<p>I was wondering what the advantages/disadvantages are of each major. I would assume that Film Studies would set me up better for a career in film, but would that limit my opportunity? Does Comm studies include an aspect of film? What would someone with a comm studies major try for as a career?</p>
<p>Pros/Cons would be cool!</p>
<p>THANKS</p>
<p>If you’re interested in film studies, why would you ever leave so cal (USC, UCLA) for tenn (Vanderbilt) or conn (Wesleyan)???</p>
<p>1) there aren’t that many LACs in California (the Claremont Colleges should only count once.)</p>
<p>2) maybe, the OP wants to get away from the company town for a few years.</p>
<p>Film Studies is not about making films but studying them as art. Same as communication studies is not about putting out a newspaper but comm theory. A very good school for both is Wisconsin which had one of the first film studies professors who wrote the main text on the subject.</p>
<p>^^^ wow…</p>
<p>I would amend barrons assertion only slightly: Film Studies is not <em>just</em> about making films. I would say a large proportion of the majors at Wesleyan have a desire to work in the industry. I can’t speak for Communications majors, in part because Wesleyan doesn’t have one, but mainly because the major means so many different things depending on where you go.</p>
<p>Yes, many film studies majors at UW also went into production and TV–Michael Mann, Erol Morris, Zucker Bros. and many others. </p>
<p>[Hollywood</a> Badgers - Connecting Badgers to Hollywood](<a href=“http://www.hollywoodbadgers.com/]Hollywood”>http://www.hollywoodbadgers.com/)</p>
<p>BTW prod, UW also has the one of the largest film libraries in the US. I just know you did not know that–or much else about the topic.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.wcftr.commarts.wisc.edu/[/url]”>http://www.wcftr.commarts.wisc.edu/</a></p>
<p>And about the founding father of film studies</p>
<p>David Bordwell (born 23 July 1947) is a prominent American film theorist, film critic, and author. He is the Jacques Ledoux Professor of Film Studies, Emeritus in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He is married to Kristin Thompson, with whom he has written two textbooks: Film Art and Film History. Film Art is the most widely used introductory film textbook in the United States</p>
<p><a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bordwell[/url]”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bordwell</a></p>
<p>Film Studies at Wes in particular will set you up well for the industry – a LOT of Wes film students successfully enter the industry after graduation (search this forum, or google) for “Wesleyan Film Mafia”). So Wes, a school I know you’re interested in, would definitely set you up WAY better than a random comm major. Like, way, WAY better. Also, while the focus at Wes is on the more academic study of film (not just as art, also economic/social context, genre studies, etc), there are production classes and plenty of opportunities to get involved in production outside of class. </p>
<p>You won’t have as much production experience as if you went to USC or NYU or something, but you can get a lot, and also have a strong theoretical background. IM(potentially biased)O, a Wes Film Studies major>>>almost any comm major for getting into film after college. </p>
<p>That said, random film studies (not production) majors at schools that aren’t known for it probably won’t be that helpful, so if you don’t get into Wes, I wouldn’t necessarily pick Film Studies at a school not known for it over comm.</p>
<p>Now, if you’re not sure what you want to do, that’s a different story.</p>
<p>Well I would like to be a screenwriter (if I feel like I have the ability after learning the true style in college) or a Producer (I think I have a more natural talent for this/would excel more in it but I’m not too sure).</p>
<p>Kinda peculiar because they are supposed enemies in the Film industry haha.</p>
<p>And actually, yeah, I know that Wesleyan specifically would be awesome for film. In fact, my interviewer (I actually googled all the local interviewers haha…) has written two feature films and attributes his success to Wes – even though he only took 5 classes and was actually an Econ major!!</p>
<p>BUT, I was looking for more of a comparison between Comm Studies (normal) versus Film Studies (normal) not any particular program.</p>
<p>BUT, why I want to get out of Los Angeles, THE HUB…
First off, I live here. I want to explore new horizens, and expand my comfort zone in an entirely new situation. On top of that, after touring USC’s film school and the general (disgustingly south central) campus, I realized that I am not 100% sure of my future aspirations and goals. I think college is a good opportunity to find myself, and assure myself of my academic/career interests. I feel like USC’s program is a very pre-professional one, and I view college as an opportunity to take a multitude of courses and expand my thinking, rather than as training for a career. I also plan to come back to Los Angeles/go to New York for a graduate MFA in production or MBA anyhow, so I’d like to get a liberal arts foundation for now.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’m too crazy… ;)</p>
<p><em>bump</em></p>
<p>still looking to find out what each major will prepare an individual for comparitively…thanks!</p>
<p>It’s my impression that every t.v. weatherman, game show host and sports announcer started out as a Communications major; you receive a lot of practice reading from a teleprompter, speaking and looking into a camera. But, like I said, it’s just an impression.</p>