In Their Own Words: What Film School Alumni Wish They Knew
Data tells you what is happening, but the written survey responses tell you why. We asked our 100+ anonymous film school alumni to dig deeper into how their programs actually shaped their careers, what they would have done differently if they could go back, and whether they would recommend their path to someone starting today.
Below is the raw, unedited commentary from graduates reflecting on the true value of their degrees, the crushing weight of student debt, and the power of the networks they built.
I gained a lot of leadership skills with the clubs I joined and opportunities staff gave me
Many early jobs were directly or indirectly through connections I made during my time at school.
Prior to film school, I felt I had bits and pieces of skills I needed to confidently make a film, but I could never put them together as a coherent whole. USC did that for me. What I learned was nothing new, but the way they taught me and the competitive, pressure-cooker environment I was thrown in crystallized what I knew and made me confident in my abilities.
USC was a major plus on my resume
Film school didn’t give me shit. I learned more from Youtube Filmmakers than the, “accomplished professors” at school.
This survey’s concept of ‘the business’ and ‘film school’ is too restricting to include either my masters research or doctoral interests. My MA through research allowed me to create my field of interest and connect it to storytelling.
It wasn't about studies. It was about to be able work with peers, shape and show my skill. Conections with great documentary directors.
It didn't, if you mean the film business
Film school provided me with invaluable connections and hands-on experience, particularly through internships that led to my first jobs in the industry. The collaborative environment helped me build a solid network of peers.
Friends in the business, collaborators. No doors opened. That’s sales nonsense.
I don't know if it directly did, job opportunities providing through the university were non existent and only through personal connections have I been able to get any work
There’s like 1 or 2 meaningful connections from film school - otherwise it didn’t help my career much at all
If I were a caucasian male my story would be different.
I wasn't very social, there was only one friend I kept through college. He and I both moved to LA, and his sister met someone that got him a Covid PA job on Dear White People. Once I moved to LA the following year, I was able to hop on the show Gaslit with him.
I was hands on with equipment and software 2 years faster than the universities in my state, and that gave me an advantage of having experience over my university peers.
I think college in general helped me see how you go about networking and marketing yourself.
I became a better storyteller and made local connections.
The people were the only part of film school worth it to me
It helped me get my first job at CNN but mostly it was just a way to delay adulthood a few years
It didn’t.
Mainly the connections with other peers who would recommend me to jobs, and the ability to use gear freely to experiment and figure out how to work with said gear so I was ready when I got onto jobs.
At montana state we didn’t have much of an Alumni group. Almost no options for internships, zero help finding work after graduating. But comparing my peers to other film school graduates, we were so much more capable on set and handling gear than other schools grads. Very few of us worked as PAs for long because our skills were too useful in other rolls. But also very few of us have risen to the highest positions because of our lack of alumni and prestige that some other schools have.
Film School was the perfect opportunity for me to stop my previous career (architecture) and take the time to pivot and learn new skills. I was significantly older than my classmates and I was in grad school for a reason. So I tried to make sure that I was making the best use of my time in school.
I moved to Los Angeles with a group of people I met in film school. Without them I most likely would not have had the push to move to LA alone.
Allowed me to meet a team who's been able to help produce my first feature
It didn’t
Every job I have had since graduating has been because of the people I met in grad school
It didn’t, we were all left to figure everything out ourselves after they were done with us
Good proximity
My skills improved a lot while at film school, and it helped give me the confidence that I could do this.
Film school is the only reason I ever learned how movies get made. Before I started, I barely even realized that “making movies” was a job a person could have. Though the institution itself was corrupt and a mess, my professors cared deeply about teaching us all to be professionals and the production process from end to end. My peer network got me every job I’ve ever held - the alumni and graduate “employment placement programs” never did a thing, but my friends and I have all helped each other get work at one time or another.Overall, I know that film school was expensive and difficult, but it made me the film professional I am today.
Make all the stupid mistakes before it matters
Carnegie Mellon didn’t offer any support in my career path and was a mistake. They advertise a fraudulent program and they scam students into attending.
Helped me get an entertainment internship
Meeting people and working with them is helpful. Learning the art of narrative is critical.
It didn't.
It got me skills and confidence.
Offering an internship program in Los Angeles. They did not find internships
My first project in film school, I got a shopping agreement for a reality show idea I had. I couldn't have done that without my professor advocating for me and setting up those meetings. I ultimately didn't sell a show, but I got further than most in my class.
Film school was a lot of fun. It allowed me to realize that directing wasn't for me although I did enjoy editing a ton. I edited the school's soap opera on 3/4 tape linear systems. I shot and edited a documentary of mine. It was a lot of fun - I also interned at a bunch of post houses in Boston and at Avid Technology which got me where I am today.
I wish I hadn't gone during a pandemic, I think I would've broken in faster
Networked more and better. Connected more with faculty and alums.
I wish I had put my peers and my connections above the work. I was so focused on making good work in school to get noticed and get ahead of others at the expense of personal relationships. Film school work doesn't matter as much as relationships that will last a lifetime.
applied myself more in undergrad
Nothing, I loved film school
Not gone
Made more films
Pursue skills that translated to jobs but in reality the film program at CSULA was woefully inadequate and out of touch with the industry.
NetWorked a little bit more.
I used the term ‘short film’ to describe one of my projects, I should have said ‘experimental film that happens to be short’. The result was to confuse my supervisor and mentors about what I was actually doing and missing out on what they might have contributed.
Be more open to commercial work
I should have more actively look for internships.
I wish I had networked more instead of focusing solely on projects.
Written as feature, mastered editing - a real hard skill that pays.
I would have done my senior project differently, highlighting my lighting and cinematography skills.
Interviewed the program more, there was a lot of disorganization within the program and I think speaking with current students it would have been made clear to me
Maybe went to a more renowned film school instead of a SUNY
Chosen either a different field or different university
I wish I changed majors.
I wish I had written and directed more of my own stuff instead of mostly working on other people's projects
Talked to more people, made more projects, watched more movies, went to film school in Los Angeles rather than New York. Only a few people from the east coast actually moved out here from my school.
I wish I had directed more.
The film school part of my college was basically a joke, so maybe I should’ve gone to a place that students took more seriously. But in the end, college is what you make of it,
I think I got the most of my experience but could have maybe gone to a better school
Networking - the school didn’t emphasize how important this would be and I felt unprepared after graduation for that reality
I don't regret getting my MFA, but I sometimes wish I had waited a bit longer between undergrad and grad school so I could figure out what I truly wanted. I love writing but my focus has shifted and I think if I had waited, I might've chosen to pursue an MFA in another writing form, besides screenwriting. Or I might've decided I didn't need an MFA at all.
Dropped out, and started working sooner
I wish that I solely focused not on the filmmaking major and would've just made connections in Film clubs and peer/alumni networks because ultimately that is what mostly influenced my career progression.
I should've been nicer and more open to criticism
Make better projects. Contacted real celebrities and production houses for internships.
Gone to The Philippines.
Watched more of the films that were offered for screening
I attacked film school with everything I had. I probably wouldn’t change anything.
I wish that I didn't put any films on credit cards. That's been the biggest issue post-graduation. Student loan debt is fine, but credit card debt is not.
More clubs
I wish I had spent more time making my own projects instead of helping with others.
Made more films, starting GAing earlier to save more money
Nothing different!
I wish I started applying to Agencies more often in my last semester to get a full time entry level gig on graduation. Should have dropped out of my business certificate program to achieve this.
Quit immediately.
I wish I had participated in fewer student films and focused more on my relationship with faculty.
I don't think there's anything in particular I would've done differently.
I’m not too sure, being more social/outgoing to work on set didn’t seem to do much. Neither did fostering relationships with faculty
Network like crazy, get more projects going, don’t just go with the flow of the program, don’t wait for a yes or opportunities to appear. Take more risks and move boldly to what you want
Pushed the bar more.
I wish I had been better at networking with producing students.
I wish I would have majored in something that made me employable while minoring in Film instead.
I wish I’d taken a breath and realized it would all come in due time. Instead, I worked on every single project I could and burned myself out - though it could be argued that that’s how I learned to have the work ethic that I do. So who knows
I wish I was more ambitious with learning other skills or program that the school did not offer at the time.
Not attended Carnegie Mellon. There are programs that are worth it but not here
Gone later — when digital media had broken.
I wish I didn't relocate to a different city to study a shitarse theory course
Made more actual films
Focused a lot more on networking outside of film school with people who are in the jobs that I am aiming for.
