need some advice with my future

L

LloydC

Veteran
Ok here is my scenario... I'm currently doing my first semester at university, taking random courses (1 kinesiology, 2 fine arts, 1 communication course) I know for a fact that I want to have a career in filmmaking after university. And I know you're asking... Why is he spending $$$ for university when he can just go right into the film business? I want to get a formal education... also, I feel that I greatly matured living independently for the past 2 months, so imaging living independently for 4 years! I will be a man :)
Here is the dilemma...
I'm thinking about majoring in Communications, specifically Media and Culture. I believe this will help me somewhat with my filmmaking... Should I go this route, or just major in film? The film program here is decent, and very hands on. But I feel I can learn all this stuff through books and making my own movies.

Anyways.. advice is needed :)

Also, maybe you could give a little background on your education and where you are now with film...

Sorry for the rambling... :D
 
Re: need some advice with my future

Start doing films.

I had a career in the fine arts, and I can tell you that they are two different worlds. Don't fool yourself until it's too late, make a choice. Otherwise, you will become your "formal education" as I've seen happening to many friends, from law school to crewing.
Also, filmmaking is a demanding activity and requires responsibilities much greater than doing your dishes and laundry, and social skills far beyond locking yourself up in the studio with a canvas or a mac.
But experiences are priceless.
That is my honest opinion.

Good luck.
 
Re: need some advice with my future

I was in the same position, choosing between Sociology/Psychology Major or Film Studies Major.

Well I picked the wrong decision too late which made me drop out of University. I should of kept focusing and should had went into film studies(and No film studies is not film school, it's theory, history, screewriting and some Film shoots) because that's where my heart is, that is my passion, instead I went for the sociology/psychology b/c I was interested in but did not follow my heart.

If I were I would stick with film major unless your not 100% sure that you are into it, or maybe you are afraid that a diploma with a major in film would mean nothing that's what I thougth at times but to be honest a B.A. degree from University is like a High School diploma. You gotta have that MA or PHD. to find a well paid job, not sayin in all cases but a lot.

If you know for sure that filmmaking is ALL you want to do that follow everything that will somehow lead you to it or will have a connection to it.

There are books about everything these days. There are books for Communications, for Media and Culture just as there are books for filmmaking.
 
Re: need some advice with my future

If I may be so bold…honestly, I think you're asking for someone to tell you it's okay to invest your entire education in the pursuit of a film career.

Which then translates roughly to the universal question of "Is it okay to chase my dreams?"

Problem being that for as much helpful advice people will offer you, those aren't questions anyone can answer for you.

Even after you make this decision, there will be a host of wrong and right decisions left to make in life. So make up your own advice, find your own justifications, and dive in.

In the end, the only “right” thing you can do is to make choices you can live with, whether they prove to be "right" or "wrong".
 
Re: need some advice with my future

Free advice and worth every penny:

Be an Art major. Tack on a lot of theater courses (if not a minor)

Learn all about light and shadow and design and color and and and.

Oh, crap. Problem - if you don't make it as a filmmaker, being an Art major will not help you much with anything else.

OK. Do the Communications thing, but load up on the art courses, and "help out" in the local theater productions.

Personally, I'd stay away from genuine filmmaking courses. Better to learn the elements as themselves than as cursory parts of a package deal.

Dan
 
Re: need some advice with my future

A few of your statements answer your own questions.

"first semester at university...a career in filmmaking after university...Why is he spending $$$ for university when he can just go right into the film business (my favourite)...I greatly matured living independently for the past 2 months, so imaging living independently for 4 years! I will be a man".

I don't think you're ready to make any decisions yet...
 
Re: need some advice with my future

I greatly appreciate your honest opinions :)

I just feel like I can learn everything they are doing myself. I mean, you can only go so far learning the technical aspects.
I'm currently shooting films with the film students here (6 of them live on my floor). I've already directed a short film here, and it turned out really well. Whatever free time I have in univ, I devote it to filmmaking. Writing, storyboarding, helping out other film studenst etc...

and I know %100 that I'm going to be doing film after university. I'm just interested in communications,, and I want to expand my horizons intellectually

sorry if this just repeats everything ???

But I'm still going to definately consider film major... just going to do some more research on the program
 
Re: need some advice with my future

To quote myself from another board:

"... advice is a dangerous gift even from the wise to the wise and all courses may run ill. But what would you? You have not told me all concerning yourself; and how then shall I choose better than you? But if you demand advice, I will for friendships sake give it."

- Gildor (Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien)

I think the most important thing to do is have a job that you ENJOY doing. It doesn't matter how much prestige the world gives the topic; if it inspires you then go for it. That said I think it is very important to consider where you are right now. You have, after all, spent a fair amount of money towards a degree. I would personally be inclined to finish the degree to keep my options open. I don't see a real need for paid film school. Go out and get experience while keeping your options open. The average pay for someone with a degree is numerous times higher than someone with a high school diploma. I'd say finish school and work at advancing your film skills and resume. If you are good enough you will find paying gigs. If not you have a backup that will give you many more options. Also keep in mind that unless you are a famous director you will almost certainly NOT have a steady source of income from directing. Do what you like to do but also acknowledge reality. I wouldn't personally gamble my future and spent money on a chance as low as this. Just my opinion though.
 
