Hailing from New Delhi, India, Varun Chopra moved to Los Angeles to pursue an M.F.A. in Film Production at LMU two years ago. His short documentary God on a Leash was recently showcased in the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner, an experience he wrote about on KQED’s blog Film School Shorts. We asked Varun to share some advice about grad school, and what he’s learned here during his time at LMU.
What has been your biggest challenge getting your M.F.A.? Following the philosophy, “Film school is what you make of it.”
What has been your most valuable experience at LMU thus far? I am always curious to see how people read my films, since a film is a window to the filmmaker’s psyche and beliefs. I am always looking to see how an audience with a wide spectrum of tastes responds to my classmates’ and my films.
Is there anything you’ve experienced at LMU that ended up being exactly what you’d hoped for when you applied? The spirit of collaboration – hands down. I had hoped to connect with talented, good-hearted people who enjoy and appreciate rigor, and I have.
