Is film school worth it?

Article by

Eddy Sanchez 

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That's the million dollar question! It really depends on whom you ask. I can only speak from my personal experience and reference a few articles. You can go to NYU, USC, or you can even go to a wonderful but lesser-known school like Digital Film Academy.

https://www.digitalfilmacademy.edu/

It's not so much where you go that matters, it's what you do with it. If you want to go to USC and be $200k in debt when you come out, that's my guess. I know a few people that came out of school with debts that big. We call them doctors. You also have the choice not to go to film school and save yourself a lot of money. I want to give you some information on the topic. I will also give you my personal opinion and let you decide what's best for you! This first article gives advantages to getting a degree.

Here's an article in 'The Gaurdian" written by Angela Foster on July 8, 2011.

"What to do with a degree in film studies."

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/jul/08/film-studies-degree?CMP=share_btn_link

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This second article by Max O'Connell was written on April 22, 2014. "What's The Best Film School for Filmmakers (If Any)? Here's What This Year's Tribeca Film Festivals Filmmakers Say"

https://www.indiewire.com/2014/04/whats-the-best-film-school-for-filmmakers-if-any-heres-what-this-years-tribeca-film-festival-filmmakers-say-27512/​

Conclusion

I personally enjoy film school, but I feel it's not for everyone. Everyone I asked gave me mixed responses; some hated it, some loved it. I am currently enrolled at the Digital Film Academy in NYC and I love every moment of it. Everything is structured to help you learn how the film industry works. The key word is "structure". You have to ask yourself one thing. Do you want to learn in a structured environment? Or do you want to learn on your own without rules? Remember, there is no right or wrong answer! Good luck, and please leave a comment to let me know what you think.