Comments on: Is Film School Worth All the Debt?

By: C Barry

C Barry — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:25:47 +0000

As a former film student I can assure you that film school is not worth the cost and is a waste of an education.

If you are not in advanced mathematics, advanced science, law, medicine, finance or computer science, you have no business in a university program.

By: Filmmaking eBooks

Filmmaking eBooks — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 11:34:57 +0000

In an era where film school costs several times more than actually shooting a digital feature, I’d have to say that no, film school is no longer a sound financial investment. Everything that film school can teach you can be learned with a couple of good books (or ebooks), a Netflix membership, and a bunch of time spent with a camera in your hands, then editing the resulting footage in Final Cut Pro or a similar program. As Seth posted above, YouTube is the new film school. Your “classmates” there will let you know whether or not you’re doing good work.

By: Seth Hymes

Seth Hymes — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:17:50 +0000

In 2010, Film School is one of the most laughable investments one can legitimately take out a loan for. It’s kind of like going to school for Typewriter Maintenance. Back in the 60s it might have been a good idea to go to film school, because equipment was hard to find and expensive. And back then you couldn’t watch a movie without a projector. Nowadays, all of the so called “advantages” of film school have vanished. The equipment at every major school from NYU to USC to NYFA is sub par and can be purchased for less than the cost of one class. Netflix and online classes abound. The so called “guidance” is a myth. In the industry we refer to these schools as “chop shops”. As many students as possible paying $10K to $30K a year are rushed through these programs. Critique of films is limited to a screening, and a few comments from peers, a letter grade on a synopsis on a paper from a “Professor”. Film School Grads are nothing more than cheap labor holding a boom pole or bringing a Director his coffee on a film set.
There are young people who have made stellar videos and films you can see on YouTube, for a fraction of the cost of even one “class” at a film school.

By: Christani

Christani — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:36:24 +0000

I would go to film school Ala cart. For example taking a few courses at UCLA. That way you can learn something you don’t know and will be able to afford the tuition. If you have something to say, or are outrageous I think in this current environment, you can make your mark. Also don’t put all your eggs in the Hollywood basket.

By: Carlos

Carlos — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 23:50:51 +0000

It’s my personal belief that “film school” is only for people who have the financial means to afford it, if not then your next best bet would be to learn from other films and from life itself.

A word of advice….no degree in the WORLD! is worth 10 to 30 years of debt. Just think about your first home. That on its own can rival your student loans.

Think twice about film school and your future as well as your “financial future”.

By: No Budget FilmMaking

No Budget FilmMaking — Sun, 18 May 2008 07:44:01 +0000

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

Stephanie — Sat, 03 May 2008 11:41:30 +0000

@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

Bob Ferguson — Sat, 03 May 2008 04:52:52 +0000

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

Ravi — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 04:46:11 +0000

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

Mrs. Micah — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:18:28 +0000

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.