7 answers
Mo
Student
Macon, Georgia
2
Questions
Asked
467 views
How to decide between a major in film or finance?
I'm torn because my film teacher said that you don't need a degree to work in film, but isn't that the same with accounting? My true career goal is to become a film director, but I can't practice anything without equipment -equipment is expensive and from what I know accounting pays pretty well if you know what you're doing. I'm interested in both, but don't know what I should major in - and what I should minor in.
Login to comment
6 answers
Rai Fleming
Accountant
3
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Rai’s Answer
Major in accounting. I'm an accountant with 2 degrees. Everyone I know either majored in business, finance, econ, or accounting. This economy is not the best right now and you should protect your future by majoring in something that you know will get you a job. Having said that, you can always center your extracurricular activities around film. Lots of people who I know from b-school were in fashion clubs or are currently doing comedy/ local theater outside of their day to day jobs. Don't give up on your passion but protect your pockets!
Jose Lainez
Account Management
5
Answers
San Pedro Sula, Cortés Department, Honduras
Updated
Jose’s Answer
Hello Mo! If your true career goal is to be a film director, you should work towards that goal and major in that. I understand that equipment might be expensive but I've seen tons of Youtube videos that cover what equipment you can use, that are not that expensive, and provide other alternatives. With that said, you can minor in accounting, which will help you track, and organize personal and company finances, and prepare and adhere to a budget. As you know, in film, you will be given a budget to make a film, and having accounting skills will transfer into the money piece of the conversation as well as problem-solving skills. The other advice I would give you is that you should not wait to have the "perfect" equipment to start shooting, because that excuse will not help you begin your career in filmmaking.
This new era of content creation suits perfectly for bright young mids who want to create new visuals and make a statement, so take advantage of it.
Hopefully, this helps!
This new era of content creation suits perfectly for bright young mids who want to create new visuals and make a statement, so take advantage of it.
Hopefully, this helps!
Anthea Liu
Sales Compensation
1
Answer
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Anthea’s Answer
Hi Mo! I majored in both film and business administration at USC. You can do both, you just have to map out what you want to do, be curious and and ask lots of questions (which you're already starting out great with!). I saw both sides of film, creative and business and continue to study finance as well. I interned in film and it was definitely a joy, but yes it can be financially challenging, but that is often the case with chasing dreams that are not "stable". At the end I didn't end up staying in film and have a finance job in tech which I absolutely love! So truly the answer is explore both sides, that's what college is all about and you'll get a feel for what fits for you.
Katie Adler
Marketing
3
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Katie’s Answer
I completely agree with Rai's advice above! Whether it's accounting specifically or a more high level business degree, this is what I recommend you major in. Depending on the university, you can explore minoring in Film or as Rai said above, take advantage of the extracurricular activities and clubs that the school has to offer - if the school has a Film department, they absolutely have a ton of organizations you can join. At the end of the day, employers care most about your experience - not your major. So having a degree in business provides you a very strong safety net when looking for a job (should you need it) and you can build your film portfolio with projects you work on on the side. Hope this helps and good luck!!
Christopher Fox
Cinematographer/Video Editor
1
Answer
Vineyard, UT
Updated
Christopher’s Answer
Here is my advice and context for it. When I decided to do film school I did it at a smaller university rather than moving to California to go to a large expensive school. The reasons were that like you I wasn't sure if it would be worth the money and I figured that if it didn't work out I could always switch majors and do something else. For me, it did work out but I'll leave a few things here that may influence your decision.
The main benefit of going to school for film was networking, there was very little if any practical knowledge that I obtained from school that wasn't taught online and better for free. My professors were mostly older, the gear I was given wasn't current and I had to take a bunch of classes that had nothing to do with the career I wanted to pursue. The networking however was very valuable and would be hard to do unless you were already very involved and rubbing shoulders with your local film community and doing your own self led education. You could do it that way though and I've met very talented people who are working in film that do not have a degree. My other thought was if I finished my degree I would have a Bachelors and that would make it easier to get jobs in the future, that has not turned out to be the case.
You claim that equipment is expensive, but earning a college degree in film at a college or university can easily cost as much as $100,000 or more. That's A LOT of gear, way more than you would need to practice. You could easily buy enough gear to make quality films for less than $15k USD, that's significantly less than school where you may not even get that much benefit from the gear you have. The benefit of school though would be that you may be able to have the opportunity to direct, there are many people who want to direct and not many funded projects so that will be a hurdle to overcome. I was able to do pretty well for myself working in corporate video production but lately lost my job and the economy is difficult right now with many companies cutting marketing positions so that's something to think about as well.
Figure out if you're a self starter that can teach yourself and can save some money to buy some equipment and reach out to people in your area to act and do things on set to help you practice directing.
If you don't think that's you, I would suggest finding a relatively cheap film program, then befriend everyone you can in your program. This will be huge for getting work.
If you're parents are rich just go to whatever film school you want and they can fund your movies.
If you decide to go to a cheaper school, get an accounting major and a film minor if that's an option.
