Digital Filmmaking Careers? (Example inside).

[Coldkilla]

I make digital films like these (I've made in the past).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx2uqbjzB90
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yacNusJ6kU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTw38KXsiyk

My first attempt at live video last week, but its not really my passion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpV3-dOnl2s

I've been making stuff like this for at least 10 years. Anything ranging from stop motion Lego movies, 20 minute Battlefield 1942 movies, Operation Flashpoint, Armed Assault 1/2, you name it. All using actors, detailed screenplays, and hundreds of hours of work.

I've been in college for 3 years at a UW Milwaukee (4 year-college) and have changed my major over EIGHT times because each major is simply not engaging and interesting. Are there any careers/college majors that could come into this particular line of work? I've always shyed away from it due to high competition and (most likely) low pay... but I just bumped into a guy for the first time since high school 4 years ago who used to make small films with me in our little film class and he just said "don't do it for the money"... seems like a small statement, and I've thought about that before... it just never really "hit me" until now...

Can yall give me some tips? Do I need to leave my 3 years of college behind, not graduate and go to a film school? I spent around $30,000 already since I've been here, am currently enrolled in a degree that no ones heard of, and don't really want to lose out on getting all those loans that I have to pay back... I don't know what I to do.

Suggestions?

Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech PC Gaming Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[ViviTheMage]

I use to do stuff like that in high school on Vegas Video, it was fun, but a lot of people can do it now imo.

I still do it on the side, for fun of course, but takes up a lot of time. I used to crop together my best clips from CAL/CEVO back in the 1-1.5 CS days.

Don't they have a film degree at Milwaukee? How much do you have left to do to complete a 4 year?

 

[mmntech]

I'm currently taking a new media journalism graduate program at Sheridan College. It's one of the big arts, animation, and film schools here in Canada. When you're friend says there's no money in making independent film, he's right.

What they're looking for today is someone who can come in and be able to work any job. They want people to come in and know how to shoot, edit, mix audio, write, etc. I'd recommend television production or broadcast journalism. There is money in that. Not huge riches mind you but better than independent film. You obviously have a knack for editing so that's what I'd focus on. Skilled editors are in fairly high demand and make good money.

Start talking to people in the business. Most local cable stations host volunteer programs that put shows together. That's a great place to start learning if you're interested in film and production.

 

[Quasmo]

I got my degree in Cinematography. What you are technically creating is called Machinima. It's is considered an art and has alot of followers. I would suggest going to a Film school. You should decide to choose 3D animation or film. I went to SCAD, and I enjoyed it a lot. www.scad.edu

 

[Coldkilla]

Yea I was reading up on broadcast journalism and saw that the career's available have been in a steady decline due to media such as increasing negativity, social networking sites, and the internet... plus something like 6/10 only found full time jobs within the first year and the salaries range from 28,000 to 32,000. Heck I made $35,000 working to fix hardware problems with computers at northwestern mutual (with absolutely no prior training or work experience) before I had to quit due to decline in grades for the full-time only job. Because trying to juggle the two brought my grades from a A-B average to a straight D average.

I know its a tough field... but I've already been in school for 3-3.5 years, I've had so many "impulse" majors declared only to find out stuff like this... and the one I'm in, "Information Resources" was chosen ONLY because I was able to get out in 2 years instead of 3+... The degree centralizes on Librarians etc and I absolutely don't want to do that, not to mention most people haven't even heard of the degree.

I do want my degree, but I'm having the largest panic attack days of late due to there nothing being out there that I want to do otherwise than what I've mentioned...

The funny thing is, I knew this was going to happen 4 years ago in high school. All I heard was "It'll click for you once you get into college", I never believed them then and It's looking more and more like I was right. I know its going to come down to "Your going to have to do something else", but what?! Arghh.. I chose Computer Science as my first degree due to my interest in PCs (from only fun use from games and whatnot), and the promising salaries.. but even with 4 tutors for Calculus and my tendency to forget everything in this subject 24 hours after learning it... I'm just not smart enough for it. I just want to give up.