<p>I have a lot of questions regarding a career in the film/television industry (mainly film), as I'm still trying to decide where I'm headed (regardless of which school I applied to at USC or any other schools). I'm only 17, a senior in high school, and honest to say, naiive. It is ridiculous that some people already know they want to head into Business and do that for the rest of their lives or Education and do that for the rest of their lives. Personally, I believe exploration is the best. We arent exposed to enough to know exactly what we want to do. Thats the situation I'm in. So back to the topic, as I'm exploring, I've some interest in the film direction. I have a few questions:</p>
<p>1) Do most successful filmmakers (George Lucas, Ang Le, etc) jump right into film/cinema major their first year (aka apply under that major for undergrad)?
2) If I've applied under another major, is there ANY way (I'm well aware that transferring into the film/cinema school is hard) but is there ANY way this can be done, lets say I decide I want to head into that direction?
3) Do most filmmakers go to grad school?
4) How hard is it to catch up, lets say I applied under another major, and decided to switch?
5) What is the most popular job/career that most USC film/cinema graduates obtain upon graduation (i know this is a silly question...duh, film... but I was wondering not ALL filmmakers are successful thus only those in that hit it big in Hollywood are known and those are the ones who profit, but where do other filmmakers who don't strike gold end up?)</p>
<p>thats it for now. i'd realllly appreciate it if current USC Film students can answer these questions. Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>(1)I know that Steven Speilberg was making movies when he was 12 years old. Yes, there are some people who just "know" that they are destined for a certain career. My son knew and I believe that my daughter does as well.
(2)Yes, it is hard to change into Cinema/Television. My daughter transfered into the major because she entered officially undeclared. But she knew that she was applying to Critical Studies. Get excellent grades and then keep trying.<br>
(3)Not sure. My son's partner did, my son didn't go to college. (Don't go there...I know that on this board this is blasphemy...but he's successful and always knew what he wanted to do.)
(4)Can't answer that. My daughter took some general film classes open to all and necessary for the major.
(5)An assistant..my son has had a number of kids from SC work for him. Pay is lousy, experience importent and education unbelievable. "Hit it big" is a relative term. Are you going to be happy only if you are a producer/director who gets a nomination every year? Or will you be happy if you find your niche...like in the business office...or a script supervisor...or an editor? If you can only be fufilled if you are a "star" then only you can answer the question as to whether film school is right for you.</p>
<p>You sound like you don't really know if film is your calling. I don't mean to be rude, but if you think there is any way you could be happy doing something else, do it.....if you ever study a major in film it is because you are determined to do your best and be happy in any job you are offered and be poor for years....if not forever. You are just going to suffer if you realize ten years from today this wasn't even your calling. The film majors in all Universities are suffering from students who think this when choosing a major:</p>
<p>"I like movies, I like going to the movies, I could make movies! This sounds interesting, let's give it a shot!"</p>
<p>It should be more like this:</p>
<p>"I cannot picture myself doing anything other than movies. I know it is dangerous and my financial future will be jeopardized. I know it's a question of luck and the business is extremely hard to get into, EVEN when you're talented. I am basically just purchasing a lottery ticket. But you know what? I don't care. Because I cannnot picture myself doing anything else....and if I don't do this I'll regret it the rest of my life. I've known it since I was twelve and I am not going to sell my dreams just to be financialy secure. SCREW EVERYTHING....I'm going into film..."</p>
<p>If it is not like that...If you think George Lucas went straight out of graduation to the set of his first film, If you don't know if directors need graduate programs or anything else, If you only know Spielberg but not Wells or Hitchcock or Bu</p>
<p>There one thing most directors do--each director is different. Some received an undergraduate degree in film production, and learned how to make films there, others just figured it out themselves. Other also have gone to grad school for film. It really depends on your personal needs and your character. For instance, for me, I don't want to do an undergraduate degree in production because I want to have life experiences and learn about seminal novels, art, etc. before I start making films. I think it will make my films richer and more substantial. However, I plan to make films in my spare time, because the sooner you start, the better you'll get. Really, the answer to your question depends on who you are and what you want.</p>
<p>If it's possible, why don't you see if you can attend some kind of filmmaking camp or workshop this summer? I think it will really help you to see what filmmaking is all about and whether you would even want to pursue it. There's a lot of stuff out there. Do a Google search and I'm sure you can find something.</p>
<p>My son took a one week course on digital filmmaking through the local public access cable t.v. station when he was 14. He then made a really cheesy little short film but used it to talk himself into an internship on an independent feature being shot in our area over the summer. He was just a grip, but he learned a ton from watching. One thing he learned was that he loved it. </p>
<p>After the internship ended, he made another short film, and this one wasn't half bad. He won 2nd place in a contest with it (and a prize of $2500!). He's now working on a screenplay so he can shoot something even bigger and better this coming summer. I have a hard time keeping him focused on his academics (so that he'll have a prayer of getting into USC) because he'd rather work on filmmaking (and Civil Air Patrol, but that's a whole 'nother message).</p>
<p>headsouth, I understand your philosophy on getting some life under your belt before you try filmmaking. My son's biggest weakness in his writing. I think he just doesn't have enough life experience yet to write compelling stories. His tend to be trite and predictable. However, he seems to have a natural talent for visualizing how he wants something to look and then getting that onto tape.</p>
<p>parabuzzle,
We live about 30 minutes from you. As a matter of fact, it's possible we know each other. Are you in SCCHE? Private Message me if you are and I'll see if you know my son.</p>
<p>BUT, for those who can't attend any kind of camp, there are tons of books available at any Barnes & Noble on filmmaking. They also have filmmaking magazines (sometimes they are hard to find, you might want to ask someone) and you can order video seminars on filmmaking from there.</p>
<p>If you live near a major city, check <a href="http://www.craigslist.com%5B/url%5D">www.craigslist.com</a> for your city. Under "Jobs", click on "tv-film-video". There are often independent films, tv programs, etc. looking for help. You could contact them and ask them what kind of project they are doing and if it would be okay for you to come and watch and help out as needed. Use caution here though, as lots of the ads are for "models" and you might not want to be involved with the kind of work they are doing. It would probably be a good idea to have your parents look at those ads with you to see which ones look like they are legitimate.</p>