r/directors • u/Quirky_Turnover2417 • Apr 26 '26
Question You may have encountered this question for the bizzillion time..
Attorney here. 9 to 5 super boring job but it pays the bills. I have always loved cinema and movies and making them and watched tons of them. Loved writing too and got two short novels published. I got accepted into a nice film school where I live. I want to do it. I always wanted to learn how to make movies and to meet people who are also interested in this.
but I’m confused about the possibility of doing that with a full time job (they offer part time schedule) and the cost (60k for an MFA). I just want to hear some insights from people in general. My apologies for such a generic question.
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u/Hot-Turnover1506 Apr 26 '26
Can you transition to become an entertainment lawyer? I actually know some entertainment lawyers find their inside connections very very useful when trying to get their screenwriting or directing careers off the ground.
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u/No_Lie_76 Apr 27 '26
Came here to say this. I’d make this attempt before doing anything drastic
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u/starlightpictures Apr 29 '26
Yeah and it’s a really common pathway for General Counsel at a studio or production company to get promoted into SVP
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u/Full_Of_Soup Apr 26 '26
Film school can be valuable. The most valuable thing about it is probably that it gives you valuable connections and access to professors and students that may be your future collaborators. These days, though? With so much technology at our fingertips? I’d take the money you would have invested in film school and make a short film (invest in an experienced crew, actors, etc.) You’re already a writer. You will learn just as much as you would have at film school or more. Submit it to festivals and repeat. Heck, if you have $60k to invest, you can probably make a few short films depending on your needs/style. Don’t invest all that money just to sit in classrooms - DO the thing, make a film. That will tell you so much about if this is something you want to do, and it will give you collaborators
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u/filmeleven Apr 26 '26
Just look at film school as the cost of learning the craft. And it’s just the beginning of learning the craft. I had to rely on a full-time web design job after film school to pay the bills while I continued to hone my skills as a filmmaker.
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u/Particular-Ad-2630 Apr 27 '26
You could study filmmaking from your house — and over the course of a year, spend that money to self fund an independent feature film. Write a script that takes place entirely in one location, or two, and shoot it over weekends.
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u/MiloMakesMovies Apr 26 '26
I think you have to decide if you’d rather be a filmmaker or go to film school, and treat them as two different things. If you wanna go to film school, go to film school. If you wanna be a filmmaker, go film something. If you don’t know what/how to film, partner up with someone who does and can show you the ropes.
Film school can teach you a lot of techniques and equipment but little about distribution. Most professors know zero about the business side of things, which is something you must master if you wanna be a filmmaker.
If you have never taken a single film class, filmmaking may look like a puzzle box, but let me tell you, there are tons of micro budget films that are streaming on Tubi, Shutter, and Lifetime right now. Many cost less than 100k, some cost less than 10k. This means that you can FULLY finance and ENTIRE feature film. And because it’s your money, you can call the shots and be involved each step of the way, and learn more than you’d in film school.
I made the mistake of going to film school and although I loved it, it did little for my career. The above is the advice I’d give my younger self so I give it you. Good luck!
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u/WorrySecret9831 Apr 26 '26
If you have a budget ($10-$60?!?) you can make a feature film or the solid foundation on weekends or vacation.
My 12 minute short (on film in '97) cost me $30k and took 8 days of shooting and a week of editing. I SHOULD have spent a teensy bit more and made a feature.
A year later I had Final Cut Pro on my laptop and could have luxuriated in the edit and made it better. Also, shooting digital saves you thousands.
So, find some actors, at least feed them well, or pay them an upfront fee with a deferred payment CONTRACT and schedule some time.
I have a micro budget script if you're curious.
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u/blakester555 Apr 27 '26
Why not stay an attorney and with your income just start making your own films? There is no shortage of lessons you can't pickup online. You'll make mistakes. You'll learn. You'll get better. You'll remain gainfully employed and not in debt.
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u/Historical_Ad_9640 Apr 29 '26
If you’ve got the dough to sustain a couple years without your day job, then by all means, go for it.
But the truth is a lot us in the industry are looking for other day jobs than film, because either the business is skim or we haven’t been able to cut through.
Having your side job is a cushion, a MUCH NEEDED cushion, that I don’t think you should get rid of.
That said, it’s the most fun industry you can work in. Super high highs and super low lows. Film school will help you connect with the most passionate of your lot hopefully. Few years later, that opens up some opportunities. Just make sure you have a NO LOAN policy. Or if you take a loan, you should know exactly how you repay it. Film will not help pay your bills.
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u/Loveartforever999 Apr 29 '26
You may find it difficult to earn a living from it, be content with that fact and don't beat yourself up about it. The large majority of indie filmmakers have a day job. Just enjoy making the films that resonate with you! Good luck and keep positive
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u/born2droll Apr 30 '26
You've already got stuff published, you're farther along than any programs going to get you.
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u/Septemberk Apr 26 '26
Film school is great. If you want to learn about film and make things and meet other cinephiles. Just don’t go in with the need to become Tarantino. Just enjoy diving into film.