Restless — An Alex Hall Portrait (Full Film) | Faction Skis

Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Anyone go to school for film?

profile picture
foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
I may go to UVM, want to know your experiences.
Oct 16 2012 7:20PM
3 0
profile picture
.Max.
Posts: 2930 - Karma: 701
Don't go to UVM if you're actually interested in studying film...
Oct 16 2012 7:29PM
0 0
profile picture
foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
where then, give me some advice
Oct 16 2012 9:11PM
0 0
profile picture
gusestomp
Posts: 1377 - Karma: 746
USC, UCLA, NYU
Oct 16 2012 9:16PM
0 0
profile picture
dergblerp
Posts: 1303 - Karma: 77
I'd also consider Loyola Marymount, Chapman, FSU (yes, they have a really good program), or if you're hell bent on skiing and studying film, check out Montana State.

As a note:
I'm 23, and work professionally directing commercials, ect, and I did not go to film school. I probably wouldn't recommend it. Go get a real degree, and instead buy a t3i, lenses, sound kit, and soft boxes, and just make a ton of movies. Nobody in film cares about your degree, they care about the content that you've created.
Oct 16 2012 10:31PM
0 0
profile picture
foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
I thought that, I'm interested in film and artistic. May save up money to get that t3i
Oct 16 2012 11:10PM
0 0
profile picture
@ScubaSteve
Posts: 378 - Karma: 822
Those are probably gonna be the worse.

Oct 16 2012 11:42PM
0 0
profile picture
Mkvackay
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 5,465
yep

was it worth it? maybe

did i learn a lot? i think i learned more from personal experience and a month in whistler than i did through schooling

i have very mixed feelings, then again my school wouldn't even show up on any kind of art school radar. i made the right choice though, love where i am at, and will be graduating soon
Oct 16 2012 11:51PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,246
Art school/film school?

lol, here's a piece of paper that certifies you to wave your cock around on the internet claiming you know more than someone else
Oct 17 2012 12:14AM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,246
^Do not mean to attack anyone with that statement. It's just a general notion that art school students think they're better because of some degree.

Like mentioned above, spend your time and money DOING it yourself, getting yourself experience in the field, creating work after work. Doesn't matter if it is good or bad, you'll learn something along the way for next time.
Oct 17 2012 12:16AM
0 0
profile picture
@ScubaSteve
Posts: 378 - Karma: 822
I feel like a bachelors degree for film can be of some use.
But for most casses in the industry its good to go to film school to make connections.
If you already have those connections and feel you know enough I don't see the point.
Oct 17 2012 1:11AM
0 0
profile picture
JAHrig
Posts: 738 - Karma: 2,649
You know, I agree with you to some extent, I have learned way more about some thing such as how to use a camera, and commercial shoots going out and doing them on my own, and no you dont need to go to school to make a career out of it. BUT I do not regret doing it at all for three reasons.
1) My program is a narrative driven program, with a production side, but the main focus is narrative. To me that is something I love, and would have never been so exposed to film theory, and how a film actually works in terms of story going out on my own. It also has been very good for learning about the organization and preparation that it takes to shoot a narrative production. Sure you could definitely do a lot of research and learn all of this on your own, but I feel like it was good to learn that stuff with a group of likeminded individuals who are all my good friends now (The BFA program I am in only lets 10 students in a year so we are all tight)

2) I am very interested in one day going back to school for my masters and then trying to teach, this will be down the line and dependent on how my career pans out, but I want to keep it as an option.