I did everything right.
I wish I'd been even more active in networking, and spent even more time building practical skills outside of the classroom. However, I was in film school during COVID, so it was a bit tough.
do more creative things (Write more)
Transferred to an LA based school with access to internships and an alumni network that wouldve actually helped me. Also the professors at my college didnt know ANYTHING about how the business actually works. The words "talent agent" were never uttered ONCE despite them being an incredibly vital and important part of the ecosystem of the film business.
Taken anti anxiety medication
I wish I interned more and networked with more people
it was great for me but not many of my peers found it worth it
I wish I would have gone to a less expensive film school
I made the most out of my time there.
Found ways to save more money, taken more internships
I wish I had been more serious about writing, instead of producing.
Didn’t go
Studied abroad, double majored in journalism
I'm not entirely sure. I wish I tried making more serious films. All my student films were comedic and fun in nature.
Pitched more and earlier to big companies.
I wished I had my projects ready to go right out of the gate. I'm lucky I still have a manager, but I'm walking on eggshells everyday, afraid they'd drop me, because 3 years later, I'm still at work on my first project.
Not sure
Foresaw the future
Stop wasting time with film related pursuits and gone in the stock market investing money. Cause I’d be a fucking millionaire right now.
I don’t knowSince Covid hit the industry pretty hard. Meaning I don’t know how I could’ve avoided that after graduation.
I wish ny doctoral work at Birmingham had not been interrupted, but feel moving forward independently is the only practical plan at this point.
Hard to tell
I wish I had pursued more internships immediately after graduation.
Worked at an agency. Not worked for a director for so long. Should have worked for several. Should have realized I make my fate and the boss doesn’t care.
Moved out of Georgia sooner tbh, no work there Currie tly
Maybe produced more of my own content
I wish I'd moved on from film / tv hopes right away
I would have gone back to school for something else.
I wish I had hit the ground running a little faster and worked hard on making my own projects
Reached out to more alumni via LinkedIn that were already living and established in LA.
This ones tough because im happy with my path immediatly after graduation, but maybe i could have took more time out of my full time job to join the few major productions in my state.
No, I think I’ve made mostly good decisions.
I think I should have made more films right out of school
Not worked for an independent film company that was flatlining and going nowhere -- it did nothing for my career besides make me hate the industry.
Nothing, just wish I dropped out before graduation
Don't get me started
Tried to get a real job in a production office, not on a set.
Hunkered down harder when I moved to LA
I probably would have focused on editing quicker. I could have probably gotten in the union 2/3 years earlier and started racking up those hours.
That's a hard question to answer at the moment. But I'm sure it's related to credit card debt.
More no-budget shorts
Moved to Los Angeles sooner. From graduation to moving was 2 years.
Had more of a budget for life circumstances. Suddenly medical diagnoses, additional financial tax for being neurodivergent (losing keys, etc.), crashing car, etc.
Learn how to market myself
Nothing in particular. I think I did the best I could do given I graduated into the double strike.
Enter the workforce and not be picky about which job I got, along with making film material with my network
Get a job! I thought I needed to be freelance to be free for gigs or films that came up but for young people the benefits of working with larger companies or more experienced people often outweigh the practical returns on job flexibility
Nada. Moving out west was exactly what I wanted to do
I wish I was better at navigating agent/manager relationships.
I would have saved more money before attempting Los Angeles.
I wish I hadn’t assumed a career in production would somehow get me anywhere close to a career in directing. The two tracks run parallel and I was too naive to understand that
Written more steadily, perhaps moved to LA.
Made more actual films
Networked even more than I did.
I did everything right.
immediately apply to teaching jobs
Wish I would have followed up more with connections
I wish I had kept up with my network.
Sometimes I think I should have tried to get into scripted studio stuff instead of applying to post houses when I got to LA - I should have tried to enter the studio system as an assistant editor . But I love what I do now. It would be hard to get back into scripted features - all my connections there have dried up.
I've never felt that film school was worth it. Especially after 25+ years seeing new grads coming me out with a minimum of applicable skills. I'd much rather hire someone who went a trade school route or just started working and worked their way up. To me, four years of school is four years you could've been working.
I went to USC. Going to a top film school will make an enormous difference.
I feel film school is a good first step, but it's just that. You need the funds and the time to last the period after graduation until you 'make it.' Without resources to sustain yourself for at least 5 years after graduation, the best film school education won't mean a thing because you won't last.
depends on the school, my undergrad is not what it once was but would recommend my grad school
The industry is dead in the US
Look at the current state of the film industry. Is it worth taking the chance and potentially losing a decade or two of your working life?
I think Point Park helped a lot in showing what filmmaking was and trying to figure out what you wanna do. It wasn’t perfect by means at the time they thought they were going to get a lot of production in Pittsburgh so nowadays there’s a precaution I would say where it’s like you’re gonna go to a place where they don’t actually have a lot of networking going on anymore
It is not ‘film school’ it is film studies focussed on directing, producing, or writing supported by a large network of working professionals and requiring creative deliverables.
Film school helps you find specifically what you like and more importantly what you don’t like to do in the industry. Also gives you really fun time to experiment and make connections with like minded individuals
In Slovakia we don't pay for school. Of corse it has a lot of problems but best thing that I recommend to everybody is that you have ability to work with great people, make friends and create portfolio.
The knowledge about cameras and production still applies for event planning and Social Media among other careers. It's transferable knowledge.
The program has its merits, but financial caution is important.
I think the cost is so great in the industry is dying so I would never recommend someone takeout alone because they simply won’t be able to pay it off and they won’t be able to make phones because they’ll be doing in debt to afford to do anything unless they come from a wealthy family
It's hard times in the film business right now. Starting a new career with significant debt almost guarantees you'll have to bail out & get a regular job to cover the debt.
I think programs can change quickly so whether a program is worth it is up to the individual. I do feel like the friends and collaborators I made through the program were worth it, even if the classwork and learning was sub-par.
If you’re going to film school, go to a Top 5 film school, not a whatever school - the connections you meet there may last the rest of your life
Loyola did not prepare me for the real world.
I would absolutely recommend film school, especially for people who already do not have industry connections. Even though I did already have industry connections, film school allowed me to have a college experience without feeling like I was wasting my time on a subject that I ultimately didn't want to end up in. I was able to make movies without having to worry about cost because everyone would work on everyone else's projects for free. My school still gave me access to equipment and professors that I would not have had access to otherwise. Additionally, the liberal arts/less film focused part of my education is something that I think is valuable for everyone and I believe it helped contribute to me being a well rounded individual.
Film school is not necessary. I could have made my own movies with that $100,000 tuition I spent on an "education" that I could've given myself by watching movies and taking notes. The best education is learned first-hand, at least for me. All my teachers were teaching an outdated system too. the Film industry is dying because it cannot keep up with the times (i.e. social media/youtube creation).
Get onto set. Film schools don't teach you the practicalities of making a film or commercial. They only teach the theory and higher art form part of filmmaking.
Best learn by doing. No one has ever asked me about my education.
I don’t think my school has a very good film program anymore. It’s underfunded and understaffed
I got a lot more other than film school out of my degree—I was a double major and involved in a few on campus organizations and made a lot of friends I still have today. Go to film school if you think you will have a worthwhile experience, even if it doesn’t lead directly to your dream job
Industry is much smaller today than 10 years ago and I’m lucky.
I loved have two years where my biggest priority was writing. I loved having the space and resources to make the most out of it and get to workshop with other writers pursuing the same path. But it wasn't worth the debt I took out for sure.
Paying full price is too much for what you get
I would recommend pursing connections in Film clubs and peer/alumni networks over actually course study. Particularly if you have a interest in producing it may be more beneficial to have a Business/Accountant background.
I've steered my daughter away from a film degree but she still ended up choosing one in college. I dread the days she realizes his much disappointment awaits her.
Giant waste of time.
It is a growing program and is gaining a lot of good gear and expertise, and certainly a cheaper option if you live in Boise or don't have to take a ton of debt to get into it.
I don’t know the exact curriculum anymore. But as one of the cheaper film school options in the world. It’s one of the few that’s worth it. And it’s much more reasonable than most schools price wise.
While I think that film school was marginally helpful in my skills development, I also know I could have developed the same skills if I had just jumped into sets and watched some YouTube videos. Ultimately it was very expensive and as the industry is kind of in shambles right now, I can’t recommend it as a secure future. I wish I had gotten a degree in a fallback.
