The most prestigious film schools today such as NYU and UCLA draw masses of aspiring directors and producers each semester. Auditioning students march in, feeling unstoppable, ready to do whatever it takes to make it big in the silver screen. Nevertheless, they would be wise to spend some time seeing if film school will actually aid their future career in the film industry before they move into the bondage of $100,000 debt.
Young people today have been told that a degree is the key to achieving their dreams, and most will do anything to complete that degree. Banks are conveniently ready to loan you a $100,000 to pay for necessary schooling, and students who have no doubt they'll be making the big bucks after graduation don't think twice about taking the loan. Sadly, more film school alumni than ever before are trapped into blue-collar jobs, just making the minimum payments on their ever-growing student loan. The dilemma is film studios are no longer impressed with degrees but would be much more comfortable hiring someone with practical experience. Educational status at the top of a resume now fades into the background when compared with a proven success in film production.
Set yourself up to dedicate a few years after completing your degree to work as an assistant. If you get this opportunity, some of your fellow alumni will be jealous because there aren't nearly enough entry-level positions available for all film graduates. Many graduates will sadly have to settle for blue-collar jobs just to make the minimum payments on their student loans while writing on the side and waiting for an executive to find them.
In the high-status film schools in places like southern California and New York, there are most often a minimum of 100 applications for ever 1 open spot; surprisingly that figure is getting worse every year. The same statistics apply for digital design programs where students seek to go into video production and internet gaming. Universities and technical schools try to keep up with the growing interest of students yearning to work in motion pictures and digital gaming but all for nothing; many who do get a coveted slot in one of the schools are often jobless today.
As shocking as it may seem, some of the most famous directors weren't even accepted into film school. A most wonderful example is Steven Spielberg who was not turned away not once but twice from the School of Theater, Film and Television at the University of Southern California. He decided to take his dreams into his own hands by offering himself as a fulltime intern seven days a week at Universal Studios. Although he wasn't receiving any type of salary, he knew that what he was getting was far more valuable. Not too long after his internship began, Spielberg created his first short motion picture, "Amblin." When Universal Studio's vice-president saw the film, he made Spielberg the youngest film director to get a long-standing contract with a chief Hollywood studio.
More than ever before, talent and experience open the doors of opportunity into the film industry. Can talent be taught? Not really. It needs to be used independently and creatively in order to grow. Of course, learning camera techniques and screenwriting methods can boost your skill level, but that's not what will get you the job. Spielberg shows us that it's more advisable to seek out an internship where the experience will be far more beneficial to your future than years at a film school. By co-laboring with some of today's best talent, you're setting yourself up for success.
Young people today have been told that a degree is the key to achieving their dreams, and most will do anything to complete that degree. Banks are conveniently ready to loan you a $100,000 to pay for necessary schooling, and students who have no doubt they'll be making the big bucks after graduation don't think twice about taking the loan. Sadly, more film school alumni than ever before are trapped into blue-collar jobs, just making the minimum payments on their ever-growing student loan. The dilemma is film studios are no longer impressed with degrees but would be much more comfortable hiring someone with practical experience. Educational status at the top of a resume now fades into the background when compared with a proven success in film production.
Set yourself up to dedicate a few years after completing your degree to work as an assistant. If you get this opportunity, some of your fellow alumni will be jealous because there aren't nearly enough entry-level positions available for all film graduates. Many graduates will sadly have to settle for blue-collar jobs just to make the minimum payments on their student loans while writing on the side and waiting for an executive to find them.
In the high-status film schools in places like southern California and New York, there are most often a minimum of 100 applications for ever 1 open spot; surprisingly that figure is getting worse every year. The same statistics apply for digital design programs where students seek to go into video production and internet gaming. Universities and technical schools try to keep up with the growing interest of students yearning to work in motion pictures and digital gaming but all for nothing; many who do get a coveted slot in one of the schools are often jobless today.
As shocking as it may seem, some of the most famous directors weren't even accepted into film school. A most wonderful example is Steven Spielberg who was not turned away not once but twice from the School of Theater, Film and Television at the University of Southern California. He decided to take his dreams into his own hands by offering himself as a fulltime intern seven days a week at Universal Studios. Although he wasn't receiving any type of salary, he knew that what he was getting was far more valuable. Not too long after his internship began, Spielberg created his first short motion picture, "Amblin." When Universal Studio's vice-president saw the film, he made Spielberg the youngest film director to get a long-standing contract with a chief Hollywood studio.
More than ever before, talent and experience open the doors of opportunity into the film industry. Can talent be taught? Not really. It needs to be used independently and creatively in order to grow. Of course, learning camera techniques and screenwriting methods can boost your skill level, but that's not what will get you the job. Spielberg shows us that it's more advisable to seek out an internship where the experience will be far more beneficial to your future than years at a film school. By co-laboring with some of today's best talent, you're setting yourself up for success.
About the Author:
Learn more about film productions. Stop by Carl Drotsky's site where you can find out all about a production company and what it can do for you.
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