3) I have had a great time, met a lot of great people, and have quite a few connections once I graduate. So it has been worth while for me personally! And I definitely do not think I am better then anyone else, I know plenty of filmmakers who didn't study it in school and I look up to them a lot.
Oct 17 2012 1:22AM
0 0
profile picture
Holte
Posts: 10740 - Karma: 7,816
Yeah. Was it worth it? Yes - for the internships and connections made through the film department. It certainly helps to have filmmaking knowledge, but it helps a LOT more to have film industry contacts. There are tons of very talented people trying to make money in the film industry, but they just don't know the right people to offer them work.
Oct 17 2012 1:26AM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
this is where i go.


film degrees are definitely among the more unnecessary degrees, but i wanted to go to college so i figured i may as well study what i wanted to go into after school.

i've certainly learned a lot about writing, directing, and lighting, but i would still consider myself ahead of most people in my program as far as camera operation&cinematography technique go because of my experience with filmmaking throughout high school. as some people have already said, the biggest benefit of film school is making contacts within the program and being able to do internships while you're still in school.
Oct 17 2012 1:55AM
0 0
profile picture
WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
and OP, keep in mind that this won't work too well where you want to go. if you're going to film school, go somewhere that you can stay once you get out of school and continue on with a company to develop a career in the industry. if you're serious about it, go to either LA or NYC and pick a school there. otherwise i would recommend getting a business degree or something and developing your filmmaking on the side.
Oct 17 2012 1:57AM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Essentially what all art degrees are.

Art school would definitely be fun and enlightening, but spending my life savings on something that is completely useless in earning me money just isn't practical.

I envy people who go to film school and study something they love. On the other hand, you have to live in the bleached asshole of America (LA), which I don't envy.

Maybe in the future I'll save money and get a music degree in Europe.
Oct 17 2012 12:05PM
0 0
profile picture
dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
Which is funny because art degree students are generally the joke to everyone else on campus. Now engineers, they're the real douchebags.
Oct 17 2012 6:21PM
0 0
profile picture
EtCh
Posts: 53 - Karma: 112
USC, NYU, BU.. RISD has a good one also both my parents went there (architecture and comercial design)
Oct 17 2012 6:28PM
0 0
profile picture
dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
And you get to watch the trojans play.
Oct 17 2012 6:32PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,246
;D
Oct 17 2012 9:24PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
Of course they are. They've been trained to completely ignore human emotion in decision making. They're too busy getting things done to waste time making sure nobody's feelings are hurt.
Oct 17 2012 10:04PM
0 0
profile picture
SeanTom
Posts: 7936 - Karma: 1,747
Glad you took that back. But yea, kids who wave this shit around like they're better are the fucking worst.


I'm in school for photography at the Savanna College of Art and Design OP and so far it's been okay, the fundamental classes have been pretty boring but i'm meeting a lot of people with contacts and people that i meet back home really give me their attention when i tell them how long i've been shooting and that i'm in school for it.

That being said I'll agree with the second part of Jamies statement, i've learned a lot just from working with people. Trying new things etc. internships are awesome, be productive, be seen.


Oct 17 2012 11:31PM
0 0
profile picture
Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
Lmaooo
Oct 23 2012 4:09PM
0 0
profile picture
Galin
Posts: 2342 - Karma: 3,940
Definitely don't go the UVM route as people have mentioned. I went there myself as it was instate and thus cheap(ish), but after a couple semesters in the film program I realized it was a complete waste of time and money. They don't offer any real production classes and the theory is mediocre at best. Upon that realization I decided to immerse myself with my work and am now a successful college drop out doing what I love.

That being said, I do wish at times that I could justify taking the time and money to put myself into a real film school. It seems like an awesome opportunity to gain a ton of experience and make a lot of useful connections. Unfortunately the math just doesn't add up given my current situation.

If you really want to do anything in the film industry, just do it. Like previously mentioned, people in the industry could care less about a piece of paper; it's all about what you can actually do on a set. Start shooting stuff, meet people, show people your stuff, work with people, have fun, make money. My 2 cents.
Oct 23 2012 4:38PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,099
I'm considering going into a film graduate program eventually in my future. I didn't study film out of college, but my portfolio is growing and im starting to get more and more opportunities. You definitely don't need to go to school to be successful. It definitely helps with connections and I'd argue a graduate degree is more useful than just a bachelors but for real, you can do it without. I've been starting to think about it more and more, I feel like I could probably do okay without it, but at the same time I'd love to learn more. So we'll see.
Oct 23 2012 5:12PM
0 0
profile picture
BolderPro
Posts: 767 - Karma: 426
Threads. I am very interested in doing film as a career but I'm not sure what to do about college. this helps alot thanks!
Oct 23 2012 5:24PM
0 0
profile picture
michelle
Posts: 6290 - Karma: 428
Is this really a thing? Maybe I've just missed it. But I went to school for photography and every day I go back and forth between loving that decision and absolutely regretting it. Granted, I'm not in a fuck ton of debt and I work in a photo studio so I'm kind of doing shit relating to what I went to school for, but in other senses I wish I just saved all that money and learned on my own.