If you’re international, like me, it’s worth the visa and connections
I think grad students should have a real reason to go to grad school. It's a big commitment, so you shouldn't just be going because you feel like you have to or don't know what else to do.
NYU is the most expensive film school but I believe it was worth every penny.
The dual degree program did not help at all in my job search. Their worthless
In this day; college tuitions are increasing tremendously and the worth of that degree is dropping dramatically. It feels like most degrees are only useful in STEM careers. And even then- those careers can be satisfied with specialty certification courses.Unless you’re able to go to college with minimal amounts of debt; why go when one can use resources online to be self taught with no formal education.
UCLA isn't the best...
I think it's a good program but I've had a different path and needed my dayjob in order to make ends meet while in school.
Film school over charge.
Im lucky because I didn't haveto take out a loan and could afford film school. Because of that, I am forever grateful and happy. I am not sure how much I would have loved my experience if there was a serious financial stressor hanging over me during my time there.
Cost is less of an issue so much as the question, are they ready for film school?
I think that film school is worth it for specific types of people. I wouldn't recommend going into debt to go to film school, and if you already have film production experience it might not be worth it either. However, the network is what I found most helpful, and the structure in which to experiment and learn as well.
I finished undergrad with COVID in 2020. Then I graduated grad school in 2023 and the strikes occurred soon after, the timing of everything just devalued how I felt about the film school experience.
I would recommend people work in the industry before going to film school, especially if you want to do crew work or general video production. You can volunteer on student films and get a lot of the same practical education that the film students are paying 50-80k a year for. Would highly caution against going to film school for people who can’t afford it or have other options to get started in the businessRoi is very poor versus YouTube or paid job experience
School and networking are incredible, but not worth a lifetime of debt. If you’re motivated, you can definitely learn enough of it on your own to get started
I recommend a screenwriting MFA program for someone who has lots of ideas and knowledge on how to write for the screen, but needs the time and support to get it done. Before school, it took me years to write a script. In 17 months at school, I wrote 9 scripts. UCLA offers low tuition and TA opportunities so it's not terribly expensive. The rent and cost of living in LA is brutal though so debt is likely because if you have to get a job while in school than you're not going to get the most of school so it's kind of a catch-22.
I learned a tremendous amount in film school. I'm comfortable in academic environments and I had a wonderful time. I managed to graduate without much debt. But the vast majority of my classmates were out of the industry within five years.
Film school isn't worth it. You can learn more just by doing it yourself and watching YouTube tutorials.
I’d recommend a film school that is practical more than theoretical; and I’d say try your absolute best to get scholarships or reduce the overall cost/find a school that isn’t nearly as expensive. Prestige in a school means absolutely nothing, it’s about your peers and the curriculum itself. Does it require that you make movies? Then it’ll be a good learning experience.
The industry is convulsing beneath us and I would recommend a more stable career until it settles into its next iteration.
Whatever you do, don’t go to Carnegie Mellon
I wouldn’t recommend film as an undergrad. One should use that time to learn how to think and live a life of collecting stories. After some time in the real world, go to school and hone the craft of storytelling, cinematography, directing, or whatever moves you.
The best way to learn is to bank hours in a working environment
Your money is better spent making films
The prestige of the education does not actually matter on paper when you try to apply for jobs. People with a bachelors in an unrelated major are able to get the entry level jobs that you want just because they know someone in the company. The network in the school is unfortunately not all that extensive or helpful. Sure, you might get a couple of unpaid or low-paid gigs, or some vertical drama jobs that may or may not lead to something else.I would think twice before spending that much on a masters programme, only for your resume to be looked at the same as someone with a high school diploma/bachelor's degree. If you have parents who can financial support you several years post-grad, maybe it's worth it for you.
My kids are not allowed to go to film school. Instead they will either go to school for business or marketing or accounting - anything that could get them work in multiply industries. They are technically nepo babies so if they want to work in film then they can get work through me easily.
It was inarguably the best three years of my life.
It depends on your background. I came from a place where I had absolutely no film connections and lived in an area where there was little to no film industry. If that's you, film school may help open doors that weren't previously accessible to you. If you come from a more connected place, it may not do much more for you than you could already do yourself.
Either go to business school or move to an LA school with good connections. Networking is more important than skill.
I would go to film school, but only in a film city like New York, LA, Toronto and Vancouver and I wouldn't take on too much debt
the industry is on life support. much harder now. pivot to social media stuff!
the film industry is really not doing well and we don't expect it to get better in a few years. Please DO NOT go to film school on student loan. I've seen my friends who did and they struggle to pay it back. I only did it because my family can support me. I have received enough credits and awards and I have representation and plenty of opportunities and yet I have very little to show and not earning much. Most people from my cohort or the few cohorts above and below mine are doing work they consider worthless, being assistant to people and overworked, working on verticals that they hate, or not in the business anymore. I rarely know anyone who is completely satisfied with where they are five years out of film school. I know there is still time, but like I said, if you have money you can try, but don't get a loan.
I would recommend film school, but not at the cost and the lifetime of debt.
If you want to improve on your craft it's the best. If you want money right away it's not for you.
I do think Stark opened doors for me that I wouldn't have been able to if I hadn't gone there. It also helped me see myself as a creative and have more faith in my creative abilities.
Not an industry for those from working class backgrounds anymore
Film school is a total blast and definitely got me where I am today. I actually would LOVE to go back to film school. Maybe one day I will if they'll take old farts like me. But only for fun - maybe when I retire. BUT I don't recommend taking on a lot of debt for film school. The business has slowed down a bit and may be hard to pay it all off when you get in.
Opportunity for leadership roles
It cemented my desire to be in this industry.
How to think about and make films.
My understanding of the filmmaking process as a whole.
Practice working with others, communication skills,
The experience
Confidence
Friends
The film industry is a 1099 work for hire community exclusively for friends, fuck buddies, and occasionally families.
Generally, overall don’t be stupid don’t be a jerk, but to be specific for actual film stuff the idea of good safe and cheap as a triangle helped explain how to produce/make a Film a little bit.
A concrete ability to formally research subjects and form proposals for novel extensions to the current state of understanding.
Internship and experience/confidence
Experience and friendship
Learning to materialize ideas through budgets, schedules and contracts.
The most valuable thing I gained was a solid network of industry contacts.
Network, film literacy
Ability to improvise / change plans if things didn't go well. And how to work with the resources that are available.
You have to teach yourself and drive yourself, no one cares if your successful or not.
It’s less about film school, and more about college as a whole - it taught me independence and avenues to get involved and meet many people
Sorry, but nothing
1 friend.
Friends / A college experience
Realizing I can just make my own shit whenever I want, even when I don't have a crew, I still have a camera and a cat that I can play around with.
Hands on experience.
Film School in general set me straight after goofing off in the beginning during Gen-Eds
Learning how to tell better stories
Access to internships as well as friendships that sustained me
A portfolio of scripts when I graduated.
The connections
Peer to Peer / Alumni Connections
It will sound facile but it was learning how to put away equipment.
A film set isn’t a democracy, it’s a dictatorship.
Connections with peers.
Peer network
Friends. Some who still work, but many of us battled the tough times together and hired each other whenever we could.
I met my boyfriend there. But in all seriousness, it is where I learned to develop scripts and write for my available budget/materials.
A visa (and my friends)
Learning how to tell my own story and pitch my skills to others (how much architecture overlaps with film, etc.)
Jon Watts directing workshop with the director of Spider-Man No Way Home
Friends and connections.
My friends/connections to other classmates.
my network/cohort
Professors, GUEST SPEAKERS, access, internships, classes, set experience, multiple festival badges. (Sorry. That's not single)
Work ethic
Knowledge
Debt
Relationships with the faculty
My professional network.
My friends and community.
Humility?
My wife
Hard to put a finger on it.
Network
That it was a waste of time and money
Experience on lots and LOTS of short film sets. Those connections and learning experiences cannot be created in any other way.
Relationships with classmates and professors, teaching experience
Time on set
Always maintain a strong work ethic, amiable work relationships with your colleagues and knowing that working in other departments gives you a better understanding of how the filed works.
Colleagues and story sense.
Everyone had big ideas and no one can execute them. Film School doesn't breed generational talent.People who are insatiable to create will hone their craft to a greater standard
Friends
The classes for the producers are one of the few places where they get to be fully creative and/or learn important information about the industry and the professors(for the producing classes) are supportive and great people to learn from.
