What is the best film school to go to? I live in NY, but I'd love to go out to California?

All of the good film college programs are very competitive for admission - from less than 5% to maybe 10% for undergrad, grad programs are not much easier to be admitted to. These include colleges like USC, UCLA, Chapman/Dodge, Loyola Marymount, and Cal State LA. The for-profit film schools that advertise a lot are not respected in the industry, no matter what they claim, it is hard enough to be hired after graduating from USC, probably the top film program in the US. An alternative to the college programs are respected art college programs like Art Center of Design in Pasadena, and CalArts. There is also the AFI Conservatory, a prestigious, and expensive, program. For Film Graduates, an Altered Job Picture http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/movies/film-school-graduates-job-prospects-at-usc-nyu-ucla.html If you aren't filming every week already, really think if film is a passion for you. It must be a true passion, or one will burn out, it's a lot of work and one must know how to do everything themselves. The competition is very rough, we have kids here who have been making films consistently since they were in the 5th grade. The chance that anyone will ever be able to pay rent from making films is unlikely. One doesn't typically get hired as a director until after they've made and financed their own films, won some festivals, and then they usually get a development deal - which typically means you have to find financing for your own film, but they'll help you distribute it once you get it made. Film school students generally have very competitive personalities, it's the nature of the industry. The cost will be expensive even for public colleges as you are a non-resident and that means extra fees (check their websites, undergrad non-resident fees are different than grad), private colleges and reputable art schools are expensive. The for-profit film schools are expensive and not conducive to getting a good job. Good luck!