The Art Institute offers bachelor's and associate's degrees, as well as diploma programs for those seeking real-world education in the creative and applied arts.
Life after College. Film School can Prepare You for a Tough Industry!
Is there a chance that after attending one of the top film colleges in the country, that you will be full of dead ends? Not if you start laying your path for post-graduation early on. Like while you're still a student! The film industry is one of the toughest to make a breakthrough in. There are so many people trying to make a name for themselves in an area with limited productions. The best thing for you to do is to prepare for the real world while still attending school.
Write a Script while in College
The first step for you to take is writing a script, a feature script that is. While attending a college you will be required to take various classes that may or may not be related to your particular area of focus, but that nevertheless will make you a well rounded film maker in the end. Script writing is one such class. Take advantage of the knowledge you will gain during this time to create a project you have complete control over. Some students make the mistake of lingering on this part of the post film college plan and have to take additional time off to work on their script. If you are lucky enough to make good connections during industry networking time you may be asked if you have a script ready to shoot. And when they ask you'll have something ready to show.
Top Locations to Live After Film School
The second thing to consider for life after college is where you will live. This is one decision that will rely on where the action is rather than what the year round weather is like. To date, the top cities where film productions are major revenue makers are Los Angeles, New York City, and South Florida. Some of the best colleges are also located in these areas. There are other places in the country where productions are taking place but they don't have a strong state film commissions or they have crews brought over from the top three. Real organized individuals are even able to be bicoastal and live in both sides of the country according to production schedules.
The Best Film Preparation is Experience
Colleges that teach Film making emphasize gaining work experience so immerse yourself in every local production possible. Most schools are in areas where productions are routinely taking place. They may not always be of the magnitude of the big Hollywood productions, but still they provide you with the opportunity to apply what you've been learning throughout the years. Remember, the more substance you have in your resume and reels the better chances of landing a gig you will have. While studying film in college you should also take advantage of the school's equipment. Film students often make short films with their colleagues and then later enter them into small film contests to gain notoriety.
Consider a Graduate Degree
Finally, don't forget to consider graduate school. Many of the film industry's top film makers such as Francis Ford Coppola and David Lynch went on to graduate school to hone their craft. Graduate programs give you the opportunity to work in your specific area of interest and provide you with more in-depth industry guidance in getting your work on the big screen.