What is the more effective way of 'breaking in,' in the pursuit of becoming a position like a director or screenwriter?*

*In today's world. No examples of the 70's or early 90's.

Getting a film degree from college (4 years)
or doing low level work immediately in the film industry?

I have read many accounts of degrees actually not aiding in any connections; even from the big names such as USC.

I've also heard that one without a degree is the more favorable to be hired as a low level crew.

After college, what positions do most graduates have? I've read that in the film industry, everyone, starts from the bottom. If this is true, what's the point of getting a degree (film) when one can just jump into the industry?

You will be hired for low-level crew no who you are. You just need to know someone, or ask the right person.

Neither of the two options you listed will break you into the industry. A microscopic percentage of people "break in" and they each have their own unique way. There is no answer, I'm afraid.

Film school does give you experience and more importantly - contacts. I've gotten a couple gigs out here from people that I know from Film School.

There's no magic formula unfortunately. I say choose a path - and work hard to make it work for you.

Depends what you want to do. Each aspect of filmmaking has a very differant track. Whether it's directing, editing, cinematography, set design, sound design, there are completely differant ways of getting a foot in.

So if you're unsure, school is a good way of finding which one you like or have some skill at. If you already know then more power to you if you can get a toehold by doing some grunt work. Just don't waste your time pulling cables on a set if what you want to do is edit. And if you're like 98% of the world who thinks they want to direct, then my suggestion would be to write, shoot and repeat.

Film schools also give you access to very intersting internships in major movie companies, so you can already get a job before even graduating from it (fs). I recently read David Goyer's blogs (as we all know he's a famous screenwriter for blockbusters and superero films) about how he broke in Hollywood. He wrote two importants things - contacts and internship, which gave him a job of script supervisor's assistant during his life at USC. According to him, film school isn't really the only way how to get noticed by producers or someone else from movie industry, but it's very helpful, if you want to learn how-to.

As for me, I decided to try all my best to get in Public Relations and Advertising in Chapaman University. It doesn't only great choices for internships (Dreamworks, WB, Coca-Cola, MTV and etc.), but also it gives you an idea of how to sell your product. I heard many film producers and CEOs graduated with degree in programs like this one.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Cine,

Another option: make a great feature film and sell it. Take the money and years you'd spend in film school or working low level in the industry, and there you go.

Yeah, but there's a problem with that - its NOT that simple.

Personally, I went to university for media production and left after a year. Sure, I made contacts but they weren't the greatest and I tried really hard to network myself. On my own however, I met a lot of dedicated people that I can work on a movie with.

I now do a lot of video production gigs and through that, I'm constantly meeting people - whether they be film related individuals or not. It teaches you how to network yourself. Making a "great" feature film and selling it sounds all good and nice, but in reality the chances of that happening are slim to none.

I've met a lot of people who think that they're going to go to SCHOOL to make their great movies. They don't need to be working on it so much beforehand, other than for the film consideration section on their college applications.

So judging by that, not many people are going to make a great feature film and be able to sell it to a distributor. You have to consider that most of these people are in high school or leaving high school. Other than making a high school related movie, how many actors/crew are you going to find that are REALLY going to take you seriously at 17 and 18?

Yeah, yeah - it does depend on your level of charisma and how hard you're willing to work, but believe it or not...people DO get judged based on age and lack of experience.

To respond to the unanswerable question - film school nor going straight to the industry will help you "break in". Dedication, being consistent, hard work, skill and luck are all factors that have to be considered when deciding which path is best suited for you.

-Kegan

i don't totally understand why one has to "break in" in the first place...

somebody please tell me why I need to break in to the industry in order to make my life worth while...

I suppose that i am kind of old school in that i don't view school as a pathway leading to a job, but rather as a place to LEARN...

*sigh*

More than anything else, the advice I've heard time and again from directors, DPs, and especially the camera ops, grips, gaffers, etc. have been "Don't drop out of school. Don't waste your time in film school. Get your degree. Get it in something. THEN consider film school." I was halfway through my USC application and just stopped. I plan on a masters degree in film after an EE degree. One man I met dropped out of journalism twelve years ago to try to "break in" and hasn't stopped regretting it since. He's been stuck as a grip/best boy his entire career.

On another level, the cinematographer I met on the set of The Wire went to culinary school, then just decided he wanted to shoot films. So there's something to consider. Knowing how to cook can get you places.

quote:

Originally posted by Evan:
i don't totally understand why one has to "break in" in the first place...

somebody please tell me why I need to break in to the industry in order to make my life worth while...