It's a double edged sword. Basically, you better know 1000% that filming is what you want to do for the rest of your life before investing so much money into it.
Oct 24 2012 4:27PM
0 0
profile picture
1337
Posts: 31054 - Karma: 29,246
I've seen it a bit, maybe it's the film guys more than the photo?

Like it was said in this thread, it's more of a 4 year network program. You go and make connections and that is ultimately what will help you most when you get out. Of course you learn, but it's a field that is subjective and ultimately up to your own ability/vision to make it somewhere.
Oct 24 2012 4:33PM
0 0
profile picture
Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
Education can be whatever you want it to be. You can't teach someone who doesn't want to learn.

Your job placement and future career is determined by the amount of love, passion, and time you put into your work, because those characteristics directly reflect your portfolio and the people and organizations you will attract as you develop yourself as an "artist"

It has absolutely nothing to do with what school you attend, or any kind of degrees/awards/qualifications you may receive while there. It's about what you do when you are there, not what you end up with at the end.

 Think about the phrase "education is what you make of it", and realize that my point isn't to say that college can't teach you anything. One of the best digital illustrators in the industry started out freshman year at a fine arts college with absolutely no drawing or painting skills. In fact, his decision to attend was driven by a girl he was chasing at the time.





Oct 24 2012 7:15PM
0 0
profile picture
TheQuailman
Posts: 7382 - Karma: 147

For someone in high school, I know the only thing on your mind is college, but you need to be thinking about what you are going to be doing after college and then think how you will get there  and your actual chances of making it there and that will answer questions like "what college should I go to?" and "what major should I be?

No matter what college you go to you should be able to double major, major and minor, or at least take electives in a certain area.

I would suggest going to the best school you can get into and focus on getting a degree in an area where you can get a decent job (business, engineering, computer science, etc.) and then for your electives just take a shit ton of film classes and see if you can minor or double major in film.  And spend your spare time working on film stuff.

That way if you find out film is what you're really interested in, you'll have enough time to do it, but you'll still be getting a degree that will provide you with a decent job so you can support your film hobby after you graduate.

It seems like even if you go to a top film school (USC, NYU, etc) the job options are extremely limited and pay shit.  You're most likely not going to be doing anything 'creative' anyway so it'll pretty much be a regular  job that happens to be with the production of film.

Good bet would be to try to tie together your career qualifications with your interests, like marketing with film and then trying for a job at an ad agency.  I know a girl whose doing film school undergrad then going to law school so she can be an entertainment lawyer.

Oct 25 2012 9:31PM
0 0
profile picture
Gknow
Posts: 627 - Karma: 358
Inspiring, I like it.

If you have no idea what you want to do, take classes in things you're good at. Branch out if you want to, but Timon is right...education is what you make it.

My word of advice: Seize the moment.
Oct 26 2012 12:11PM
0 0
profile picture
goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
yyup.
Oct 26 2012 12:17PM
0 0
profile picture
zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Click for larger image
Oct 26 2012 12:42PM
0 0
profile picture
CassiusClay
Posts: 1757 - Karma: 2
Basically this. High-up schooling really isn't going to improve you. Its up to you in terms of improving yourself. Work hard, you might succeed.
Oct 26 2012 10:51PM
0 0
profile picture
foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
what's tuition?
Oct 27 2012 11:18AM
0 0
profile picture
TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
Wow, why so anti art school?

It's not for everyone, and some people are going to make it on their own, and without school. You could probably learn a lot just working depending on where you are able to get a job or internship. It's a route I almost took.

