Benjamin Brazil
For the fifth year in a row, Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has earned the No. 4 spot on The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious list of top film schools.
Dodge College first broke into the top five in 2021 and has held its place ever since.
“We’re all immensely honored and flattered to be ranked Number 4, for the fifth year running, in The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious annual film school issue,” said Stephen Galloway, dean of Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. “This speaks so well of our entire team: faculty, staff, students, alumni — and our generous supporters.”
Dodge College distinguishes itself with robust support for student filmmaking. Graduate students receive $20,000 for every thesis film, while undergraduates are awarded $15,000 for each project.
Students also benefit from cutting-edge technology, including the forthcoming Dhont Family Innovation Hub, which will house a new 45-foot-long wraparound LED screen (the school’s second one), a professional soundstage and a suite of virtual production capabilities that integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools.
The space is envisioned as a place where students experiment freely, push boundaries and develop the technical fluency needed to succeed in an ever-evolving industry. More than a facility, it represents a bold step forward for Dodge College students, empowering them to lead the next evolution of storytelling at the intersection of technology, creativity and global impact.
The Hollywood Reporter (THR) referenced the multimillion-dollar Innovation Hub as a unique offering to students in its article.
“…Chapman’s virtual production curriculum includes an impressive array of classes (from animation to live production) that makes use of the Unreal Engine, a computer graphics game engine used by major Hollywood productions to create real-time virtual sets and environments,” said THR. “New additions include a sound design MFA program and the expansions of the school’s career center, which assists students with both internships and post-grad job placement at companies like Amazon MGM and WME. Alumni are also becoming an increasingly regular presence at film festivals (James Sweeney’s Twinless was in Sundance’s 2025 U.S. competition section).”
The experienced faculty and unique hands-on teaching methods at Chapman also received praise by THR. The article quoted Michael Pruss, president of film at Ridley Scott’s Scott Free, praising the presence of educators with real-world experience such as producer Patricia Meyer as very beneficial for students.
“That kind of mentorship makes a huge difference when you’re just starting out after college and trying to make sense of it all,” Pruss said to THR.
Beyond its cutting-edge facilities and accomplished faculty, Dodge College connects students directly to the industry through its renowned Master Class series. Over the past year, students had the rare opportunity to learn from and engage with industry leaders such as Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, Actor Daniel Craig and singer and actor Selena Gomez. Dodge College students were also able to learn from Mikey Madison, star of the Sean Baker film “Anora,” who won the Academy Award for Best Actress this year.
By combining hands-on experience, advanced resources and unparalleled industry access, Dodge College continues to prepare students for success in the competitive world of film and media.
This is evident in the widespread success of Dodge College alumni, who are leaving their mark on the entertainment world. This success can be seen throughout the industry, in theaters, television and news. Among them are editors John Baldino (MFA ’09) and Nick Don Vito ’87, who took home Emmys for their work on NBC’s “The Voice.”
Michelle Pulfrey ’98, an executive producer at Good Day LA, also leads a team of Dodge College alumni who are guiding the success of the nationally renowned morning news show.
Two recent Chapman University graduates, Alexis Berganio ’25 and Aiko Lozar ’25, are already making their mark on the big screen. Berganio and Lozar were the Grand Prize winners of the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program earlier this year. Their short, “Ticket to Everywhere,” will be showcased at Cinemark, AMC and B&B Theatres across North America later this year.
With a legacy of innovation and a bold eye on the future, Dodge College is positioning its students to thrive in an industry that never stops evolving. As new technologies reshape the art of storytelling, Dodge students will continue to play a significant role in defining what comes next.
