Words of wisdom, school or no school?

C

Clarence_Marshall

New member
I am 24 and have been interested in film for about eight years now. I just qualified for cal grants and need to decide, school or no school. I have alot of friends that didn't go to school that are making a lot of money. I really want to go back, but I don't want to take out a large student lone if it does nothing for me. What do you think?
 
School for what?

Film?

A Degree in Bio Science?

It can only help you to have a degree; even if a Liberal Arts type. Degree's open doors more so than no degree. I have no degree; it hasn't hurt me yet as I just want to make films; not get a job in Marketing ya know? If I end up making 50,000K the rest of my life doing what I'm doing now; I'm going to be pissed I never became a filmmaker. If I had a degree; and was making 75,000K a year doing (Insert Field Here) and I never become a filmmaker; I'm going to be pissed.

Make sense?

You have to figure out WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO.
 
Interesting. I have been going to school on and off for three years while interning with
various FILM commercial companies and doing freelance work in between. However, I've
decided this business isn't for me, as a business, and so I am parting ways with a film major
for an emphasis in finance and intend to continue shooting for non-profit/church related
missions trips and local events and maybe even some little movies. I am not confident
in the future of the small video company I had always intended to pursue. Seems more
stable to pursue a business, medical, or law degree than for film. But, I am caloused so
don't listen to me. I think if I were to do it all over again (I am 21) I would have pursued
USC or AFI filmmaking programs and found an inlet through those channels. Perhaps things
would have been different then. I am only in Amarillo because of an internship/work opportunity
no-one would believe. Can you imagine a hugely successful D.P. living in rural west texas? I
couldn't either, but I am doing my best to be helpful as an assistant and he even knows I'm
abandoning the business side of things and moving back home to Indiana in a couple of months.
I will never regret the fantastic opportunities I've had in film. Never. Good night.
 
Exactly the train of thought I took at 21. Now I'm 35 and pissed off I never seriously pursued this art. 21? Man; you have your whole life still.
 
..no doubt.. 21. stability is not = happiness. if your not married and dont have kids.. now is the chance to take all the risks as far aas what your going to do with your life.. its alot harder once you get the other stuff.. believe me. if it seems hopeless. well it probably is. its very slim oif a chance that anyone will make it big tim or even comfortably in film. but im not concerned with money.. im concerned with what i do with my life. id rather enjoy a little .. ALOT.. than enjoy ALOT .. a little.. know what i mean.? ive never ever heard any eldrey person say they wish they would have mad emore money in their life.. .. they all wish that they would have taken the risks and really gone for it, and not be left with so many.. coulda.. woulda.. shoulda's in the end.. spend time with loved ones. and follow your heart and dreams . thats what theyll tell you almost every time.
 
Where are you planning to go to school and how much financial aid can you get?

From what I've heard (over and over), the connections you make in school and the stuff you learn are FAR, FAR more important than the degree. (Only for film school, everywhere else it's the degree that counts.)

Anyhow, if you already know everything you need to know and can get started making money as a PA and work your way up...well....it's hard to say what's better. But film school is a good place to start, though obviously some are better than others.
 
I am in about the same situation as you are (about a year ago). So here I am, at GMI pursuing my Industrial Engineering degree, when I go into that **panic** state of thought. You know...the one where you start asking yourself how important is the money? Do I want this routine for my ENTIRE life? What about what I want in life, no matter how big the dream? If there's one thing that made me sure that I would pursue film (besides unbridled passion), it was the realization that NOTHING is for sure. Life, money, success, happiness--it all takes work and passion. I look at some of the more successful of my mentors and I ask myself how they got what they wanted out of life-->the truth is, they worked their asses off and genuinely love what they do.

Your question doesn't seem to focus on pursuing film so much as in how to pursue it. One book that helped me is "Film School Confidential". It details all of the film schools, the pluses, the minuses, and even the estimated money you will spend. It's great as for information and clarification--it comes right out and says that more often than not, it will not matter if you do or don't pursue film in school; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It does, however, make a very good suggestion--don't get your undergrad degree in film. Instead of majoring in Film for you Undergrad, get it in something else. Either that or go get a job in the field (if you can as it is sometimes hard to live on nothing--beneficial to young guys like us with basically no obligations).It recommends maybe going to film school for your MFA, and even then they state how the only thing that matters out of it is the short film that you "might" get to make.

What I did:

Well, after the initial panic and asking myself why I just HAD to try to be a filmmaker (I thought that I might be part BI-polar and manic-depressive) I sat down and thought about how best to get where I wanted to go. I figured that if I got my undergrad degree in something else (preferably something that I could use), then I could make films on my own while I go to school and get a feel and some experience before attacking the world (if I lived in Cali I would work for free, but as I am in Omaha my options are limited). Right now, I am a double Marketing/Management major with three minors in Finance, Banking, and Business Law. I took this route because I thought that it would help with maybe a producing background and get me in the door to become a producer's assistant after I graduate. I also have left the door open to attend grad film school (USC or FSU, most likely the latter) where I can get my hands on some serious equipment.

