Short update from digmedia

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>I see a lot of new "faces" on this forum. Welcome. I've been a long-time poster, just not quite as addicted to CC as before. But a see a few of the "oldies" still on here as well. I just wanted to give a quick update.</p>

<p>For those who do not know me, CC got me hooked when my second son started looking at colleges and I wanted to get other parents' perspectives on things. His passion was film - especially the technical side of things - and he ended up in the Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University. He is now working as a visual effects compositor in LA. He's worked on movies like Real Steel and Transformers 3, and his latest was Iron Man 3 (he composited the scene where people are falling from Air Force One; btw, those were real people - the Red Bull Skydiving team - actually falling in street clothes, but with their parachutes painted out). For feature films, he works with large teams, but he does a lot of smaller indie films as well as music videos and commercials. He may be doing a lot more of that because he tells me that VFX for blockbuster-budget films is rapidly moving to India and China. </p>

<p>But one very recent project was a music video for Mirada Studios. He, his roommate, and a couple of others did the vfx for Capital Cities' "Safe and Sound." And, oh, by the way, it won the MTV VMA Award a few Sundays ago for Best Visual Effects! (Shameless Brag... sorry).</p>

<p>I've always been a proponent for looking at ALL schools and choosing the best one, which may be different for each student. Success depends more on the student that the school. But no matter where one goes, it's important to surround oneself with the best other students as well. Filmmaking is such a collaborative effort, and a student needs a group of talented, driven people. Besides, these people become your future contacts and network in the industry.</p>

<p>Good luck to all of the parents and students going through this process. In the blink of an eye, it'll all be in the rear-view mirror.</p>

2

<p>Thanks. My S is in school now for illustration. Its nice to hear a happy outcome instead of all the starving artist stories everyone tells me.</p>

3

<p>Hey dig, great to see you here again!! I was definitely thinking of you and your son during the award season. What a great success story! I hope my daughter will be as successful in working as an illustrator…I can’t believe she is already a senior! Boy does time fly or what?! Thanks for keeping us in the loop, and continued good wishes to your son!</p>

4

<p>Dear colcon2010…</p>

<p>In proofreading your post, I see that you have made an error. It is impossible that your daughter is “already a senior” … It was only a few short months ago that she was graduating from high school. Surely you meant “already a sophomore.”</p>

5

<p>dig, you are hilarious! I’m glad you are still around. :grinning: Do the years slow down once they are out of college?!!</p>

6

<p>digmedia, that is a fantastic update. thank you for sharing. I’ve been reading here for one year now. DD1 is a college freshman and is studing Studio Art and Pre-med. She is interested in Medical Illustration. Now DD2 (Junior in HS) is interested in Film. She did a camp this past summer and is hooked.</p>

7

<p>IreneTeam…</p>

<p>Film is a major that requires, I think, enormous drive and tenacity. As for jobs, here is something that might help: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/1319259-above-line-below-line-jobs.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/visual-arts-film-majors/1319259-above-line-below-line-jobs.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>

Sad to report, it keeps accelerating!</p>

9

<p>Hi digmedia, thanks for the link to your earlier posting. My son is interested in BTL work (editing) so that makes me feel a bit better about his job prospects. I’ve always believed if you love what you do, things will work out. Now if we can just hit submit on the apps!</p>

10

<p>

Wow, I know exactly what you mean. One thing to keep in mind, depending on where your son is applying: If it is a rolling admissions school, the earlier the app is submitted, the better the chances for popular majors like film.</p>