Hey guys,
I had a question/comment/statement. I was chatting with my former college professor and she discussed her film school experience with me. She talked about the competitiveness of film school and how some students took it a little too far. (I.e. thought they were better than others and were elitists). Now don’t get me wrong I welcome competitiveness and feel that it’s necessary to keep us on our toes so that we don’t get complacent but isn’t apart of film school networking and getting to know others. It would be real unfortunate if you shunned someone and later found out that they became the next big thing in Hollywood. Besides why go to film school if you feel you’re an expert. Oh well this is just my two cents. I would love to hear the opinions on the issue or matter by current and former film school students. Also, could any of you guys comment about your experiences at your schools (USC, NYU, UCLA, COLUMBIA, CHAPMAN, AFI, ETC.)?

SilverLenz

In my opinion film school is all about community. While completing my undergraduate at Hofstra University I had a wonderful experience working with my peers. All of the friends I made at Hofstra are the people whom I work with professionally and on independent projects. I have friends who attended more competitive institutions for their undergraduate degree and they said it was more of a dog eat dog atmosphere. But at any film school there will always be students who refuse to work with others and only look out for themselves. Few of these people will actually get anywhere.

Beyond advancing my directorial skills, one of the primary reasons I am applying to Grad School is to make more lifelong professional acquaintances, who share the same level of ambition and passion as I do. The entire industry is based on working with others. I was a Director's Assistant and was amazed at how many people a Director needs to communicate with on a day to day basis. The primary lesson I learned was that as a Director your ability to handle yourself socially and politically is nearly as important as your creative abilities. As a Producer this is even more true.

If people don't want to work with their peers, they definitely should not attend film school or even involve themselves in this industry. You can always write by yourself in your room, but you still need someone to read it.

Overall, I think your Prof. is correct that competition exists, but a majority of it is healthy. If you keep an open mind and connect with those around you, I believe you will find success at film school.

When one USC person succeeds, even at our own expense, we all celebrate. We also critique, and also try to learn. The competition is built in to the human body...we all want to succeed and win, and that's anywhere you go.

There is, however, a difference between competition and cutthroat, especially since the second has no place in such a collaborative medium. We don't have legends of people who threw each other under the bus; I've never heard a cry of sabotage.

You have to work with each other every step of the way when making films, and as soon as you finish one, you're off to make another...it's just not worth it to stab people in the back, so no, I would say in my experience at USC, that is not the norm.

I can tell you (secondhand) that AFI is structured to be quite political, and thus it seems quite cutthroat to an outsider...and their students thrive. USC isn't as political, and our students thrive as well.

I can tell you (secondhand) that one director tried to keep her crew from using their thesis film on reels because she claimed full ownership. She also acted in it, which I understand is quite common there...writer-actor-directors.

That is the ONLY time I've heard of such a thing, so let it serve as anecdotal, not as the norm.

The thing is, Silverlenz, the industry is cutthroat...not supportive competition. So, I say build that network of those worthy of both competition and collaboration...be it in film school or just working your way up in the industry without completing a program.

One of the major benefits (or at least reasons why I'm committed to film school) is that chance for collaboration and to build that community.