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Is attending film school necessary to work in the film industry?
I've heard people argue that film school is a waste of time and you can succeed in the film industry without going to school. What are the benefits of attending film school? Is it hard to find work in the film industry if you do not attend film school?
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3 answers
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Jeremiah’s Answer
I've been working in the film industry for many years, and I've worked on huge budget features, no budget shorts, and everything in between. Nobody who has ever hired me has ever even asked if I went to film school.
They don't care. They care about who recommended you for the job, and if you've done something similar in the past.
Film school is useful for networking (some schools moreso than others). You do get a familiarity with all the working pieces of a film set, and you gain contacts with people who may recommend you for jobs as they come up.
But on an actual set, your work ethic, and your ability to do what is asked of you without complaining is what matters. You'll start as a PA and work your way up, and you'll learn a lot along the way (and make money instead of going into debt).
If you want to be a director, you need to direct films. Nobody is going to give you that responsibility if you haven't done it before, when there is money involved. So find a way to direct shorts and win a major festival, or raise the money to shoot your own feature film.
If you have rich relatives, you can skip working your way up.
That's where film school has another advantage, because chances are somebody who is attending has a connection to money (or you can make friends with finance majors). That connection will allow you to just skip to the making your own films phase, or you may meet enough passionate friends who will all be willing to work together for free to finish a film. Now you all have a feature film on your resume. That's the real advantage, not so much the piece of paper you get at the end.
They don't care. They care about who recommended you for the job, and if you've done something similar in the past.
Film school is useful for networking (some schools moreso than others). You do get a familiarity with all the working pieces of a film set, and you gain contacts with people who may recommend you for jobs as they come up.
But on an actual set, your work ethic, and your ability to do what is asked of you without complaining is what matters. You'll start as a PA and work your way up, and you'll learn a lot along the way (and make money instead of going into debt).
If you want to be a director, you need to direct films. Nobody is going to give you that responsibility if you haven't done it before, when there is money involved. So find a way to direct shorts and win a major festival, or raise the money to shoot your own feature film.
If you have rich relatives, you can skip working your way up.
That's where film school has another advantage, because chances are somebody who is attending has a connection to money (or you can make friends with finance majors). That connection will allow you to just skip to the making your own films phase, or you may meet enough passionate friends who will all be willing to work together for free to finish a film. Now you all have a feature film on your resume. That's the real advantage, not so much the piece of paper you get at the end.
Thank you for answering, I truly appreciate the helpful advice and info!
Shana
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hi Shana,
Attending film school is not necessary to work in the film industry but it does have its benefits. You get some insight into the mechanics and operations behind productions, networking opportunities, access to industry-standard equipment, learning from experienced professionals, and you get exposed to a variety of roles.
Like most aspects of the industry, your connections are most valuable because they can recommend you for jobs. It is very common for people to start as PA's at the beginning of their careers. Some other entry-level jobs include Camera assistant, grip, electrician, sound assistant, art department assistant, driver, and costume assistant. It really depends on your craft and experience. There are hundreds of roles and positions that work on major films and TV, you've seen the credits!
It's very difficult to work in the film industry and is highly competitive to gain access even in an entry-level position. Once, you are in, it will take many years to move up the ranks.
Attending film school is not necessary to work in the film industry but it does have its benefits. You get some insight into the mechanics and operations behind productions, networking opportunities, access to industry-standard equipment, learning from experienced professionals, and you get exposed to a variety of roles.
Like most aspects of the industry, your connections are most valuable because they can recommend you for jobs. It is very common for people to start as PA's at the beginning of their careers. Some other entry-level jobs include Camera assistant, grip, electrician, sound assistant, art department assistant, driver, and costume assistant. It really depends on your craft and experience. There are hundreds of roles and positions that work on major films and TV, you've seen the credits!
It's very difficult to work in the film industry and is highly competitive to gain access even in an entry-level position. Once, you are in, it will take many years to move up the ranks.
Your clarification really clears things up! Thank you for taking time out of your day to respond.
Shana
Updated
Emma’s Answer
Kinda tends to go this way:
-Don't go to school: Work for years and years on any and every gig you can get. Learn from every mistake, every success. Learn from others. Listen. Accept criticism. (This was my path. After 8 years of hustling with small gigs and personal projects to pad out my reel, I started getting bigger job offers.)
-Go to school: Study! Learn as much as possible. If it's a hands-on school, try to gain experience in as many facets in the industry as possible (without neglecting your passion). When you graduate, accept any and every gig/job you get, no matter how small. Gaining traction in this industry is difficult, and takes a lot of time.
I'm biased because I did not get a degree, but there's a saying that "no one cares about your work until you've been doing it for 8 years". That's exactly how it happened for me, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. By the time I got those jobs, I had almost a decade of experience (even little gigs count!).
-Don't go to school: Work for years and years on any and every gig you can get. Learn from every mistake, every success. Learn from others. Listen. Accept criticism. (This was my path. After 8 years of hustling with small gigs and personal projects to pad out my reel, I started getting bigger job offers.)
-Go to school: Study! Learn as much as possible. If it's a hands-on school, try to gain experience in as many facets in the industry as possible (without neglecting your passion). When you graduate, accept any and every gig/job you get, no matter how small. Gaining traction in this industry is difficult, and takes a lot of time.
I'm biased because I did not get a degree, but there's a saying that "no one cares about your work until you've been doing it for 8 years". That's exactly how it happened for me, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. By the time I got those jobs, I had almost a decade of experience (even little gigs count!).