What mattered most in your application?
I tried to show that I was already making work on my own. Even when the projects were small, they reflected initiative and a willingness to keep revising.
Student Interview
Applying To Film School: Alex Monto on Emerson
Alex Monto shares how he approached Emerson College with a portfolio focused on voice, initiative, and storytelling fundamentals.
Alex Monto approached the film school process with a clear understanding that admissions teams want more than polished visuals. They want evidence of point of view, persistence, and a real relationship to story.
Interview Highlights
How did you think about the portfolio?
I wanted the pieces to feel personal. Instead of chasing what I assumed schools wanted, I focused on material that actually sounded like me.
What would you tell younger applicants?
Give yourself enough time to refine the written components. The essays and short answers can connect the dots between your work and your goals.
Why Emerson?
It felt like a place where I could develop as a filmmaker while also staying close to a broader communication and media environment.
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