Is a Film Degree Worth It?

Aspiring filmmakers and those who want to work in the film industry have often struggled to answer the questions, “Is a film degree worth it?” and “What can you do with a film degree?'' 

On one hand, some of the world’s greatest filmmakers earned their college degrees in this field, the prestige of their education helping to pave their way to success. However, many popular independent writers and directors made their mark on the cinema scene by learning through real-world experience. 

While both approaches have their pros and cons, earning a bachelor’s degree in filmmaking often yields significantly more success in the long run. From networking opportunities to gaining hands-on experience, there’s little doubt that studying film in college provides incredible career benefits. 

Read on for everything that makes a film degree worth it.

5 Reasons to Earn a Film Degree

While every student may have their own reasons for attending film school, we’ve compiled the top five reasons why you should consider earning a film degree:

#1 You Gain Hands-On Experience

Anyone including a non-filmmaking major can pick up a camera, but that doesn’t mean they know how to use it. 

The same can be said for editing and scriptwriting software, lighting, audio equipment, and other vital elements of filmmaking and film production. When you enroll in a film degree program, you’ll gain valuable, hands-on experience with the equipment,software you need in the film industry.

Just a few examples of popular filmmaking tools that a college program will introduce you to include:

• Editing software, particularly Adobe Premiere and Avid
• Professional lighting, such as fresnel, LED, and arri lights
• High-quality cameras, including Alexa, Red, and FS-100
• VFX software, such as Adobe after effects and Autodesk Maya
• Sound equipment, like audio recorders, shotgun microphones and lavaliers
• Scriptwriting software, such as Celtx and Final Draft

The bottom line – Film school teaches students and film studies graduates how to use industry-standard tools. Employers prioritize candidates with this expertise during the hiring process. Without the help of a film program, you risk entering the field underprepared. 

#2 You’ll Hone Your Storytelling Ability

Film school is a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your storytelling skills and hone your critical thinking. Not only will you learn the technical elements of script writing, but film school also gives students the chance to broaden their experiences and learn about the world through others’ perspectives, giving you more to write about.

During your time in film school, students will learn about storytelling through activities such as:

• Writing scripts and workshopping them with others 
• Learning about story structure and creative writing
• Watching and analyzing successful films

The bottom line – Without the experience and technical knowledge gained during college, filmmakers may never tap into their true storytelling potential. 

#3 You Create Lasting Connections

They say the film industry is all about who you know, and they’re absolutely right. What they don’t always tell you? The film industry is about who you know and how well you work with others.

Filmmaking is a team effort that involves the knowledge and skill of directors, cinematographers, camera operators, actors, and other crew. In your time at film school, you’ll learn how to:

• Collaborate with others during production
• Seize networking opportunities
• Build a contact list of people you know in the industry
• Assemble a diverse and competent cast and film crew 

The bottom line – The connections you make in a film program are not only important for current projects, but also for your future in the industry. Learning to work collaboratively is essential to a career in film, and you’ll get plenty of expertise in that area through a degree in film.