Is majoring in Film in college necessary?!?!?!

Are you going to school to learn, or to get a job?

I (long ago) studied Film Theory in university, even though I wanted to get into production. Why? Because I knew that I could pick up anything technical on my own, and a firm grounding in theory would be invaluable -- and hard to pick up on your own. Also, I'm an egghead and theory appeals to me.

Note that Film Theory is completely different that studying film production. Film theory is the most bizarre thing you can study in University. It is extremely difficult. If you really want a mind-****, take a course in Feminist Film Theory! (afterwards, you'll be able to argue with feminists and make them cry. :evil: )

During this time, I volunteered for as many local productions as I could, eventually becoming sound engineer on a low-budget feature (the guy with the Nagra around his neck chasing after everyone with a boompole.) Through this work I got invited to join one of the unions (which I declined because at that time I saw how the unions were destroying independent film -- which was where I wanted to work.)

It was invaluable to be on sets, watching how everything worked "in the real world". Plus being involved in pre- and post-production.

Then through a series of fortunate events, I got enough money to open my own production company. By this time I knew a lot about cinematography and lighting, production techniques, animation and compositing, and a thousand other things that can't be taught in a film-production course.

So in short, you have to study something, so you may as well study film. If you're technically oriented you may choose to pick up the technical bits yourself. Also, when you're with the rest of the production crew late at night after a shoot, discussing film as they always do, you'll be able to enter a much, MUCH deeper and nerdier level of discussion which will endear you to those who really know film -- and also separate you from the fanboys who can regurgitate fact and spew opinion, but don't have any real understanding.

However a Film Theory degree is useless on it's own (I also have a Psychology degree, which is equally useless), but I long ago decided to drop out of the wage-slavery system -- to never have a "job" and to work only for myself, so it worked out fine. :thumbsup:

(Actually, now that I think about it, those degrees do help with obtaining funding for my documentary films -- organizations feel more secure in giving money to a scholastic "professional".)
 
ok, I'm trying to take this all in and think it through. ALot of people talk of having contacts. BIG question, HOW DO I GET CONTACTS????? That's where i feel taking a class in college in film may be useful since i will be able to get some contacts. True or not?
 
I'll have my people call your people..

I'll have my people call your people..

Jlucan said:
ALot of people talk of having contacts. BIG question, HOW DO I GET CONTACTS????? That's where i feel taking a class in college in film may be useful since i will be able to get some contacts. True or not?
Click to expand...

You don't GET contacts, you MAKE contacts.

You know! Those loveable hollywood folks.

Agents, accountants..

greed.png
 
LOL, that's what I think bad agents look like.

Anyway, from what I understand, you just need to go to film screenings, work around in a few movies, and try to go to big events if you can. Just mingle if you see someone you know or meet someone, ask them about their people and eventually you may get a full list of contacts. But I don't know, I'm just a student, I just read a lot is all! =)
 
Goal oriented

Goal oriented

OK, I've heard enough people bag on film school that I have to give my view here. It seems that the biggest antagonists of film school are those that never went in the first place. How would you know it sucks, or isn't worth it if you've never been? And if you have been and you still thought it was a waste of time, you need to stop thinking of it in terms of "film experience" gained and remember what college is really for (as far as the business world is concerned.)

Ok, here's my own example: I will graduate from the University of Utah this December with a BA in film studies. I took some production classes, but mostly film "watching" classes and so forth. I feel the same as everyone else that I wish I had focused more on writing or business, but I don't regret getting (almost) my degree. Here's the thing, you will learn tons by buying your own equipment and just making films. That's why I did just that. But don't discount the benifit of having your degree. You might not learn more about fimmaking, but if you plan on going to work for someone else, that degree is so benifitial. Employers don't look at a degree and say, "Well, you have lots of experience from going to college." They see one main thing: That you can set a goal, and accomplish it. It's that simple. I found a job in the "industry" as an editor. My experiance outside of school helped me get the job. But they would have been more reluctant to hire me if I hadn't been to school. Like I said, it says more to employers then just "experiance." This is statistics and advice from one of the best and most sought after career advisors in the country. Plus, when I do graduate in December, I will be in a possition to ask for more money, just for having a degree!

Buy a camera, and make your films, but go to college. Even if you decide after that you don't want to be a filmmaker, your BA will be invaluable to you, ask any employer (bigger then your friend who has his own production company based out of his garage that is!)

Joe

I know some of you guys who didn't go to school are very successful, but to those considering film school I want to remind you to also talk to those who may have graduated from film school, and ask them if they feel it was worth it, you may be suprised that not very many regret it. As frustrating as it was for me, I'm glad I did it.
 
JoeFowler said:
Even if you decide after that you don't want to be a filmmaker, your BA will be invaluable to you, ask any employer (bigger then your friend who has his own production company based out of his garage that is!)
Click to expand...

What's wrong with a production company in a garage? Hey Apple started in a garage. Your mainly born as a filmmaker, you can't learn creativity, but you can master your craft. You might learn some techs, but you can do that by just making your own films.
 
If I had it my way I would have gone to a one year school that gives you nothing but hands on experience shooting real projects and getting real experience. I went to college... learned a little and then when I got out was disapointed at how much I didn't learn for as much I paid. Almost everything I know now I learned on the job. But I think it's best to get some schooling so that you don't have to start out at janitor level. Remeber, you're competing against others who do have an education. They will have first choice of internships, PA positions, etc. You need to be more that a wanta be to get a job.

