Film School (Getting My Foot In the Door)?
First a brief history about me:
I’m in a training program that my father got me into a few years ago that would pay for my schooling so i can become and Engineer. I decided that I didn’t care for that field after taking the basic courses in college and working with other Engineers at the office. I know that my father would really be disappointed when I drop out (which I plan to do) but I need to do it. At first my grades were pretty good (A’s and a couple B’s) but after a couple years of it I started to slack off and got B’s, C’s and a D or two.
What’s Going on Now:
I decided that since I love story telling and had a wonderful time making videos as a kid that perhaps the film business would work for me. I love creating stories (mainly fantasy dealing with Norse Mythology) so perhaps screenwriting would work. But I decided I wanted to continue school but for a different degree, something that would help get me in the business. Ultimately I’d love to write my own work and direct it but I know how far off and difficult that could be.
My Question:
I still have the record of my bad grades from school, should I stick with my trainee position for a little longer and retake those classes to raise up my grades? Or should I try enrolling in one of the Film Art Schools? I don’t think I could be accepted in one of the better schools due to me grades. Also what schools should I consider? Since I want to get into directing and screenwriting what degree should I go for? I really don’t know how or where to start. Anyone with any real knowledge of how all of this works please help me out.
There are two schools here that deal with Film, one is the Portland Art Institute and the other is the Northwest Film Center School. The NW Film Center offers one course per quarter for near $1000 a course. Portland Art Institute of a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Film and Video but for the whole degree it could cost about $85,000 total. That’s quite a bit of money for me, even if I got for a student loan. I dunno what to do and really could use the help.
There are lots of people in film who have degrees that are in no way linked to what they do. Most are below the line. Art Department, Construction, Props, etc.
You however want to be above the line as a Writer / Director. It’s pretty tough being one or the other it is doubly tough being both and doing it well. If you’re serious, you’ll cut the ties that bind and go for USC, UCLA or NYU. Not that those three are the best, they’re the ones that people know and they’re the ones that will get you the contacts and connections you need to succeed.
Personally, I’d say tough it out as an Engineer. Because if this was what you wanted to do (and I mean really wanted it), you’d have bitten the bullet, signed off on Daddy’s pride and done it anyway.
There’s no school to teach you how to write. Oh they can teach you the structure and the form but actually teaching you how to make it matter? That’s either in you or it isn’t.
Even here, you’re asking others to guide you to an answer, rather than researching it yourself. If you want an easy life with clear cut goals and levels to reach… Go for the engineering. Roads need to be built and stuff needs to be designed. If you want a future fraught with uncertainty, high stress, lack of acknowledgement and people trying to screw you over at every turn. Then by all means, a career in entertainment is for you.
First … your: "brief history": YAAAAAWN.
What’s Going On Now: hmmmm … not much, huh?
Your Question: sounds like you are way too undisciplined to invest $85k in film school. If you screw it up you’ll be paying for it for the next thirty years. The best indicator of the future is the past: you are likely to flunk out of film school too right? Sounds like you need to grow up a few years. I suggest that you join the Army.
References :
There are lots of people in film who have degrees that are in no way linked to what they do. Most are below the line. Art Department, Construction, Props, etc.
You however want to be above the line as a Writer / Director. It’s pretty tough being one or the other it is doubly tough being both and doing it well. If you’re serious, you’ll cut the ties that bind and go for USC, UCLA or NYU. Not that those three are the best, they’re the ones that people know and they’re the ones that will get you the contacts and connections you need to succeed.
Personally, I’d say tough it out as an Engineer. Because if this was what you wanted to do (and I mean really wanted it), you’d have bitten the bullet, signed off on Daddy’s pride and done it anyway.
There’s no school to teach you how to write. Oh they can teach you the structure and the form but actually teaching you how to make it matter? That’s either in you or it isn’t.
Even here, you’re asking others to guide you to an answer, rather than researching it yourself. If you want an easy life with clear cut goals and levels to reach… Go for the engineering. Roads need to be built and stuff needs to be designed. If you want a future fraught with uncertainty, high stress, lack of acknowledgement and people trying to screw you over at every turn. Then by all means, a career in entertainment is for you.
References :