I met my spouse.
I found my goal and found my people.
Between the actual education & the peer network
Friends, but it has nothing to do with my career.
Credibility. I am mostly self taught with technical skills and learned creative skills through work
A good network of people and learning how to break down a script
USC pedigree
the general idea of how films work
Narrative story development
I became a much better writer.
Professor relationships.
The education
Honestly besides the joy of making films it was the internships that got me my first jobs.
Learn skills that can translate to other roles. My job as an event manager translated really well to becoming a video producer
Go get a job, any job, and start networking and making connections. Be a good person.
Don’t give up.
Make friends and keep them. Put your friends and connections above the work you make in school. Stay out of drama. Also have a life outside of film school. Most people won't get their first break until 5 years after school, so make sure you last that long, and also don't give up (until it makes sense to do so.)
Have a backup
You’re fucking crazy. You have better chances of getting attacked by a great white shark in the Santa Monica bay than achieving stability in the film industry.
They’re in an industry that is in limbo so I understand that the job market is very fickle so you may have to accept doing a side job for a while while trying to get this to work. My advice is try your best to get into a union. also maybe a much more stable job at a studio.
Well, a singl course on script supervision and a few all sheets will get them more work than they need (unfortunately, it is not creative but it is lucrative and get you on set)
Find out what you don’t like and avoid it
Be happy and take the chance that you are surrounded by great creative people. Focus on your project and don't take grades too siriusly
Learn what historical materialism means, read Marx and learn how you are being unfairly exploited, just because you have dreams.
Be proactive in seeking internships and building relationships while still in school.
Learn a hard skill like editing and learn AI filmmaking because physical production cost are so much that they’re just isn’t enough work to survive.
When you get a job. Show up on time, with a good attitude, ready to work & learn. I can teach lots of technical skills, but I can't teach a good attitude. Also, if you don't understand something, please ask for help. I'd rather explain instead of having to re-do a task.
Not yet
Shoot as much as you can and meet as many people as you canIf you’re going to pursue film, just recognize it’s long hours, low pay, inconsistent work — you need to be extraordinarily passionate and committed to make it workIt’s not impossible to thrive in film, but it’s much harder nowadays — I would seriously explore other pathways as a primary career
Youtube and other online sources will teach you more than uni. Hang aroung film sets if possible to get in as a runner instead of bothering with uni
Learn something else. Film and TV and web are not promising and you will likely spend many months of your career unemployed.
Film school is the easiest way to meet people going into the industry, gain access to internships/connections, and use equipment that you wouldn't otherwise have access to. I wouldn't say it is worth it to go heavily in debt for, but if you can make it work, I would recommend it. Plus going to college in general will be fun and give you life experiences that you will not get if you skip it.
Watch how society is moving, and consider where it will be tomorrow. Don't lessen your morals for content, but rather compromise. Meet your audience halfway.
Get onto sets immediately. Learn and soak up everything and don't think you know more than people just because you watched YouTube videos.
Go to the big schools if you have big dreams, because knowing someone can set you up for life if you have the right work ethic and mentality .
Just make your own movies. The industry is a grind. Just create your own path.
Go with the flow and take the opportunities that you come across. It’s an incredibly flawed industry and most successes can be attributed to either privilege or luck.
Make friends, spend wisely, have a specific goal and know options on how to get there while paying the bills
Do not let a non-LA based program convince you that you can break into writing without spending a few years in LA
Really think about whether you want to do it. Maybe work as a PA for a while or find one-off courses/summer programs to pursue first before making a time/financial commitment.
Be open minded, there’s a lot more jobs in the industry than just Director, DP, or Producer
Get a practical degree and be nice to people
Get a real degree or a job with real skills. Make you own money and learn on the side. It will be just as valuable.
Don’t worry about picking a lane or skill in your first 3 years. Try everything. There are jobs out there you probably didn’t know exist and you may be perfect for them.
Plan for a fallback! Times are shit right now!
I'd say work on as many film sets as you can while in school and build up a peer network and a professional one as best you can. Always show up on time (early really) and have a good attitude. Stinkers won't get hired back! Every film you make in school doesn't have to be perfect or make it into Sundance, it needs to be able to show someone else what you are capable of in some capacity or another.
Have a good backup plan. The days of going all in, going for broke, all or nothing in film and entertainment is not worth it anymore. The percentage of success was low when I started and it is so much worse now.
Be open to learning new skills and paths. There are more jobs on set and in the industry than Director, Producer, Actor, and Cinematographer… and you usually don’t see any classes about balancing budgets, organizing a stadium load in and out, or managing craft services.
Network and save money!
Apply to UT Austin or fully funded MFA programs. I can't express this enough. The amount of scholarship money that I get from UT is incredible. They notoriously hire students or help us connect with future employment opportunities, if we perform well. The department is invested in our growth and success.
No
Be your best, do your best, network
Find something, anything else to do.
Ask about unions, ask about current industry standard software, ask about other industries that you can work in - theatre / gaming / live events. Do it all.
Be kind, be humble, and be driven.
Learn ai better than your peers
Lower your expectations. Network. Say yes to opportunities.
Find a way to make your life sustainable while you continue to work on your craft. Don't put the pressure of paying for your life onto your creativity - that won't result int he best work.
DO NOT GO TO FILM SCHOOL. Pick another major that you can use in/outside of the film industry (IT, Finance, Accounting, Business)
Realize that no two paths are the same in this business. Work hard, work smart, ask questions (at the appropriate times), and be good to work with. Have fun with it whenever you can, life is serious and difficult enough. Anticipate needs, be CLEAR about what you want and where you’re going, and take any and every opportunity to be as creative as you can.
Be strategic in what you pursue and say yes to while in school. It's critical to have at least some idea of your plan and next steps. Don't overdo it to the point where your own projects suffer, or your mental/physical health suffers. Quality over quantity.
Ride the wave of new tools to keep up with storytelling technology
Always look at the your main goal be it above line work but see if below the line skills can get you accessible jobs.
Whatever you do, don’t go to Carnegie mellon
Grind if you want to succeed.
Have a backup plan
Don't go to film school
-Network outside your school bubble, especially with people who are currently in the jobs that you eventually want to be in.-Join a filmmaking community/nonprofit organisation that speaks to you and your interests and work/intern for them so you get connected to creatives but also the executives.-Unfortunately, yes you should learn and perhaps get certified in AI filmmaking and productivity tools because those are valuable skills as a post-grad in the current industry that may actually land you a paid job.-Just keep taking a step or two forward everyday towards your goal.
Not really. Back when I graduated there were many online places to lok for work that I don’t think are viable today unfortunately. No idea how new grads can get work now aside from knowing someone.
Understand that you're entering a notoriously difficult career and be kind to yourself. Work hard, learn as much as you can, keep making things that please you, and accept that success will happen on its own time. Make a plan but be ready to pivot if things don't go accordingly. It can be frustrating, discouraging, and take longer than you want or expect it to - you have to find a way to be okay with that. Don't spend time comparing yourself to other people or absorbing a bunch of online negativity about the industry. Do what feels right for you, and it will be okay.
Network as often as you can. Make genuine friendships with people who will be working in the film business. Be nice to the nepo babies since they are the ones with the guarantee to make it. Intern as often as you can. But network network network. That's all that matters. The dumbest, most untalented people in the world make it because they network.
Networking is not the networking people sell you. Just be friendly and be good at your job
Intern, learn all facets of the business, especially accounting and distribution.
make successful friends
don't waste time on projects that you don't love and also pay little. Budget your time. Have clear goals.
Do NOT take on debt from a private film school! Attend city and state funded programs.
Plan to make your own stuff. Experience is needed first.
You need to know yourself and be comfortable going against the grain and not looking at your peers.
Intern intern intern. I think I interned at 4 places by the time I finished at BU. The BU owned TV station, 2 post houses in Boston, and Avid Technology. Interning got me my first job and here I am. But you need to hustle and do good work and be contentious at these jobs. Don't show up expecting things to happen for you. Know that you'll be doing grunt work and not great stuff for a while as you "pay your dues" and prove you are dependable and a good worker. And be kind - always be kind and helpful.
Below is the raw, unedited commentary from graduates reflecting on the true value of their degrees, the crushing weight of student debt, and the power of the networks they built.
