<p>i know i'm pretty much screwed. any helper out there? </p>
<p>a short background. currently im doing 5th semester of biomedical engineering. i've been always interested in fine arts (esp. film/video making) but during high school, ive never thought about pursuing that option. my parents scared me and myself also thought i'd be a starving artist (or starving wannabe artist).</p>
<p>but i realized (from tons of engineering courses and few video production courses i took) that i do indeed love film-making and i'd not be happy being an engineer. im currently very interested in documentary and experimental films (playtime, persona, and a man with a movie camera are my favorites) SO what do i do now?</p>
<p>my university does not offer many fine arts majors but (all-in-one) Visual Arts. that's it. but while pursuing that major, a student can concentrate in film/video production. (in other hand, i do not know one single person majoring in visual arts ONLY. they take it as a second major or a minor)</p>
<p>i am very lost and do not know what i am looking for.
basically at this point, everyone's telling me that i should stick with an engineering degree since i've completed more than half and the rest half won't be as bad as the first half.
so i'm interested in double-majoring in Visual Arts (with concentration in film) which will take me extra semester. and maybe go on a film, documentary, or such graduate program.</p>
<p>what do you think? am i too late in the game?
will i eventually starve to death while wanting to become a indie obscure experimental film director?
(like i know i can make living by doing various crew works at major studios, but apparently that's not what i want to do. im definitely seeking more of creative and independent film making)
any comment will be appreciated :)</p>
<p>ps : in other note, i love other fine arts as well. esp photography and mixed media. so doing visual arts as a second major is interesting in general</p>
<p>noface,
I studied computer science and worked a software engineer for a while for much the same reasons. After a while, I was making good money but was never quite satisfied with my job. I went back to school four years ago, recently graduated, and I just started working in a much more fulfilling career. </p>
<p>I'm not too familiar with the film industry, but for what I do (transportation design), it's really tough to get into the industry without the right degree (highly specialized). Maybe talk to a few film teachers and see what they say? Personally I got a lot more out of my design education than just the skills required; I met a lot of people in the industry as well, and those connections have and will pay off. </p>
<p>I will say that it's comforting to know that I have a solid backup if for some reason I need it. Is it possible to finish your first degree and start another? I know it's not a trivial thing. :|</p>
<p>instead of going for a second B.S., i can still do a second major in Visual Arts. im wondering if that'll be "enough". esp considering all awesome student film makers coming out from film schools, i, who will barely major in generic Visual Arts, feel i'm in a great disadvantage in terms of getting my name out there and actually making living out of.</p>
<p>i have talked to teachers and film makers alike; they all say "go for what you love". i knew that'd be an answer. haha</p>
<p>btw, your computer science background actually sounds pretty good (as in, somewhat helpful) for transportation designing. (much better than biomedical engineering and indie film)</p>
<p>Not so. Filming operations? Filming development and fitting of new prosthetic devices? Indie film makers need to pay bills, and your current focus will give you a leg up in filming all sorts of cutting edge innovations and improve skills as a film maker and actually make a living filming.</p>
<p>Perhaps you could consider a transfer to a school that offers both, biomedical engineering and a film degree, and complete both with just a little extra time. Just a thought. Drexel comes to mind.</p>
<p>Good luck. I am sure you can make this work; just use ingenuity and problem solve.</p>
<p>noface: You're welcome. I think the more technical and focussed your major is the better. However, I am sure there are people in the industry who succeed with just a concentration, but I don't think it's what you want. Call the school and ask about where graduates from that program are employed.</p>
<p>does anyone know anyone doing a double major in engineering and arts-related major?
i think i'd be the only one who'd be doing that in my school.</p>