Doing an MFA in Film: Yea or Nay?

aly324 said:
The way I quoted your post made it seem like I was contradicting you pointedly, but I wasn't really. I still think taking a year or two off after college is a good idea generally, not only to improve one's grad school chances but really to live and mature a bit, but there's probably no great harm in applying now and seeing what happens. Once in school he/she could also defer or take time off.

The debut statistics are sobering. I should also say that my references are mostly filmmakers who you'd call "independent" and "artists" and some documentarians. You see their stuff at festivals and film archives and in limited releases. Their satisfaction lies in being recognized by a small but informed and critical audience. If they're lucky they get collected by a museum. Once in while their docs get put on TV and netflix. Often they supplement their income with teaching, which they may well enjoy. Perhaps the OP would be a happy and fulfilled person doing those things.

If the OP's goal is to direct big-budget Hollywood features, then I don't know. The statistics for that are not just sobering but terrifying. Before he lists the debut statistics, Bordwell states in his very opening, "Your prospects are almost nil."
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The other interesting fact was that some Hollywood directors dropped out of film school to start their careers because they met the connections in film school they needed to start their directing careers. A good school is going to expose you to producers, studios, and other influential people in the industry.

Hollywood likes young directors because they are in touch with the target audiences. But you have to know someone that will give you a shot.
 
That article was eye-opening to say the least. It seems like no matter how good you are, you've got about a 10 year window (25-35) to make a big-time feature in Hollywood. That's more like a lottery than a career.

aly324 said:
The debut statistics are sobering. I should also say that my references are mostly filmmakers who you'd call "independent" and "artists" and some documentarians. You see their stuff at festivals and film archives and in limited releases. Their satisfaction lies in being recognized by a small but informed and critical audience. If they're lucky they get collected by a museum. Once in while their docs get put on TV and netflix. Often they supplement their income with teaching, which they may well enjoy. Perhaps the OP would be a happy and fulfilled person doing those things.
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aly324, what you describe sounds fulfilling to me. Additionally, my sensibilities as a filmmaker are not exactly smoothly in-line with Hollywood, which only makes the goal of being a big-time director even more out of reach for me it seems.

I see that I was somewhat vague in my initial post about what I want to get out of my own possible career in film.

1. Learn the craft 2. Get the experience to become the best filmmaker / storyteller I can possibly be 3. Meet filmmakers/actors/whoever that enjoy working with me 4. Have my work noticed and appreciated by ANYONE. 5. Minimize the amount of time I have to do non-filmmaking day job type stuff.

So I should say I'm not against teaching for teaching's sake, just against only doing teaching, or letting anything derail me from filmmaking more that I have to be.

I'm leaning toward applying for the MFA now and then making the most of it if I am not accepted by doing anything I can to get work in the industry and/or further the development of my craft.

David W. Jones said:
I know plenty of people who thought they wanted to be hot and heavy into film production, and then 5 years down the road wished they had studied something else.
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Can I ask why? Did they just decide they want to be in a different line of work?
 
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intrinsic pictures said:
That article was eye-opening to say the least. It seems like no matter how good you are, you've got about a 10 year window (25-35) to make a big-time feature in Hollywood. That's more like a lottery than a career.



aly324, what you describe sounds fulfilling to me. Additionally, my sensibilities as a filmmaker are not exactly smoothly in-line with Hollywood, which only makes the goal of being a big-time director even more out of reach for me it seems.

I see that I was somewhat vague in my initial post about what I want to get out of my own possible career in film.

1. Learn the craft 2. Get the experience to become the best filmmaker / storyteller I can possibly be 3. Meet filmmakers/actors/whoever that enjoy working with me 4. Have my work noticed and appreciated by ANYONE. 5. Minimize the amount of time I have to do non-filmmaking day job type stuff.

So I should say I'm not against teaching for teaching's sake, just against only doing teaching, or letting anything derail me from filmmaking more that I have to be.

I'm leaning toward applying for the MFA now and then making the most of it if I am not accepted by doing anything I can to get work in the industry and/or further the development of my craft.



Can I ask why? Did they just decide they want to be in a different line of work?
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I"m glad you found the article interesting. Do NOT apply to your favorite film school and no where else. The vast majority of film schools have double or more the applicants for the available slots. Imagine if you have 20 great film makers apply but only 10 spots available. Just because you don't accept someone doesn't mean they are not a potentially great film maker, it just means you only have 10 spots to fill.

Also, remember if you can break in and make that one Hollywood feature during that 10 year window, you have the potential to make films for the next 50 years.
 
I have both an undergraduate degree and a graduate degree in film. I also worked extensively in both production and post production roles for several years. At one time, I ran the educational program at a non-profit film and video organization; I was also an instructor at this organization. I currently work for a leading video equipment manufacturer. With this context, here are my thoughts on your questions:
- Getting accepted to a graduate film program isn't terribly easy (as others have rightly pointed out); even if you apply, there is no promise that you will be accepted to a program since the number of applicants is typically far, far greater than the number of positions available within the program.
- Not all graduate film programs are created equal. I would do careful research and plan visits to any institutions you are seriously considering.
- Many graduate film programs are simply not affordable. Paying for (or repaying loans for) your studies can be a serious financial obligation... or liability.
- If you attend graduate school immediately after you finish your undergraduate degree, you will likely have a limited amount of life experience outside of academia to drawn upon to tell compelling stories, etc. However, if you wait to attend graduate school, you will likely incur other life responsibilities that may impede your ability to fully focus on your studies or make it too difficult to attend a program at all.
- Attending graduate school will likely not be sufficient to secure a job in the film industry upon graduation; if you attend film school, you should consider working on projects outside of the institution. This will also provide you with contacts who are already in the film industry.
- You might want to seriously consider seeking out a graduate film program in a location where there is an opportunity to obtain regular work in the industry (such as the Los Angeles or New York markets).

There isn't any "sure fire" answer to working in the film industry. People have given you many good opinions in this thread. Is film school "worth it?" For some, yes... for others, no. At this point, you may not even be sure what interests you most about filmmaking: writing, directing, editing, cinematography? All I can do is wish you good luck with whatever you choose. (While it may sound corny: keep in mind that with hard work you can manufacture a fair amount of your own luck.)

Sincerely,
Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.
 
Thank you Jon. I would say that I'm most interested in writing and cinematography.

Getting back to your points: It's clear that I need to do a great deal of research and planning, find good schools, apply to many, and be prepared for disappointment (if I don't get in) I'm glad you raised the issue of location, such as being in NY or LA. I was thinking about that myself, even if I don't get into a school (I have a feeling most LA/NY schools are the most expensive and competitive) it would behoove me to consider moving to these areas just to maximize available opportunities. There isn't exactly an exploding film community in Salt lake City and I don't know if U of Utah is considered a flagship film school, I doubt it.

I think I can clearly see the pros/cons of the MFA now - some "safe" time to be creative with like-minded people, a good backdrop for working on projects outside of school, and possibly some chances to make worthwhile connections. What the MFA doesn't do is: make you a truly experienced filmmaker, teach you the ins and outs of the real industry, or give you a guaranteed job.

I'm set on applying for schools this year, but if I'm not accepted I will consider moving to LA/NY and busting my ass looking for film work until I can apply to school again. That might give me some life experience to tell compelling stories!

Thank you for the wishes of good luck.
 
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