Why Go to Film School?

What is Film School?

Film and television is everywhere today. With an industry growing as fast as the film industry is, you may be wondering how to pursue a career in film or television. A great way to start is to go to film school. While film school is not a necessity when applying to a job in the industry, it can help prepare you for your future if you are passionate about going into a film career. 

To start with a definition, film school is an educational pathway that prepares students for a career in the film and/or television industry through teaching various topics like cinematography, writing, editing, directing, and more.

If you’re unsure about what to look for when researching film programs at universities, there are multiple things you can keep in mind. First, you can look for schools with dedicated film schools that include multiple programs or tracks in different disciplines within the industry. Secondly, you can look for any school with a major that is listed as “Film” or “Cinematic Arts.” Sometimes the major could be labelled “Media Arts” or something akin to that. Each school will have different names for similar programs. The following are lists of film degrees and highly-ranked film schools to keep on your radar. 

Common Film Degrees 

Film and Television Production

While this degree, or one simply titled “film,” may be the most versatile, at schools with bigger film programs, this degree usually covers all manner of topics like editing, directing, and cinematography. This type of degree can vary depending on the school. 

Film Studies

If you want a production-focused degree, this one is probably not the one for you. Like a “Film” degree, Film Studies can vary depending on the school, but this degree will teach you film analysis techniques, and typically focuses on history, theory, and criticism of films. 

Producing 

Producing covers the production and business aspects of the film industry with a focus on the development and distribution processes. 

Animation and Visual Effects

Like the name, this degree will provide you with an education in different types of Animation and Visual Effects for the film and television industry. 

Screenwriting

This degree may also be called “Writing for Film and Television,” providing an education in the field of writing in the industry, but depending on the school’s program could focus only on writing for films.   

Make sure to thoroughly research the schools you are interested in, as their degree offerings and their organization of them varies greatly from school to school. 

Here are the top 5 film schools in the United States according to The Hollywood Reporter, and a little bit about them. 

University of Southern California – Los Angeles, CA

USC’s School of Cinematic Arts emphasizes their students’ ability to take courses throughout all disciplines, regardless of their emphasis.  

American Film Institute – Los Angeles, CA

The American Film Institute is a conservatory Master program that includes six options of degree programs: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design, and Screenwriting.

New York University – New York, NY

NYU Tisch’s Kanbar Institute of Film & Television is rooted in visual storytelling and focuses on influencing the current cultural and artistic landscape.

Chapman University – Orange, CA

Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts places importance on teamwork between students throughout their time at Chapman, mentoring from industry professionals, a high-caliber career center, and state-of-the-art technology for student filmmakers.

Loyola Marymount University –  Los Angeles, CA 

LMU’s School of Film & Television values their 12:1 student to faculty ratio, 400+ internship partners, and the facet of getting a real-world education while learning from experienced faculty. 

These schools are not the only options. A vast amount of schools across the country and throughout the world have great film programs. Remember to do your research and choose a school that is the right fit for you.

Benefits of Film School

So, what is the point of going to film school? While a film education can be achieved on your own through personal research and is also not required to get involved in the film industry, there are countless lessons and opportunities that are only gained through participation in a film school environment. A very important aspect of attending film school is growing your connections within the industry. Additionally, you learn from experienced professionals and build relationships with them as your professors. Film schools often have great career center resources specifically designed for students trying to work in the industry. Though film school is usually more expensive than an average degree due to the cost of lab fees and tuition in general, accessing the technology, editing software, and paying production costs on your own can be expensive, too. The opportunities to gain experience on set and with other students in a controlled environment are priceless. Lastly, a degree in film can help to tip the scales when applying for jobs post-graduation. 

Applying to Film School

While the college application process is already stressful, it may be unsettling to know that film school applications are often more demanding due to the creative portion of the application. It is common for applications for film degree programs to ask for a portfolio or a creative supplement that requires you to write an additional essay or submit a film made for the application. 

On your application, try to highlight as many pieces of experience as possible. Even if you do not have explicit experience working on films or related productions, as many in high school do not, it is good to mention activities or projects where you served as a leader for a project, or perhaps you took photos for friends and family, or worked on the crew of a school play. Anything related to working in groups or with video and sound equipment will go to show that you have experience in the types of environments you will eventually be working in at film school. 

Lastly, whether or not you decide to go to film school, there are ways to stay involved to help prepare you for a career in the industry. Join as many clubs and activities as you can. Many universities have filmmaking clubs, writing clubs, theater productions, or school radio stations that all allow you to gain experience working with similar equipment and learning techniques that will be useful in the film industry. Another way to gain experience is to get involved in the local community. If you search for film-related Facebook groups, you will find sets or productions that need production assistants and other types of entry-level help. No matter what your education path is, remember that there is always a way to get involved in film. If you do indeed decide to pursue a film degree, ensure to Make the Most of Film School to have a positive experience. 

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