Comments on: Is Film School Worth All the Debt? http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/ Talking about money, without being boring. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:40:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: No Budget FilmMaking http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-51271 No Budget FilmMaking Sun, 18 May 2008 07:44:01 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-51271 Let me say my point of view on this one. First, we don't have to be in Film School if we want to learn and create our own video or film. We can learn it on our own. But perhaps, film school can make us expert on film industry. Let me say my point of view on this one. First, we don’t have to be in Film School if we want to learn and create our own video or film. We can learn it on our own. But perhaps, film school can make us expert on film industry.

]]> By: Stephanie http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-50007 Stephanie Sat, 03 May 2008 11:41:30 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-50007 @Bob - Thank you for your perspective - from what I've seen, I think you're right on the money. I wish someone had said exactly that to me before I went to film school! However, I wouldn't have listened, and I'll tell you why. High schoolers have no concept of what it means to be able to "afford" college. As a senior in high school, I thought I could afford it because I could get enough loans to go. I mean, everyone has student loans, right? Wrong, and the people that do don't typically have as many as I do. Someone needs to go into high schools with a calculator and say "loans above $XX,XXX will crush you for 10-30 years after you graduate. If you need more loans than that, you actually CAN'T afford it." @Bob -

Thank you for your perspective - from what I’ve seen, I think you’re right on the money. I wish someone had said exactly that to me before I went to film school!

However, I wouldn’t have listened, and I’ll tell you why. High schoolers have no concept of what it means to be able to “afford” college. As a senior in high school, I thought I could afford it because I could get enough loans to go. I mean, everyone has student loans, right?

Wrong, and the people that do don’t typically have as many as I do. Someone needs to go into high schools with a calculator and say “loans above $XX,XXX will crush you for 10-30 years after you graduate. If you need more loans than that, you actually CAN’T afford it.”

]]> By: Bob Ferguson http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-49965 Bob Ferguson Sat, 03 May 2008 04:52:52 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-49965 I got an easy answer to the question: Should you go to film school. Yes, If you can get a scholarship or someone to pay for it. When I was younger, was presuing a film/tv career in LA. In the 80's it was who you knew that was most important. I did get a film degree, and moved on to working in the IT Field. Now I think it is a little easier to get noticed. Do'nt go to film school, if you can'nt afford it. Move or Visit Offen, the Cities you want to make films in. Make your own project, write, direct and film on digital video-Get it on YouTube and Myspace, and if it's good or memorable Hollywood will contact you. There are many employees in LA now searching the internet for the next 'big' thing. Also, I would go to film school ala cart. For example taking a few courses at UCLA. That way you can learn something you do'nt know and will be able to afford the tution. If you have somethig to say, or are outragous I think in this current enviroment, you can make your mark. Also do'nt put all your eggs in the Hollywood basket. Work it part. When I was in LA saw couple people that droped out of film school that did very well. A Accountant who is now a cable series actor, and besides Paris Hillton is famous, just remember that. I got an easy answer to the question: Should you go to film school. Yes, If you can get a scholarship or someone to pay for it. When I was younger, was presuing a film/tv career in LA. In the 80’s it was who you knew that was most important. I did get a film degree, and moved on to working in the IT Field. Now I think it is a little easier to get noticed. Do’nt go to film school, if you can’nt afford it. Move or Visit Offen, the Cities you want to make films in.
Make your own project, write, direct and film on digital video-Get it on YouTube and Myspace, and if it’s good or memorable Hollywood will contact you. There are many employees in LA now searching the internet for the next ‘big’ thing. Also, I would go to film school ala cart. For example taking a few courses at UCLA. That way you can learn something you do’nt know and will be able to afford the tution. If you have somethig to say, or are outragous I think in this current enviroment, you can make your mark. Also do’nt put all your eggs in the Hollywood basket. Work it part. When I was in LA saw couple people that droped out of film school that did very well. A Accountant who is now a cable series actor, and besides Paris Hillton is famous, just remember that.

]]> By: Ravi http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-33651 Ravi Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:46:11 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-33651 Film School is a tricky course of action. I went to USC Film School, considered by many as a top-tier private school for studying films. It was very costly, very, and many of my graduating peers have decided to move on to other industries. I still work in Los Angeles in the Film Industry (even through the current WGA Strike). From my personal experience, I can say that "breaking-in" is Extremely difficult to do. Film schools will absolutely help show you how the film industry is setup, the business model, and how to tackle it. But these lessons are taught indirectly as you hustle to make your film for film school, a safe-haven away from heavy weight critics and the pressure to achieve huge opening-weekend box-office success. Do not go to film school expecting to find your artistic voice or vision. Do not go to film school in hopes of getting a better job in the film industry. DO go to film school to learn from your mistakes. Reading the blogs above I disagree, a film degree is worth much more than an Associate Degree. It requires a huge amount of project management skills, artisty, execution, business, and most importantly Entrepreneurship. Go to film school to sharpen your set of tools and ready yourself for a career in moviemaking. If you want to learn how to step up a production from your friend's garage to an actual set (city permits, on-set medic, fire, animal handlers, weapons, etc.) then you'll gain that experience. If you're still nervous and looking to findyour voice and deciding whether this industry is for you, then work on an independent production (they always are looking for help www.mandy.com) or sit down and put pen to paper - cheaper than film school and just as difficult. Film School is a tricky course of action. I went to USC Film School, considered by many as a top-tier private school for studying films. It was very costly, very, and many of my graduating peers have decided to move on to other industries.