Elaborate in greater detail, on how film school helped you get into the business:
Connections, and skills and mentorshipI gained a lot of leadership skills with the clubs I joined and opportunities staff gave me
Many early jobs were directly or indirectly through connections I made during my time at school.
Prior to film school, I felt I had bits and pieces of skills I needed to confidently make a film, but I could never put them together as a coherent whole. USC did that for me. What I learned was nothing new, but the way they taught me and the competitive, pressure-cooker environment I was thrown in crystallized what I knew and made me confident in my abilities.
USC was a major plus on my resume
Film school didn’t give me shit. I learned more from Youtube Filmmakers than the, “accomplished professors” at school.
This survey’s concept of ‘the business’ and ‘film school’ is too restricting to include either my masters research or doctoral interests. My MA through research allowed me to create my field of interest and connect it to storytelling.
It wasn't about studies. It was about to be able work with peers, shape and show my skill. Conections with great documentary directors.
It didn't, if you mean the film business
Film school provided me with invaluable connections and hands-on experience, particularly through internships that led to my first jobs in the industry. The collaborative environment helped me build a solid network of peers.
Friends in the business, collaborators. No doors opened. That’s sales nonsense.
I don't know if it directly did, job opportunities providing through the university were non existent and only through personal connections have I been able to get any work
There’s like 1 or 2 meaningful connections from film school - otherwise it didn’t help my career much at all
If I were a caucasian male my story would be different.
I wasn't very social, there was only one friend I kept through college. He and I both moved to LA, and his sister met someone that got him a Covid PA job on Dear White People. Once I moved to LA the following year, I was able to hop on the show Gaslit with him.
I was hands on with equipment and software 2 years faster than the universities in my state, and that gave me an advantage of having experience over my university peers.
I think college in general helped me see how you go about networking and marketing yourself.
I became a better storyteller and made local connections.
The people were the only part of film school worth it to me
It helped me get my first job at CNN but mostly it was just a way to delay adulthood a few years
It didn’t.
Mainly the connections with other peers who would recommend me to jobs, and the ability to use gear freely to experiment and figure out how to work with said gear so I was ready when I got onto jobs.
At montana state we didn’t have much of an Alumni group. Almost no options for internships, zero help finding work after graduating. But comparing my peers to other film school graduates, we were so much more capable on set and handling gear than other schools grads. Very few of us worked as PAs for long because our skills were too useful in other rolls. But also very few of us have risen to the highest positions because of our lack of alumni and prestige that some other schools have.
Film School was the perfect opportunity for me to stop my previous career (architecture) and take the time to pivot and learn new skills. I was significantly older than my classmates and I was in grad school for a reason. So I tried to make sure that I was making the best use of my time in school.
I moved to Los Angeles with a group of people I met in film school. Without them I most likely would not have had the push to move to LA alone.
Allowed me to meet a team who's been able to help produce my first feature
It didn’t
Every job I have had since graduating has been because of the people I met in grad school
It didn’t, we were all left to figure everything out ourselves after they were done with us
Good proximity
My skills improved a lot while at film school, and it helped give me the confidence that I could do this.
Film school is the only reason I ever learned how movies get made. Before I started, I barely even realized that “making movies” was a job a person could have. Though the institution itself was corrupt and a mess, my professors cared deeply about teaching us all to be professionals and the production process from end to end. My peer network got me every job I’ve ever held - the alumni and graduate “employment placement programs” never did a thing, but my friends and I have all helped each other get work at one time or another.Overall, I know that film school was expensive and difficult, but it made me the film professional I am today.
Make all the stupid mistakes before it matters
Carnegie Mellon didn’t offer any support in my career path and was a mistake. They advertise a fraudulent program and they scam students into attending.
Helped me get an entertainment internship
Meeting people and working with them is helpful. Learning the art of narrative is critical.
It didn't.
It got me skills and confidence.
Offering an internship program in Los Angeles. They did not find internships
My first project in film school, I got a shopping agreement for a reality show idea I had. I couldn't have done that without my professor advocating for me and setting up those meetings. I ultimately didn't sell a show, but I got further than most in my class.
Film school was a lot of fun. It allowed me to realize that directing wasn't for me although I did enjoy editing a ton. I edited the school's soap opera on 3/4 tape linear systems. I shot and edited a documentary of mine. It was a lot of fun - I also interned at a bunch of post houses in Boston and at Avid Technology which got me where I am today.
What do you wish you had done differently while in film school, if anything?
Double majored with a degree to fall back onI wish I hadn't gone during a pandemic, I think I would've broken in faster
Networked more and better. Connected more with faculty and alums.
I wish I had put my peers and my connections above the work. I was so focused on making good work in school to get noticed and get ahead of others at the expense of personal relationships. Film school work doesn't matter as much as relationships that will last a lifetime.
applied myself more in undergrad
Nothing, I loved film school
Not gone
Made more films
Pursue skills that translated to jobs but in reality the film program at CSULA was woefully inadequate and out of touch with the industry.
NetWorked a little bit more.
I used the term ‘short film’ to describe one of my projects, I should have said ‘experimental film that happens to be short’. The result was to confuse my supervisor and mentors about what I was actually doing and missing out on what they might have contributed.
Be more open to commercial work
I should have more actively look for internships.
I wish I had networked more instead of focusing solely on projects.
Written as feature, mastered editing - a real hard skill that pays.
I would have done my senior project differently, highlighting my lighting and cinematography skills.
Interviewed the program more, there was a lot of disorganization within the program and I think speaking with current students it would have been made clear to me
Maybe went to a more renowned film school instead of a SUNY
Chosen either a different field or different university
I wish I changed majors.
I wish I had written and directed more of my own stuff instead of mostly working on other people's projects
Talked to more people, made more projects, watched more movies, went to film school in Los Angeles rather than New York. Only a few people from the east coast actually moved out here from my school.
I wish I had directed more.
The film school part of my college was basically a joke, so maybe I should’ve gone to a place that students took more seriously. But in the end, college is what you make of it,
I think I got the most of my experience but could have maybe gone to a better school
Networking - the school didn’t emphasize how important this would be and I felt unprepared after graduation for that reality
I don't regret getting my MFA, but I sometimes wish I had waited a bit longer between undergrad and grad school so I could figure out what I truly wanted. I love writing but my focus has shifted and I think if I had waited, I might've chosen to pursue an MFA in another writing form, besides screenwriting. Or I might've decided I didn't need an MFA at all.
Dropped out, and started working sooner
I wish that I solely focused not on the filmmaking major and would've just made connections in Film clubs and peer/alumni networks because ultimately that is what mostly influenced my career progression.
I should've been nicer and more open to criticism
Make better projects. Contacted real celebrities and production houses for internships.
Gone to The Philippines.
Watched more of the films that were offered for screening
I attacked film school with everything I had. I probably wouldn’t change anything.
I wish that I didn't put any films on credit cards. That's been the biggest issue post-graduation. Student loan debt is fine, but credit card debt is not.
More clubs
I wish I had spent more time making my own projects instead of helping with others.
Made more films, starting GAing earlier to save more money
Nothing different!
I wish I started applying to Agencies more often in my last semester to get a full time entry level gig on graduation. Should have dropped out of my business certificate program to achieve this.
Quit immediately.
I wish I had participated in fewer student films and focused more on my relationship with faculty.
I don't think there's anything in particular I would've done differently.
I’m not too sure, being more social/outgoing to work on set didn’t seem to do much. Neither did fostering relationships with faculty
Network like crazy, get more projects going, don’t just go with the flow of the program, don’t wait for a yes or opportunities to appear. Take more risks and move boldly to what you want
Pushed the bar more.
I wish I had been better at networking with producing students.
I wish I would have majored in something that made me employable while minoring in Film instead.
I wish I’d taken a breath and realized it would all come in due time. Instead, I worked on every single project I could and burned myself out - though it could be argued that that’s how I learned to have the work ethic that I do. So who knows
I wish I was more ambitious with learning other skills or program that the school did not offer at the time.
Not attended Carnegie Mellon. There are programs that are worth it but not here
Gone later — when digital media had broken.
I wish I didn't relocate to a different city to study a shitarse theory course
Made more actual films
Focused a lot more on networking outside of film school with people who are in the jobs that I am aiming for.
I did everything right.
I wish I'd been even more active in networking, and spent even more time building practical skills outside of the classroom. However, I was in film school during COVID, so it was a bit tough.
do more creative things (Write more)
Transferred to an LA based school with access to internships and an alumni network that wouldve actually helped me. Also the professors at my college didnt know ANYTHING about how the business actually works. The words "talent agent" were never uttered ONCE despite them being an incredibly vital and important part of the ecosystem of the film business.