Re: need some advice with my future

I wouldn't be able to give you advice, but this is what I did:

The WHOLE high school I was convinced I was going to study film (camera) at the prestigious FAMU in Prague. Three weeks before application submission deadline, my aunt who was 'in the business' suggested I study something 'practical' or 'technical' to have something to fall back on in case my dreams don't come true. The only thing other than photography and film that interested me was physics, so I went to study to become a physics/math teacher.

CUT TO:

24 years, one university degree, two kids, several countries and many doubts later, I've finally come to get the guts to do it! I had to face the fact that I am never going to be a full-time professional filmmaker (who is, anyway?), but it doesn't mean I cannot make films. Au contraire! By having matured a bit (well, maybe not being a MAN yet ;) ), having a secure, reasonably well-paid profession and tons of life experience, I can make whatever the hell I want to.

Do I regret I didn't follow my dreams when I was 18? Aahhh - those doubtless nights again ???. Not really. Yeah, I might have started a teeny bit earlier, but who cares?

I guess the morale is that there is no 'correct' path to what you want to do. I really like the fact that I studied 'hard' sciences because learning about color temperature, lighting, wattage, depth of field calculations, all that computer stuff and so on, is a BREEZE. I can't imagine graduating from a film school and not understanding what it all means.

So: follow your heart and your guts, but choose wisely. If you do your time will come.

Boy do I feel like preaching... I guess that must have something to do with having a first-year university student at home ;D
 
Re: need some advice with my future

There's only one question you really ever have to ask yourself. That question is "Why?"

Why are you in school? Why do you want to make films? Why did you pick the major you did? Answer the "why" questions honestly, and the answers fall into place most of the time. The trick is the honesty part. If you understand what is motivating you, you have a better chance of choosing the "right" path.
 
Re: need some advice with my future

Some common themes I've noticed about life, success, and happiness:
--"Listen" to your gut. It will point you in the right direction, almost every time.
--Work your ass off. No one has ever made it big without hard work and dedication, regardless of natural talent.
--Do what you love and the money will come.

Someday when you reflect on your path and decisions, would you rather regret the things you have done, or the things you have NOT done?
 
Re: need some advice with my future

[quote author=Frizzle Fry link=board=Offtopic;num=1099991142;start=0#11 date=11/10/04 at 07:32:54]--"Listen" to your gut. It will point you in the right direction, almost every time.[/quote]

My gut just tells me to go to the fridge, what gives?

--Work your ass off. No one has ever made it big without hard work and dedication, regardless of natural talent.
Click to expand...

Except for Paris Hilton.

--Do what you love and the money will come.
Click to expand...

Unless you love playing videogames, being lazy, mooching off others, or smoking tons of pot. If this were true, I'd have a couple of incredibly rich friends.

:P
 
Re: need some advice with my future

J_Barnes, thank you for identifying the extreme exceptions. I should clarify that my advise only pertains to motivated individuals who are inclined to pursue positive goals.

And technically, it's not your "gut" sending you to the fridge--it's your "belly." (It's your "gut" that is saying, "Don't eat that. You're not hungry ... oh, go ahead and eat it, fatty.") ;)
 
Re: need some advice with my future

It looks to me like Paris Hilton must have worked her ass off, 'cause there isn't one on that stick of a girl.
 
Re: need some advice with my future

[quote author=Frizzle Fry link=board=Offtopic;num=1099991142;start=0#14 date=11/10/04 at 08:20:49]J_Barnes, thank you for identifying the extreme exceptions. I should clarify that my advise only pertains to motivated individuals who are inclined to pursue positive goals.

And technically, it's not your "gut" sending you to the fridge--it's your "belly." (It's your "gut" that is saying, "Don't eat that. You're not hungry ... oh, go ahead and eat it, fatty.") ;)[/quote]


Wouldn't that be your brain.
 
Re: need some advice with my future

come to think of it, that would be those little guys on each shoulder. technically speaking.
 
Re: need some advice with my future

I highly recommend getting a degree at a liberal arts college and making films off to the side.  Seems like every other struggling filmmaker trying to make it in Hollywood studied film in college.  Do something different, do something original, be different.  Companies like to see you studied physics or economics or political science in college, but then you have this great reel, "woah, how did that happen??" I experienced that first hand.  It's nice to intrique people that way.

Getting a degree at a LAS school may be boring, but it delayed gratification for a great deal of credibility.  And instead of partying your ass off in college, make some films off to the side (but still find at least some time to have fun, this is college afterall!).

I also really don't recommend Communications at as a degree.  It's a whole lot of fun, but there are too many people asking, "What I am going to do with a communications major?"  I ended up minoring in communications because of this instead of majoring in it.

And last thing, JUST DO IT, make movies every chance you can.  The reel (or lack thereof) can make or break a person.
 
More free advice: Stay in school, major in journalism and minor in film or theatre. The journalism will help you be a good writer. Writing is one of the building blocks of filmmaking. Journalism can also help you get a job at a newspaper or tv station to help pay for your filmmaking passion. Minoring in film or theatre keeps you in those programs where you can learn the craft, access gear, and be around creative people. Whatever you do, don't give up on your dreams. Full disclosure: I was a journalism major, who was applying to film school when I got my first job as a TV reporter...I took the TV job and it's given me a great career. Now I'm getting back into filmmaking.
 
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