<p>I'm a high school junior who plans to major in film production/film studies (depending on the school.) The problem is that I would also really, really like to pursue a degree in MT. I understand that, for a double major, a BA in MT is a better option (rather than a BFA) because it offers more flexibility, and I would like to be finished with college in four years. (If I need extra time, I would rather take summer classes than tack on extra semesters/years.) But is double majoring in film and MT realistic? Has anyone successfully done it? I'm worried about a few things:
- First of all, what is the difference between a double major and dual degree?
- I sort of, um, messed up last year and this year and even though I'm now starting to get back on track and I plan on doing well next year, my GPA will be less than ideal when I graduate. I was hoping that after two years at one four-year school I could transfer to a better one, but I've been researching and people are saying that MT programs, both BA and BFA are tough to transfer into, especially if you want to complete college in four years. Is that really the case?
- Is a BFA really considered "better?" I've actually read that the combination of a BA and MFA is respected more than just a BFA, but I don't intend on pursuing my masters degree. Are BFA students...how should I put this...more likely to succeed in professional theater - not to sound too ambitious but, maybe even Broadway/Off-Broadway? - than students with simply a BA (and not an MFA to go along with it?)</p>
<p>So, yeah. I'm just so confused right now. I absolutely refuse to give up film...but should I give up MT? I really don't want to but is it just not worth it/realistic enough? I'm also worried about my work in either field suffering because of the other. If anyone could help me with this, I would really appreciate it. Thank you.</p>
<p>A BFA in MT is a very intensive program, and typically is very difficult to transfer into. Most schools require that you take specific classes in a specific order, beginning with freshman year. It’s difficult to imagine combining a BFA MT program with a film production major and being able to finish in 4 years – both majors require a full schedule of classes, and few of the credits would overlap. This just wouldn’t be a realistic option.</p>
<p>There are no guarantees in the the theater industry. A BFA is great training for a career as a performer, but no guarantee that you will be successful. And please don’t make the mistake of thinking that success is limited only to Broadway/Off-Broadway – most actors (no matter what kind of training they’ve had) never get there. </p>
<p>It does sound like you’re confused, May234. If you’re really interested in pursuing an MT degree, I suggest that you take some time to read through some of the MT threads here on CC so that you truly understand what is involved. Then you will be able to make some realistic choices.</p>
<p>If you’re looking for a double major in 4 years, look at NYU Tisch, but I’m not sure if it would be possible between MT and Film.</p>
<p>A double major is completing two majors within the same school (Such as 2 majors in NYU Tisch School of the Arts or 2 majors in University of Michigan College of Arts & Sciences). A dual degree is usually a cross between two different schools (1 major in NYU Tisch and 1 in NYU Stern School of Business). It may depend on the school, however, for what these degrees are specifically called and whether they are even possible or not.</p>
<p>I believe than Muhlenberg has a BA where you can take MT classes.</p>
<p>Personally, I feel that USC would be the best fit for you. You can have a MT minor, a BA in Theatre, and take film classes with a minor or double major in film. I highly suggest you look into their programs.</p>
<p>Regardless, it is VERY difficult to transfer into BFA programs. If you’re asking whether a BA/MFA is more highly regarded than a BFA, it would depend on what context you’re being evaluated in. Basically a BFA is meant to train you so that you can become a professional in that field. A musical theatre BFA often has a senior showcase in NYC or LA to casting directors and agents so that you can make connections and start working as an actor. It would be difficult to move into, say, a completely different field such as accounting or business, if you only have a BFA - you would need to go back to school. An MFA is similar to a BFA in that it is focused, professional training.</p>
<p>In my opinion, you should pursue a BA because of your wide range of interests.</p>
<p>Not exactly. A Tischie who double majors usually does so in CAS. When my D was at Tisch and doing so, double majoring within Tisch was not possible. I don’t know if that has changed in the interim but I haven’t heard of anyone doing that.</p>
<p>I think the definitions of dual degree/ double major will vary from school to school…</p>
<p>For example, at James Madison University, where I teach, a double major is when a student pursues to different majors within the same degree… ex. a BA in English and a BA in Theatre & Dance. A dual degree is when a student pursues two majors with different degrees… ex. a BA in Theatre & Dance and a BFA in Studio Art. There are different rules as to the number of credits that need to be completed in order to to obtain a dual degree:</p>
<p>(Graduation with Second Baccalaureate Degree
A student may earn two different baccalaureate degrees concurrently or consecutively at James Madison University if he or she meets the following requirements:</p>
<pre><code>* Earns a minimum of 150 credit hours, including a minimum of 60 hours at JMU.
Meets all degree and university graduation requirements for both degree programs.
Meets all prerequisite and course requirements in two different major fields.)
</code></pre>
<p>In terms of your question about double majoring in BFA Musical Theatre and Film… I agree with the posters above… it would be very difficult (if not impossible) at most schools to complete within four years.</p>
<p>Even at JMU (An intensive BA Musical Theatre program) it would be very difficult to double major with the BA Musical Theatre program and the BA Digital Video and Cinema program. Since I have been here there has been one student who completed these two majors within four years (actually at all), and she came to JMU with most of her general education requirements completed through AP and Dual enrollment credits. Even she had a hard time in her senior year fitting in all of the musical theatre electives she wanted to take with her Digital Video and Cinema requirements.</p>
<p>You will want to explore requirements at all schools that interest you and talk with the programs directly to see what is possible and what is realistic.</p>
<p>I’m not aware of any program where you could double major in film and MT. I would go for the best film program I could get into (e.g., UCLA or USC) and then supplement with MT courses. I think you might even be able to do a minor of sorts at USC. My understanding from other film majors is that NYU is more geared for grad film rather than undergrad, but of course, that could be an option as previously noted.</p>
<p>I’ve been thinking a lot. The truth is, even if I were to double major, film is my primary focus. So, like anne1244 said, I’m going to focus on that and try to get into the best film program I can, and, if it’s possible at that school, try to supplement it somehow with MT.</p>
A Tischie who double majors usually does so in CAS. When my D was at Tisch and doing so, double majoring within Tisch was not possible. I don’t know if that has changed in the interim but I haven’t heard of anyone doing that.</p>