FSU Film School

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Policar

Carbonite Member
Hi, I am considering attending this school next fall for film production. I have heard some good things and some bad. I know it is a very new program and it will put me in about $60,000-$80,000 debt. I am a northerner so living in Florida would be a very new experience for me, but not altogether unwelcome...

Has anyone here attended FSU or know anyone who has? I am interested in directing and dping, primarily. I have some experience, but am mostly self-taught thus far. Thanks.
 
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I had an ex who went there for Theatre almost 10 years ago. She never ended up working in theatre, though, despite moving to New York afterwards. She's back at school at working on an Electrical Engineering degree.

She met her current boyfriend at FSU. He studied in the film program there, I believe. He hasn't done much either, but once in a while he gets a reality show camera gig.

I know that there are a lot of varying opinions on film school, but as a graduate of one in South Florida, I recommend taking that money and just making a feature with it. It's risky, but not as risky as sinking it all into film school and then not having much to show for it afterwards. That may well be a controversial suggestion, but it's something I wish I'd done. Either that or go to school where the industry is--L.A. The reason I suggest that is because the main thing that's worth a damn about attending film school, the contacts, will end up being more relevant. Plus you'll get some awesome industry internships.
 
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Thanks, I've heard that from others, too.

I already have industry connections, but I don't have the talent or training to make a watchable feature. At least at the moment. Nor the money. It would be debt, 100%.

I'm not a strong enough candidate for LA schools but I was accepted in Florida and had heard good things. I need to decide in two days what to do so I am having a tough time. I am also considering UT Austin, but their program is too documentary and indie-focused for my long-term career goals, I fear.
 
Policar said:
Thanks, I've heard that from others, too.

I already have industry connections, but I don't have the talent or training to make a watchable feature. At least at the moment. Nor the money. It would be debt, 100%.

I'm not a strong enough candidate for LA schools but I was accepted in Florida and had heard good things. I need to decide in two days what to do so I am having a tough time. I am also considering UT Austin, but their program is too documentary and indie-focused for my long-term career goals, I fear.
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That's a toughy. That area of Florida isn't very exciting career-wise, or exciting at all, really. It may well be a great program, but I don't know of anyone who's done anything with it. Honestly, I don't know many people who don't at least somewhat regret going to school for film. But I feel strange advising you since I don't know you. Some people learn better in a structured learning environment, so it may be just what you need.

Austin sounds more exciting, though. Now that's a film city and you should have no problem picking up strong contacts. Don't knock documentary filmmaking; there's a lot that carries over and it may even make you a stronger narrative filmmaker because you'll have to learn to rely on your instincts.

But considering what you said, instead of putting that money towards a feature film, I'd buy some lights and a camera and start messing around with them. There are some really top notch DVDs and books out there like the Digital Cinema Training course and the Hollywood Camera Work course. You'll get a lot more use out of them if you own your means of production rather than waiting on your fellow students to finish using them on their productions.
 
The school promises a 95% job placement rate, mostly in LA, but none of the alums I know of are working in LA, so I need to look into that seriously. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to.

I've been shooting my own video for years, but it's really bad stuff.
 
Policar said:
The school promises a 95% job placement rate, mostly in LA, but none of the alums I know of are working in LA, so I need to look into that seriously. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to.

I've been shooting my own video for years, but it's really bad stuff.
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Your first stuff is always going to be bad. That's why you do it and get it out of the way. :)
 
Have you thought about attending a community college? You can learn the basics there without spending a ton on the classes... Plus if you make friend's with the kids that transfer to the "big film school's" you can crew on their productions without paying tuition.
 
Have a bunch of friends who attended FSU for their MFA in film production. (This is 7+ years ago). Some are working in the industry and others are not--it's kind of how it goes. I applied there and visited but decided to do my MFA somewhere else. FSU has great equipment, etc., but your stuck in Tallahassee. I did my MFA in New York City and was much happier.

I think a lot of people on this site will say "hey just read the threads and make your own stuff". I don't disagree. You certainly would save a lot of money that way. With that said, I think there's a definite place for film school--just know that even with a MFA or undergrad film school education that you'll still have to pay your dues and work your way up. That doesn't change. Also, if you don't have any plans to teach at a college level ever then a MFA is a complete waste money. My BA is also in film production but I pursued the MFA because I love to teach.

Do I regret going to graduate film school? The short answer is no.

Shaun
 
Thanks, all, I've considered community colleges (a lot, actually), but I'm almost 30 now. Too long between that and getting where I want to be (directing studio pictures).

I came close to getting into USC this year, I think (was notified for an interview, but had that withdrawn--long story), but I can't afford an LA school other than the community college and professional programs and would not have been able to attend had I been accepted, anyway. I think I am going to give FSU a go.
 
Heres what I gathered about FSU during my college application quest this year. The film program is only your Jr and Sr year. You might as well do two years at a community college to get all your core classes and then re apply for the film program. Just because you were admitted now does not mean you have a seat in the film program your jr year. Its a great program but you need to think about it from a buisness standpoint and find a way to get the FSU education without the debt. You do not want 60-80k debt in the film industry when you are just starting out.
 
Steve Laramie said:
The film program is only your Jr and Sr year.
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I thought it was a four-year program. But I'm not an expert on FSU because, while I got in last year, I ended up at a film school in Manhattan. I can only say that film school is all about contacts and being FORCED to actually make stuff. You'll honestly learn the most on your own, even if you're at NYU/USC, just cause that's the nature of filmmaking, but film schools definitely have lots to offer if you take advantage of them. I would NOT recommend just taking the money and making a feature, that'll get you nothing except a mediocre indie film that won't be seen by anybody (like most indie films).
 
I would guess he means that although it is a 4 year program in reality you will be doing mostly generals for the first two years or so and could fit the actual film classes into your last two years when you would take the majority of those classes.
 
No it works like UCLA. You have to be accepted to FSU then complete 2 years of gen ed then re apply for the film program for the last 2 years.
 
I know this isn't how all situations go but I heard a story about my friend who went to FSU, though not for the film school, eventhough he's a filmmaker now.

Anyways, he was working on a set (while wearing a FSU hat) the DP, director, I can't remember who asked him if he went to FSU film school. He said he didn't and the DP, director person said, "Good, cause if you did I'd probably fire you."

Just beware of the stigma is what I'd say.
 
Yikes, any idea why there's a stigma against the program? I have heard similar things from others but nothing that bad, mostly just that in LA they'll often only hire you if you went to an LA-based program or grew up in the city. Was it a set in LA or Florida?
 
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It was an Atlanta job. I think the stigma comes from some film school people are pretentious, not willing to put in the grunt work. Prefer only to put in the effort when it's their project or something.
 
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