Is Film School Worth It? What Actual Employment Data Reveals

For this section of the survey, we focused on the filmmakers whose paths fundamentally shifted. Whether driven by financial necessity, a lack of directorial opportunities, or a sudden, unexpected realization that they preferred a different craft, these alumni detail how they adapted when their original concentration didn't pan out.

If you ended up doing a different filmmaking job than your concentration, please elaborate on how you got the job:​

Did script supervising despite my passion and focus in screenwriting and made a friend that needed covering

Mandy which is a job website

People I’ve worked or networked with ask for support.

Was asked to do it on a small 1MIL indi feature and loved it

One of the PA’s I worked with during my gap year, referred me to a show as a PA right afterward school - literally the day after I graduated, I was on set

Got my position as an Eco PA through one of those facebook PA groups, for the company Earth Angel. After proving my strong work ethics and upbeat personality, I built my own network to those I was contracted out to, and now I work as a Sustainability Coordinator from connections I've made as an Eco PA.

Well you don’t need a degree to work in the crew and crew jobs are relatively easy to get on and if you learn quick you can stay on.

I’m still working towards Producing large projects, but you need to start somewhere.

I applied through the official job listing on the company website, had a standard interview process, and was hired within a few weeks

Photography and I just clicked better. You don’t need a massive crew or some difficult connection. It was much more accessible.

It’s the same as my first job

It all started through film school connections and who I met while at school

I realized I’d never get hired as a director so I needed to write my own stuff.

Worked in Production for almost 10 years. Started as a PA from a friend’s recommendation, and moved up to PC and later, PM. Realized a year ago that none of it got me closer to directing.

Had worked in field before film school, continued through film school, continued after film school.

Most of the jobs I was getting were Junior Art roles. It just became my strongest background

I reached out and asked an alumni friend who works in verticals if I can help her on one. Got the role.

Applied online

I found the job posted online

Always wanted to be a teacher

Promoted to Producer/ Art Director

What did you love the most and dislike the most about this filmmaking job?​

I love continuity

There is gas reimbursement, but for the most part, it is kind of sporadic the amount of commercials that are available for shoots

It aligns with my academic area and makes a real contribution, also it suits my level of work/compensation interest (which is low)

Working with talented people and contributing to the project from beginning to end

It was a PA gig, not glamorous – but still an exciting learning experience

I love working in this industry, there's nothing else I can see myself doing in order to pay the bills. I dislike digging through the trash and being disrespected by assholes that just see me as "the trash guy," when there's a lot more that goes into my position and my duties.

I loved being on set. I dislike how you lose some dignity working crew side.

The people

I liked that it was still in the industry and offered a lot more stability and better pay than any previous jobs, but I didn’t like that it was not a creative role

I love that I could go out alone and still be able to get something great. With film, you need a lot of people and money. Dislike? You need to have better business skills in order to make photography work.

Same as my first job

I love shooting and helping people with their passion projects

I hate how many producers want me to develop work for them without paying me.

I love my crews and doing everything I can to support them. I always made sure they knew I had their backs and it made the work in Production rewarding and meaningful. Over time, though, the stress, constant lack of budget and time constraints, and overall low morale made it a miserable affair. It just wasn’t what I wanted.

So close to filmmaking— but not.

I like the puzzle of making or sourcing things, helping to build and dress the set.Visiting Locations and floating around the shooting crew without too much to do during filming.I hate being offset when things are broken/damaged/lost/misplaced because then my reputation takes the hit

For the vertical, I loved that at least I was paid something. I disliked everything else about it. The actual content of the work, the overworked and understaffed crews, working full-time on unpaid "break days".

I like being able to travel and meet with different talent from around the world. I dislike dealing with money and collecting payments

Working with kids

Same as the last answer : (

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