The Real Deal About Film School & Film Jobs

Will Film School Help You Get Film Jobs?

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo. Getting film jobs is like getting in line at a HUGE U2 CONCERT. How do you get film jobs? You get in line. There are literally thousands of people trying to get film jobs. And the people hiring do not care if you went to film school. They care about your other film jobs. So what is every film school graduate in the world trying to do after they graduate? GET AN ENTRY LEVEL FILM JOB.. so they can start building their resume. So what kind of amazing, creative jobs are available for film school graduates?

Getting coffee and being a gopher are the best film jobs a film school graduate can expect

Check out this job right here in LA, right off of Craigslist. Now imagine hundreds of USC, NYU, and other film school grads clamoring for this opportunity:

Film Jobs

Eye opening isn’t it? These are the coveted skills that film productions are looking for in fresh film school grads: the ability to drive someone to the set. The joke is that the DP of this movie is probably someone who never went to film school and just started working in the business.

If you actually want to make a movie, or have a chance of getting some film jobs, get your butt on a movie set right now! If you’re not sure how, check out Film School Secrets Membership Area. We’ll show you how to start networking with real filmmakers no matter where you live in the world, and even better, we’ll show you how to get film students to work for you even if you have never touched a camera! Because the sad fact is, there are tons more film students looking to get film jobs than there are jobs available. And going to film school doesn’t give you an advantage, it sets you back behind people who are enterprising and just start working.

6 comments

  1. Reading this article has help me understand a few things my ‘naive-self’ didn’t know. However, I still have some doubts. It’s normal, I know, but I just finished high school and decided to take the rest of the year as college-free to figure out what I really want to do (to go to a film school or just skip it). My first choice was to go to NYFA until people on Twitter started telling me why I shouldn’t go there or any film school in general (but especially NYFA). One of my great doubts was “The film industry is all about experience, right? They notice you because of the works you’ve done not the credits you got in college, but how do I learn how to write a script? Or shoot a film? What about lights and sound?”. Then my major concern was that even if I did learn this things in a film school or by myself, getting someone to hire me is not going to be that easy as everyone in a film school says it is. Getting connections inside the industry is important as well, I gather, my mother even told me that if I went to a film school I could meet people who are the cousin or sister or son of whomever is important in the higher chain. I ask myself if it’s really worth it, wasting a lot of money to go to a film school just to meet people, and most of the time the answer is no, however when the answer is yes it is because there is this nagging thought in my mind that keeps telling me ‘maybe something good will turn out from it’.
    I do want to make a career inside the film industry, if only because I’m very passionate about film in general, but I’m at a loss here. I would really like a suggestion or opinion, please.

    Thanks for the articles, though! They’ve really helped clearing some doubts 🙂

  2. I completely agree with you. Going to film school specifically an expensive film school is just a waste of your time and money. You can gain the same experience and learn the same things at a Community College and gain the same contacts. The film industry like any other industry puts a lot of importance on experience so going to film school is just going to hinder you in this. You need to either volunteer on a film set if you are trying to get into the production side or do independent or student films if you are trying to become an actor. You just need to get yourself out there and network.

  3. Reading this article has help me understand a few things my ‘naive-self’ didn’t know. However, I still have some doubts. It’s normal, I know, but I just finished high school and decided to take the rest of the year as college-free to figure out what I really want to do (to go to a film school or just skip it). My first choice was to go to NYFA until people on Twitter started telling me why I shouldn’t go there or any film school in general (but especially NYFA). One of my great doubts was “The film industry is all about experience, right? They notice you because of the works you’ve done not the credits you got in college, but how do I learn how to write a script? Or shoot a film? What about lights and sound?”. Then my major concern was that even if I did learn this things in a film school or by myself, getting someone to hire me is not going to be that easy as everyone in a film school says it is. Getting connections inside the industry is important as well, I gather, my mother even told me that if I went to a film school I could meet people who are the cousin or sister or son of whomever is important in the higher chain. I ask myself if it’s really worth it, wasting a lot of money to go to a film school just to meet people, and most of the time the answer is no, however when the answer is yes it is because there is this nagging thought in my mind that keeps telling me ‘maybe something good will turn out from it’.
    I do want to make a career inside the film industry, if only because I’m very passionate about film in general, but I’m at a loss here. I would really like a suggestion or opinion, please.

    +1

    • Hi Sheli,

      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

  4. So what would you have to say about the 4 year bachelor of fine arts- film studies program at ryerson university in toronto, ontario, canada? I am considering going there but am at a loss. It costs about 5 grand per year so 20 grand in total and then another 5 to 10 grand for production costs not included in the tuition.

  5. I am interested in hiring a film student for a small video project. Does anyone know where I can post my ad for this?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*