College Choice?

Elmy

Elmy

Well-known member
So I'm in a small predicament. I'll be receiving my Associates of Arts Degree in May from a South Florida Community College. I have a 3.55 and can transfer to pretty much anywhere I want.

I had chosen Florida State University to transfer to, however probably not for film as their program is extremely tight (5 transfers). But I was ok with receiving a normal degree and doing film anyways.

A few days ago I received and acceptance letter from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) plus a 8000$ a year scholarship (Their tuition is 28k though =/).

My problem is, I love FSU, i like the environment and I'm excited to get up there. However I will probably not be receiving a film degree, and film is pretty much all I've been focusing on regardless. SCAD would mean a degree in film, however I don't really want to go there, at least not as much as FSU.

Sorry for the long introduction, but my question is....Should I forget the degree in film for being at a place and school I want to go to, or is the film degree more important (Oh and SCAD will be 20x more expensive for me)
 
(I can't believe I'm about to say this…)

Go to FSU. (Ugh!)

I know designers who went to SCAD, and it's certainly a great school, but for film, I don't believe it's worth that amount of money. And depending on how FSU structures their film courses, you might still be able to sit in on some classes, talk to some professors, etc. And chances are your degree from FSU will be a bit more "useful" in career endeavors.




By the way, I'm not a Gator, but living in TLH for a while bred a loathing of almost all things FSU. Sorry.
 
Lol its ok, I've never been hardcore into schools, could really careless about Gators, Seminoles, or Hurricanes (Miami), ect.. By me Loving FSU I just mean the environment mostly. It being "FSU" isn't why I love it there.

Thanks for the imput though :D
 
So, we're confused. Are you really wanting to pursue film as a career, or are you OK with getting your degree in "something else"? - like what??? I'm feeling this isn't really the rest of your life we're talking about . . . so you're independently wealthy and this is not life critical?? If film is your passion, Full Sail is close, excellent, offers degrees, but much more focused. Orlando (disneyworld) may have one of the highest populations of single women in the world but you wouldn't have time to enjoy it. If you don't feel your passion yet, don't waste your time in school. Save your money. Travel, do volunteer work, make a difference. My 2c
 
IMO the main reason, by far, to to go film school is to make connections. Both to the industry, and friends you'll perhaps have as working partners many times in life on many jobs in the future.

I used to say this 10 years ago, but really mean it now, in today's day and age everyone studying film/video or even just anything artistic, really needs to take several semesters of classes in finance, marketing & accounting on a university level. Garth Brooks is a pretty decent country musician, but he's a genius at marketing compared to his peers. After all, he has a bachelors degree in advertising.
 
I say try to get into FSU's film program. It's worth a shot. If you don't get in, you can always study something else there.
 
I've applied to FSU for film. Film is my passion, there is no if's or buts or anything else, but no I'm not independently wealthy. I'm just trying to feel out how people feel about a bachelors in film, necessary or not. I don't mind getting it in something else, regardless I'm doing film. I'll be making connections at FSU, already have. It's more so whether an actual degree in film is worth the risk that I might not enjoy my last two years in college as much. I realize its a small part of my life, but a part of it regardless. I can't relive it.
 
Walking out in two years with a generic degree in film (from any college) really doesn' t mean sh't. A degree from Florida State University, a great, well know school will have more hutzpah, if you know what I mean. What that does for the rest of you life is up to you, and how you apply yourself in the next two years (and the all the years after that). Go to FSU, and apply yourself to the best you can. Also enjoy yourself, make all the friends you can and realize that once you get back from vacation after graduation, the hard part starts.
 
I guess I'm missing the question. Are you asking if you get a BA in film, what doors will it open? As in opposed to getting a degree in...Accounting? Biochemistry? Paleontempestology?!

What are you planning when you get out of school? To get work on film sets and work your way up? A job as a reader for a studio? Raise $400k capital to make a film? Get a job for the local PBS station?

Most jobs in film and TV are attained from previous experience, and more important, word of mouth. Interns do get hired, sure, as interns. But that's a tiny in. After you've worked on one real job and start searching for another. That first job you worked your butt off on is going to be a bigger key to your getting work than your degree in film.

Some people may disagree with that last statement, but it's why I said the main reason to go to film school is to make connections. Not that you won't learn anything, you will, but it's not like you're getting a degree in nuclear physics, or securities law, where there is a very specific breadth of knowledge you'll get in school that you simply can't get working in the real world hands-on and must have to succeed. This is why it's possible to get onto a film set, work your tail off, get referred to another set, etc. But you're not going to walk into a science lab, accounting office, law firm, medical facility, etc. and do the same thing.
 
I would go to FSU and get a "dual" degree in business and motion picture arts. From thier catalog "A student must be admitted to one academic program initially and after the first semester, may apply and be accepted to the second degree program. " That gives you some time to politic and network with the professors to hopefully get admitted to film school. Plus a business degree will serve you well in almost any profession.
 
This will be my last chance for admittance to FSU for a BA, I applied for Fall Term, but I'll have my first 60 credits after this may which means if I don't get accepted to their program for Fall theres no point applying afterwards, I'd be better off getting a Graduate in Film

I know that experience means more then a degree these days, I have worked on professional shoots and seen how far contacts can take you. I just wanted other film makers opinions on the matter.

My plan after college is to probably head up to NYC, I have a lot of contacts up there and I plan to just work my way up most likely, I don't really know exactly what I'll do (My passion and strength is Cinematography, but doubt I'll start as a DP on anything major ;P).

Thanks for the help guys, it sounds like FSU is the right choice :)

Oh btw, my "backup" degree is Political Science
 
don't do it....that's the school i'm hoping to get into.....COMPETITION! haha

if we both get in, i'll see you there.
 
Elmy said:
My passion and strength is Cinematography, but doubt I'll start as a DP on anything major
Click to expand...

No, but if you keep meeting people, know how to shut up, show up on time, and have good work ethic, you might be able to quickly get work as doing camera assist, and 2nd unit camera work. A better step into working than lugging heavy cables and grip gear all day long if you ask me.

Are you going to then get a double major? Film and Political Science? Not a bad mix, you could end up making propoganda movies for the Whig party when they come back into power. :Drogar-Shock(DBG):
 
Camera assits or 2nd unit camera work would be nice. Idk about double major, If I get into the film program I'll be stoked to begin with and if I could double major I would, but I know the program is quite intense so not sure if I'd have time to double major.]

I think i'd rather make awesome films about communism ;P

oohh dillion do you know who i am? lol
 
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No one ever asks me if I graduated high school. Get out there and make a portfolio, unless you love academics. Don't run up a mountain of debt unless you see a irreplaceable value.
Then again, who knows?
 
haha i actually MIGHT know who you are i saw that your GH1 video was made with special delivery prod. Do you know any of these people :Johnathen Greenaway, Rakan Shaker, Ashley Adamson, Chad Green, Justin Reager, or David Riff?
 
I love how you asked whether you should study film or a different major, and some people simply tell you to not go to college ;P
 
FWIW I'd suggest choosing your school and pursuing an undergrad degree based upon some major that interests you - that isn't film. Undergraduate school is a good place to get a formal general education, but unless it's a recruiting-ground school I don't believe that an undergraduate film degree is worth the getting, when it comes to making you competitive (not nearly so much, for example, as just getting out there and doing the work).
 
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