Graduate School

[J. Bernard Vallon]

So I figure if I'm making major life choices, I might as well run them by the wonderful folks at reduser. I love to teach, and i've always thought that one day i'd become a professor, of either film or photography, at some time in my life.

So right now, my expenses are pretty low. I'm shooting weddings on the weekends, working in the studio during the week, and making commercials on the side. My Red is going to be for making higher quality commercials without having to shoot on film, so I can charge more $$.

I think now might be a good time to look at grad school. I'm in maryland, so I'm thinking about RIT, MICA, or maybe something in Boston. I want to go somewhere where its cheap to live, (so not NYC), hopefully will give me some good grants and assistantships, as all my money is going towards a certain camera.

Any thoughts?

[Jason Francois]

So I figure if I'm making major life choices, I might as well run them by the wonderful folks at reduser. I love to teach, and i've always thought that one day i'd become a professor, of either film or photography, at some time in my life.

So right now, my expenses are pretty low. I'm shooting weddings on the weekends, working in the studio during the week, and making commercials on the side. My Red is going to be for making higher quality commercials without having to shoot on film, so I can charge more $$.

I think now might be a good time to look at grad school. I'm in maryland, so I'm thinking about RIT, MICA, or maybe something in Boston. I want to go somewhere where its cheap to live, (so not NYC), hopefully will give me some good grants and assistantships, as all my money is going towards a certain camera.

Any thoughts?

Never made it that far, but congrats to you for doing so.

Do you have to have grad school to be professor? It would seem that a mix of education and related experience would be enough in some cases, but then again, I never finished college...only film school.

Best of luck,

Jason

[David Mullen ASC]

What makes someone attractive to a university as a professor in filmmaking, videography, etc. is a mix of qualities, mostly though it's your track record in the field and what you might have published more than your original education and diplomas.

Doesn't hurt of course but there are other things that would be more important, like if you've ever published a textbook in your field, articles in journals, taught workshops, won awards, had a lot of decent credits, etc. But universities hire a wide variety of people, some not much more than recent graduates hired to teach the basic intro workshops, who are cheap to hire and know the course, program, equipment and facilities well.

In terms of the value of going to film school, other than the academic one, it mainly comes from the contacts you make there that will lead to work in your field later. So you have to ask yourself if where you will be going will lead to connections that matter in your particular job field and career location, unless you are just going for the academic experience.

[J. Bernard Vallon]

Thanks for the feedback

One of the major draws for me towards more school is the forced deadlines. Everyone knows its tough making yourself do creative projects outside of professional ones to really experiment and try new things. School is a great atmosphere to just make you produce, regardless of clients instructions.

[Keith Alan Morris]

I am in my 3rd year of an MFA in Film at the Univ of Central Florida, Entrepreneurial Digital Cinema track. I am only doing it to teach on the grad level (already have a job offer), help start a similar program elsewhere, and have 4 months off a year to make films. I take classes at nights and love it.

I suggest a state school because they're so much cheaper, and if you have experience, awards, etc. like Mr. Mullen says, you can write your own ticket--you just can't get your PhD and top out on the pay scale/get tenure. PM me if you want more info. I suggest alot of life experience first before grad school. It really makes all the difference in the classroom.

[TimothyD]

How's it going.

I have a master's in Digital Media Art and Production from MSU (Michigan State University).

I think it was a very worthwhile program, and would highly reccommend it to anyone.

FWIW: As far as a PhD. goes, I would steer clear of that if you like doing production. An MFA like km9000 is getting is much better. Besides, of the people I took production classes from, exactly zero had a PhD. (All had a master's though.)

Peace,

Tim