How does a creative student demonstrate his or her enthusiasm for a particular type of artistry? Such a student needs to develop a portfolio. The student who wants to apply to an art school must assemble a collection of samples, samples that show his or her innovative and determined spirit.

The nature of those samples will depend on the type of program that the student hopes to enter. A student who wants to study fashion design, must have drawings of clothing that he or she has designed. A student who wants to study photography must have striking and compelling photographs within his or her portfolio. A student who wants to study music needs some audio equipment to share the contents of his or her portfolio.

Advances in technology have led to a sudden expansion of the programs at art schools. Such schools have added to traditional programs in dance, music, and design. The nature of those additions might best be viewed by examining the programs at CalArts.

CalArts is an arts school in Los Angeles County. Its development resulted from the introduction into that same region of the film industry. That introduction encouraged a close association between many different artists. CalArts seeks to guide creative young people who might take part in such an association.

CalArts has a large number of courses not found in all art schools. It has courses that focus on the design and production elements of filmmaking. Some of those courses teach students about stage lighting. Some teach the students about making scenery. Some courses introduce the students to specifics about costume design.

CalArts, like all art schools, offers its graduates help with finding that first job. Graduates who have learned some aspect of filmmaking might be encouraged to look for an internship opening. Any student who hesitates to become an intern might want to know the name of a past intern. Steven Speilburg began his career as an intern.

CalArts also steers graduates towards the establishment of contact with those who can help the graduates to expand their network of relations. Networking is an important way to find a job, especially after one has completed the coursework at one of the art schools.

Sometimes CalArts helps a graduate to become a personal assistant for a professional in the movie industry. Such an assistant is not a glorified "gopher". Such an assistant night enjoy an introduction to one of the unsung players in the filmmaking world.