Let me say that I am no success story, but the choice that I made has given me a "secure" feeling while letting me pursue what I really want. There are benefits of going to college (not the least of which is the video equipment and knowledge that you will obtain). I would also like to say that you might be more successful if you just went to work for nothing and tried to work your way up. I know that at my university (I have since transfered from GMI to UNOmaha) we have groups and people who share the same interests, for me, it provides (with the helps of these boards) and informal "support group".

I feel so blessed to have the options we now have. The DVX (and HVX) have given guys like us a chance to make a picture that people will take seriously. I feel inspired by some of the work on this site and it puts some "pep" in my step when I feel discouraged by those around who will say anything negative.

On that note, I would like to end and say as for some advice that has helped me (again, I am no success story (yet), and don't feel me condescending as we are peers) avoid negativity. You wouldn't believe how people reacted when I told them what I planned to do (after they heard that I transfered). Avoid the negativity, bro. People will ALWAYS tell you WHY something CAN'T happen, rarely do you encounter (on a daily basis) those who support your ideas and give you a reason why something CAN happen. You are the maker of your destiny as are all of the filmmakers on these boards, and I truly believe that if you want something bad enough, work hard for it, and never lose sight of the goal you will achieve a happiness that no one can match, be it successful commercially or not.

Peace Out--**Best Kip Impersonation**
 
Why not get a degree in something that pays a hell of a lot of money which you enjoy? You would have plenty of free time (how many dentists, for instance, do you know who work 5 days a week?) and you would have the resources to fund a lot of your own stuff. Two birds with one stone. This is my plan, but only because I have had a long time fascination with medicine and helping others out. It may or may not be right for you but it's something to think about.

my .02
 
Skool fa' foolz!! :shocked:

Actually, in all seriousness....I agree with the *Hudson* philosophy:

Save your 30K, Buy a camera, rent El Mariachi and Primer and watch them, buy "Rebel without a crew" and read it....then go make a movie.

~reservoir~
 
Reservoir,

Where do you get 30 thousand dollars? That's about what I made in an entire year as a
corporate videographer. It would take years for me to save up that kind of money.

However, sans student loans and expenses, even my brother-in-law is earning twice that
his first year as an *intern* at a hospital in his first year out of I.U. Medical School with his M.D.

His father was in family practice and I would well expect by brother-in-law to earn a full doctor's wage
in about two years. My sister is a Registered Nurse and works two days a week as a
supervisor and earns nearly twice as much--working two days a week as a nurse--than
I did as a videographer.

Now, I really have to question the logic in working as a video guy, when
for investing a couple of additional years in college I could earn twice that wage as a male nurse.
Seriously, then--and only then--could I save the 30K to make my movie. My sister informs me
there are actually many opportunities to travel in nursing--working four weeks here or three
months there--and all your living expenses are paid, plus a large contract salary. Sounds like a
lot more fun and sensical than being a video guy. However, I do not feel a call to medicine as
others in my family and intend to pursue business/finance. But, that's just me.. Basically, I'm
with Shaw on this one.

brian wells
 
Shaw said:
Why not get a degree in something that pays a hell of a lot of money which you enjoy?
Click to expand...

Interesting question Shaw; for me that would be:

1. Filmmaking
2. Artist (Oil's)
3. Licensed Captain (Fishing Offshore) - Doable for sure; but keep's me from my Wife and son. Can't do that.
4. Playing Guitar in a band
5. Jewell/Art Thief

:cheesy: :undecided
 
. . . and that's why we love John Hudson--he's mad crazier than us all!!! j/k.
sorry for intense thunkin' my last post. i love filmmaking. i just want to feed myself, too.
 
LOL

Too true; it's why I run this ridiculous company during the day; man I hate it. I'm thinking of sellling. Gotta take care of yourself for sure though
 
brian,
i'm sure you'll bring a lot of great energy to whatever field you choose. Amazed to hear you are 21.
-your former LnPrd
 
Don't you guys feel confident that you will make it in the biz though? I'm only 18, but I feel confident that the work I CAN produce has the ability to blow people out of the water. I'm double majoring in Film Studies and Communication with a minor in econ, and a fairly broad portfolio so far. I know what I want to do once I graduate, and I won't take no for an answer.

What does your gut tell you? I am not going to invest my time into something I don't think I will benefit from. There is no backup plan for me. It's a straight shot to the top; that's enough encouragement to work my ass off.

My apologies for the lack in coherence of this post. I guess what I am trying to say is that education is important andif you KNOW what you want to do, don't be afraid to go after it. If you're not confident in your work, figure out what is setting you back, and work as hard as you possibly can with the resources you have to improve yourself.

Study films, go out and experiment with your camera, try some different editing techniques, try to network yourself and don't take 'no' for an answer.
 
3. Licensed Captain (Fishing Offshore) - Doable for sure; but keep's me from my Wife and son. Can't do that.
...
5. Jewell/Art Thief
Click to expand...

Notice, only captain has a disclaimer :D. Actually those are all great ideas John! Unfortunately many of my interests don't pay well at all so I completely understand that aspect! Not everyone will have an interest in something that pays well but if you do it's something to consider. It's too bad that so many good things pay such low wages. It's really kind of sad what people get paid the big bucks.
 
John_Hudson said:
I'm talking major heists.
Click to expand...


Big?... I was thinking of grabbing this from Shaikh Fetaihi

diamond-1.gif


How does 16.5 million sound?... [half for you naturally] :evil:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top