How many of you guys have degrees in Film/Video Production?

I have a Communications degree, and while I had a good time in college, if I had it to do all over again, I'd probably have gotten an Economics degree or something similar.

IMHO, "film schools" (not film departments at a legitimate universities but places like Full Sail and those ilk) are a complete waste of money.
 
I'll have my communications degree come May 2011. I'm only pursuing for reasons that most people here have covered: a lot of companies do look for it, and since I'm this far into it, it would be stupid to quit now.

Ironically, school has left me with much less time to build up any kind of reel worth talking about, but that's going to change soon enough!
 
BA in Media Production/Art.

Everything I've learned was self taught and I was able to sleep through most of my classes. :)
 
Self taught. My BS and MS are electrical engineering with a minor in advanced graphics programming. However, the friends I do have at UNCG film school and SCAD have let me know which books they read. I've read quite a bit of stuff by Blain Brown and others just for terminology. Best thing is experience, over and over again. Eventually you do things right! :)
 
Self taught + DVXuser and 2pop.

Did some broadcasting school and the best thing about it was being associated with the network of people I met there.

Short workshops and software training courses are pricey but you can get TONS out of them.
 
grimepoch said:
Self taught. My BS and MS are electrical engineering with a minor in advanced graphics programming. However, the friends I do have at UNCG film school and SCAD have let me know which books they read. I've read quite a bit of stuff by Blain Brown and others just for terminology. Best thing is experience, over and over again. Eventually you do things right! :)
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SCAD currently or previously?
 
BA in Communications and Minor in Film Studies. The only thing I really got out of that was a fantastic internship at a production house in Cincinnati.

Starting my MFA in Cinematography soon. Not cuz I want to, but cuz work is gonna pay for it.
 
I have a University of Montreal degree in "Film studies" (3 years program), which I think was a lost of my precious time. I could have worked on numerous sets but.. eh.. that's life. I'm not deep into film analysis and big mind-numbing theories like Bazin, Deleuze, and overall, it just feels like over pretentious bullocks.

However, I made so many new friends, it changed my life. I am now working on so many different projects with all of them.. it's great! You need to see it that way, even if it doesn't suit you right away, you must think of the other benefits..
 
Been in art school since I was 6. First The Art Students League in NYC, then LaGuardia HS of Music and Art, then BA from NYU in Studio Art, then I got my masters in Cinematography from DVXusernevsity.

Never shown anyone a diploma for anything. Wish I never went to college.
 
EDP said:
I have a University of Montreal degree in "Film studies" (3 years program), which I think was a lost of my precious time. I could have worked on numerous sets but.. eh.. that's life. I'm not deep into film analysis and big mind-numbing theories like Bazin, Deleuze, and overall, it just feels like over pretentious bullocks.

However, I made so many new friends, it changed my life. I am now working on so many different projects with all of them.. it's great! You need to see it that way, even if it doesn't suit you right away, you must think of the other benefits..
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This is why I made friends with people IN film school, but not actually attend :) In fact, when I hang out in Savannah on occasion, the bars are FULL of people who do film, and they are dying to work with others. One of the reasons I visit Savannah so much as to meet new people who love this stuff.
 
I paid $40,000 for a BS in Biblical Studies. I picked up shooting and editing as a hobby. For the past 2 and a half years, I have worked at a NPO as their videographer / editor, and will be starting a new position at a corporate office of a different organization in January a videographer / editor.
 
MFA Chapman University emphasis in cinematography. Worth every penny.
You also need a ton of on set experience and a flawless reel.

Notice that 95% of the people who say that "you don't need film school" have never attended one. I'm not saying they are wrong, just note that and interpret for yourself...
 
Graduated in 3 years, the course is pretty good. Very weak on directing and screenwriting (!!!) but other areas were great.

However, I'd say 80% of my knowledge came from personal study, be it through books, internet and practice.

EDP said:
I have a University of Montreal degree in "Film studies" (3 years program), which I think was a lost of my precious time. I could have worked on numerous sets but.. eh.. that's life. I'm not deep into film analysis and big mind-numbing theories like Bazin, Deleuze, and overall, it just feels like over pretentious bullocks.

However, I made so many new friends, it changed my life. I am now working on so many different projects with all of them.. it's great! You need to see it that way, even if it doesn't suit you right away, you must think of the other benefits..
Click to expand...

I agree partially. I think all these theories should be part of a final year in a course. When a newcomer hears all this he just can't turn that theory into useful practical knowledge for film production.
 
> I know a guy with a certificate from Full Sail that spent 90K on his education. He works at Staples.

I'm sure this is the case with every film school. I know several people with film degrees from UCLA and USC that are not going anywhere (as well as former classmates from my film school...). Just because you have a degree is not a guarantee of success. It also takes drive, dedication and social networking skills (not to mention talent).
 
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