The industry hands you big budgets, equipment, talent and makes the world your audience. If you're any kind of filmmaker, why wouldn't you?

quote:

Originally posted by funkbomb:
More than anything else, the advice I've heard time and again from directors, DPs, and especially the camera ops, grips, gaffers, etc. have been "Don't drop out of school. Don't waste your time in film school. Get your degree. Get it in something. THEN consider film school." I was halfway through my USC application and just stopped. I plan on a masters degree in film after an EE degree. One man I met dropped out of journalism twelve years ago to try to "break in" and hasn't stopped regretting it since. He's been stuck as a grip/best boy his entire career.

On another level, the cinematographer I met on the set of The Wire went to culinary school, then just decided he wanted to shoot films. So there's something to consider. Knowing how to cook can get you places.

Month ago I wouldn't agree with you, but now I understand that it's really important to have degrees in different job fields. BTW, what major did you get BA/MA in?

[/QUOTE]
The industry hands you big budgets, equipment, talent and makes the world your audience. If you're any kind of filmmaker, why wouldn't you?[/QUOTE]

because it's not that easy, and just because you never "break in" doesn't mean that you're not a filmmaker. I don't mean to sound like breaking into the industry is a bad thing...it's probably a great thing, but it doesn't seem to be required either.

Ya you got to break in and get to know as much people as you can. You can be educated, but once you get a job you always start at bottom and move up. Education can mean nothing

David!

quote:

Originally posted by Evan:

because it's not that easy, and just because you never "break in" doesn't mean that you're not a filmmaker. I don't mean to sound like breaking into the industry is a bad thing...it's probably a great thing, but it doesn't seem to be required either.

I meant that as a filmmaker why wouldn't you want to try? Obviously it's not required. It all depends on what you're happy with acheiving.

quote:

BTW, what major did you get BA/MA in?

Still a sophomore at UMD College Park, working on an electrical engineering degree. After that I plan on an MA in film.

From all the scads of people I've talked to, the only reason you'd want to go to film school is if you know you want to be involved in the industry but not to what extent, or if you want to take your chances with your thesis film breaking you into the business. But for the tuition these schools charge, it's a high price to pay for that.

The industry is looking for new blood, from different places and different backgrounds, rather than film school grads who feel they're entitled to a job right off the bat. You may not use your education directly if you come with a different degree, but no employer looks at your degree as the deciding factor. It's about your work ethic and proving yourself in the first few weeks. If they like you, they keep you. If they don't, you're done, and some other eager young'n takes your spot. Of course I'm talking about low-level spots at a production company or whatnot.

quote:

Originally posted by oscarjunk25:
Ya you got to break in and get to know as much people as you can. You can be educated, but once you get a job you always start at bottom and move up. Education can mean nothing

David!

First of all, you don't need to break in to meet as many people as you can. You can clearly do that beforehand if you have the networking ability or the means.

Secondly, you can only move up from the bottom of a job ladder through hard work and dedication.

Lastly, saying that education can mean nothing is the most ignorant statement I've heard in quite a long time. Education will ALWAYS mean something - if not for your job, but for yourself. We're programmed to learn - some through school and others through practice, but its all an education regardless. Saying that it can mean nothing in the film industry is like saying you can shoot a scene properly without understanding shutter speed.

-Kegan

It's all a hodge podge of undulating horse shizz. There is no answer, we're all on seperate paths. It's really a question of who works harder.

Film school is about learning and making connections with your classmates. You might start on the bottom but that's besides the point.

A good friend of mine moved out here about three weeks after I did, and she's sleeping in my living room until she gets on her feet.

She's been here for four weeks, and she worked eight days as a PA on a Universal blockbuster and now she's in her second week as a PA on an ABC show.

I'm in my fifth week of USC's MFA program.

We're both taking different routes, and at times she wishes she was in my shoes, and vice versa.


There is no clear cut winner. Successes come to those who go to school and those who don't, and while these circular debates are fun, unfortunately, there simply is no right answer.

-first ever comment-

I'm a freshman in college, with a plan on getting a degree first. TV communication major, Graphic arts , Creative writing minor. Its always good to have a well rounded education. That and one should stay in school because its FREE TO USE SCHOOL EQUIPMENT. At most schools anyways. Join your schools N.ational B.roadcast S.ociety club. One can use all their equipment for free as long as they show initiative.

Join school clubs and organizations also gives you a type of leadership role. I am the Executive Producer of SMSU Student Productions, reminded I'm just a freshman. Sticking with school will give you tons of experience and the chance to make some good works to help you "Break In"

When ones in college there is plenty of time to start making your connections.

Final statement: "Whether you staying in school or going straight in to the industry, ITS ALL about YOUR CONNECTIONS and YOUR NETWORKING."

I mean just think of all the no talents that end up in the industry. The only reason they got in is because they had some random connection/ with no skill.