No, no, no, no, no...the answer is no.

If you're looking to get a job in the industry, you'll need either a degree from a credible university, or you will need to know some people in the industry, or both.

Look at NYU, USC, UCLA, Columbia, AFI, or even a film degree from a top tier university.

There are a lot of film school scams in the market, so do a lot of research before choosing a school.

Regards,

Jamie Paszko
Publisher/Editor
www.FilmSlateMagazine.com

I would look for an accredited university, but that's me.

Jamie, if you have to choose one city to start your film career, which one would it be and why? I'm asking because I'm thinking of moving, and I'm not sure where I want to move to.

There is NO degree that will "get you a job" in the professional film industry. Breaking in and maintaining a career is about YOU... who you know, who knows you, and who knows what you can do. Others who are already in the working industry get to know you by hearing about you from others or by working with you directly. NOBODY will EVER care what school you went to or what degree you earned. It just does not matter.

What you "may" gain from a formal education in "filmmaking" is contact with other aspiring "filmmakers" in addition to potential contact with established professionals, provided that the school has the ability to bring those people in for talks or workshops. Otherwise, depending on the school, you may or may not receive adequate technical training that will help you transition out of the school environment and into the professional work environment.

If you are dead-set on going to a formal film school, it is vital that YOU decide SPECIFICALLY what JOB you wish to do. Just saying that you want to be a "filmmaker" isn't enough. What do you mean by that? Do you want to be a Screenwriter? Director? Producer? Editor? Grip? Costumer? You MUST be very specific and then you research all of the schools out there (the world's most comprehensive list is available at www.realfilmcareer.com) and find the school that best suits YOUR needs. And you don't just find that out by looking at their website. Call the department chair and teachers. Find alumni who have graduated. Find out EXACTLY what classes you'll be taking and evaluate if they will help YOU get where you'd like to be. Talk to alumni and ask them about their experience and if they were able to capitalize on their education by finding work in the area they wanted to be in.

Remember, YOU are the consumer who is buying a service/product and most film schools cost A LOT! So make sure you are paying for something that is worthwhile, but also keep in mind that NO degree will ever truly help you get a job in the business. Unless you're looking to be an entertainment lawyer or agent or accountant in the studio environment, none of that really matters. If you wish to be working on set in some creative or technical capacity, it's all about what you've done and who you know. You really can't get that kind of experience in the bubble of an expensive film school.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com