I guess my tossing out a word like “useful” is incredibly vague since there are so many interpretations of the word. What I really meant by “useful” is to find a field you love which also has a market for graduates in that field. Robert believes something like Chinese would be useful, I would say something along the lines of business, although that’s pretty cookie-cutter.
@J.D. a word like “useful” is incredibly vague
Wenmar’s ultimate goal in life is to veer from intelligence, not to find himself “useful.”
One must have intelligence to be able to veer from it.
I hope this from another thread you will find analogous:
The point of sports is the same as the point of sex: to veer from intelligence
I’ve never read that the MFA is basically the same thing as the BA. Is this true for most universities? Also, what does the selection committees look for in a student?
It depends whether you’re talking about MFA or MA and BFA or BA. MFA and BA are largely the same except for infinately smaller class sizes and the general structure of the degree. What you’re learning is essentially the same, however. BFA’s are organised like regular BA programs, while MFA’s and MA’s cycle around a big final of some kind (a paper or a film, etc.) due for review after the program. This is the case in 90% of universities, except some small-ish art schools that have a BA program more ressembling the MA/ MFA program.
As for your second question, are you talking about BA/BFA or MA/MFA? They’re quite different, and it varies from school to school. I imagine you know universities look for, but MA/MFA they generally want to see that you’re well rounded (but not too much) and have some impressive badge of some kind. For example, you had a Cum. GPA of 3.8 or 9, you graduated magna cum laude, you did three minors instead of one or two, you did both pre-med and pre-law etc.
Generally, you’ll get in if you have good grades and a decent program. If you’re talking Harvard, it’s just moreso.
Between film BFA or MFA, the only real difference is whether or not you study four years of “something else” beforehand. This is usually recomendable, especially for young adults (18-24) unless they really know what they’re doing. It’s astounding the amomunt of people who quit Fine Arts programs or who graduate and are unhappy with it (if you think it’ll qualify you for a job in film, think again. I’ve gotten picked as a PA before film school grad’s on sets before because the director or the DP had the impression they usually feel too “entitled.” What people want in real life is enthusiasm and experience). Keep in mind though that generally BA=> MFA ok, BFA=> MA rarely works.
http://singlestill.tumblr.com/
Experiencing films through stills.
advice, for what is worth:
do undergrad- that is where the most hungry/ambitious students are. Egos will be blazing, but don’t get caught up in the drama- be the guy that gets along and is always helpful- to self-obsessed “genius’s’” and dismissed “no-talents” alike. Don’t be afraid to ask people to help you on your projects- and treat them well. You will have NO idea which people will “make it”- it sometimes takes 10 years after graduation, and it sometimes will be the class clown.
try to get a side gig while at school in the industry- probably as an intern (avoid officy stuff- hands on is better). Don’t scoff at jobs that are not glamorous. If you do this DURING school you will start to see the reality of the industry, and not get too caught up in the artistic visions of 19 year old colleagues. Art is very very important- but don’t cloister yourself, because film is an industry that requires a very pragmatic approach. You want to avoid the post graduation vacuum where the only job you can get is as a PA. try to do some of that job stuff BEFORE graduating.
Don’t be afraid to specialize early (dp, music, editor) even if your desire is to direct. Don’t be afraid if people type-cast you as a dp, or an editor and want to use your talents. The key is to set yourself up in the industry in order to make the leap to directing. The key is to be useful to other people. Being an ambitious unproven director with a script in his hand but few friends is the much harder path. It’s easier if you first secure your place in the industry.
as far as “rounding” yourself with other subjects- do that only if you want. Many “round” themselves in college and then “forget all that college crap” once they get to LA. The best thing is to follow your gut, and to read, read, read. A guy who has obsessively read 40 books on biker gangs will be a better artist then one who is “well rounded” because “it’s the right thing to do.” Some folks naturally go the “well rounded” route, but If it is not your thing, then don’t force it. If something grabs your attention, than read, read, read about it.
Don’t get spoiled by the structure of film school. They hand you assignments. They demand you complete them. Your co-students have to be the crew. All films are screened and everyone comments- It all seems so… methodical. It is not the best way to learn the most important skill of all (for a director) – that is leadership. If you decide to shoot a three minute film some summer, outside of school, you will learn a lot more about leadership abilities. You will have to coax and cajole and ask for favors and sell people on your ideas. You will have to learn how to present yourself. You will have to convince people that a movie should be made, that making a movie is better than hanging out, drinking beer and having a good summer. (good luck)
my two cents.
@Two Plus Two: That actually is great advice…
But yes, don’t try to be rounded (or not), just be yourself. Follow your interests for God’s sake, it’s not hard! Also yes, be a PA as soon as possible. The most important is to make friends and see what it’s like on real sets (the bigger the better, the bigger the crazier). It shouldn’t be surprising the guys you grab a beer with after an 18-hour day now are the guys going to propose you real jobs later. Sometimes it’ll just come out of the blue.
