How to Build Your NYU Film Portfolio

Not too long ago, when I was making my own film portfolio, I remember feeling like I was creating the most important piece of my life. For some reason, I felt as though my five-minute short film needed to be the most beautiful, profound, and cinematic thing my admissions representative would ever see if I had any chance of getting in. I want to let you know that this is not the case. Your portfolio film does not have to be your pièce de résistance.

Don’t worry if you don’t know how to create beautiful cinematography, if there’s a bit of background noise in one of your shots, or if you don’t have access to a fancy camera. There’s a popular saying about the Tisch film program: “You can be admitted without having ever picked up a camera.” The saying is a bit dated because nowadays we have powerful cameras built into our cell phones, but the idea behind it still holds true. Don’t fixate on all the technical aspects of filmmaking; you’ll learn all that when you get to Tisch. The creative submission is all about telling a story in the best way you know how.

Last, but certainly not least, talk about yourself. What are your interests outside of filmmaking? Where do you see yourself in five years? What is one thing you couldn’t live without? One of my favorite parts about the film portfolio is that it gives you so many opportunities to talk about yourself. The people who read your application genuinely want to know more about the person behind the film.

Now go forth and create some amazing creative portfolios! If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out to the Admissions Ambassadors or contact Film and TV Undergraduate Admissions.

*As ranked by the Hollywood Reporter.