<p>Ever since I can remember, all I've wanted to do is be in films and on television. It's always been my ideal future, and honestly, the idea of a career outside of film or television terrifies me. I despise the idea of anything else because I'm not truly interested in anything else. So yes, I'd like to be an actor. But if that were to completely fail, I would not be opposed to directing, producing, writing, etc.</p>
<p>However, I am a junior in high school (Minnesota) at the moment, and I have never acted in any of the plays or musicals that the school has to offer. This is partly due to the fact that any kid who does is a complete social outcast and none of the people I like actually participate in them, but it's also mainly because I have no real interest in plays or musicals. At least, not at this age. So you could say that I haven't gotten much experience in acting.</p>
<p>I have a GPA of 3.9 with all honors/AP classes. On my practice ACT, it predicted a score of 30 (I have not taken the actual ACT yet). I am intelligent as far as academics are concerned, so my thought is that I could easily make it in a different field - such as marketing.</p>
<p>Like I said, I have no real interest in another job. A career in film and television is all I really want. But as I'm sure you know, going to a film school is a dangerous path since it practically shuts down any chance at a successful job. So what do you think? Should I go to a film school to pursue that type of career right off the bat? Or should I go to school for marketing and then try to take film classes on the side, if that's even possible? I really don't know what to do here.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a particularly smart idea to go to film school, especially when you’ve never acted in anything and don’t know if you even have talent.
I think while you’re still in your senior year, participate in the plays and maybe go to local workshops for acting classes and see if you like it</p>
<p>Getting into the TV/Hollywood film bubble requires connections. You can’t do that if you don’t start out with some small time stuff. If you wouldn’t be happy with lower level work, you probably shouldn’t be going to film school.</p>
<p>You can be any major, and still take acting classes and participate in plays and such on campus. </p>
<p>However, if you want to make a career out of acting, you have to act (and be around acting/productions)! Get involved with your schools plays and look to joining a local theater. If you’re not interested in plays or musicals, you really need to question your commitment to acting.</p>
<p>Get an RTVF degree, or any other degree at a school with a great RTVF department so you can get experience. There are jobs everywhere. My mom worked behind the scenes on “union shows” back before she had me. Her degree is economics, but she learned a lot in the RTVF department. Then, she says, she just went for it. You might not end up an AD, but there is so much to do. You might end up working on a small local production. I know some people who work on Barney here. I know that after my older brother was born, mom worked with some of the Barney people, except it was on a different PBS show. She says she loved it. I am sure it was not the same as Hollywood, but it still gave her an outlet for her passion.</p>
<p>I live in Massachusetts, am a HS Junior, and plan on attending film school. (Not for acting, but for film production). I have always debated whether this is a smart decision, as many say film school is a bad idea and leads to unemployment. Of course film production and acting are very different, but both are seen as silly college focuses nonetheless, so I figured I would give my input. It’s scary, since I will likely go to LA for school, and it’s like “Okay, you have 4 years to make the connections so that when you graduate, you don’t have to resort to a different option”. If I have the passion and give it lots of hard work, it may be okay for me. But with acting, it’s REAL scary! So maybe major in something realistic and then you can do classes on your own time, or do local productions or something… If you cannot live without film (as a career), maybe try for film production to be involved. Nothing’s guaranteed, but I suppose you’ve got a better chance than at being the next Bradley Cooper. </p>
<p>But I am constantly thinking about possibly majoring in something useful and minoring in film studies. But then I think, “Then it’s not in-depth film classes like I would have had if I majored”, or maybe, “I won’t make as many ‘connections’”… OR I’ll dedicate myself to that practical major and hate myself for going to a certain school JUST for its film program when I could have gone to a more reputable one for my “practical” major, whether it be accounting or marketing…</p>
<p>So I too struggle with the decision… Haha, PM me if ya want! Good luck for sure.</p>
<p>If fear of being a “social outcast” has kept you from participation in your schools theatrical productions you will never be an actor. People who have a passion and talent for acting will let nothing get in their way when they want to work and develop their skills so if you have no interest in plays or musicals, please stop pretending that you want to be a performer.</p>
<p>I’d suggest checking with local tv studios to see if you can get an unpaid internship behind the scenes so you can learn what’s really involved in television production. You may find that you don’t really care for it or that you want to spend your life in it but right now you really don’t know anything about television or film beyond watching it.</p>