Which of these majors would be best?

[Aldenard]

What would be better out of these three to choose as a major? Also what is the difference between these?

-Cinema-Television (Critical Studies)
-Cinema-Television (Production)
-Writing for Screen and Television

[Joe Calabrese]

-Cinema-Television (Critical Studies) is the general study and history of film. This was my major. That degree alone and 3 bucks will get you a Venti Latte at Starbucks.

-Cinema-Television (Production) deals mostly with actual production specifics, roles and equipment. You will do hands on stuff, make short films, work in the TV studio. I took a few of these courses and they were worthwhile for actual practical experience in a non-paying professional way.

-Writing for Screen and Television, a writing major. I would take some of these course, but majoring will limit you to it unless you take some courses from above.

I would major in any, but minor in the least with the -Cinema-Television (Production) production side.

[Zolbar]

Speaking of schools. I am in Japan right now doing the whole "Teach English for my Resume" routine. In reality, I just want to get away from Bush for a bit. Anyway, I already have a degree in Business from a 4 year university, but would like to pursue a career in some aspect of film, preferably writing.

What are some good schools to attend? Maybe something along the lines of 1-2 years, 3-4 if need be. Keep in mind, my pockets are lined with no more than a few Japanese Yen and some fuzzy blue lint. In other words, I would like a place where I can learn the trade, without selling my body to science. Thanks in advance.

I like the sound of this action here:
-Cinema-Television (Production)
-Writing for Screen and Television

[odocoileus]

One question you should ask yourself is "where can I make the most connections?" Film school is just as much about meeting people and making connections in a work environment, where you can assess their talent and reliability, as it is about what you learn in class.

By this criterion, Critical Studies would be your last choice. You will have to take some of these courses anyway, no need to specialize in them, since you're aiming to make and/or write movies. I would recommend a major in writing with a minor in production. You can supplement your production experience by working for free on other people's projects. If you love production - I always did - then a major in that and minor in writing.

Conventional film school wisdom is that writers with great scripts will get a shot at directing before anyone else. That still leaves a screenwriter with the problem of how to get his script read/and sold. One really good way to get your scripts read by people with the money and power to make them into movies, is to make a great short film.

How do you become a "real" director? Write scripts to movies that become hits. How do you become a "real" screenwriter? Direct a great short film. Sound like a dog chasing his tail? You bet.

[odocoileus]

Zolbar,

in terms of learning to dollars ratio, nothing beats the film production programs at Los Angeles area community colleges. These programs produce a lot more film technicians, especially camera people, than they do writers or directors.

Namewise, prestige wise, it's all about USC and UCLA, with Cal State Northridge as a strong runner up, because it has the most up to date equipment and facilities. CSUN is also the closest to where the action is, the San Fernando Valley. The northeast corner of the Valley has more production than anyplace else in the US.

If you've got the time, and the money, a MFA from these big name schools can launch your career quicker than just about anything else. Cal Arts is the other LA area school that has good rep and graduates name people on a regular basis. Outside of LA, NYU is the one big name school in the film industry.

[Joe Calabrese]

Not to play Devil's Advocate...

I know PHD psychologists who are cab drivers and I know screenwriters and filmmakers with degrees up to Masters who haven't sold or done squat.

Education is only a small part of your overall business plan to success (or from eating dog food). Networking, talent and perseverance outweighs any degree.

The education and practice will sharpen your talent (if you have any).

Networking will get your name out there because it's not just who you know, but who knows you.

Perseverance will keep you from quitting too early.

Go for the education, but remember that piece of paper by itself will not open any door. It barely makes for even a good coaster.

[NikeeGoddess]

zolbar - have you considered checking out the japanese film industry? they make some great films. you probably don't know the language that well but, you might have talents in translation that could be useful to them. also just the experience alone in japan should be useful for the creative mind.

[mjgwriter]

It looks like the majors you chose come right from USC's film program. If you're planning on applying the good news is usc lets you apply to a few programs (5 I think) with one application fee. So you can apply to all three programs and let fate help you decide. If you get into all three, Oh wow, now you've got big problems.

[zeprosnepsid]

yeah, as those three majors seem to be exactly from USC, I shall elaborate for you.

Critical Studies is pretty much made fun of and looked down upon at USC. It's what you get into when you can't get into the harder programs. But it's perfectly lovely if you want to actually study films. But yes, you can take all these classes with the other majors.

Production is where the cool kids are at because it's what I was in =) But yeah, you take some crit studies and a mere 2 screenwriting courses. But Production is very technical. If you don't want to learn more than you'd ever need to know about sound, this is not for you. Production is not just for molding directors and producers -- but also Art Directors, Cinematographers, etc... In undergrad, they only accept 50 freshman and 50 transfers. Undergrad Production at USC is harder to get into than Yale Law School. It's one of the most selective programs in the country.

The Screenwriting Program is very intensive. You also take some Crit Studies and you take 2 classes where you actually make your own short films. But you take more classes in your major than the other majors because it's a BFA not a BA so it's harder to take any extra classes. Which means you really need to want to be a screenwriter or this program is hell. In undergrad, they only accept 25 students a year.

And btw, the key to getting into USC Film programs is grades, grades, grades! If you don't have good grades, don't bother. (Spielberg didn't get rejected twice because he wasn't talented, it's because he was a C student!)

-Your local USC expert
Fight on!

p.s. When I applied 6 years ago, I'm pretty sure they would only let me apply to one program, not all three. Maybe that has changed.

[KelseyF]

Hey,
Just wondering...to which schools are you applying to? I'm working on applications right now also, though I am applying as an undecided.

I want to be a film/television producer and have double majoring film/business on my mind right now. I think majoring in screenwriting will most definitely limit you, and I don't know what you would do with a critical studies major...study them? I guess it all depends what you want to do with it.

Zepro, for the production major, I saw that you mentioned USC takes 50 undergrads for the program a year. What is it like if I go two years at UCLA or CSu Northridge and then apply to transfer into their production program at USC?

[zeprosnepsid]

They take an additional 50 transfers per year for the production program. It's a lot easier to get in that way because less people apply. It's ideal if you grades aren't great and you can go to another college for a couple years and get really good grades (they are serious about the grades). Good luck =)

Dbl majoring or minoring in business is very popular. USC has a super business school.