Getting an undergraduate BA Communications degree first?

[EG3]

Hi everyone I have a question. I've applied to a schools for film production such as Chapman and Loyola Marymount, haven't heard back from them yet. I just got notice though that I've been accepted in Richmond in London which is a good school accredited in the U.S. To anyone who has any knowledge about the film industry what do you think of going to get a bachelors degree in communications and then pursuing work in film going to a graduate film school maybe or a place that is non-degree? I have heard that this is the alternative to going straight into film for bachelors.

I know that I want to direct films for my career, if not directly immediately I want to be involved with the Hollywood or independent film industry for sure. Knowing this would it be a good choice to get a communications degree first. Seems good to me since I will be learning a lot in the process. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Justin18]

EG3,

I read your post, and couldn't help but responding, b/c I found myself in a similar position when I was 18, 10 years ago.

My best advice to you is to use your intuition to make a decision. You know whatthe right path for you is. Perhaps you should just think about it more. Journal about your decision, meditate, take a walk and think about it. The answer lies within, not without.

An excellent book I read when I was making this same decision for undergrad was 'Zen and The Art of Making a Living' by Laurence Boldt. Check it out.

All that being said, I would urge you to consider following the communications path instead of the film production route for undergard. That's what I did. I majored in comm. theory at a small liberal arts college, and I couldn't have asked for a better preparation for film. Consider even a major in the liberal arts.

The reason is that the film industry in America is just so oversaturated with people who know the tools, but nothing else. They know the terms for filmmkaking, but they haven't been exposed to the world outisde Amearica, to diverse intellectual ideas, to the creative/spiritual process of making films. That's something a lib. arts education can get you.

Yes, there are also people who are all theory and no practical knowledge. But IMO, it's much easier to acquire the technical or craft knowledge in a couple years of grad school than it is to somehow suddenly develop the human side of your filmmaking in grad school if you haven't done it already through life experiences and the liberal arts.

Undergrad. should be a time for exploring the world - people and ideas, nurturing your creative visions, and opening yourself up to living life. That's what film is all about after all - the communication of authentic human experience.

Many film production majors in undergrad. face the same challenges that many business majors do at the end of their educataions: they know the technicalities of the craft, but haven't played with any other intellectual, socioeconomic, or artistic ideas. In a highly competitive field like filmmaking, interesting ideas are at a premium compared to technical knowlege.

There's some law that says that 90% of everything is crap. Sadly, that goes for student films as well. Even ones that have been labored at for years or are even thesis projects in grad schools. No amount of awards or entries into festivals or prestigious cast or crew can cover up for the simple fact that a film doesn't hit a human chord, doesn't ring emotionally true.

So I guess I would say do play around with the technicalities of directing, editing, cinematography, etc. while in undergrad. But do so in a context where you are learning about the world's people, about history's artistic and intellectual ideas, and about your own creative process.

Good luck!

 

[Jayimess]

I don't know you, but based on my own experiences thus far, at age 29, with a BA in assorted Communication emphases and currently getting an MFA in screenwriting at USC with career goals of writing and directing, I say London for Comm is exactly what I would do.

You'll get so much more to inform your stories outside of a film program, and at your age, what is there to lose?

You'll be in LONDON.

Com degrees are INTERESTING. I've explored so many media...I've worked in advertising, marketing, broadcast and print journalism, and in PR and technical writing...all before I went to film school. Not to mention all those restaurants, lol.

But as I said...that's just me...and my opinion, based on what you've divulged, and my own experiences.

Best of luck finding your path.

 

[EG3]

To Justin18 and Jayimess,

I very much appreciate your thoughtful posts on my question! I didn't think anyone would respond because of my rushed post and subsequent spelling mistakes but thank you very much for your insight.

I think both of you really made an effective argument for going for the BA in Communications in London and as I was reading both your posts I really understood what you meant and it was all the more important to me that both of you have gone through decisions like this before.

Justin18, I will take your advice about the taking a walk and thinking about it. That bit of advice really hit home for me since I love the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and though it might sound a little cheesy, sorry, I do think that this decision will have to come from myself most importantly.

I would say my two aspirations in life as of now are to explore the world and make movies. I agree with you that during my first four years it is a time to explore the world and London is such a great oppurtunity for me since the rest of Europe is right there too. The school I'm talking about, Richmond, The American International University in London, aslo represents students from over 100 countries so I think the experiences I gain while there will definitely help my future film career path, not to mention the actual degree in Communications which I am very interested in.

What are both of you currently doing? Jayimess how was the application process for your MFA Screenwriting at USC? What did both of you do while in undergrad to work on film even if that wasn't your major? Did you set up your own low budget film shoots over the summer or on breaks, and then use those films on your resume for grad or work in film?

Thanks again for both of your responses it really means a lot to me but I think my decision is a little easier now since I was leaning towards the Communications option, though I will still have to think everything over.

Thank you.