MFA in Film?

mjmcneese

mjmcneese

Veteran
just curious...

I am taking a FT position running a HS AV program at a local high school. Basically, theyre hiring me as a teacher, therefore I'd have to be working on a Masters degree within the next 7 years, and the school will pay for a certain amount of it. So, I'm thinking this could allow me to get my MFA in Film.

Anybody here with an MFA in Film? Other than teach, what are some other realistic paths an MFA could take a person?
 
Let's see- in Los Angeles it can take you to a wonderful job as a barista at Starbuck's! :violin: but in all seriousness the diploma itself is practically worthless. It will come in handy once in a blue moon if someone asks if you have some experience, but it won't make you a success by any stretch of the imagination.

However, film school is a good place to try out ideas, get hands-on training and above all network with would-be fellow filmmakers. It's helped me in all of those aspects- I got one from USC-supposedly among the best. If you want a career- just make a feature that succeed on the festival circuit in a big way and you'll have a shot.

Noah
 
my friend has an MFA in screenwriting from USC. i can't say it opened any doors other than the people he went to school with are the generation starting to move in prominent roles in the industry here. so networking, is my answer.
 
If you want to learn what they teach in an MFA program, then go. If someone else is willing to help foot the bill, even better.

What you learn may help your career, but the sheepskin won't.
 
One of the arguments against film school is you go into debt for what amounts to a long shot. But they're paying, you'll be learning, networking, getting access to gear on their dime, not a lot of downside; Not to mention you'll be building salary points most likely for the teaching job.

Btw, heard a funny story about film school admissions, USC is one of the best and extremely selective--people with 1600 GRE's etc. But apparently their most successful class ever was the one year they based admissions purely on first come first served. Nobody knows anything.
 
The network is great, but make sure you marry rich. The debt is no good. (I'm at NYU)

I'll echo Noah and say make a great feature that plays well in festivals.
 
The path I've taken and advice is I'm offering is a bit different.

I worked professionally before I went to school - at least college. The Army trained me to shoot (both rifles and cameras), then I went to work for newspapers, did freelance 16mm film work for features and ad agencies, then to college, and back to the Army and back to college (graduate and post graduate school (courtesy of the Army) almost totally backwards.

An MFA is fantastic, if you want to teach. Along with my Army assignments, I've taught part time and later full time at colleges and universities for over 35 years in remote locations worldwide. It's been a lot of fun. It might not be for everyone. I was a Ranger Instructor once, too. That's not for everyone, either.

Theater and Film departments in colleges and universities need a few MFAs every year. If you're bent on a steady job with fair pay and enjoy teaching, it's a rewarding field.

Granted, it isn't making a major motion picture... But...

I would add that if you want to make films, a higher degree likely won't make that happen.
 
NoahK said:
If you want a career- just make a feature that succeed on the festival circuit in a big way and you'll have a shot.
Click to expand...

word.

I'd also like to add...

teaching can be a rewarding experience, very rewarding.... I know theres a saying that goes "those who cant do, they teach" and I simply think thats foolish... there might be a few examples of lazy/armchair professors but that doesnt mean YOU have to be... an MFA will open you up to great networking and professional contacts and it will put you into a good position to teach later on in life (if you so choose)... and if somebody else is footin the bill, then debt isnt a problem! On the other hand, if you just solely want to make feature films, then just write a great one and go make it... the tools and resources are there and the net is full of those great inspirational stories, the ones where a couple friends make a great feature that lands them a sweet pathway to a career as a director

in a nutshell though, I dont see why you cant do both? I'm going back for my MFA next year and I'm stoked!

good luck.
 
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