I believe in being excellent in one area than being decent in all areas. That’s just my philosophy. Thanks for the great advice.
It is perfectly legitimate to want to go to college to meet girls.
This is how we all share the same disappointments.
—PolarisDiB
@PolarisDiB: Collective disappointment? Love it.
How else are we supposed to create art that communicates with everybody?
—PolarisDiB
“Second, you’re going to college for the girls? I know that’s a joke, but it’s harder than you’d think to meet girls in college.”
HAA!
“there are two cute English girls
Robert, this phrase tells me that this whole scenario is an implausible thought experiment :) (Besides the fact that nothing sounds sexy or flirtatious in Chinese)"
HAAAAAAA!!
You guys are cracking me up!
I’m a freshman at university and i’m pretty thankful that I didn’t apply to my school’s college of communication to pursue a film major.
Ultimately, yes, I would like to be a filmmaker, but I’ve already experienced some of the students who are tentative film majors and i’m not moved.
The problem with young adults who are so adamant about being in the film industry is that they forget that a decent part of filmmaking is conceptualizing and visualizing films…
In my opinion, taking interesting classes and having a seemingly irrelevant major for undergrad is the best route…
To the statement – “I believe in being excellent in one area than being decent in all areas”,
How can you make interesting and creative movies if you’re not well versed in certain fields of study? My favorite filmmakers are also great thinkers… then again, I don’t know your exact plans for the film industry.
I agree with the networking, however.. I know a couple people who went to NYU for grad school and if you have the money for it, and the grades for it, you really meet people. Which is why, in four years, I intend to go to a good grad school…
Until then i’m just watching movies, joining film clubs, sliding a few film classes into my schedule, etc…
To summarize: If you don’t pursue a film major in undergrad there are still ways to improve your film skills. You say that game design is the only other thing you would attempt, but college is all about trying new things…
Some people are saying that a BA/BFA is equal to an MA/MFA even though I thought that you had to have the BA/BFA to even get the MA/MFA.
I wouldn’t necessarily go to film school. I go to a liberal arts college which gives me a lot of options (obviously there are other types of colleges that ALSO give plenty of choices). I knew I wanted to major in film studies but JUST IN CASE I changed my mind, I wanted to know that I COULD change my mind. I actually go to a school that has a stronger science program than an arts program but I love it. I also am able to take classes at other liberal arts colleges in the area and feel I am pursuing film in the best way I can.
To quote Little Miss Sunshine, “Do what you love and fuck the rest.”
The problem with young adults who are so adamant about being in the film industry is that they forget that a decent part of filmmaking is conceptualizing and visualizing films.
Indeed, the only film (prod.) majors I know that have even the most abstract attention to photography are… film photography students. It’s funny, cause I’ve seen some pretty creative movies that fail horribly for lack of half decent photography.
Some people are saying that a BA/BFA is equal to an MA/MFA even though I thought that you had to have the BA/BFA to even get the MA/MFA.
What you say is absolutely true, but MA/MFA coursework is 80% the same as undergraduate. If you take a normal 300-level or 400-level course in practically any US/UK university, you’ll find graduate students there. In language courses, you get graduate students at the 200-level (i.e. beginners).
Thanks for all the great advice. I really appreciate it.
If I were to major in something totally different than Film. Perhaps a liberal arts. What schools should I apply to? I’m currently planning to apply to universities that have a renowned or recognized film program. Maybe I would still apply to those universities and take film classes for electives? Or not even take film class. Just borrow film equipment, make my own shorts, help out with other students’ shorts, etc…
There are three other majors that I’m feeling for: English, Psychology, and Philosophy. I may love them, I may not. I may discover more majors that I actually love. Or not.
Slow down. You’re not supposed to pick your major before you even apply to a college. Unless you’re offered a scholarship to study a specific thing, take your time and explore. You declare your major when you’re a sophomore.
Hi I’m currently an Electronic Media and Film major at a university. I spent a lot of time in a two year college finding out what I love to do. I started in Graphic Design then Photography and then fell in love with Film. My plan is to work in film editing or as a directory of photography in cinematography. Why in the world would I get my BA in anything else unless it’s English! Writing and film are hand in hand, but most film majors include creative writing and script writing so you learn what you need to instead of learning research papers. Not knocking other majors. History would be good if your into historical movies and philosophy could help with writing characters, but don’t go to far from similar majors or you will simply be wasting your time and money. I don’t like taking classes that I will never use, drives me crazy! I also hate seeing people in a major because they might make a lot of money when they graduate, if you don’t like what your doing your likely to fail. If your applying and have good grades then I suggest USC if you want industry or NYU if you want independent experimental. Both are top ranked film schools as well as in Business, English, Science, Math and many others. My plans for my MFA is USC’s film and television program, that way I will have a great network to the industry. I just can’t find that on the east coast outside NY and I’m not an independent film person.
Mary
Plastics.