<p>Hey yall, long time lurker, first time poster.
Getting straight to the point, I've read dozens of threads on topics regarding film school, and just finished reading Film School Confidential. </p>
<p>At this point, I'm leaning towards getting a well-rounded liberal arts education as an undergraduate while making short films, interning, and getting experience. This way I will have a degree that could help me get more available jobs (interested in psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, creative writing).</p>
<p>I then plan to go to a graduate school for film, and advance my knowledge while already having a solid foundation of general education, and some experience from dabbling in film.</p>
<p>I think I should go to at least SOME type of film school, rather than go out on my own, which may be cheaper, but doesn't come with the community experience of growing together, the resources, and simply the time.</p>
<p>I am open to opinions however, and would love to hear your thoughts. I would like to attend a college in/near a hub of culture (New York as a top choice), but would enjoy a real campus and college community as well.</p>
<p>I'm considering these schools:
Columbia College (top choice, fell in love with the school)
NYU Tisch (don't know if I like the absence of a campus)
Wesleyan
Chapman
Northwestern
Syracuse</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for your time! I appreciate it.</p>
<p>It is always wise to get a well-rounded liberal arts education. You never know where you will land. Film school covers a wide area, from directing to acting, producing to screenwriting, television & broadcast journalism to public relations & advertising, etc. If you’re thinking about attending a film school, think also to minor in another area or perhaps a double major. Another option would be minor something in the area of film and then do film in grad school. There are different ways to go about getting a film education. Whichever one works best for you, cost wise, find one that offers good merit-aid if you can’t afford it. Best of luck!</p>
<p>I too think a well rounded education is really important. But… you say you want to make short films and intern while getting a degree. That all sounds good… but when it comes down to finding the time to do it all… and apply yourself to your studies, you may find that there aren’t enough hours in the day or week or month to do it all! That is the benefit of majoring or minoring in film. They GIVE you the hours to make those films. And the resources: cameras, studios, lights, editing equipment, etc… At many places: Chapman (OCELITEs very knowledgable about this school), USC, NYU, UT Austin, to name a few, you MUST take general education requirements in addition to film, so you end up with a well rounded education and a film major or minor. This might be a good choice for you. </p>
<p>Many who graduate from the top film schools don’t go to grad school: they don’t need to- they have everything they need from undergrad- others without much of a film background do go for further training in film. With the cost of education skyrocketing you might want to think very carefully about how many years of school you are willing to finance. And remember, it is easier to get scholarships for undergrad than grad school in many cases.</p>
<p>Good plan if you can afford 5,6+ years of school. Somewhere is the advice that if you major in film undergrad, grad school is pointless because it is repetitive. Keep in mind that Film School Confidential is seriously out of date, biased to grad. school, hurry up and finish your book digmedia. It is possible to get a well rounded liberal arts education and an undergrad. film school degree. Strikes me that it is a luxury to get an undergraduate degree and then grad. school for film, consider the costs well; I agree with maddenmd that grad school scholarships/ financial support is probably pretty thin.</p>
<p>Agree with jt that going from undergrad film to grad film is sort of pointless. Film School Confidential was a great idea, but a little confusing regarding whether, for a particular school, they were talking undergrad or grad. The film school world has changed so drastically since that book was published… mainly an explosion of film schools (just take a look at the list on IMDb) and the almost complete domination of digital media (thus my name) these days. Yes, the biggies are still the biggies, but there are a lot more choices to be made. Getting a handle on all the info you need at the undergrad level is still elusive.</p>
<p>On the one hand, there are thousands more film school graduates each year than before. You think getting a job in the past was difficult? Now there’s even more competition. HOWEVER, I am happy to report that there are so many more opportunities now. Just look at the number of cable or satellite channels (and corresponding commercials and music videos and corporate videos and online media and…).</p>
<p>I agree that with the rising costs of an undergrad education these days it would not be a bad idea to just get your film degree in undergrad. Unless you end up at a very specialized art/film school you should get a broad liberal arts education as well. However it is very true that i can be hard to find a well paid job right out of school related to film, and a more applicable degree to hold you over employment-wise until you get your break isn’t is a valid concern as well. </p>
<p>Try to decide early what area of film you would like to focus on. Although it seems like everyone wants to sit in the Director’s chair, many film grads go on to be very successful as screenwriters, cinematographers, cameramen, producers, etc. Then if you decide to pursue a non-film undergrad degree you can choose one that complements the area of film you are interested in pursuing. Eg. Acting, theater, photography, business, painting, english, creative writing, etc. </p>
<p>Whatever you decide to do, definitely choose a school that is located near a thriving film industry/community. That will give you many more opportunities to help out with other student/unpaid projects, make contacts, learn the ropes on set, and allow you to try out many different positions that you wouldn’t otherwise have known about. There are a few ways to make your big break - make that amazing film that brings the suits knocking at your door, sell that amazing screenplay, or help out other people and prove that you are talented, reliable and easy to work with so when they land a golden opportunity you will be the first person they come to when hiring. </p>
<p>And while in school, pick up a DSLR that can shoot video and just keep experimenting and making films. These days with everything going digital it is just so much easier to cut together something that looks professional and distributed with only a click of a button.</p>
<p>Also, how would a degree in psychology,philosophy, or creative writing better qualify you for a job? These degrees wouldnt offer you better job opportunities than a BFA in film production. If your set on getting a degree for a job, then a MFA why not get a degree in accounting, teaching (science), or economics? Those paths offer much better - more stable job opportunities than what you listed (including neuroscience).</p>