So, right now I’m a senior in high school going to Mizzou in the fall double majoring in film studies and their new prgram ,documentary journalism. Keep in mind, Mizzou has one of the best J schools in the world. My dream is to be a screenwriter/producer. My mom says I should go to Mizzou for the Journalism foundation because it will teach my the writing skills that are necessary to become a screenwriter but I don’t think she knows much about the industry.
I was thinking of transferring to Columbia or USC after my freshman year to participate in their film school I really like Columbia’s film school because it deals more with the story and they have an indie vibe going on. Also they have a great creative writing program. And then USC, of course, because it’s USC. They have the best film school in the nation.
So do you guys think I should transfer and if so, which school should I aim for?
Going to film school is a waste of money and journalism is a dying industry. If you want to go into film production or screenwriting, it might be more worthwhile to major in something that gives you a different perspective like history, psychology, philosophy, English, literature, etc.
You don’t have to go to film school to become a producer or director. Directors like Quentin Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Christopher Nolan, and Werner Herzog never went to film school. You can learn the basics of film making in a month on your own and learn more from experience. Casey Neistat is also a great example.
I guess you didn’t get an answer.
I would visit the schools and talk to professors and students. At USC you are at the heart of the industry. There are a number of other schools in the area too.
If you have the drive to study and learn filmmaking on your own, there are tons of online resources. Lights Film School isn’t free, but seems to be one of the better options.
On the other hand, if you’re set on film school (like my S19) then visit the schools and talk to graduates. There is something to be gained in a team dynamic that you wouldn’t experience on your own, esp when it comes to film.
Another idea, attend a summer screenwriting intensive at Columbia SSP (or Northwestern NHSI, NYU, etc) to see if you like it. You’ll have a non-committal experience of the school, campus life, and film curriculum. Most even have scholarships.
For the person that stated film school is a waste of time and money, I would like to know your background and qualifications to make that statement? The individuals you mentioned like Casey N and Quentin T are the exceptions and not the rule. I’m sure you can find hundreds of people that try to be the next Casey N and have failed and especially if they don’t have film school expertise that will allow them to apply for other corporate positions or start their own production company. Search the Duffer Brothers video on the benefits of attending film schools like Chapman and FSU. Attending film school can give you the foundation to be successful in the industry. Journalism may be dwindling but movies and tv series through new forms of media are more popular now then ever.
Movies will never die out. It’s called Entertainment. Although, I would not suggest going to an expensive school. The University of Missouri is a great and with a decent price. You will have a decent education.
And per @Oreo30 said pay attention and don’t underestimate the networking benefits a school will give you. Your interaction with your peers and profs will help you get internships, jobs and form core working relationships that will help you throughout your career. While most schools can and will provide you with a great education if you put the effort in, the ‘name brand’ of the school still carries weight in terms of networking, especially in a the creative industries.
Sounds like the OP wants to go to film school and that is the right idea for him/her.
Op–I have somewhat limited experience in this field, but still it seems that I may have more insight into this than several of the other commenters on this forum.
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Film will take awhile before it starts paying you back. Graduating with small amounts of debt will be important for your long-term success, in other words. Columbia has great FA. I’m not sure that USC had great FA. Mizzou might be your best choice from a question of low debt. You will need to assess this.
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When you graduate from film school, as with other creative fields, you will have the basic blueprint of how to create film and tell story (ideally) BUT you will most likely need to practice the art/craft. That takes time. See number 1 above. See also the quote from Ira Glass, the one that starts: “Nobody tells this to beginners . . . .” He’s spot on and I have that quote on my fridge to remind me and my kids, who are also in creative fields, to keep going, never stop, and be disciplined to create FINISHED work constantly. That’s the only way you’re going to break through. Also: be sure to take a wide variety of liberal arts classes. They will help you with background and insights. Take history classes, art history, psychology, sciences, math and decision-making courses are excellent for giving you the logic skills for plotting. Any course you take, will prove useful in film and storytelling. Also: take serious screenwriting courses that teach the structure of screenplay. Even if you decide to reject that structure in a film, knowing that structure will provide you with a solid framework – literally – for story. Screenplay structure is basically a distillation of Aristotle’s poetics. Also look at story structure from other cultural POVs such as India or China. And look at poetry.
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Journalism and great storytelling IMHO will never die, but they will probably take on new forms, potentially radically new forms. Both fields are probably the second and/or third oldest professions. Storytelling – fictional and non – are a primary basis for all human understanding. One big job you will need to master is how to tell a story. Then, how to tell a great story. It’s about craft. See number 2 above.
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How to support yourself while practicing your craft? That’s where the “connections” come in. Does Mizzou have connections to help you get a job when you graduate? Ideally that job will be one that pays your loans and supports you in a place where you can make movies. There’s no reason why you can’t make film in Missouri, just sayin’. And because of #1 and #2 above, there’s a lot to be said for setting up shop in a low-cost area. Also, there’s much to be said about finding your voice (part of #2 – craft) in a place that’s NOT a locus of film, especially if you want an “indie” voice, as you mentioned. If you go to NYC or LA to make film, you will probably have a voice that sounds like those places. That’s okay, and may be what you desire, but be aware that some people in creative fields advise going to out-of-the-way places to hone your craft and to find a unique voice. New things tend to come out of left fields, places you don’t expect. Accepting that most people look to LA and NYC for film, and you decide that’s where you want to be, if you attend Mizzou, and it’s indeed the cheapest, you could use the money you save to get a toehold in those expensive cities.
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Other ways to make connections: festivals and conferences, in addition to summer programs, etc. If you attend Columbia or NYU or USC or Cal State or wherever – your school will provide some connections through alumni, usually, and through industry partnerships.
No matter what route you take, #2 on this list is probably the most important. Hone your craft and have patience with yourself as you learn and grow. Making mistakes is a sign that you’re trying new things. That’s a sign that you’re growing. Never give up. Best of luck to you.
@Dustyfeathers
The Ira Glass quote is wonderful. A practical nugget appropriate for life in general, esp for creatives. Thanks for sharing.
@Dustyfeathers - Great advice. My son has said several times that once you start working in the industry, nobody cares where you went to school.
OP, still there? It’s crunch time for transfers (or worse), did you go to Mizzou and are you still thinking of transferring.?
Dusty Feathers has some of the best advice in a while on this forum. Ignore the idea that fit school is a waste, it is as valid as any other major provided you don’t accumulate a lot of debt, and it is probably as good an entry to a career you will enjoy. Visual media’s critical to modern communication, whether it be journalism, documentary, advertisement, entertainment. Go get some skills, make great contacts with upperclassmen in your department, and go for it while you are young and free to pursue your dream.