Breaking into the Film Industry through attending a LAC?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
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<p>Hello, all. I know I just posted a while back, but I have another concern regarding my interests in Film. I'll start off by saying that I have little to no experience with Filming as a prospective college student (I attended an inner-city high school that had massive budget cuts in the Arts). Anyways, I'll be attending a top 25 LAC (Bates College) in the fall with little out-of-pocket (an "Almost" Full-Ride based on need aid) and I'm incredibly excited to start college. I initiated my college search process not having a potential major or career path in mind, and so I opted to apply to schools that if admitted to they would meet 100% of my financial need; this is one of the reasons why I chose this college, along with the close-knit student body, rigorous academics, sports, etc. However, the school itself doesn't have a "Film Productions" major, or at least one that is as well-know as USC, NYU, FSU, Chapman, UCLA, and on (at least from what I've read on the college website). They do, however, offer Film Courses within the Theater and Rhetoric departments in Screenwriting, Directing, Film Studies, but I don't know how reputable these classes are. And also, not being within close distance to Film Hotspots like NY or CA I am afraid would hurt my internship and summer research options (although the school seems to offer many that fall within the Film Major and even has a Study-Abroad opportunity Junior Year to study Narrative Film Production in Queen's College in London). Still I'm at a stand still and I don't exactly know what to do. I'm also concerned about the employability and income of this profession, as I've heard that job prospects have grown bleak. Should I consider double majoring?</p>

<p>I'm interested in most facets of the Film Industry and I'd like to work on sets of big-budget Hollywood Films (I find that my strengths lie within screenwriting, however). My question is how exactly should I pursue in a career in Film. Shall I . . .</p>

<p>A) Attend Undergrad at Bates taking courses in order to attain a well-rounded education (majoring in something like English or Theater) for Film School (hopefully USC, UCLA, NYU).</p>

<p>B) Transfer out of Bates my Sophomore or Junior year to attend an Undergrad Film School at the above colleges I mentioned and not pursue in Graduate School.</p>

<p>C) Same as option B, but pursue in a Graduate Film School.</p>

<p>D) Alternative Options?</p>

<p>If anyone could advise me on a particular path to follow, that would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Please and Thank You</p>

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<p>No one can advise you on the exact right path for you. In order to be a writer you need to have a well rounded education and be familiar with literature, mythology, theater, film and all other genres that might contribute to you becoming a well rounded individual with something you actually want to say! There are many paths to writing. A near full ride to college is a great way to get a well rounded education. If you want to be a screenwriter, you can then focus on that as a graduate student, or in other ways. However, you are correct, the path you are taking is not a direct route to film production. </p>

<p>If you have a great undergraduate film production education, in a place with great internships and with great connections, you likely wouldn’t need a graduate program in the field. Most grad students majored in something else and wanted to get a better film education than they got in their college/university so they go on to grad school.</p>

<p>So… many paths: undergrad in “film school” and into the field right from school
undergrad in something else or something related: then grad school
or in a few cases… writing something unique on your own and going straight into the field from an unrelated school or major.</p>

<p>None of these paths however guarantee you a job, and the “above the line” jobs as digmedia has pointed out (director, screenwriter etc…) are the MOST competitive and hardest to get, especially right out of ANY type of schooling. If you decide to go into film you will likely work piecemeal and work your way up into the industry job you want after many years. Most don’t graduate and get their dream job right off the bat.</p>

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<p>I would also like to know more about this!</p>

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<p>"little to no experience with Filming "</p>

<p>Some post or two must have been deleted here. But have to ask a few questions. What does this mean: like to work on sets of big-budget Hollywood Films (I find that my strengths lie within screenwriting, however.) You have written screenplays, someone in the business considered them or your school or community performed one or two? What kinds of roles do you think you might like “on set?” Because the that ranges from caterer to set painter to the more technical jobs. And why are you so certain if you imply you have no experience in film? </p>

<p>Lots of folks would like to have a job in Hollywood. You chose Bates because of the aid- so I’m not certain transferring is feasible.</p>

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<p>There really wasn’t much opportunity in way of film-making in the area I lived in (in or around my high school).</p>

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<p>I’m sorry I mis-worded that statement. I was trying to say that I believe I posses many qualities of a potential screenwriter and that I’d like to work with big-budget Hollywood Films (not go independent), and hopefully work my way up to a position of relative power in the film industry. But I’m hoping that I may be able to attain the connections, talent, and drive needed in college to perhaps not have to work my way from the bottom up (instead of having to work a lowly “on stage” job in which I might never achieve my goal of becoming a screenwriter/director).</p>

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<p>You’re right it seems a bit “naive” of me to want to pursue a career that I haven’t had much experience with (but then again I could use that example for many careers people are interested in but don’t necessarily have the experience for,yet). I had always figured that people interested in Film would gain that experience in college/film school. I do regret not ever attempting to harness my passion for cinema in a high school setting, but then again film is an interest that I’ve just recently acquired. And I do understand it’s the type of career that one has to commit to fully or not at all: It isn’t for the weak of heart. </p>

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<p>Well I was hoping of acquiring a well-rounded education that would lend to my finding a viable career in grad school. Attending a generous LAC seemed like a good idea at the time for an uncertain low-income female student and I’m still confident about that choice. Recently I’ve just been trying to make sure that my plans are practical and advisable. I also wanted to hear the opinions of many individuals involved or interested in this field within the cc community.</p>

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<p>^Then write and write and write. Perfect the craft. Yes, Bates is a good place to do lots of writing and get the rounded education, hone your observation and analytical skills. </p>

<p>Screenwriters need luck, connections (to get read,) skill - and to understand the very specific formatting and structure involved. And, if they go from script to being hired for revisions, they need to be very fast. You could possibly volunteer at a local tv station, work your way up to being able to write bits- whether it’s helping write a commercial for a local company or feeding words to an anchor, this is experience. This is some track record, which most writers need, in order to get someone to read their words. You can also try to be involved enough in school theatre to get something performed.</p>

<p>Now, what you are thinking, in general, makes more sense. Should you really be at a film school? - ummm, I don’t know. This is about developing skills, understanding what the market wants and what’s interesting to an audience- and having a lot of stick-to-it. Not so much about doing an assignment and getting it graded. It’s hard to get attention for your scripts, grad school or no. There’s an old joke about writers bugging people at the market or throwing scripts over the producer’s wall. One step at a time.</p>

<p>ps. I edited and lost this: go find the Sreenwriter’s Guide to Hollywood and similar works.</p>

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<p>Thanks, lookingforward, for your advice. I’ll definitely follow through with what you have suggested. And if anyone else has any other comments to add I’d be happy to hear them.</p>

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<p>^totally agree… My suggestion: Got to Bates and worry about film school later. Get a good background education. Who knows what you will want four years from now. Enjoy these next years and you may find your passion in a surprising new direction.</p>

<p>— Dig</p>