•What Should I Do?
QuestionClose•Posted by1 hour agoWhat Should I Do?
Question
I'm a rising senior in high school. My dream is to be a writer/director.
I'm at a point in my life where I feel like the path I take will influence my future greatly, and I want to have the best chance at achieving my goal. I would also like to stress that the way the film industry works is foreign to me, and I don't know how realistic this goal is. Stealing a quote from Socrates: "I know that I do not know anything." Anyways:
My dream to write professionally has been with me for several years now, and my dream to direct has been with me for an even longer time.
Thus far, I've written and edited a 200-page novel manuscript extensively, put together a couple of 50-page screenplays, have written dozens of short stories, filmed a few shorts, consumed hundreds of movies and dozens of books critically, and have extensively analyzed storytelling through critical writing and my own self-study. Lastly, I am currently in the process of adapting one of my scripts: it has a storyboard, cast, and locations though we're still in pre-production and have no budget.
With college application season in full-swing, I believe that I have a decent shot at schools with excellent film programs like NYU and USC and I will be applying to most, if not all, of the schools on my list with the intent to double major in Creative Writing and Political Science because my resume best fits those majors.
So, should I lean towards schools like NYU and USC and swap Creative Writing to Film? Should I waste money on film school with my current experience in mind? Does it matter what school I go to? How much does film school help in getting your foot in the door? How do I stick my foot in the door? How do I best take advantage of the alumni networks? What should I be doing?
Any advice, no matter how bone-crushing, is welcome.
1 commentsavehidereport100% UpvotedLog in or sign up to leave a commentlog insign upSort bybestlevel 1Score hidden · 50 minutes ago
Well, first of all, I'd say try your best to drop the self-defeatist attitude. I mean that with absolutely zero offense, btw. I felt the same way at your age. No bone crushing adivce is incoming haha. You are young and it looks like you have put a lot of time into this. If your goal is to be a working filmmaker, I'd say that's a very realistic goal.
I think you should decide what is your real passion. If writing and political science are your main passion, and the filmmaking side of things is more of a side passion, then go for the majors you're going for. If filmmaking is your passion and writing/political science are side passions, then go for those as your majors. But remember, whatever happens, you can always change your major.
If you decide that filmmaking is at this time more of a side passion, then hell, I'd say just get a camera and film things. Learn the editing and camerawork and all that at your own pace.
Whatever you decide, try not to put too much pressure on yourself one way or another. 99% of people don't have things fully figured out by your age. Hell, most don't even have it figured out by their 30s. Just focus on learning filmmaking as much as you can and getting out there. Join productions, film things with friends and on your own, make videos, etc. That way you always have the knowledge/skills wherever you decide to go.
Hope this helped!
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