Choosing a Major Within a Film School Program

Once you’re in film school or in a film program there are certain classes that will be required no matter what you decide to take simply so you can learn more about the industry and how things work so you’ll be better informed of the process. But at some point you’ll have to declare a major or an emphasis. You might choose one and then realize you’re not happy doing that. Just know that changing in the middle is fine, you want to explore your options and find the discipline that is right for you.

Directing

The most popular choice among film school students. Directing will teach you everything you need to know about getting behind the camera, instructing actors on how to portray their character and deliver lines, set up shots, work through pre-production, break down a script and more. Since it is the most popular major there will be a lot of competition among students for attention, equipment and more.

Screenwriting

Studying the writing of film. You will learn what make a good story, characters and dialogue as well as the craft of writing quality entertainment and the various structures of scripts for television, film, commercials and so on. Writing is generally a class a lot of film school require but not a major many get into for the long haul.

Cinematography

The man (or woman) behind the camera. You will study the interworkings of film and digital cameras, composing shots, color schemes, the science and math of shooting and how to use various equipment. Cinematography is a very hands on major so you have to be prepared to be on the go grabbing a camera and shooting at a moments notice.

Editing

The study of splicing a movie together to make a coherent study. Before getting into this major you should be warned, you’ll spend most of your time in front of a computer so you better like this position and staring at multiple screens, otherwise choose something else. Editing is a tedious major but there is lots of work out there for editors so it can be quite lucrative.

Set Design

For the creative ones who like to use their hands as well. Set design also implies set creation and as very few people major in set design you will be quite in demand meaning you’ll always be busy and have a ton of things to put in your portfolio. This can also transition into stagecraft design so you can work on plays and stage productions or even interior design thus this emphasis lends itself to a lot of other possibilities.

Sound

One of the smallest categories but among the most important. You will study the recording and creation of sound and sound effects as well as the art of using sound in film and the engineering of sound.

General Production

The broad category of emphasis if you still don’t know exactly where you fit in or think that perhaps work as a grip or gaffer may be more of your thing. You’ll learn a little bit of everything. Be prepared to get your hands dirty, for long set days on student films and lots of physical labor. You will gain a ton of knowledge on various aspects which may sway you one way or another into another emphasis or confirm your decision to stay generalized. Since you will have a lot of skills the job market will be very open to you.