<p>I think this really only applies to majors that feed into constantly “evolving fields” - such as technology. The world of technology is changing every day, so you really do have to keep up with the current trends and “next big thing” to stay fresh. It’s why younger people are thriving in these tech fields, while older people are not (unless they step up their game and keep up with the latest developments). Same goes for real estate, or fashion, or even things like advertising and public relations. You have to keep up with what’s going on in those fields, because these fields evolve rapidly, season by season, year by year, in comparison to other fields. </p>
<p>However, you also have degrees like teaching which never go out of style. I think you can safely get a teaching credential, travel the world for five years, and return with not much having changed. It’s one of those fields you can comfortably slide into whenever you’d like, because massive shifts don’t occur in short periods of time. I’m guessing the same applies to many generalized degrees.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t go so far as to say “technical majors become invalid after five years, humanities majors don’t” however. I’d say there are some technical majors out there that remain pretty consistent, and some humanities majors that aren’t so much. It’s all about narrowing down fields you’d be interested in and then seeing how you could work that around a film career. </p>
<p>I’ve said it before and I will say it again. I. Am. Not. Going. To. Film. School. I. Don’t. Have. The. Ability. To. So, stop telling me that it’s the “bestest” idea ever. Not going to pay 60 thou a year just for connections. I’d rather take the risk of forming those through friends and other means. </p>
<p>So, I’ll say it again. If you’re going to tell me to go to film school, then don’t. That’s not why I started this thread. </p>
<p>If you perceive economics as your ticket to a ‘big-money’ back-up plan, go for it! Embrace it. Economics is a great study of the human condition, and within it, or any other major, you can learn to think critically and communicate effectively, which will serve you well in any profession. </p>
<p>Go to UVA or W&M to study economics and do it well (not half-baked because it’s your back up plan). Take advantage of the great scholars and students there, travel, study abroad, apply for summer internships. UVA actually offers a semester aboard a cruise ship, and one semester they travelled with Desmond TuTu to meet with leaders of various countries to discuss economic policy. Seek out those type of opportunities.</p>
<p>Don’t waste your college experience watching Netflix movies and dreaming!</p>
<p>Thanks. Don’t worry. I plan on doing well in college. It would be idiotic of me to pay money and then not do a good job. Plus, I’m genuinely interested in the field.</p>
<p>What do you think of GMU? I’m interested in their Economics B.S. with a concentration in Philosophy, Politics, and Law.</p>
<p>Good God. Why waste 4 or 5 years of your life plus that in state tuition on a degree you don’t plan to use, or that will be “on hold” and lose value? Learn something that will make you useful on a film set. Sound. Design. Cinematography. Editing. Hell, costuming. Anything that will get you to the next better job than coffee boy/coffee girl on that film set. Because those other coffee boys and coffee girls already have film degrees, already understand how not to trip on the bajillion cords all over the place, and can hit the ground running when the opportunity for something better comes…in fact, they already have, working on real movies with real directors and real actors… in film school internships. Above all,no matter what you do, learn to be a masterful story teller. If you don’t have that, you have no film career, no matter what your education. Now it is true that film majors need a huge amount of luck to make it…but also, you make your own luck. Either way you’re going to start out in a crappy apartment getting someone coffee. You seem stubborn enough. Why not just go for it? Otherwise, sure, Econ. It’s a fine major…for a film director (eye roll)</p>
<p>Might you be able to head out to LA and try to break into the film business, then if that doesn’t work after about five years, go to undergraduate school at that point? So, if the film career doesn’t take hold, you’ll perhaps be more committed to a certain major and that education/training will be more relevant/fresh. Fields are changing so quickly that it’s probably best to wait. Go pursue the film career first. If it takes off, then no need to do college. </p>
<p>Your attitude is interesting to me. You want to do one thing–film making–but seem to think you can learn it all on your own and don’t think college instruction in the field of your choice is worthwhile.<br>
Guess what? you can learn to cook on your own–but the Culinary Institute of America exists because those students become the best… Great tennis players go to tennis academies and study under great coaches. Actors go to acting school and care about whom they study under.
