Need some advice about my 15yo son and a sudden opportunity

@sooof if you are UK [or Europe] based - the BFI course is excellent. They even do a dress-up/showcase event at the end of the summer to give a premier/awards experience to show the work the different cohorts have produced.

https://www.bfi.org.uk/bfi-film-academy-opportunities-young-people

Sounds dodgy to me.
Do you have to pay for this course?
How do you know that anybody can’t get on it?
Needs more investigation.

So, there are no 6wk courses for 15-18yo in LA either? Not at any of the reputable providers.

It’s LA not NY.

You think the BBC will pick up this thread about a child wanting to go and study a six week course and something that lots of kids want to do. You literally think a journalist will think that this is a story worth running, and then somebody will want to sponsor the child, he was already clearly from a wealthy enough background that this is even something that can be considered… Mumsnet posters really do live in Cloudcuckooland.

Just to add, I really do think you should post the links. My DC went to a private school with the children of lots of A listers from the film and TV industry - BFF’s dad was a BAFTA winning film director so it was normal to see him chatting with Al Pacino via Zoom on the kitchen counter. My DD wanted to enter the industry (still does) so am familiar with most of the courses from film making to 2d/3d animation studio courses etc.

Just link the ‘school’/course provider so we can check.

Can’t you and DH split the time? You go for 3 weeks, he goes for the other?

Can you link to the course please? this is giving red flags all over the place. A bit of a license to print money by making kids think that they’re going to learn how to make a movie in LA for six weeks, so yes, the course is important so we can all advise whether it’s going to be worth it. At 15 he’ll think it’s the best thing in the world, I remember getting an agent at 17, that I had to pay for… 🫠🫠🫠🫠

@sooof Please post a link to the course so we can better advise. It looks very much as though you are being scammed and risk expensive travel to the US with nothing at the end of it, along with jeopardising you child’s regular education at a crucial point.

What was the ‘highly selective’ process for being offered a place?

Youve evaded both these questions from other posters. I hope this means you’ve realised you’re being scammed.

This whole thing is very odd. A quick Google search suggests that these courses usually run during (US) summer holidays - ie late June to early-mid Aug. schools in the US start early- mid Aug so teens have to go back to school, not do a course. And there are quite a few good programs. Can he delay by a year?

If it is a well known and bonafide course/provider - you need to post the link to it here.

I am absolutely certain there are no courses geared at 15-18yo of this type running from Sept 1st (a Tuesday?) for 6 weeks when kids that age are usually required by law to be in school in pretty much every country in the world. A ‘prestigious’ school such as UCLA, or the NYFA will not require students to be absent from mainstream school - these two run 2-6 week summer courses and NYFA runs 12 week weekend courses.

Unless you can link us to the course provider?

And I am sorry, I am a bit sceptical about a ‘prestigious’ 6 week course running from September? For a candidate at his age? No, there are summer school programmes running in July/August at UCLA and other well respected schools - open to anyone who books and pays the fee, no screening process.

I think you are being scammed.

You are not allowed to do work of any kind on an Esta.

They are not in the UK

This is difficult, OP, because your son is so excited - but I’ll be honest, I work in the film industry and no residential programme is providing a genuinely ‘huge opportunity’ at 15.

It might be interesting/informative/fun - but this isn’t an opportunity that is going to make a difference in real terms. At best, it would be an experience and he might make some friends and a few connections. At worst, you’ve spunked a lot of money and disrupted your family life.

Honestly, even the enormously competitive film school courses for undergraduates and beyond can be a little questionable tbh. I’ve known people go to the most acclaimed film schools for degrees who got nowhere in the industry upon graduating. I’ve also known those who never did any filmmaking courses to speak of who had amazingly successful careers.

If you can spare the money and make it work to go with your son for 6 weeks, there’s no harm in it - but I think important to see it for what it is!

I hope you have meticulously looked into this. If it was legit and a real opportunity (as opposed to, at best, just a money spinner) I would expect accommodation and details of the care package etc for minors. It's clearly not done through a school etc and might be decidedly dodgy. A 6 week programme during term time not arranged through a recognised organisation sounds very dodgy. Do they even know he's a minor - for example if the "application" is more of a guaranteed registration then they might not even look at the details and all other attendees could be adults. If there is any doubt about this (and I would suggest there should be!!) perhaps speak to his school and at least see if their safeguarding lead can help with enquires. I would be giving it a massive berth.

So he’s doing this instead of year 11? Seems odd.

OP, it all sounds odd. Courses like this which cater for students from all over the world offer residential places or at least recommendations of places to stay and chaperones.
I am sure your head is spinning with all that has been said on here and that you’re now fully researching the course.
Best of luck and I hope all is legitimate for your son’s sake.

You will not be able to work in LA without the correct visa. Bringing a work laptop on a tourist visa and you could be stopped by ICE.

This is all very dodgy sounding and we don’t really have enough information. Either it’s aimed at more local students or they must have some kind of provision/advice regarding accommodation/travel?

• How much is the course?
• How have you concluded that it’s prestigious and hard to get a place?
• Does he not need to be in school in September?

Can you employ someone you trust as a guardian for that period?

This all sounds super sketchy and too complicated. I would spend more time preparing and looking into it and let him apply next year if you think you could manage it with more lead time. There’s no chance I’d be able to do this with my kids so don’t feel guilty if you can’t make it work.

Yes this.
Or is there anyone else in the family/friend who could step in.

It sounds like a great opportunity for him. I would do everything to make that work.

X

I think it would be really silly to not attempt to take this opportunity. Find a way!!

What is the company/organisation offering it?

La-La Land 🤣.