I am starting grad school next semester and I know that many of the students in the MFA program own their own film production companies. There is actually very limited material on this subject so if anyone could shed some light on this I would greatly appreciate it. My basic questions are:
- Why would owning a production company as a student be helpful for me to do
- What does the process entail?
- Should I create one before I begin the program or during the school year, and finally for those of you who have done this, or are in the process of attempting it, do you have any suggestions?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate any help you could give!

I don't agree that "many of the students in the MFA program own their own film production companies" per se. Production companies are extremely expensive to build and equip. Cameras, microphones, editing suites, lights, space...

Perhaps a FEW students could have all that, but definitely not "many." What most of them do have is a logo vignette to place before their movies, like JOHN SMITH PRODUCTIONS. That doesn't mean they have a real production company. But they do have the ego for it.

But your question was whether or not you should invest in a production company. Well, if you have the budget and if you love filmmaking, you might as well start one.

Good luck,