If you think majoring in something else and working in that field “to be safe” will further your chosen career…I’d disagree. You can become an accountant and pay the bills–and in 10 years you’ll be an accountant with 10 years of experience. That may be great! Or you’ll be wishing you’d taken the time to follow a path of your real choosing.</p>
<p>If you are truly passionate about your career path, you need to start working toward that goal. Maybe start on a lower level to test the waters–enroll in some classes and see what you can learn. Make a smaller economic investment and see if you really have the passion and work ethic to make it work.
If you don’t work in film as a career, it’s still a great hobby and that’s fine too. But do not imagine that leaving a safe and well paying career later on is easy–it is not. Choose wisely.</p>
<p>@arwarw - I agree it’s not a good idea to head out. But, it just seems this OP does not want to take the other routes. I’m from the go-to-film-school camp, actually. </p>
<p>Okay, to all film school advocates, here is my short answer: No. </p>
<p>Here is my long answer: Noooooooooooooooooooooooo. </p>
<p>I do plan on taking film classes in college as electives, but I’m not getting a film degree. That’s final. Now, if I can major in two fields without breaking the bank, I’ll consider film. Hell, I’ll consider film and media studies. But not if film is the only degree I can get. Let me make on thing clear: I will take film-related classes in college. But the degree doesn’t mean jack to me. And apparently, the same holds for most other directors out there.</p>
<p>Contingency plans exist to be safe, not because I want to live safe. If I ever end up living on the streets, it would be nice to have a degree which can employ me in a good job. Doesn’t mean I’m gonna drop the film thing. I plan on doing that for a long, long time, even if it means doing menial stuff for a while. But I like having backup just to be safe. </p>
<p>So, to sum up. Film school? No. Out of my reach financially. Film/film and media studies major? Maybe, if I can double it with econ. Film classes? Absolutely. </p>
<p>Oh, and to those advocating I move to Hollywood and rough it after high school: imagine this conversation. “Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. I know you guys have been saving up money for me to go to college, and I know that I’m ranked second in my class, but I wanna run off to Hollywood and become a movie director.” </p>
<p>Please, I’d never even see another cent from them. Thanks, but no thanks.</p>
<p>Okay, people: here it is. You got me. When I go to college, I’ll double in Econ and Film. If that isn’t an option, I’ll double in Econ and Film and Media Studies. If that’s not an option, then I’ll double in Econ and something tangentially related to movies. You happy? </p>
<p>Now, no more “why you no go to film school” comments. </p>
<p>That “Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad” struck a note with me very personally. I don’t know your situation personally but here is what I contemplated most when my artistic high school daughter was presenting me with a similar scenario…how is most of her time already spent?
As it turned out when I asked myself that question it was that every spare moment was filled with art, writing, computer science and learning aspects of her chosen career. All on her own.
So at that point it turned into “how do I further the career choice?” rather than a debate on whether the career choice was a good one for her. I knew her drive and work ethic were going to serve her well no matter what the outcome so I was willing to back a much less “safe” career path.
Could she have landed her job without specific instruction? Alas, no. I really don’t think so. She went to a top school and it was worth it. Her natural talent was honed and the contacts were invaluable. Happy? Definitely.
Today she still talks of the day her prof said “look around the room–make friends. These are the people who will be giving you jobs or you will be hiring one day.” So don’t discount the networking aspects of school–I don’t think I’ve ever heard anybody in the industry deny how important it can be.</p>
<p>So…I would ask of anyone…“What have you already produced?” Do you spend your time making movies? Editing? Learning story? Writing? Do you put your work out for critical review? Entered a contest? Shown your films? What would you put on your resume this very minute? That sounds harsh but it really isn’t. That “what have you done?” applies to anybody pursuing the arts and wanting to make it a career.</p>
<p>There are a lot of great stories about directors that got to be great with no formal education–but you won’t find any on the list that didn’t work their butts off to get there. And most of them were from many years ago who had the ability to break some rules in a less bureaucratic society. Economics of film making have greatly reduced the ability of an unknown to break into the business. It can be done but it’s harder than ever and the competition is harder in an age of instant media.</p>
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