How important is college in my situation?

I've worked in and around the film and TV business for decades. Though I'm a writer by profession, I began my career working in production for TV. Don't limit your thinking to movies! There's a ton of excellent TV production going on as well.

That said, these are the vital elements for breaking in:

SKILLS AND TRAINING: Notice I didn't say talent. That's a nebulous quality that depends on passion for a subject that drives you to know everything there is about it, to learn the skills of the trade, and to practice, practice, practice the skills of the trade. You can do that learning and training in a college, yes, but you don't have to. You can find other paths to doing this, if you're motivated enough. BUT you will need to have that extra, hard-to-define spark that makes you stand out in order to succeed. That has to come from within.

LOCATION: Los Angeles remains the best choice for breaking into the film and TV industry. It's no longer the center of actual production, but it's where most development and deals and other vital aspects of the business get done. I would recommend it over NYC. And the film schools in the L.A. area, if you could manage to take classes there, would be of more benefit than doing them elsewhere, for this next reason.

NETWORKING: Possibly the single most vital element of breaking in is making personal contacts. Luck plays a big part in this, but you need mentors or to meet people who can help you get a foot in the door. If you read enough stories about how directors, actors, writers, just about anyone who breaks into the business does so because of someone who opened the door for them, gave them support, gave them a chance. You need to be in a location where you can carry on this kind of networking and/or form a strong network of like-minded friends. You can't make movies alone.

I’d like to offer additional, slightly different responses. While you may be the next talent Hollywood is waiting for (and I really hope that is true!) Taratino’s experience is one in many million. You can take a chance, but you should know the odds.

Filmmaking is a craft. You can learn it on the job, but your learning depends on the jobs. As an actor, I went to college and grad school and it was not a guarantee, but I wanted to increase my chances. College increases your chances of success. Doesn’t make it automatic and many without college find great success.

But more than that, it opens you up to worlds you may not encounter on your own, in a condensed time, where your sole purpose is to experiment, fail and learn. You meet people that may never cross your path and that only makes you a better artist. That’s rarely a luxury when you’re learning on the job.

I’m saddled with school loans that will take me years to pay, so I can’t in good conscience suggest taking out loans to go to school. But between you and me, yeah, get some school loans and go to film school!! Be around other artists and learn your craft. Learn about cinema history and be educated when you find your place in it.

Best of luck. You WILL make movies and we will see them.

Folks are being subtly blackmailed into attending college. College is a particular type of education and not necessarily the best for everyone. And yet -- still -- there is this stigma that if you don't go to and graduate from college, you are less of a person somehow.

I have never asked one of the people who have worked on my films if they went to college. I've never been asked. If it's so important, how come no one really cares?

To be fair, yeah, I went to college. I have a B.S. and an M.A. I was even an Assistant Professor teaching... wait for it... screenwriting and filmmaking.

My suggestion is nearly always the same:

• Take the money you would spend on college, move to LA, then apprentice yourself to legitimate film productions. They need to be more than just a couple of kids making a film. You may have to start out as a PA for a large production.

• Educate yourself about the industry. Find out how it all works. Learn the lingo so you sound like you know what you're talking about. All this is available either in person or in books or online.

• Your entree is: "I want to be a filmmaker and I'm willing to work for nothing so I can learn."

• If you get good and people like you and like to work with you, they WILL start to pay you.

CAUTION: Try to NOT get a place with a bunch of supposedly like minded guys. Be very, very picky about who your roommates are. It will cost a bit in the beginning 'til you scope out the place. Accept that. Eventually you will get the survival "chops."

• Scout out what "emergency jobs" are available where you land in case your funds drop too low, too soon. Don't wait 'til you're actually nearly broke.

Filmmaking is a craft. Crafts are traditionally an apprentice-based endeavor. Everyone I've ever talked with says they have to retrain film school graduates. Film schools create auteurs, not industry professionals.

By the time your peers graduate from college, you'll be an associate producer and they'll be coming to you, asking for a job.

Bet ya.

So, I'l start with the standard "college is important, and provides much more than just knowledge within your chosen field and job opportunities later". That said, you don't actually *need* a degree of any kind to work in Film/TV, you just need to get a foot in the door and then have a strong work ethic. Every job is an audition for your next job, and it's a small business where word gets around, so you can't slack on anything. The good part is that every job you do on a production, even the most boring PA stuff, can make you a better filmmaker down the road if you pay attention. I know tons of people with degrees in production, tons with degrees in something else completely, and tons with no degree or certification at all. If you can't afford college go get a job in the department you want on a set, or take what you can get to pay the bills. And don't forget about rental houses if you want to learn more about gear - they're a great way to get hands on experience with cameras and lights, and a lot of DP's start there. Also, give some thought to Atlanta - there's a ton of work there right now, and the cost of living is lower than NYC by a good bit.