Is Film Studies a worthwhile major to study?

Question by Bradly: Is Film Studies a worthwhile major to study?
I’m a junior in high school so I have a little while to decide.
But I’m taking film classes in high school and it’s kind of my thing. Whether its screenwriting, post-production (FX and editing and soundtrack), crew or directing, all of it interests me.
I’ve read a lot of Film programs from numerous schools including Wesleyan, Northwestern, Columbia to Florida State and even Yale..
But to be honest, I don’t know if, for an undergraduate major, going to a super prestigious school for a Film Studies major would be worth the cost. I have the academics covered and my GPA is upwards of 4.. but I don’t know if going to a private college would be worth it when I could get a good degree at Mizzou where I’m from for much less. Graduate school is different, and I’m not so worried about that for now.

Also, one worry about the major, that I realize filmmaking is a kind of competitive industry and I am not guaranteed a lot of success. For those who have majored in this area, what is it you have ended up doing? Independent films or are you working for a production studio? Or what else? Basically, what’s in it for me after I get my degree?

Best answer:

Answer by Mike E
Film is a very competitive field and hard to get ‘in’ the business even once you get your degree. I would agree that it isn’t worth the cost to going to a place like Yale or Columbia if your intended major is Film. Personally, I would choose a school like UCLA. They have a great film program there, and is located in the heart of the film industry. Getting to know people in the business will help you a lot and going to a school in LA will give you a better opportunity to do that through your school.

I am not a Film major, but one of my best friends is. He went to LA Film School..and though at the moment he hasn’t been able to get a break in what he really wants to do…he was able to get a job at Universal Studios working on various sets so he is still atleast employed within the film industry and a big part of him getting his job he has told me was based on the people he met that were in the film business while he was at school.

What do you think? Answer below!