what happens to those who don't make it as a filmmaker in HOLLYWOOD?

[littleturtle]

i'm talking about those who actually went to film school and finished with a degree.. and went to hollywood, but didn't make it..

what can you do with that degree?

surely it could get you a job in something simiilar right? like a music video director or something? commercials?

 

[sonnyboo]

You can work for a production company in some other capacity than "filmmaker", as in editor, production coordinator, or any one of the thousand positions available.

You can teach filmmaking in College.

You can use that degree to get a free cup of coffee at a Starbucks in Santa Monica while you fill out an application for assistant manager.

Like any degree, it's always what you do with it and how you define success. A degree in an of itself is nothing but a piece of paper. How you use it and what it does for you is up to you.

Mileage May Vary.

 

[Mastermind]

You can work for a production company in some other capacity than "filmmaker", as in editor, production coordinator, or any one of the thousand positions available.

You can teach filmmaking in College.

You can use that degree to get a free cup of coffee at a Starbucks in Santa Monica while you fill out an application for assistant manager.

Like any degree, it's always what you do with it and how you define success. A degree in an of itself is nothing but a piece of paper. How you use it and what it does for you is up to you.

Mileage May Vary.

Very much agree. Much is left to the individual in question.

 

[grinner]

You'll find some of the best bartenders in LA have degress they'll never use.
Sometimes folks get a degree in film thinking that will help get them a job... some even feel entitled to one. It's the ones that feel entitled that wind up tending bar.

 

[directorik]

grinner is painfully accurate.

I live in Hollywood. I work in Hollywood. Every day I run into
film school grads who are serving coffee, tending bar, waiting
tables. Some of them, 8 and 10 years after film school. They have
a couple of scripts, they are “in development” on several
projects, they just worked on a music video - not directing, but
it was work - not paid but great connections.

A degree in film doesn’t mean you can get work. I dropped out of
high school and I’ve directed over 30 music videos. Very often
with a USC or Full Sail graduate as a PA.

surely it could get you a job in something simiilar right? like a music video director or something? commercials?

sonnyboo is right - and less sarcastic than I am. There are so
many jobs in film that many film school grads are making a good
living doing those jobs. Not all film school grads “make it” as
directors, producers or writers. Many of them go into development,
post production, equipment rental.

I find it interesting that you mention “making” it and then ask if
they don’t “make it” could they direct music vids or commercials.

An in demand commercial director makes high six figures a year. An
in demand music video director and easily bring in mid to low six
figures. Most of the time those directors have a more difficult
time “making it” than TV directors or film directors.

And let’s not dismiss TV directors. Some might not consider a TV
director having made it, but it’s a damn good living.

News stations all over the country are filled with films school
grads. That’s a pretty good living and many feel they have “made”
it.

But bottom line - as sonnyboo said, graduating from film school
doesn’t guarantee any career success. Just like not going to film
school doesn’t mean you can’t “make it.”

 

[littleturtle]

grinner is painfully accurate.

I live in Hollywood. I work in Hollywood. Every day I run into
film school grads who are serving coffee, tending bar, waiting
tables. Some of them, 8 and 10 years after film school. They have
a couple of scripts, they are “in development” on several
projects, they just worked on a music video - not directing, but
it was work - not paid but great connections.

A degree in film doesn’t mean you can get work. I dropped out of
high school and I’ve directed over 30 music videos. Very often
with a USC or Full Sail graduate as a PA.


sonnyboo is right - and less sarcastic than I am. There are so
many jobs in film that many film school grads are making a good
living doing those jobs. Not all film school grads “make it” as
directors, producers or writers. Many of them go into development,
post production, equipment rental.

I find it interesting that you mention “making” it and then ask if
they don’t “make it” could they direct music vids or commercials.

An in demand commercial director makes high six figures a year. An
in demand music video director and easily bring in mid to low six
figures. Most of the time those directors have a more difficult
time “making it” than TV directors or film directors.

And let’s not dismiss TV directors. Some might not consider a TV
director having made it, but it’s a damn good living.

News stations all over the country are filled with films school
grads. That’s a pretty good living and many feel they have “made”
it.

But bottom line - as sonnyboo said, graduating from film school
doesn’t guarantee any career success. Just like not going to film
school doesn’t mean you can’t “make it.”

thank you for that well thought out response.. i've noticed you pretty much often respond to my posts with really really detailed responses, i like that lol.

your post pretty much summed up what i assumed.. now i know i'm going into film school for sure lol.. now i just gotta make sure i hustle my ass off and not just earn the degree, but actually become good at the art of filmmaking..

- littleturtle

 

[Blade_Jones]

what can you do with that degree?

Eat breakfast off of it maybe. Getting a "degree" in filmmaking or broadcasting is a waste of money. Some of the top 10 most worthless degrees. I can understand maybe taking a couple of classes but that's about it. 2 or 4 years of study is ridiculous. Schools should be sued for having "degrees" in these fields. If you want to be an editor, buy software and start learning. If you want to be a grip, meet someone who can get you started. Or just check on Craig's List for all of the daily slave labor jobs and claw and fight your way up the ladder (if you're lucky). Your goal is to work union on big shows -- good luck! That's what a zillion people want to do. Indie films? That is NOT a career. That's a recipe for losing equity in your house and unemployment. The odds of making a profitable indie movie are stacked WAY against you. McDonald's employees CONSISTENTLY make more money that indie filmmakers year after year.

 

[wheatgrinder]

There are degrees and there are degrees and many seconds in between (tech ref look it up)

Is there such a thing as an accredited Bachelors Of Science or Art (BS or BA) in "film making?" Can you get a PHD in filmmaking from a public university? Im not being sarcastic, I don't know.. but I do know that a non accredited "tech school" degree is only as good as the job placement program that comes with that school. For me that was enough, It opened all the doors I needed opening, and I finished in ONE YEAR... but your millage may vary (Im only a hobby film maker BTW)

 

[Lord of Light]

It's what you make of it. I just got accepted into a film school this year and I'm happy as ever for now I actually get the chance to make films instead of just thinking about. The thing is, for me anyways, when I'm working I have next to no time to devote to making a film. And when I do I can't get my friends into because they're working and they lack the same enthusiasm I do.

Now, of course, I happened to move into an area where I know next to no one, and the few people I do know aren't into films. New Hampshire's not exactly a film making mecca.

Film school gives people like me the opportunity to make films under the guidance of teachers who know what they're doing, and working with other students who are equally passionate about it as I am. Not to mention being in a school environment opens up the doors for inspiration for a variety of story telling ideas that could pay off later.

At the very least it gives you a few years of experience in making films, gets you used to the equipment, builds up contacts, and gives you a reel to show future employers.

It's not for everyone. Likewise, if you're not like me and you have the opportunity to make films outside of a school environment, then I'd suggest you continue with that.