Which is better for me: BA in Filmmaking or MFA in filmmaking or MFA in directing

[Ayoxo]

I'm about to finish my psychology undergrad degree in a year time. I decided I want to be a film director and I'm working towards going to film school for only 1 or 2 years.

The problem I have is I don't know which program will be suited for me. My only experience so far is making a crappy short film. So while I know i what I want to be in the film industry i still have very little knowledge and experience of the filmmaking process.

Between an MFA in directing, an MFA in filmmaking and a 2 years BA in filmmaking, which of these 3 programs is suited for me right now?

 

[Chris W]

If you already have an undergraduate degree (or you will soon) the MFA is the way to go.

Although I didn't follow this advice myself, having a non film undergraduate degree can give you more experience and ideas to base your stories on plus gives you some other experience to fall back on in working in film don't work out. (I know a lot of people from undergrad who 20 years later aren't in film anymore)

 

[Ayoxo]

If you already have an undergraduate degree (or you will soon) the MFA is the way to go.

Although I didn't follow this advice myself, having a non film undergraduate degree can give you more experience and ideas to base your stories on plus gives you some other experience to fall back on in working in film don't work out. (I know a lot of people from undergrad who 20 years later aren't in film anymore)

I know it's directing I want to do so I really like the idea of doing an MFA in directing because it focuses on directing and practical work. My concern is that I have very little experience and knowledge in filmmaking and I feel the MFA program expects me to have some background or experience in film and would teach as if I do

So let's say someone like me who's bachelor degree is psychology and only experience in filmmaking is directing a short film that got him into film school and he wants to be a director. Is he better off doing a 2 years bachelor degree in filmmaking or can he still do an MFA in directing?

 

[Chris W]

In the states it doesn't make sense (to me) to have a second BA in film vs doing the MFA. It may be different in the UK though.

In our USC interview they pointed out that the BA and MFA film production have the same instruction.

So the programs that you just listed seem to primarily be MFA programs… for the undergraduate students: are the programs different?

No, all of them except for the Stark [Producing] Program are both. They have a master’s version and an undergrad version. In fact, it’s a pretty similar education and curriculum for both.

How to get Into USC Film School: An Interview With an SCA Admissions Committee Member | Why the USC School of Cinematic Arts?

In the end, what made you decide to attend USC over other film schools? Were there other film schools that you were considering? Actually there were others. There were a couple of others that I was interested in. But it was always USC in the...

www.filmschool.org

 

[Ayoxo]

In the states it doesn't make sense (to me) to have a second BA in film vs doing the MFA. It may be different in the UK though.

In our USC interview they pointed out that the BA and MFA film production have the same instruction.

How to get Into USC Film School: An Interview With an SCA Admissions Committee Member | Why the USC School of Cinematic Arts?

In the end, what made you decide to attend USC over other film schools? Were there other film schools that you were considering? Actually there were others. There were a couple of others that I was interested in. But it was always USC in the...

www.filmschool.org

Appreciate the help

 

[Chris W]

You could also contact the school to see what they think too? I'm sure schools have both BA and MFA?

 

[Ayoxo]

You could also contact the school to see what they think too? I'm sure schools have both BA and MFA?

Yeah I definitely plan on doing that

 

[Chris W]

Yeah I definitely plan on doing that

Please let us know what they say.

 

[Tammy]

If I were you I will choose MFA, cuz if you apply another film school's BA I guess it's called transferring, and film school usually accepted only a few transfer students. So if you apply MFA program you will have more chance to get in. and usually for the Fine Art major, you learn the same thing in both BFA and MFA (at least USC is)