<p>Okay dennisman, since you mentioned sfai, then I’m guessing you live in the bay area. If that is the case and you are close to Fremont or have access to a car you want to go and check out Ohlone College. They have a huge TV/Radio/Audio/Film Production and Broadcasting program with many degree and certificate paths. What they also provide is Stage Craft and Live Event Management certificates and degrees plus have an AA Degree of Entertainment Design and Technology which sounds like a good match for you.</p>
<p>The core is as follows:
MAJOR FIELD
ART-104A 2D Design OR
3 ID-155A Architectural Drafting for Interior Design (3)
CS-101 Introduction to Computers and Information Technology 3
TD-100 Survey of the Arts 3
TD-150 Technical Theatre 3
TD-152 Introduction to Lighting 3
TD-170 Survey of Entertainment Design 3 18</p>
<p>There are 5 option paths that may interest you but realize there are like 30 different options total and this is only one example. What you can and should learn to be a successful artist to work in TV/Film/Theater/concerts/sports/events is available and should provide you leeway in experimenting as well. To be taken seriously as a working performance/installation artist is provided and you should/will take is welding and woodworking classes. You can/should also take rigging, moving lights, set design,scenic painting/matting, photographic arts. etc.
Here is an example of Option 1:
OPTION 1: STAGE CRAFT
BRDC-142 Live TV Studio Production OR 3
TD-180 Make a Movie (3)
CS-152 Data Communications 2
TD-153 Scenic Painting 3
TD-161-164 Stagecraft Lab (Theatre, Television, Dance) 1-4
TD-171 3D Entertainment Design for Lighting 3
TD-178 Fundamentals of Rigging 2
TD-195A1-A3 Internship 1-3 Welding Competency* *** 15-20 *The welding competency requirement may be met by successful completion (with a grade of C or better) of a welding course at any accredited institution (such as Welding Technology at Chabot College or Mission Valley Regional Occupational Program) or by obtaining a Certificate of Accomplishment from a certified professional program </p>
<p>Very cool classes for a very cool career path for you to start your way towards being a highly skilled working artist that could lead to TV/film/Theater AND Museum Technician and Exhibitionist jobs that pay quite well. Many cities (including SF, LA, Oakland etc) and museums hire such people to create/paint and set up large exhibitions. To get such jobs over overpaid non working non producing artists who flocked to management they do require woodworking and welding which are very sought after working artisan skills that can also be applied to other well paying jobs. You would be treated well and treated as an independent artisan that would also have responsibilities of budgeting, planning, and ordering as well which you would learn in live stage/event management. As you grow these types of jobs could lead to large events and/or tv/movie/concert/sports/theater gigs. Including IGETC, it would realistically take about 4 years to earn an AA degree plus a few certificates. Even though its a CCC you would come out ahead of even a large majority of people going to art institutes and state schools. It would cost barely anything and could quite easily earn at least a grand a week on average with such a degree plus specialized certifications. Always put your craft and passion ahead of distractions, idleness, and vain pursuits and you would most likely be content and comfortable going down this sort of eclectic but practical career path.</p>