A degree will teach you the basics of filmmaking, give you access to equipment, and sometimes even speed up your career. However, there are many options these days, from traditional film schools to online workshops.
How you study depends on your personal learning preferences. You don’t need an actual education to work in the film industry, but professional training has its advantages.
Below, you will find advice on the various different education options.
Full-Time Courses
Regardless of your age, you might want to study a full-time filmmaking course. This could be as a bachelor’s or master’s degree, which would take anywhere between 2 and 4 years.
For full-time study, you have the option of attending a university or film school. The main difference is that a university will have many other students studying a range of disciplines.
While a film school is an institution made specifically for film students, a university course is also more likely to teach a wide range of skills than a focused course.
The place you choose to study does not affect the quality of education. However, before choosing any course, you should research the curriculum fully.
Also, if possible, get a tour of the classrooms and meet your lecturers. Full-time education is a big commitment, so you should make sure that the course is a perfect fit.
| American Film Institute |
| New York University (NYU) |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
| Chapman University |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
| Columbia University |
Short Courses
If you don’t have the time or financial means to study full-time, there are short courses and workshops available. Many film schools offer short courses, but you can also find these held at film festivals.
These courses run anywhere from a day to several months at a time. Although they don’t come with a formal qualification, you can still add them to your film resume.
If you’re a beginner, you can take an all-round filmmaking course. These will teach you everything from writing the screenplay to editing. However, if you have a more solid idea of what job you want, you can take a short, focused course.
Online Courses
If you want to experience a short course before investing in a full-time one, then online filmmaking courses are also an option. Obviously, these won’t have hands-on teaching, but they might give you a good start.
You can also take a range of unique courses rather than just a general filmmaking one, such as a short course in screenwriting or video editing. They sometimes offer free trials or discounts.
Apprenticeships
If classroom study is not your thing, you could also try to get an apprenticeship. These are professionally taught on-the-job trainee placements. Some of these have age requirements, so be sure to read up on the rules before applying.
There are a lot of advantages to an official apprenticeship over working on independent films. A placement at a good company will teach you professional practice, provide valuable industry contacts, and actually pay you.
These apprenticeships, however, are very competitive, so there is no guarantee you will get one, but it is worth trying. You can find these by looking at the career pages of major film and TV companies. For example:
Independent Filmmaking
Lastly, although it is always best to get professional training, you can learn by working on independent films. Independent film projects are happening all over the world throughout the year. Many of them will be happy to have the extra help, but they often pay a low wage.
You can also learn the basics by working on low-budget films and connecting with other freelancers.
There are many ways to educate yourself, whether you self-study or attend a formal course. Also, make sure you read up on the rules before applying.