The main benefit of going to school for film was networking, there was very little if any practical knowledge that I obtained from school that wasn't taught online and better for free. My professors were mostly older, the gear I was given wasn't current and I had to take a bunch of classes that had nothing to do with the career I wanted to pursue. The networking however was very valuable and would be hard to do unless you were already very involved and rubbing shoulders with your local film community and doing your own self led education. You could do it that way though and I've met very talented people who are working in film that do not have a degree. My other thought was if I finished my degree I would have a Bachelors and that would make it easier to get jobs in the future, that has not turned out to be the case.
You claim that equipment is expensive, but earning a college degree in film at a college or university can easily cost as much as $100,000 or more. That's A LOT of gear, way more than you would need to practice. You could easily buy enough gear to make quality films for less than $15k USD, that's significantly less than school where you may not even get that much benefit from the gear you have. The benefit of school though would be that you may be able to have the opportunity to direct, there are many people who want to direct and not many funded projects so that will be a hurdle to overcome. I was able to do pretty well for myself working in corporate video production but lately lost my job and the economy is difficult right now with many companies cutting marketing positions so that's something to think about as well.
Christopher recommends the following next steps:
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1825
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mo !
Congratulations on getting into a Film program whether it is at a University or a specialized private Film School ! That's wonderful since you mention that your true career goal is to become a Film Director. Based on what you've asked, I see that you may be having doubts about your career choice, the education and will need to make a decision to move forward one way or the other.
Most film students enroll in a film program because they have a strong passion to become the most skilled filmmaker they can be. Things such as future work does not enter the picture before they are trained as they love it so much, they would do it for free but know one day they will be professional. They are confident about that. They also realize that when they do become a filmmaker, that they will work on projects or freelance or obtain work through strong contacts (which can be made in college or film school) and that the degree in Film was for the purpose of getting the most versatile and diverse training. If you do not find that this applies to you, then your thoughts of being a Certified Public Accountant as you've mentioned, should be acted upon. The two careers require specific and focused education.
If you are in Film School or a Film Department at a University, they are equipped with all the tools that a film student needs. I am surprised that they didn't orient you to the equipment for use by students as well as studios to use. I have to also say that I am quite surprised that a film professor would actually tell a student that they do not "need" the degree that they themselves are teaching! You need the training, experience and the networking that the degree path would bring for you. If you venture on to EBay, you will be very surprised at the low cost equipment you can purchase. Also look on Craig's List, too. You're a student, you are not expected to buy mutli-thousand dollar equipment. There are also such video cameras that shoot video that looks like film. You can apply for scholarships and grants and use the money to purchase equipment low cost or however much if you are serious about a career in film and achieving as a film student. Also ask friends and family if you might borrow any equipment they have and give them a screen credit on your student films as a producer of sorts.
It seems as though you are reaching some barriers and this would be a great time to speak with the Dean or Director of your Film Program. You are probably not the only student ever with these concerns, so they may be able to inform and guide you if you want to stay in film.
Ultimately, the choice is yours because only you know the experience you are having and you must be true to yourself. No matter what career one chooses, there's no prediction of how it will be. You can hear the generalizations about a career, but you never know how it will actually be for you. It's a chance you take and making secure, good ,confident decisions based on what is in your heart, and what your dream future is, will help you in the long run.
Do return here to ask more questions if need be. Best wishes to you in all you do !
Congratulations on getting into a Film program whether it is at a University or a specialized private Film School ! That's wonderful since you mention that your true career goal is to become a Film Director. Based on what you've asked, I see that you may be having doubts about your career choice, the education and will need to make a decision to move forward one way or the other.
Most film students enroll in a film program because they have a strong passion to become the most skilled filmmaker they can be. Things such as future work does not enter the picture before they are trained as they love it so much, they would do it for free but know one day they will be professional. They are confident about that. They also realize that when they do become a filmmaker, that they will work on projects or freelance or obtain work through strong contacts (which can be made in college or film school) and that the degree in Film was for the purpose of getting the most versatile and diverse training. If you do not find that this applies to you, then your thoughts of being a Certified Public Accountant as you've mentioned, should be acted upon. The two careers require specific and focused education.
If you are in Film School or a Film Department at a University, they are equipped with all the tools that a film student needs. I am surprised that they didn't orient you to the equipment for use by students as well as studios to use. I have to also say that I am quite surprised that a film professor would actually tell a student that they do not "need" the degree that they themselves are teaching! You need the training, experience and the networking that the degree path would bring for you. If you venture on to EBay, you will be very surprised at the low cost equipment you can purchase. Also look on Craig's List, too. You're a student, you are not expected to buy mutli-thousand dollar equipment. There are also such video cameras that shoot video that looks like film. You can apply for scholarships and grants and use the money to purchase equipment low cost or however much if you are serious about a career in film and achieving as a film student. Also ask friends and family if you might borrow any equipment they have and give them a screen credit on your student films as a producer of sorts.
It seems as though you are reaching some barriers and this would be a great time to speak with the Dean or Director of your Film Program. You are probably not the only student ever with these concerns, so they may be able to inform and guide you if you want to stay in film.
Ultimately, the choice is yours because only you know the experience you are having and you must be true to yourself. No matter what career one chooses, there's no prediction of how it will be. You can hear the generalizations about a career, but you never know how it will actually be for you. It's a chance you take and making secure, good ,confident decisions based on what is in your heart, and what your dream future is, will help you in the long run.
Do return here to ask more questions if need be. Best wishes to you in all you do !