Different careers in cinematography?

[emerrow]

I'd like, and appreciate, anyone's input.

I'm about to graduate with my associates degree in digital media and I'm trying to figure out what type of job I want to pursue, or go on to get a bachelors degree. I'm thinking about getting a bachelors degree from Seattle Film Institute. I don't have much interest in going into filmmaking per se. My interest mostly lies in the video production field. I really like operating a camera, editing, and doing graphic design. I'm just not exactly sure what job I should be looking for. I think a bachelors in filmmaking would give me the skills to be a competitive applicant for such position.

What career is everyone pursuing? Is it in the filmmaking industry?

[Grug]

Honestly, for media production work, you'd do better to get a business degree and study media production through short-courses/intensives/practice.

[David W. Jones]

A business degree is something which can be used in any field.

[M. Gilden]

A business degree is something which can be used in any field.

I can't tell you how much I wish someone had given me this advice when I was in college.

[kennedymax]

I agree that good business judgement is vitally important to any career. To have a happy and successful career, though, you should follow your passion. What, most of all, do you dream, want and cherish doing. Pursue that with all of your energy, but have the business acumen to pursue it wisely.
Good luck,
Ken

[emerrow]

Thanks everyone. My associates degree will be a business degree with a focus in digital media. I've spent the last 4 years going to school part time and working part time to achieve this associates degree. One of the biggest enticements about SFI is that their new bachelors degree program is only 1 year long. My worries are that of 1. the school not being accredited (spoke to the director of the school and he said they are in the process of becoming accredited), 2. The degree I would receive pigeonholing me into only film work. Now I've seen student projects and spoke with a couple faculty members and they seem to have their stuff together. I want my emphasis to be in video production so I would imagine a film degree wouldn't have that adverse, if any, effect on my job search.

I appreciate any other viewpoints opinions, and experiences

[M. Gilden]

I feel like many of us end up in entrepreneurial positions, its kind of the nature of the industry. Even those who are lucky enough to land jobs for big reputable companies, still end up doing a lot of our own work on the side.
As such, I really strongly believe that everyone who is considering schooling should add some core business classes to your curriculum. Or even major in it- It might prove more valuable than the cinema classes.

Personally, I originally went to school for a computer science degree, and switched gears towards the end. I used to say that if I were able to go back in time, I'd tell myself not to waste so much time in CPU architecture (although I admit that the technical side of all this comes in handy too). But if I were able to go back in time now, I'd totally tell myself to take some business classes.

...oh, and buy stock in Apple while it was still low. ;)

[Alan Certeza]

Emerrow, I'm in Seattle! Email me!
Alancerteza@gmail.com
I'll swing some websites, callboards, and Facebook groups catered for filmmaker in Seattle. You could also get some posting for video production work.

I went to AIS, then I immediately dropped out. I just went out there and started answering to calls. Lets say I am very glad I did and I am really glad I didn't go to SFI. I know a we peeps who did and they could give you a good ear full.

Shoot me an email! Maybe I could save you money and time and possibly point you in the right direction to start working.

If I was to go back to film school, it would be in LA along with other motivated individuals who want to make a living working on a film set. Going to SFI for a film degree when you want to focus in video production... That may be a waste of money and time you can't get back.

[legrevedotcom]

yeah... being creative isn't going to get you work if being creative means you don't know how to handle or "suck up" to clients. Those photographers I know who are doing great are all people with people skills more than photography skills. Actually the most succesful ones are a team where one is great at photography and the other is great at handling people.

Do what you do best, and let other people handle the things you're not so great at. If you're great at lighting, you can still have your own company... just align yourself with a great DP or great production manager.
Connections like that are best made while studying... get to know a lot of people... work with them on your productions and their productions. You'll soon discover that someone else might handle a specific situation differently and perhaps better than you.

In short, the right choice for you is the one that makes you feel at home and give you enough challenges and the wish to "do good". Nothing is more inspiring than a crew of people where everyone is focussed on doing just their part at their best and let everyone else worry about their own work.

Nothing more daunting than a group of people where everyone is trying to run the show, try to show off or go around looking grouchy because they'd rather be filming / producing / running / lighting.

[emerrow]

Could anyone share some titles of positions dealing with media production? I'm having a hard time finding the right sorts of jobs and I think it is mostly because I don't know exactly what to search for. One title I came across, that sounded pretty appealing to me, was "Video Production specialist," but thats about as much progress as I have made.

Also, legrevedotcom, very well said!