Taken anti anxiety medication
I wish I interned more and networked with more people
it was great for me but not many of my peers found it worth it
I wish I would have gone to a less expensive film school
I made the most out of my time there.
Found ways to save more money, taken more internships
I wish I had been more serious about writing, instead of producing.
Didn’t go
Studied abroad, double majored in journalism
I'm not entirely sure. I wish I tried making more serious films. All my student films were comedic and fun in nature.
What do you wish you had done differently after graduation, if anything?
I wish I found a community of filmmakers to connect withPitched more and earlier to big companies.
I wished I had my projects ready to go right out of the gate. I'm lucky I still have a manager, but I'm walking on eggshells everyday, afraid they'd drop me, because 3 years later, I'm still at work on my first project.
Not sure
Foresaw the future
Stop wasting time with film related pursuits and gone in the stock market investing money. Cause I’d be a fucking millionaire right now.
I don’t knowSince Covid hit the industry pretty hard. Meaning I don’t know how I could’ve avoided that after graduation.
I wish ny doctoral work at Birmingham had not been interrupted, but feel moving forward independently is the only practical plan at this point.
Hard to tell
I wish I had pursued more internships immediately after graduation.
Worked at an agency. Not worked for a director for so long. Should have worked for several. Should have realized I make my fate and the boss doesn’t care.
Moved out of Georgia sooner tbh, no work there Currie tly
Maybe produced more of my own content
I wish I'd moved on from film / tv hopes right away
I would have gone back to school for something else.
I wish I had hit the ground running a little faster and worked hard on making my own projects
Reached out to more alumni via LinkedIn that were already living and established in LA.
This ones tough because im happy with my path immediatly after graduation, but maybe i could have took more time out of my full time job to join the few major productions in my state.
No, I think I’ve made mostly good decisions.
I think I should have made more films right out of school
Not worked for an independent film company that was flatlining and going nowhere -- it did nothing for my career besides make me hate the industry.
Nothing, just wish I dropped out before graduation
Don't get me started
Tried to get a real job in a production office, not on a set.
Hunkered down harder when I moved to LA
I probably would have focused on editing quicker. I could have probably gotten in the union 2/3 years earlier and started racking up those hours.
That's a hard question to answer at the moment. But I'm sure it's related to credit card debt.
More no-budget shorts
Moved to Los Angeles sooner. From graduation to moving was 2 years.
Had more of a budget for life circumstances. Suddenly medical diagnoses, additional financial tax for being neurodivergent (losing keys, etc.), crashing car, etc.
Learn how to market myself
Nothing in particular. I think I did the best I could do given I graduated into the double strike.
Enter the workforce and not be picky about which job I got, along with making film material with my network
Get a job! I thought I needed to be freelance to be free for gigs or films that came up but for young people the benefits of working with larger companies or more experienced people often outweigh the practical returns on job flexibility
Nada. Moving out west was exactly what I wanted to do
I wish I was better at navigating agent/manager relationships.
I would have saved more money before attempting Los Angeles.
I wish I hadn’t assumed a career in production would somehow get me anywhere close to a career in directing. The two tracks run parallel and I was too naive to understand that
Written more steadily, perhaps moved to LA.
Made more actual films
Networked even more than I did.
I did everything right.
immediately apply to teaching jobs
Wish I would have followed up more with connections
I wish I had kept up with my network.
Sometimes I think I should have tried to get into scripted studio stuff instead of applying to post houses when I got to LA - I should have tried to enter the studio system as an assistant editor . But I love what I do now. It would be hard to get back into scripted features - all my connections there have dried up.
Would you recommend your film program to someone starting today?
I think school can be important, no matter the degree. I think it helps some people mature, build good communication skills and expand knowledge on various topicsI've never felt that film school was worth it. Especially after 25+ years seeing new grads coming me out with a minimum of applicable skills. I'd much rather hire someone who went a trade school route or just started working and worked their way up. To me, four years of school is four years you could've been working.
I went to USC. Going to a top film school will make an enormous difference.
I feel film school is a good first step, but it's just that. You need the funds and the time to last the period after graduation until you 'make it.' Without resources to sustain yourself for at least 5 years after graduation, the best film school education won't mean a thing because you won't last.
depends on the school, my undergrad is not what it once was but would recommend my grad school
The industry is dead in the US
Look at the current state of the film industry. Is it worth taking the chance and potentially losing a decade or two of your working life?
I think Point Park helped a lot in showing what filmmaking was and trying to figure out what you wanna do. It wasn’t perfect by means at the time they thought they were going to get a lot of production in Pittsburgh so nowadays there’s a precaution I would say where it’s like you’re gonna go to a place where they don’t actually have a lot of networking going on anymore
It is not ‘film school’ it is film studies focussed on directing, producing, or writing supported by a large network of working professionals and requiring creative deliverables.
Film school helps you find specifically what you like and more importantly what you don’t like to do in the industry. Also gives you really fun time to experiment and make connections with like minded individuals
In Slovakia we don't pay for school. Of corse it has a lot of problems but best thing that I recommend to everybody is that you have ability to work with great people, make friends and create portfolio.
The knowledge about cameras and production still applies for event planning and Social Media among other careers. It's transferable knowledge.
The program has its merits, but financial caution is important.
I think the cost is so great in the industry is dying so I would never recommend someone takeout alone because they simply won’t be able to pay it off and they won’t be able to make phones because they’ll be doing in debt to afford to do anything unless they come from a wealthy family
It's hard times in the film business right now. Starting a new career with significant debt almost guarantees you'll have to bail out & get a regular job to cover the debt.
I think programs can change quickly so whether a program is worth it is up to the individual. I do feel like the friends and collaborators I made through the program were worth it, even if the classwork and learning was sub-par.
If you’re going to film school, go to a Top 5 film school, not a whatever school - the connections you meet there may last the rest of your life
Loyola did not prepare me for the real world.
I would absolutely recommend film school, especially for people who already do not have industry connections. Even though I did already have industry connections, film school allowed me to have a college experience without feeling like I was wasting my time on a subject that I ultimately didn't want to end up in. I was able to make movies without having to worry about cost because everyone would work on everyone else's projects for free. My school still gave me access to equipment and professors that I would not have had access to otherwise. Additionally, the liberal arts/less film focused part of my education is something that I think is valuable for everyone and I believe it helped contribute to me being a well rounded individual.
Film school is not necessary. I could have made my own movies with that $100,000 tuition I spent on an "education" that I could've given myself by watching movies and taking notes. The best education is learned first-hand, at least for me. All my teachers were teaching an outdated system too. the Film industry is dying because it cannot keep up with the times (i.e. social media/youtube creation).
Get onto set. Film schools don't teach you the practicalities of making a film or commercial. They only teach the theory and higher art form part of filmmaking.
Best learn by doing. No one has ever asked me about my education.
I don’t think my school has a very good film program anymore. It’s underfunded and understaffed
I got a lot more other than film school out of my degree—I was a double major and involved in a few on campus organizations and made a lot of friends I still have today. Go to film school if you think you will have a worthwhile experience, even if it doesn’t lead directly to your dream job
Industry is much smaller today than 10 years ago and I’m lucky.
I loved have two years where my biggest priority was writing. I loved having the space and resources to make the most out of it and get to workshop with other writers pursuing the same path. But it wasn't worth the debt I took out for sure.
Paying full price is too much for what you get
I would recommend pursing connections in Film clubs and peer/alumni networks over actually course study. Particularly if you have a interest in producing it may be more beneficial to have a Business/Accountant background.
I've steered my daughter away from a film degree but she still ended up choosing one in college. I dread the days she realizes his much disappointment awaits her.
Giant waste of time.
It is a growing program and is gaining a lot of good gear and expertise, and certainly a cheaper option if you live in Boise or don't have to take a ton of debt to get into it.
I don’t know the exact curriculum anymore. But as one of the cheaper film school options in the world. It’s one of the few that’s worth it. And it’s much more reasonable than most schools price wise.
While I think that film school was marginally helpful in my skills development, I also know I could have developed the same skills if I had just jumped into sets and watched some YouTube videos. Ultimately it was very expensive and as the industry is kind of in shambles right now, I can’t recommend it as a secure future. I wish I had gotten a degree in a fallback.