I still work in Los Angeles in the Film Industry (even through the current WGA Strike). From my personal experience, I can say that “breaking-in” is Extremely difficult to do. Film schools will absolutely help show you how the film industry is setup, the business model, and how to tackle it. But these lessons are taught indirectly as you hustle to make your film for film school, a safe-haven away from heavy weight critics and the pressure to achieve huge opening-weekend box-office success.

Do not go to film school expecting to find your artistic voice or vision. Do not go to film school in hopes of getting a better job in the film industry. DO go to film school to learn from your mistakes. Reading the blogs above I disagree, a film degree is worth much more than an Associate Degree. It requires a huge amount of project management skills, artisty, execution, business, and most importantly Entrepreneurship. Go to film school to sharpen your set of tools and ready yourself for a career in moviemaking. If you want to learn how to step up a production from your friend’s garage to an actual set (city permits, on-set medic, fire, animal handlers, weapons, etc.) then you’ll gain that experience. If you’re still nervous and looking to findyour voice and deciding whether this industry is for you, then work on an independent production (they always are looking for help http://www.mandy.com) or sit down and put pen to paper - cheaper than film school and just as difficult.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-20683 Mrs. Micah Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:18:28 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-20683 I think it'd depend on what kinds of things you school offered. Small private Christian college? Probably not worth as much as one which is known for its program and has industry connections, internships, etc. That said, I think a really good student can learn well anywhere--in school or out of school and in any school program. But I don't know if it'd be worth the debt. Going to college was a good decision for me. Getting an English degree? Well, I'm a good writer and I took a lot of classes with people I liked. But the overall experience, the variety of classes, etc, were more valuable. I think it’d depend on what kinds of things you school offered. Small private Christian college? Probably not worth as much as one which is known for its program and has industry connections, internships, etc. That said, I think a really good student can learn well anywhere–in school or out of school and in any school program. But I don’t know if it’d be worth the debt.

Going to college was a good decision for me. Getting an English degree? Well, I’m a good writer and I took a lot of classes with people I liked. But the overall experience, the variety of classes, etc, were more valuable.

]]> By: Stephanie http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-20138 Stephanie Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:23:47 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-20138 <b>Raymond,</b> That's something I never thought about law school - and that's even MORE expensive schooling! I'll probably end up working somewhere in the entertainment industry with my film degree, since my future seems to be leaning toward Los Angeles anyway. But for now, I can't say for sure what I'll be using a degree for - right now I'm just focused on actually getting the degree! Raymond,

That’s something I never thought about law school - and that’s even MORE expensive schooling!

I’ll probably end up working somewhere in the entertainment industry with my film degree, since my future seems to be leaning toward Los Angeles anyway. But for now, I can’t say for sure what I’ll be using a degree for - right now I’m just focused on actually getting the degree!

]]> By: Raymond http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-20137 Raymond Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:14:21 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-20137 Interesting...I went to law school. There is currently a huge debate going on about whether law school is worth it or not these days since the market's extremely saturated. I would encourage you to use your film degree to springboard into other professions as well - journalism maybe? Interesting…I went to law school. There is currently a huge debate going on about whether law school is worth it or not these days since the market’s extremely saturated.

I would encourage you to use your film degree to springboard into other professions as well - journalism maybe?

]]> By: Stephanie http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-19746 Stephanie Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:49:58 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-19746 <b>Mill,</b> That's true, but the problem with a film degree (a Bachelors, anyways) is that it has very little value in any other field of work. At best, it's about the same as having an Associates degree, but at the price of a really expensive Bachelors (costly private school + the cost of making films). So if you go to film school, you have to be pretty darn sure you want to work in film. Of course, the only way to really know if you want to work in film is to try, which might just mean going to film school. It's a bit of a catch-22. Mill,
That’s true, but the problem with a film degree (a Bachelors, anyways) is that it has very little value in any other field of work. At best, it’s about the same as having an Associates degree, but at the price of a really expensive Bachelors (costly private school + the cost of making films). So if you go to film school, you have to be pretty darn sure you want to work in film.

Of course, the only way to really know if you want to work in film is to try, which might just mean going to film school. It’s a bit of a catch-22.

]]> By: Millionster http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/comment-page-1/#comment-19744 Millionster Fri, 05 Oct 2007 16:33:16 +0000 http://poorerthanyou.com/2007/10/05/film-school-worth-the-debt/#comment-19744 No degree is worth more than the paper its printed on unless you go out and do something with it. Too many people go to school thinking that a degree alone is going to change their life and have them making all kinds of money. You've got to have some passion and drive to back up your degree and to make things happen regardless of your focus! No degree is worth more than the paper its printed on unless you go out and do something with it. Too many people go to school thinking that a degree alone is going to change their life and have them making all kinds of money. You’ve got to have some passion and drive to back up your degree and to make things happen regardless of your focus!

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