparing work done by students in your age group enrolled in a similar short-term summer program and not work done by adults in a one to four year program.

Do I get a DVD compilation of my summer work and that of my classmates? At SOCAPA we go to great lengths to make sure each student leaves the program with all their summer productions on DVD. You also get the compilation work of your classmates, so if you performed in or crewed on a friend’s film, you have that too.

FILMMAKING: Do I get to write, direct and edit my own films or do we just make group projects? At SOCAPA you make one film of your own per week of attendance. Do I learn the differences between 16mm Film, Digital Video and High Definition or am I restricted to one format? At SOCAPA you can shoot one project on Digital Video and the next on 16mm film. Advanced Filmmakers can shoot on High Definition (HDV). Regardless of what format you choose to shoot on, you get exposed to all three in our camera classes. Do I have the option of College Credit? You do at SOCAPA.

ACTING FOR FILM: Do I leave the program with a DVD portfolio of my on-camera acting, including a professionally written scene which is photographed and edited by one of my instructors? Do I get headshots? Do I prepare a monologue for use as an audition piece? Do I have the option of College Credit? You do at SOCAPA.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Do I get my own camera and enlarger? Do I learn both 35mm and Digital Photography? Do I learn Studio Photography, including lighting? Do I get to work with a camp full of actors, dancers and filmmakers and build up my entertainment portfolio? Do I have the option of College Credit? You do at SOCAPA.

DANCE: Do I leave the program with a DVD of at least two music videos featuring my dance performances? Do I get headshots? Do I get an opportunity to present my own choreography? Do I get a chance to see professional dance groups and Broadway shows? Do I have the option of College Credit? You do at SOCAPA.