If you’re international, like me, it’s worth the visa and connections
I think grad students should have a real reason to go to grad school. It's a big commitment, so you shouldn't just be going because you feel like you have to or don't know what else to do.
NYU is the most expensive film school but I believe it was worth every penny.
The dual degree program did not help at all in my job search. Their worthless
In this day; college tuitions are increasing tremendously and the worth of that degree is dropping dramatically. It feels like most degrees are only useful in STEM careers. And even then- those careers can be satisfied with specialty certification courses.Unless you’re able to go to college with minimal amounts of debt; why go when one can use resources online to be self taught with no formal education.
UCLA isn't the best...
I think it's a good program but I've had a different path and needed my dayjob in order to make ends meet while in school.
Film school over charge.
Im lucky because I didn't haveto take out a loan and could afford film school. Because of that, I am forever grateful and happy. I am not sure how much I would have loved my experience if there was a serious financial stressor hanging over me during my time there.
Cost is less of an issue so much as the question, are they ready for film school?
I think that film school is worth it for specific types of people. I wouldn't recommend going into debt to go to film school, and if you already have film production experience it might not be worth it either. However, the network is what I found most helpful, and the structure in which to experiment and learn as well.
I finished undergrad with COVID in 2020. Then I graduated grad school in 2023 and the strikes occurred soon after, the timing of everything just devalued how I felt about the film school experience.
I would recommend people work in the industry before going to film school, especially if you want to do crew work or general video production. You can volunteer on student films and get a lot of the same practical education that the film students are paying 50-80k a year for. Would highly caution against going to film school for people who can’t afford it or have other options to get started in the businessRoi is very poor versus YouTube or paid job experience
School and networking are incredible, but not worth a lifetime of debt. If you’re motivated, you can definitely learn enough of it on your own to get started
I recommend a screenwriting MFA program for someone who has lots of ideas and knowledge on how to write for the screen, but needs the time and support to get it done. Before school, it took me years to write a script. In 17 months at school, I wrote 9 scripts. UCLA offers low tuition and TA opportunities so it's not terribly expensive. The rent and cost of living in LA is brutal though so debt is likely because if you have to get a job while in school than you're not going to get the most of school so it's kind of a catch-22.
I learned a tremendous amount in film school. I'm comfortable in academic environments and I had a wonderful time. I managed to graduate without much debt. But the vast majority of my classmates were out of the industry within five years.
Film school isn't worth it. You can learn more just by doing it yourself and watching YouTube tutorials.
I’d recommend a film school that is practical more than theoretical; and I’d say try your absolute best to get scholarships or reduce the overall cost/find a school that isn’t nearly as expensive. Prestige in a school means absolutely nothing, it’s about your peers and the curriculum itself. Does it require that you make movies? Then it’ll be a good learning experience.
The industry is convulsing beneath us and I would recommend a more stable career until it settles into its next iteration.
Whatever you do, don’t go to Carnegie Mellon
I wouldn’t recommend film as an undergrad. One should use that time to learn how to think and live a life of collecting stories. After some time in the real world, go to school and hone the craft of storytelling, cinematography, directing, or whatever moves you.
The best way to learn is to bank hours in a working environment
Your money is better spent making films
The prestige of the education does not actually matter on paper when you try to apply for jobs. People with a bachelors in an unrelated major are able to get the entry level jobs that you want just because they know someone in the company. The network in the school is unfortunately not all that extensive or helpful. Sure, you might get a couple of unpaid or low-paid gigs, or some vertical drama jobs that may or may not lead to something else.I would think twice before spending that much on a masters programme, only for your resume to be looked at the same as someone with a high school diploma/bachelor's degree. If you have parents who can financial support you several years post-grad, maybe it's worth it for you.
My kids are not allowed to go to film school. Instead they will either go to school for business or marketing or accounting - anything that could get them work in multiply industries. They are technically nepo babies so if they want to work in film then they can get work through me easily.
It was inarguably the best three years of my life.
It depends on your background. I came from a place where I had absolutely no film connections and lived in an area where there was little to no film industry. If that's you, film school may help open doors that weren't previously accessible to you. If you come from a more connected place, it may not do much more for you than you could already do yourself.
Either go to business school or move to an LA school with good connections. Networking is more important than skill.
I would go to film school, but only in a film city like New York, LA, Toronto and Vancouver and I wouldn't take on too much debt
the industry is on life support. much harder now. pivot to social media stuff!
the film industry is really not doing well and we don't expect it to get better in a few years. Please DO NOT go to film school on student loan. I've seen my friends who did and they struggle to pay it back. I only did it because my family can support me. I have received enough credits and awards and I have representation and plenty of opportunities and yet I have very little to show and not earning much. Most people from my cohort or the few cohorts above and below mine are doing work they consider worthless, being assistant to people and overworked, working on verticals that they hate, or not in the business anymore. I rarely know anyone who is completely satisfied with where they are five years out of film school. I know there is still time, but like I said, if you have money you can try, but don't get a loan.
I would recommend film school, but not at the cost and the lifetime of debt.
If you want to improve on your craft it's the best. If you want money right away it's not for you.
I do think Stark opened doors for me that I wouldn't have been able to if I hadn't gone there. It also helped me see myself as a creative and have more faith in my creative abilities.
Not an industry for those from working class backgrounds anymore
Film school is a total blast and definitely got me where I am today. I actually would LOVE to go back to film school. Maybe one day I will if they'll take old farts like me. But only for fun - maybe when I retire. BUT I don't recommend taking on a lot of debt for film school. The business has slowed down a bit and may be hard to pay it all off when you get in.
What was the single most valuable thing you got from film school?
connections and mentorshipOpportunity for leadership roles
It cemented my desire to be in this industry.
How to think about and make films.
My understanding of the filmmaking process as a whole.
Practice working with others, communication skills,
The experience
Confidence
Friends
The film industry is a 1099 work for hire community exclusively for friends, fuck buddies, and occasionally families.
Generally, overall don’t be stupid don’t be a jerk, but to be specific for actual film stuff the idea of good safe and cheap as a triangle helped explain how to produce/make a Film a little bit.
A concrete ability to formally research subjects and form proposals for novel extensions to the current state of understanding.
Internship and experience/confidence
Experience and friendship
Learning to materialize ideas through budgets, schedules and contracts.
The most valuable thing I gained was a solid network of industry contacts.
Network, film literacy
Ability to improvise / change plans if things didn't go well. And how to work with the resources that are available.
You have to teach yourself and drive yourself, no one cares if your successful or not.
It’s less about film school, and more about college as a whole - it taught me independence and avenues to get involved and meet many people
Sorry, but nothing
1 friend.
Friends / A college experience
Realizing I can just make my own shit whenever I want, even when I don't have a crew, I still have a camera and a cat that I can play around with.
Hands on experience.
Film School in general set me straight after goofing off in the beginning during Gen-Eds
Learning how to tell better stories
Access to internships as well as friendships that sustained me
A portfolio of scripts when I graduated.
The connections
Peer to Peer / Alumni Connections
It will sound facile but it was learning how to put away equipment.
A film set isn’t a democracy, it’s a dictatorship.
Connections with peers.
Peer network
Friends. Some who still work, but many of us battled the tough times together and hired each other whenever we could.
I met my boyfriend there. But in all seriousness, it is where I learned to develop scripts and write for my available budget/materials.
A visa (and my friends)
Learning how to tell my own story and pitch my skills to others (how much architecture overlaps with film, etc.)
Jon Watts directing workshop with the director of Spider-Man No Way Home
Friends and connections.
My friends/connections to other classmates.
my network/cohort
Professors, GUEST SPEAKERS, access, internships, classes, set experience, multiple festival badges. (Sorry. That's not single)
Work ethic
Knowledge
Debt
Relationships with the faculty
My professional network.
My friends and community.
Humility?
My wife
Hard to put a finger on it.
Network
That it was a waste of time and money
Experience on lots and LOTS of short film sets. Those connections and learning experiences cannot be created in any other way.
Relationships with classmates and professors, teaching experience
Time on set
Always maintain a strong work ethic, amiable work relationships with your colleagues and knowing that working in other departments gives you a better understanding of how the filed works.
Colleagues and story sense.
Everyone had big ideas and no one can execute them. Film School doesn't breed generational talent.People who are insatiable to create will hone their craft to a greater standard
Friends
The classes for the producers are one of the few places where they get to be fully creative and/or learn important information about the industry and the professors(for the producing classes) are supportive and great people to learn from.