But hating on art school just because for some reason you think it's worthless is just making you look as pretentious as the stereotypical art school kid. If you go to a good school, you will make connections, be exposed to a broad range of avenues you can explore so you know what you are looking to pursue later, and you will learn a TON.

There's plenty of art school bullshit, and bullshit art schools. But if you think it's worthless you're fooling yourselves. There's generally a lot more cock-waving going on in here by the highschool students than anyone else.
Oct 27 2012 12:58PM
0 0
profile picture
Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
Very true, cock-waving is just a general fact of life. Wherever you go there will be obnoxious people waving their cocks around. On newschoolers, in highschool, in college, on the streets, everywhere! Cocks everywhere!
Oct 27 2012 1:23PM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
I think a distinction needs to be made. There are degrees that have intrinsic value regardless of your skill (eg engineering), and there are ones that have little intrinsic value that rely more on your skills/intellectual capacity/connections.

With the former, any hack can jump through the hoops to become an accountant or engineer, humor any employer with a shit eating grin and land a comfortable salary because those fields are specialized and in demand regardless of economic conditions. This isn't possible with design schools. Instead they offer a hospitable environment for people to refine their craft, develop intellectually, and learn the ins-and-outs of the industry (ie connections). The students must then rely on what they've learned to get a job and stand out from the herd. The division of income with design industries is huge; one person will make millions while the other will be making a working-class wage and they can be making the same product.

Degrees like engineering and accounting are a safer bet, which is always welcome when you're factoring in the dizzying tuition or student loans, but they tend to lead to tedious careers, assuming you pursue the career you majored in (too many people wrongfully assume your major dictates your career). Design careers tend to be more interesting and self driven, but it is not uncommon to work 15 hour days and live paycheck-to-paycheck or even wonder if you can afford to put food on the table certain days.

There's nothing wrong with design degrees; personally I envy people who have the balls to dive in and take the risk. Design school looks like a lot of fun too. My approach right now is to play it safe: major in finance and pursue a fun career completely unrelated. If it fails, I have a safety net degree in a specialized field that can supply a comfortable salary, however fleeting.

Oct 27 2012 2:19PM
0 0
profile picture
JAHrig
Posts: 738 - Karma: 2,649
I completely agree with this. It seems as though anytime this topic comes up, which it has several times over the past couple years, certain people make extreme arguments against it and then tons of presumably high school aged kids chime in and act like they know what they are talking about. I don't see where all the hate comes from, Im studying something that I love and I dont want a career in anything else and anyone who thinks im wasting my time can fuck off.

If its not for you, then its not for you. But don't talk people down who are trying to learn about something they are passionate about.
Oct 27 2012 2:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
I guess I kind of go to film school. I'm dual majoring (which basically means you take 50% of classes from 1 major and 50% classes from another major) in cinema studies and communications.

I go to Northeastern University in Boston which is known for their co-op program (you can take up to 3, 6 month long internships). I'm in the middle of my second one now, and I have learned a ton through each of them. They both have dealt with sports broadcasting and I have gained enough experience/connections through both of them to get a job working in that field when I graduate. I think it personally would have been extremely difficult to get the type of experience I have gotten if it wasn't for my school/major. For my third co-op I'm either looking at something dealing with marketing or something in post production, specifically coloring. So I would say that it is very much worth going into a program that fits you and what you want to do when you graduate.

I didn't want to go into a dedicated film school because I wasn't positive I wanted to spend the rest of my life involved in film. But that's just me, other people would benefit a lot more by going to a school that was more focused on film. I still have to take the general university requirements such as writing and science. I'm also taking classes in communications, which I know isn't a highly regarded major, but I'm still learning a lot about advertising and such.

It really just depends on what you want to get out of school. If you can afford it and you know that it's what you want to do with your life, it will most definitely get you closer to your goals than if you didn't go to school for it.

Oct 27 2012 2:56PM
0 0
profile picture
dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
I feel the same way. I just can't ever see myself spending a boat load of money on something that is a gamble in the future. Maybe later in life when I have the funds, but right now I'm just trying to secure myself a high paying job with something that I can see myself doing.
Oct 27 2012 5:28PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)