<p>Thats awesome, Encomium! I loved studying Latin for four years, and reading all the poetry. I picked up smatterings of ancient greek here and there from my Latin teacher, who also taught three years of ancient greek. If I had any extra time, I would love to take a classics course or two on the way to my Philosophy degree :). But being pre-med as well cuts my time dramatically.
This thread is great - its interesting to see the very polarized views on one's undergrad major. IMO, undergraduate study is certainly meant for intellectual enrichment and studying what you have a passion for. Right out of school with a bachelors, I doubt i would be any more employable with a biology degree than with my philosophy degree. More and more jobs have masters and above as requisites. Fortunately for me, my true passion in life is medicine, a field in which I will obviously never lack a job.</p>
<p>Odi et amo, quare id faciam, fortasse requiris
nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior
Walete!</p>
<p>Be happy that your child has found an interest. There are many ways a person can use a film/art/cinema degree which does include feature film production, television, advertising, and yes, even wedding and Bar Mitzvah events. And just because your child is interested in high school doesn't mean that is what their future career will be. But I think that at least your child an interest....And speaking from experience you can make an excellent living in the business with the proper training and work ethic.</p>
<p>As for the film major, ask your son "Why do you want to go into filmmaking?" He's got to have a reason. If his answer is "fame and glamour," smack him upside the head and tell him to pick someting else.</p>
<p>No, j/k. I'm actually in a similar position; I am studying to become an animation film director, but that's because I KNOW that's what I want to do with my life, I'm extremely passionate about it, and I cannot imagine myself doing anything else as good. However, I also know that the job opportunities are few and far between, and I highly doubt that I'll be able to steal Brad Bird's job as soon as I graduate. :p It's not only a game of chance, but it also depends on how good your son is at networking and how badly he wants to do it. And the type of job he really wants to get into. Tell him to do some research on all the different possible jobs there are in the industry. Have him do an internship with a small/independent studio, or even have him volunteer at the local television station. At least he'll get started in something.</p>
<p>Wow old threads never die. It was interesting reading what I wrote about my son over a year ago; seeing what he was doing then and how things turned out.</p>
<p>We were in LA last weekend to visit our son. The weather was spectacular, and the campus was, as usual, immaculate. We went to the Getty, and to an Improv show in Hollywood. We also took to lunch and dinner all his friends, wonderful kids, whose parents had taken him out when they came visiting. His life revolves around film and his comedy troupe and all his friends are in film, but he doesn't hang out at the film school and hasn't developed friendships with any of his teachers. </p>
<p>He's become very interested in screenwriting and is taking courses in writing in the film school and in the English department. Last semester he had a course on Steven Spielbergs films and Spielberg came to the class to talk to the students. Next semester he's going to have a course taught by Leonard Maltin. </p>
<p>I'm very happy with the way things are going for him. Much less politics this year for him. The run-in with the USC Department of Public Safety, and the Dean of Students, last year, and the class work seems to have shifted his focus.</p>
<p>That's interesting that he seems to be focusing on screenwriting. My son has also changed focus. With the experience he's getting, he's decided that what he REALLY wants to do is DP work. I thought he'd go the editing route, but he really likes designing the shots.</p>
<p>
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There's probably some Latin/Film double major somewhere who deserves the credit.
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</p>
<p>That's why I have always felt that for undergrads film is best learned in a college context, where a broad best curricula is offered, and not in an art school.</p>
<p>This is an interesting thread and I can relate to it because my son also has a strong interest in becoming a film major. I'm really suprised how competitive this field is and how difficult it is to get into the film program at schools such as Ithaca College, NYU, Syracuse etc., My son will be going to Penn State as a communications major and he actually needs to "audition" for the film program in his sophmore year. So even if your child wants to pursue film it may be quite difficult to get into the really good programs, and this may change his mind about pursuing this path. . As to career concerns if he does become a film major, I can tell you that I am a lawyer, and some of the best lawyers that I practice with majored in film while in college and decided to go to law school after being frustrated in their film pursuits. So who knows??</p>
<p>tsdad, so glad to see your son doing well at USC. Wow, USC!!! I also love your little blurb about yourself. "75 square miles of unreality" indeed!</p>
<p>Otherwise know as "Mad City." It was beautiful for early spring here. I rode my bike around Lake Mondota. Watched a rugy match and a softball game. Being at a college is much better when you don't have to study.</p>
<p>Achat thanks for the USC comments. Sometimes I feel the same way; "Wow, USC." But the credit goes to my son. He did what he had to do to get in. I only pay for it.</p>
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<p>some of the best lawyers that I practice with majored in film while in college and decided to go to law school after being frustrated in their film pursuits. <<</p>
</blockquote>
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<p>And it seems a lot of lawyers leave the practice of law to become successful screenwriters and novelists.</p>
<p>tsdad, I knew you were at Madison. It indeed is a beautiful campus - one of the most beautiful around. And you are right about being in a campus when you don't have tests and exams.</p>