I met my spouse.
I found my goal and found my people.
Between the actual education & the peer network
Friends, but it has nothing to do with my career.
Credibility. I am mostly self taught with technical skills and learned creative skills through work
A good network of people and learning how to break down a script
USC pedigree
the general idea of how films work
Narrative story development
I became a much better writer.
Professor relationships.
The education
Honestly besides the joy of making films it was the internships that got me my first jobs.
Do you have any advice about career planning and outcomes for current film students?
If this is what you really want to do, throw your entire self into it. Watch movies, make movies, dedicate yourself to the craft because the industry and film schools love thatLearn skills that can translate to other roles. My job as an event manager translated really well to becoming a video producer
Go get a job, any job, and start networking and making connections. Be a good person.
Don’t give up.
Make friends and keep them. Put your friends and connections above the work you make in school. Stay out of drama. Also have a life outside of film school. Most people won't get their first break until 5 years after school, so make sure you last that long, and also don't give up (until it makes sense to do so.)
Have a backup
You’re fucking crazy. You have better chances of getting attacked by a great white shark in the Santa Monica bay than achieving stability in the film industry.
They’re in an industry that is in limbo so I understand that the job market is very fickle so you may have to accept doing a side job for a while while trying to get this to work. My advice is try your best to get into a union. also maybe a much more stable job at a studio.
Well, a singl course on script supervision and a few all sheets will get them more work than they need (unfortunately, it is not creative but it is lucrative and get you on set)
Find out what you don’t like and avoid it
Be happy and take the chance that you are surrounded by great creative people. Focus on your project and don't take grades too siriusly
Learn what historical materialism means, read Marx and learn how you are being unfairly exploited, just because you have dreams.
Be proactive in seeking internships and building relationships while still in school.
Learn a hard skill like editing and learn AI filmmaking because physical production cost are so much that they’re just isn’t enough work to survive.
When you get a job. Show up on time, with a good attitude, ready to work & learn. I can teach lots of technical skills, but I can't teach a good attitude. Also, if you don't understand something, please ask for help. I'd rather explain instead of having to re-do a task.
Not yet
Shoot as much as you can and meet as many people as you canIf you’re going to pursue film, just recognize it’s long hours, low pay, inconsistent work — you need to be extraordinarily passionate and committed to make it workIt’s not impossible to thrive in film, but it’s much harder nowadays — I would seriously explore other pathways as a primary career
Youtube and other online sources will teach you more than uni. Hang aroung film sets if possible to get in as a runner instead of bothering with uni
Learn something else. Film and TV and web are not promising and you will likely spend many months of your career unemployed.
Film school is the easiest way to meet people going into the industry, gain access to internships/connections, and use equipment that you wouldn't otherwise have access to. I wouldn't say it is worth it to go heavily in debt for, but if you can make it work, I would recommend it. Plus going to college in general will be fun and give you life experiences that you will not get if you skip it.
Watch how society is moving, and consider where it will be tomorrow. Don't lessen your morals for content, but rather compromise. Meet your audience halfway.
Get onto sets immediately. Learn and soak up everything and don't think you know more than people just because you watched YouTube videos.
Go to the big schools if you have big dreams, because knowing someone can set you up for life if you have the right work ethic and mentality .
Just make your own movies. The industry is a grind. Just create your own path.
Go with the flow and take the opportunities that you come across. It’s an incredibly flawed industry and most successes can be attributed to either privilege or luck.
Make friends, spend wisely, have a specific goal and know options on how to get there while paying the bills
Do not let a non-LA based program convince you that you can break into writing without spending a few years in LA
Really think about whether you want to do it. Maybe work as a PA for a while or find one-off courses/summer programs to pursue first before making a time/financial commitment.
Be open minded, there’s a lot more jobs in the industry than just Director, DP, or Producer
Get a practical degree and be nice to people
Get a real degree or a job with real skills. Make you own money and learn on the side. It will be just as valuable.
Don’t worry about picking a lane or skill in your first 3 years. Try everything. There are jobs out there you probably didn’t know exist and you may be perfect for them.
Plan for a fallback! Times are shit right now!
I'd say work on as many film sets as you can while in school and build up a peer network and a professional one as best you can. Always show up on time (early really) and have a good attitude. Stinkers won't get hired back! Every film you make in school doesn't have to be perfect or make it into Sundance, it needs to be able to show someone else what you are capable of in some capacity or another.
Have a good backup plan. The days of going all in, going for broke, all or nothing in film and entertainment is not worth it anymore. The percentage of success was low when I started and it is so much worse now.
Be open to learning new skills and paths. There are more jobs on set and in the industry than Director, Producer, Actor, and Cinematographer… and you usually don’t see any classes about balancing budgets, organizing a stadium load in and out, or managing craft services.
Network and save money!
Apply to UT Austin or fully funded MFA programs. I can't express this enough. The amount of scholarship money that I get from UT is incredible. They notoriously hire students or help us connect with future employment opportunities, if we perform well. The department is invested in our growth and success.
No
Be your best, do your best, network
Find something, anything else to do.
Ask about unions, ask about current industry standard software, ask about other industries that you can work in - theatre / gaming / live events. Do it all.
Be kind, be humble, and be driven.
Learn ai better than your peers
Lower your expectations. Network. Say yes to opportunities.
Find a way to make your life sustainable while you continue to work on your craft. Don't put the pressure of paying for your life onto your creativity - that won't result int he best work.
DO NOT GO TO FILM SCHOOL. Pick another major that you can use in/outside of the film industry (IT, Finance, Accounting, Business)
Realize that no two paths are the same in this business. Work hard, work smart, ask questions (at the appropriate times), and be good to work with. Have fun with it whenever you can, life is serious and difficult enough. Anticipate needs, be CLEAR about what you want and where you’re going, and take any and every opportunity to be as creative as you can.
Be strategic in what you pursue and say yes to while in school. It's critical to have at least some idea of your plan and next steps. Don't overdo it to the point where your own projects suffer, or your mental/physical health suffers. Quality over quantity.
Ride the wave of new tools to keep up with storytelling technology
Always look at the your main goal be it above line work but see if below the line skills can get you accessible jobs.
Whatever you do, don’t go to Carnegie mellon
Grind if you want to succeed.
Have a backup plan
Don't go to film school
-Network outside your school bubble, especially with people who are currently in the jobs that you eventually want to be in.-Join a filmmaking community/nonprofit organisation that speaks to you and your interests and work/intern for them so you get connected to creatives but also the executives.-Unfortunately, yes you should learn and perhaps get certified in AI filmmaking and productivity tools because those are valuable skills as a post-grad in the current industry that may actually land you a paid job.-Just keep taking a step or two forward everyday towards your goal.
Not really. Back when I graduated there were many online places to lok for work that I don’t think are viable today unfortunately. No idea how new grads can get work now aside from knowing someone.
Understand that you're entering a notoriously difficult career and be kind to yourself. Work hard, learn as much as you can, keep making things that please you, and accept that success will happen on its own time. Make a plan but be ready to pivot if things don't go accordingly. It can be frustrating, discouraging, and take longer than you want or expect it to - you have to find a way to be okay with that. Don't spend time comparing yourself to other people or absorbing a bunch of online negativity about the industry. Do what feels right for you, and it will be okay.
Network as often as you can. Make genuine friendships with people who will be working in the film business. Be nice to the nepo babies since they are the ones with the guarantee to make it. Intern as often as you can. But network network network. That's all that matters. The dumbest, most untalented people in the world make it because they network.
Networking is not the networking people sell you. Just be friendly and be good at your job
Intern, learn all facets of the business, especially accounting and distribution.
make successful friends
don't waste time on projects that you don't love and also pay little. Budget your time. Have clear goals.
Do NOT take on debt from a private film school! Attend city and state funded programs.
Plan to make your own stuff. Experience is needed first.
You need to know yourself and be comfortable going against the grain and not looking at your peers.
Intern intern intern. I think I interned at 4 places by the time I finished at BU. The BU owned TV station, 2 post houses in Boston, and Avid Technology. Interning got me my first job and here I am. But you need to hustle and do good work and be contentious at these jobs. Don't show up expecting things to happen for you. Know that you'll be doing grunt work and not great stuff for a while as you "pay your dues" and prove you are dependable and a good worker. And be kind - always be kind and helpful.
- Previous page: Life Outside the Industry
Last edited:
