Independent Filmmaker Contracts for Film Producers, Directors, Actors, Investors and Writers

From script to sales the Investor/Producer/Writer must protect her/his film, documentary, music video, stage Project investment from concept to distribution with IndependentFilmmakerContracts.com

  • Investors Deal
  • Producers Deal
  • Directors Deal
  • Actors Deal
  • Crew Deal
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Contract Categories


Home » Blog » Should I drop out of a UC (University of California) to attend an art school instead?

Should I drop out of a UC (University of California) to attend an art school instead?

film production course
by Adrian J.K. Shum, CGD

Question by Robyn Quixano: Should I drop out of a UC (University of California) to attend an art school instead?
I am currently 19 years old, trying to finish my first semester of sophomore year in U.C. Merced. Despite being on the honor roll, maintaining top grades in all of my classes, I am mentally and emotionally exhausted. I have been dealing with depression and anxiety for years now (have received formal diagnoses of social phobia and Generalized Anxiety Disorder).

The only beacon of light for me is art. I crave for it so much I’ve dreamt many nights of being the starving artist. In the beginning, I concluded art could be a hobby whilst I work in a real, secure profession, but I can’t allow myself to have two things on my mind. It’s either one or the other. I either sacrifice everything to save the sick or I create. If my heart’s not into it, if I am not genuinely happy doing it, how can I commend myself on my deathbed for having lived life to its fullest? Life is too short, life is only granted once for each of us, we can’t waste it.

Can anyone, please, wisely convince me otherwise? Maybe you can change my mind before I devastate my parents.

Nonetheless, I’m not expecting to become Monet, Van Gogh, Dali, whoever. I just want to learn everything there is to learn about what I love. And do it, of course. I want to illustrate, paint, sculpt, tailor, produce films, and write stories. I have not practiced much as I was trying my best all this time to commit myself wholeheartedly to studying, but when I do doodle/draw/paint/dream of creating I am filled with a foreign sense of excitement and happiness.

Here are samples I found on my computer:
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/54/d09z.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/9314/d010f.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3326/d02b.jpg

I want to know if I might have a future with art if I keep working at it. More importantly, how can I maximize my level of mastery and/or success? Does going to an art school really make that much of a difference? In my situation, what is the best thing I can do now (ie. work on a portfolio)? I really want some kind of guidance, especially on more technical aspects of sculpting and film-making, et., but U.C. Merced is very limited in its art program (there isn’t even an art major here). That is why I’m considering dropping out/transferring.

I live in San Francisco. Will S.F. State do (heard they have a good art program)? Or am I better off in an art school like SFAI or Academy of Art University? Are they hard to get in and typically how much financial aid is offered? Currently, financial aid from U.C. Merced covers nearly everything for me (save a couple hundreds of dollars which I could work off with Work Study).

I also wonder – what else should I do to prepare for my future as an artist? What qualities (besides creativity, skills, good work ethic) make an artist more successful than another? I am extremely introverted, I never seem to be able to connect with anyone, so I am afraid I will not fit into the art community or be able to promote myself. Is this a big problem?

Also, once I graduate, is it really that hard to support myself? I am expecting to work a part-time job (possibly something degrading to my parents) while balancing art production. I just want to know if I will survive.

I’d deeeeply appreciate anyone who takes their time to read all this. Thank you! If these questions are unanswerable, please at least redirect me somewhere more appropriate to get help. I have no one to talk to but my school counselor, which I have scheduled an appointment with next Tuesday.

Best answer:

Answer by Me F.
You use art as an escape, do you really want to turn it into WORK?

If you become a professional artist, you will turn what you love into something you need to exploit for money.

Art is very much Business!

Nonetheless, it seems to me you are someone who would greatly benefit from taking art classes and DOING art. But dont make it into a business until you are ready for that “world”. I would suggest you join art groups and/or take art classes. Even if you must take an extra year to finish your degree, for you it would be worth it.

“I just want to learn everything there is to learn about what I love. And do it, of course. I want to illustrate, paint, sculpt, tailor, produce films, and write stories”.

Good, Learn to do THAT.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Filed Under: The Filmmakers World Tagged With: Distribution Package

Cart

  • ACTOR & ARTIST FORMS
    • Actor & Artist Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 15 Agreements
    • Actor Release
    • Actor’s Deal Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 20 Contracts
    • Audience Release
    • Confidentiality Agreement
    • Extra Release
    • Extra Release for Pay
    • Group Participant Release
    • Instant Dismissal from the Set
    • Minor Actor/Model Release
    • Minor Actor/Model Release for Pay
    • Minor Actor/Model Release Independant Minor Actor Guardian Signature
    • Model Release
    • Model Release for Pay
    • Nudity Rider
    • Stunt Performer (Insurance carried by Stunt Performer)
    • Stunt Performer (Producer Insurance)
  • Crew Forms
    • Art Director Agreement
    • Assistant Art Director Agreement
    • Boom Operator Agreement
    • Casting Director Agreement
    • Construction Coordinator Agreement
    • Costume Designer Agreement
    • Crew Deal Memo
    • Crew Forms Save 66% on 15 Agreements
    • Editor Agreement
    • Gaffer Agreement
    • Grip Agreement
    • Hair Stylist Agreement
    • Make-up and Special Effects Agreement
    • Post Production Supervisor
    • Production Design Agreement
    • Property Master Agreement
    • Script Supervisor Agreement
    • Sound Mixer Agreement
    • Wrangler Agreement
  • Depiction & Copyright Forms
    • Artist/Artwork Release
    • Assignments of Rights Agreements
    • Copyright Assignment
    • Depiction & Copyright Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 10 Agreements
    • Depiction Release Contract
    • Film Clip
    • Film Clip Release
    • Still Photo Release
    • Use Of Literary Material
    • Use of Name/Likeness Release
    • Use of Name/Likeness Release for Pay
    • Use of Trade Mark or Logo Contract
  • Director Forms
    • Assistant Director Contract
    • Director Agreement
    • Director Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 4 Agreements
    • Director of Photography
    • Director’s Deal Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 43 Contracts
    • Producer Agreement
  • Distribution Forms
    • Distribution Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
    • Security Agreement (Long Form)
    • Security Agreement (Short Form)
    • Security on the Set & on Location
    • TV Distribution Agreement
    • TV Distribution Agreement (projects)
  • Merchandise Forms
    • Material Release Form
    • Material Release Form for Pay
    • Merchandise Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
    • Merchandising (Character/Logo) Contract
    • Product Placement Release (short form)
  • Music Forms
    • Artist Music Release
    • Music Composer Agreement
    • Music Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 6 Agreements
    • Soundtrack Recording Agreement
    • Synchronization/Performing/Master Use & Mechanical License
    • T.V. Music Rights License
  • Partnership & Financing Forms
    • Assignment of Interest and Release (Partner Expelled from Agreement)
    • Co-production Contract
    • Finders Fee
    • Finders Fee Exclusive
    • Finders Fee Non-Exclusive
    • General Partnership
    • General Partnership Dissolution Agreement
    • Guarantee
    • Joint Venture Agreement
    • Joint Venture Dissolution Agreement
    • Partnership & Financing Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 11 Agreements
    • Promissory Note
    • Promissory Note with Guarantee
  • Production Forms
    • Location Release
    • Location Release For Pay
    • Producer’s Deal on 57 Contracts
    • Production Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
  • Professional Advisors Forms
    • Accountant-Client Retainer Contract
    • Lawyer-Client Retainer Contract
    • Notarization of Document
    • Professional Advisors Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 2 Agreements
  • Work-For-Hire-Forms
    • Graphic Design Work-for-Hire
    • Illustrator Work-for-Hire
    • Video Director Director-for-Hire Agreement
    • Web Designer Work-for-Hire Agreement
    • Work-For-Hire-Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
  • Writer Forms
    • Certificate of Authorship
    • Certificate of Origin
    • Writer Collaboration Agreement
    • Writer Employment Agreement
    • Writer Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 4 Agreements

Copyright © 2025 Independent Filmmaker Contracts · custom WP Theme by John Overall.com