<p>Assuming that one gets in, how difficult is the Film and Television Production major at USC? How rigorous is it? And do you recommend USC School of Cinematic Arts, or it is better to take a few classes as electives but not waste your money on a degree? Does it help film majors get into the industry somehow, or not?</p>
<p>My child is in SCA. She has friends studying in other departments who take classes at SCA. It’s fairly common. But there are benefits to being at SCA. Access to the SCA alumni network and directory is open only to students in the program. The membership includes exclusive screenings and cast meetings not open to the general public. Many of the coveted SCA classes require D clearance - meaning they’re available only to students enrolled in the department. If you aren’t, you’d have to get permission if any spots are still remaining. Likely SCA students have access to the equipment in ways you might not. And most of the internships my D found seem to favor students in the program.</p>
<p>On the other hand, you can do things such as crew on student films or create your own. A degree isn’t necessarily the only pathway to employment.</p>
<p>Honestly - many people say a film degree is a waste of money. I’m not sure I agree. I’m an engineer, my DH is a science major. We know the job market is better in our fields. And yet we have two children both in artistic programs. And with our full support.</p>
<p>So what I think is that it “depends” on how well you network, how well you think out of the box in terms of what you can do with “film” beyond commercial big box blockbusters. It also depends on how you maximize your free credits to take courses that round you out before graduation. I have friends who are hard-core engineering and science majors who struggle to find employment they enjoy, and some in art who are living out their dreams - albeit not always in the original way they’d intended.</p>
<p>Part of creativity is figuring out how you’d fit or transform the landscape with your own vision. It’s not easy - but what else is? </p>