<p>Is this possible? I am thinking of pursuing a Math/Computer Science double major with perhaps a physics minor in case things don't work out. I really couldn't do anything "creative" besides writing my own screenplays without the ability to afford expensive video equipment back before I transferred from my old college in the middle of nowhere. I am also hoping the path of study I am choosing might open my eyes up to different ways of thinking. After all, many film actors/directors (at least those who went to college) studied something different in their undergraduate years besides "Film Studies" or the like.</p>
<p>Christopher Nolan - English Literature
Martin Scorsese - English Literature
Wes Craven - English Literature & Psychology
Clive Barker - English Literature & Philosophy
David Cronenberg - Science, then switched to English Literature
Alfred Hitchcock - Engineering
Frank Capra - Chemical Engineering
Brian de Palma - Physics
Kevin Costner - Marketing & Finance</p>
<p>It seems to me that English is also a pretty popular major among aspiring film directors as well as Film/Media/Cinema Studies, Animation, and Communications though I'd rather not risk being unemployed, broke, and starving any more than I am by pursuing a film career.</p>
<p>I've also researched that many of those entering the film industry had very diverse backgrounds besides just the vanilla "studying film" in the hopes of being a film director. This sounds very similar to what I learned when I used to want to go to law school (any major will do as long as you have a high LSAT, although STEM majors have a leg up).</p>
<p>Morgan Freeman, for example, turned down a drama scholarship to work as a mechanic in the US Air Force then did several acting stints and performances before his big break.</p>
<p>Channing Tatum attended college briefly, dropped out, then worked as a stripper named "Chan Crawford." He then moved to Miami and was discovered by a talent scout.</p>
<p>Steven Spielberg attended CSU-Long Beach after being rejected by USC two times. After studying CSU Long Beach for three years, he dropped out to be a famous film director. He did come back 35 years later to finish his B.A. in Film & Electronic Arts.</p>
<p>It’s certainly possible to go the route your considering, it’s just a disadvantage. Your examples are only the exception to the rule but not the general case. Think of it the same way as your law school example. Logical analytically trained people have an advantage over others in getting into law school. Obviously, it can just as safely be said that creative and visually trained people have just as muich of a -if not a greater - advantage in pursuing film than others.</p>
<p>Also, I’d say there are probably more people who studied math, science and physics and went broke then there are people who studied something unrelated to film and went big.
There are only so many film directors after all.</p>
<p>Plus, your downplaying the value of formal film education and the motivation and ambition of students who graduate from the best of these programs. You should consider your options more carefully if you want to take film seriously.</p>
<p>Thank you for the reply. Actually, the big reason why I am considering such an off-related major is because of debt and unemployment fears - that’s all. It’s a hard choice for me because of my economic situation. My parents are both unemployed and I have not been able to find a part-time job for spending money even.</p>
<p>However, since a lot of people in the US are loaded with debt anyway, I wonder if the Computer Science major will even lead to anything at all. After all, if I’m not alone in financial woes, it makes it a little easier to bear, I guess.</p>
<p>There are only so many directors/screenwriters and other of the “elite” jobs. However, there are more jobs in the technical aspects of film: editing. cinematography, special effects, sound, etc… If you are willing to look beyond the glamourous positions, there really are MANY jobs in film and TV. Those top of the line jobs are harder to obtain, just like in any other field. Many work in a bank: but few become CEO. Take a look at all the film and TV job options before you rule it out as a profession in which you can make a living. Of course making a decent living and dreaming of hitting it rich are two different things. Many will have a good living wage, few will be the top earners in this, or any other profession.</p>
<p>“Thank you for the reply. Actually, the big reason why I am considering such an off-related major is because of debt and unemployment fears - that’s all.”</p>
<p>An MFA usually puts people in debt. It’s much cheaper to study film undergrad. Remember, you do not need to go to college to earn a livable wage. If you are so worried about debt, then I think it would be cheaper to study film undergrad and then get a certificate in a technical field (computer information systems, plumbing, studying to be an electrician). The vast majority of College education isnt geared towards industry and practicality, its more efficient to study a trade then get a degree if a career is your end goal. </p>
<p>“It’s a hard choice for me because of my economic situation. My parents are both unemployed and I have not been able to find a part-time job for spending money even.”</p>
<p>I understand this. And thats certainly a legitimate concern. However, there are actually a lot of jobs in the film industry for technical subjects, so you can make a bit of a compromise. It’s like how someone who is passionate about art would choose to study a design subject rather than painting for a degree of safety. Plus remember, these sorts of careers are only a risk if your ability is average. If you noticably exceed the ability of the average person looking for similar positions then you dont have to worry nearly so much.</p>
<p>“However, since a lot of people in the US are loaded with debt anyway, I wonder if the Computer Science major will even lead to anything at all. After all, if I’m not alone in financial woes, it makes it a little easier to bear, I guess.”</p>
<p>Im of the opinion that a person will thrive if they are passionate about a subject they study rather than one they do for job security.</p>
<p>I met a guy studying music in college since he got a full ride scholarship. Later he studied computer science in community college and then become a computer programmer.
He still play in a band after work. He is very smart, writing good code.
Sharing this in case this help you?</p>
<p>“What if the MFA program is from a top ten school and is geared more towards technical aspects of film, like Interactive Media at USC?”</p>
<p>Any students who have graduated with a BA or BFA in film will have a head start over a MFA student in film, simply because they already have the experience of working as an intern or have jobs in the industry during their four years of college. No matter which school, MFA is mainly for students who would like to extend their studies perhaps to teach, or didn’t have the opportunity to take it as an undergrad.</p>