http://filmschoolsecrets.com/would-george-lucas-have-gone-to-film-school-today

Why resort to name calling? If you have an intelligent response to the article I will be happy to publish it.

Seth

Someone once told me to do what I love. Simply put, what I love is film. I have been a fan of cinema ever since the first movie I saw, Peter Pan, the one with Mary Martin from 1960. It has always been my dream to somehow work in that industry whether I write, direct, produce, or whatever. That being said, I never knew how to even begin to start down that path and its kind of a hard sell to the folks.
I have already gone through undergraduate business school and left with a marketing degree and an operations mgmt degree. I am now working in the field of operations mgmt for a tech company. NYU Tisch school has a joint MBA/MFA program which I feel I would fit into perfectly. Its designed for creative people who also have the ability to think analytically and financially. On their website they specifically describe how the program is designed to teach many of the things which you said NYU did not teach you i.e. “practical training on producing a feature film, networking, marketing themselves, and the proper means to actually raise funds from private investors.” So while it will mean a lot of money and a lot of loans, I will also leave with two advanced degrees, including an MBA. Can you please give me your thoughts as to whether this would be just a waste of my time and money?

Thanks and Regards,

John

You are exactly right on all levels of the film business and especially in regards to education. Film schools know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.

I’ve been in the film and television business 25 years and have some of the best contacts in the the world. I want you to know that I am opening up a small academy (30 students – that’s it) on the east coast. I am teaching kids there are three things they need to succeed–attitude, experience and relationships…not degrees.

Included in a very moderate tuition price will be issuing students their own cameras, editing software and Final Draft script software. In addition I will teach them how to make MONEY on sets by getting them below the line production jobs while still in school. I will teach them how to write business plans and how to handle finances. I will bring them to LA and show them where to live and how to get around, I will use my relationships to bring producers, directors and below the line experts for seminars and teach them the truth about the business and how to navigate it.

I’m never going bigger, I will only go better because it’s not about the money it’s about helping people succeed without being $100k in debt the rest of their lives. You guys get it. Don’t think of me as a competitor because as the truth unfolds to kids, we will be at the forefront of education in the business. Continued success in your program.

“USC Mafia” is a cute term referring to the number of USC grads working in Administrative/Studio jobs here in LA; people working in Finance, Marketing, Executive Support, etc. But the kinds of creative jobs that actually have you MAKING movies, such as being a writer/director/DP, or producer are not constructed in such a way that “knowing someone” curries any favor. In fact there are many people here in LA who “know” tons of successful industry professionals but until you actually shoot something of merit, beyond a student film, nobody cares about the degree.

If you do go to USC and get an industry job, the scenario most likely looks like the humorous clip below, getting coffee or doing errands for someone in a position of power in Hollywood:

If you look at a list of the working directors, writers, and producers in Hollywood on all TV shows and movies there is absolutely no “USC Mafia”.

If you want to pay $200,000 to make some short films and possibly get a PA job on a Hollywood movie… or be an Executive Assistant, assistant editor, or work for a studio in a non creative capacity, then by all means go to USC. Heck, I worked at Activision one summer and nearly everyone there was a USC grad… in the human resources department. I bet you could get a job there or any of the countless other positions dealing with the money being made by the non film school grads who are on set creating the movies people watch in the theaters.

I’m an NYU Film Graduate with plenty of USC Film Grad friends. While many of my film school grad friends have a place in their heart for school (as many college grads do) most agree that the $40,000 a year tuition and what they learned was a waste of time.

This course has helped more young people get film jobs/start making movies, and unlock their creative passions than most film schools, at a fraction of the cost.

Best,

Seth

The chris rock video made me chuckle, but its a sad reality. An intern PA I spoke with said she is paying about 95k on an film degree, all she ended up doing was washing dishes and cleaning up on set. I don’t know about you, but I wouldnt pay that much to do janitor work.

Your article confirms what I have been suspecting for some time. However, do you have any views on what might be a good alternative? I have heard USC is a great place to study film, but I have also heard it is nearly impossible to get into.

I also realize you can make movies without going to film school, but I feel like some initial training (even just a summer camp) would really give me some momentum.

Anyway, I would really appreciate it if you could suggest some realistic alternatives to NYFA.

I created this site and the course to answer those exact questions. Other than telling you to read books on filmmaking, pick up a camera and start shooting movies, and getting on real film sets, there’s not quick advice to give. I suggest you check out my course and go through the 8 modules and you will find detailed answers to these questions so you can start taking action and working towards your goals.

However, going to film school just because something “good might come of it” is ludicrous in my opinion, unless you are very very wealthy. If your goal is to meet people, then do so online or by getting on film sets. Or, a great alternative is to do a film workshop or program at a community college. My issue isn’t with film schools per se; it’s great to get a camera, meet other filmmakers and have fun doing it. The issue is with the insane price tags.

Ultimately, the main message of my course is that “hoping something good happens” is what most film school grads do, and it leads nowhere. You need to get experience, figure out what you want, and have a plan. Any plan will do, so long as you get clear and focused and you will arrive there. Best of luck!

Seth