We're starting a one year, hands on/no books school this fall that will give students real experience starting their very first day. And, students will get experience in every aspect of production so that when they leave school they will know what they like, what they are good at and what the industry expects of them. Plus they will be entering the work force with a demo real that includes projects that meet industry standards, not highshcool expectations.
 
There you go JLucan, why don't you send Danny Dodge a PM or something to get more information. THAT sounds like a good program, one with lots of actual "in the field" time.

Danny free feel to post the details here as well for all of us, every once in a while I entertain the idea of quitting my job and going back to school for what I really want to be doing...
 
Jlucan,

When I started college, I knew I wanted to create special effects. So I majored in computers in art. But, going to college is an eye-opening experience. I became interested in photography and now work as a guerilla cinematographer. Totally ditched the original plan. My advice is that everything you learn adds up and eventually counts for something. Case in point: My art background helped me learn photography. Summer jobs helped my networking skills.

If you go to film school, and learn the trade, it will help you no matter what you end up doing. Your degree will show that you can "follow through" with a tough project.

-ab
 
I think the most effective crash-course you can get is to simply volunteer on local productions as a PA or grip.

It doesn't cost you anything, you get to do a bunch of jobs and learn a lot. You get to see politics and bullshit in action -- and learn to grow a skin and tolerate it.

If you're good (show up on time, lose your ego, don't complain, and do stuff without having to be asked), you'll get invited to work on other productions -- eventually getting to one that pays.

As your reputation grows, you may get asked to join the union, which means you'll then be able to work on professional productions and earn the big bucks.

I know many, many people who took this route, and are now highly-paid professionals. Most went to film or art school, but some are high-school dropouts who liked working on movies.
 
I personally don't recomend majoring in film. My major was never film. I'm actually a graphics design major. I did film on the side but now since I'm getting more jobs and opportunities I'm leaning more towards film now. It's actually my job now. Just have a back up plan if you know what I mean just in case something doesn't work out..

peace!
 
"But those are the dudes who buy red vettes and start doinkin 20 year old when they are 45 years old because they feel a void in their lives. "

I have a black vette, and am doinking a 25 year old, but I'm 25 too, does that count :P
 
ok since i'm attending UT I have found a filmmakers club that i'm planning to join. I'm hoping this would help eleviate the neccessity of taking a course in a radio, film, tv production class (that's the only film related course taught there). Is this a good choice or should I join both the club and take the course? I figure the club would teach me everything i need to know, but I could be wrong........I just don't want to shell out money for a course that might not be exactly right for me.
 
pmark23 said:
I think the most effective crash-course you can get is to simply volunteer on local productions as a PA or grip.
Click to expand...


I would like to take this route, but I find it hard to find out about any local productions, let alone be a PA or Grip. Any suggestions on how to do this? The other day a Nike commercial was being filmed at our school. I asked if I could watch, and they told me flat out "NO".
 
My two cents
(1) Go to college and get your degree! In twenty years time you're not going to regret wasting three or four years getting a degree - you will regret not having one if you had the chance and blew it. Believe me I KNOW what I'm talking about here!!
(2) Get a degree in a subject that you are interested in (so you can stay the course), and that will also pay the rent and groceries after you graduate while you are trying to break into the movie business.

While you're at college, even if you don't take a film course, you will still have opportunities to get involved in movie making, work on other peoples movies, act in movies etc.

This business is changing at a phenomenal rate at the moment with the sort of technical changes that are reflected here on DVXUser. I think this is going to lead to a massive shake up of the movie and TV business over the coming decade (or less). So if you have the opportunity to take a degree course - do so now, do not postpone or reject the idea of getting a degree.

As far as studying film is concerned.... most of the film school graduates I have met (this is in the UK) who are in the business took film school as a post-graduate course following a first degree in fine arts, literature, architecture, etc.
 
ziggerzag said:
In twenty years time you're not going to regret wasting three or four years getting a degree ...

...This business is changing at a phenomenal rate at the moment ...
Click to expand...

1. Learning is never a waste of time.
2. When exactly in history did things not change?

Perceived rates of change are also subjective.
 
PDX_DVX said:
I would like to take this route, but I find it hard to find out about any local productions, let alone be a PA or Grip. Any suggestions on how to do this? The other day a Nike commercial was being filmed at our school. I asked if I could watch, and they told me flat out "NO".
Click to expand...

Ask around. Check notice-boards at pro-video stores, theatre coops, the local paper. I first got involved after reading an article in the free "ad" paper (which gets delivered if you want it or not). I tracked down the guy making the movie and asked if there was anything I could do. Through that I got to know all of the local filmmakers, which led to more jobs -- eventually paying.

You'll start out with some really cheesy productions and feel that you're wasting your time, but hold out, do a good job (not a perfect job -- just be competent and dependable), and keep your ego in check -- you'll start to be asked to work on other productions.

If you act like a professional, you'll become in demand and have to turn down work. I've seen this happen many, many times, and they've went on to become pros. One of my film-school buddies crawled his way up to assistant editor on "Titanic", and now works for Cameron exclusively.
 
It is very true that you get valuable experience on a film set. However, I'm still going to film school. Even if I don't learn anything about the creative process, I will at the very least have access to equipment that I could never afford on my own at this point. Combustion, Shake, Pro Tools, multiple DVX's, to name just a few. This will allow me to continue to create stuff outside of school, so I'll be getting the best of both worlds. Getting an education for the stuff I can't do on my own, and exploring what I can on my own.
 
I didn't say don't go to film school. I went to film school while I was doing this, but concentrated on film-theory since I was learning the practical stuff in the RW.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top