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

[sooof]

I honestly don't know what to do here and would really appreciate some outside opinions.

My son is 15 and about a month ago he applied for a film studio course. It's a 6 week programme that teaches filmmaking and also includes visits to studios. He would have to stay there for the full 6 weeks.

Honestly he applied without really thinking he would get in. It's a very prestigious programme with very limited places and it's something he's genuinely interested in. Yesterday we got the confirmation email and an official letter saying he was accepted so it's definitely happening.

He is absolutely thrilled. I don't think there is any way I could tell him no after seeing how excited he is about it. So realistically either my husband or I will have to go with him.

The problem is the timing is terrible.

We're from Madrid and currently we're away on a trip. I also have two other children who are 13 and 10. My youngest is particularly dependent on me and has never been away from me for anything close to six weeks.

I also went back to work in September and already have some important clients and commitments. If I decided to go with my son I could technically rearrange things, but it wouldn't be easy. I would have to move two important client commitments by about six weeks and there is also a summit at the end of next month that I am expected to attend.

My husband has a lot going on at work too and has a small work trip at the end of September, so it's not as simple as just saying he'll stay home with the other two.

We have about two weeks before my son has to start on September 1st so we have some time to figure out the logistics, but suddenly we're trying to reorganise work, childcare, school, travel and everything else around something we never expected to actually happen.

And honestly I'm torn.

On one hand this is a huge opportunity for my son and something he is genuinely passionate about. I don't want him to miss it because the timing is inconvenient for the rest of us.

On the other hand, leaving my younger two for six weeks feels like a huge thing too, especially my youngest. I also have responsibilities at work that can't just disappear

Apologies I think I have completely mis read.

When you put 'We're from Madrid and currently we're away on a trip' I stupidly read that as you were back visiting Spain but lived in the US.

If you don't live in the US then I don't think this is realistic - I also doubt that it is real, as if it was tailored to kids (as sporting camps are) then there would be a lot of support for solo children, safeguarding etc.

What is the course?

Is it really a genuine opportunity or is it something that’s open to anyone who pays?

Is it prestigious because its selective or because it's expensive?

If the latter (likely) just re-apply next year with a plan in place rather than trying to scrabble this all together in two weeks.

I'm sure, and there are some big actors and directors involved too I mean, they'll each do about an hour-long session in the middle of the programme.

It's for 15-18 year olds, so not just 15 year olds... yes, it's legitimate.

He'll have to stay somewhere near Hollywood (sorry, I don't know LA that well just going off what I researched yesterday) so he can get to classes on time

On the other side, I'll be staying there most of the day alone. I'm thinking of working online, but if my husband could come for those 3 days during the summit, that would help. Honestly, I have to talk to my clients too, because they're important to my gallery this 6-week stretch falling right at the start of the work season changes a lot of things. It's difficult

And I'd basically be sitting there empty most of the time for six weeks, which might actually be good, since otherwise my 10 year old would be a pain in my ass. I honestly don't know what to do about him

Selective!! It's not easy to get in

But he only applied last month, and got a place so quickly for the coming term? I assume he had to submit some kind of portfolio, be interviewed etc? It doesn't add up.

No!! It's not an Year course....They review applications and selects, it was opened from June to first week of July, so yeah it's not interview process.

I agree this really doesn’t add up. Anything really prestigious generally needs applying for months in advance. If there are places with one month to go, it doesn’t sound like an oversubscribed course which a prestigious course would be. He is also going to miss 6 weeks of school for a course - at 15 he must be going into year 11 or 12 that’s a lot of content to miss. I would say sorry no and help him to look for opportunities over the summer.

So many red flags. You need to do a deep dive. Do you personally know anyone who's done this. I hate to say it, but I'd be very sceptical.

OP what’s the name of the course and what body runs it?

Lots of people saying this sounds dodgy, but I'm pretty sure the OP is talking about the New York Film Academy (NYFA) LA Campus and its 6-week Teen Filmmaking summer camp. Which is legit, if so. I know some kids who've done it.

If you are satisfied it's legitimate get in touch with them and see if they offer a host family arrangement. Many years ago I used to host language students ( high school age) for around 6 weeks at a time, maybe they offer something similar?

The course runs over September? That seems very odd to me, US schools would all have started by then so how could 15-18 years be taking what sounds like a month off to attend this course? Ive never heard of a legitimate course like that and schools are not that lax. The vast majority of summer courses for teens would also offer accommodation. I expect you don’t want to be too outing and share the course name, but you may get some more helpful responses if you do (or at least really investigate it further).

I thought it might be that course. But not in September. I wonder if the OP's son has accidentally applied for an adult course.

The NYFA course is outside school term, they also do help with residence on campus.

Wouldn't it be great if your DH's company randomly offered him a one year assignment in Los Angeles? Problem solved!

Ah well, one can dream (we are talking Hollywood after all, right?)

Are there really courses that genuinely could lead to legitimate careers in the film industry that are 6 weeks long and aimed at 15 year olds? Surely it's more just a summer camp? I'd be somewhat concerned it's being sold as something more than what it really is.

I am a little confused but does this mean he would miss 6 weeks of his normal schooling, during which must be his GCSE (or equivalent) years? Do the school support him in having this time off?

I hope you can make it work but I personally cannot imagine any working parents being able to leave their work for 6 weeks also - unless working remotely of course.

Have you checked that? A quick Google suggests it's non-selective and acceptance rate is near 100%.

How much is it costing?

It sounds like it's something you could book onto next year & be better prepared for.

@sooof Read this response. It sounds though you might have been scammed by someone pretending to be this course, as it’s not running when it usually does, during school term time.

Promising big name actors also sounds dodgy - they can’t usually commit in advance so I’d be wary of that too.

Finally, I am afraid that I would not be contemplating being anywhere in the US if I had a Spanish accent while ICE are roaming the streets indiscriminately arresting people. There have been too many deaths, wrongful arrests and heartbreaking stories of children being detained.

The whole thing sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

I think it's a scam, too, OP.

What point is there in a 15 year old doing a course like that anyway? He'll still have to be in school until he's 18. He can learn an awful lot by using online resources. I think it was Stephen Spielberg who said young people now just need an iPhone and to practice all the time. Going on a six-week course to the US isn't going to improve your son's career in any way at all.

Have a look at this: NFTS Academy | NFTS for next summer, OP.

The New York Film Academy only has an 8 week filmmaking workshop running in September, and it starts on September 14th.