I ran across this great (albiet partial) piece of advice on attending film school written by Michael Tabb. Michael holds a NYU Tisch School of the Arts B.F.A. and UCLA School of Film & Television Masters in Screenwriting. Additionally, he also attended USC for two years and is currently working his way through the Hollywood writing, re-writing, and script pitching system. No public word on whether his writing is putting food on the table - although I certainly do hope so because he seems to have quite a bit of perspective after having attended film school himself.

Below, Michael is responding to a question on ShootingPeople.org titled Film School: Is It Worth It?

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Dear Charlotte,

Funny you should ask - I actually went to the three schools you mentioned: USC (2 years undergrad), NYU (B.F.A. Degree from Tisch) and UCLA (Masters from School of Film and Television). All three institutions have a lot to offer, but each school with it’s own environment, style and belief system.

Before choosing UCLA for example, you should read the books by Richard Walters and Michael Hauge (the screenwriting professors there). See if they grip you and work for YOU. If you prefer the cinematic stylings of Oliver Stone and Spike Lee, NYU might make more sense.Each school has a lot to offer, but remember, it’s not about them… it’s about you. What kind of films you want to make? What writer’s approach really rings your bell?

Call these schools and ask about their class’ reading list. Pick up the books from the college used book stores (or Amazon). Worst case scenario, and you don’t get in to any of them - you still have a sense of what they teach and you get that education for a couple hundred bucks. Best case scenario, you get into all three schools, and now you have a sense of which one makes more sense for you.

The reason you go to college is for feedback - nobody gets better at what they do in a vacuum. Work shopping material is essential to improving your craft. Being able to make tough choices - learning to discern good notes from bad notes is a huge part of being a great filmmaker (because there’s a lot of both out here in Hollywood).

Film school is also a blessing if you want to direct - they provide the equipment and means to make your own short films (a calling card every young filmmaker needs to get hired).

In short, film school is invaluable, and at the same time, excruciating on the ego. They will tear you down and build you back up. But that’s how we get better. They will impart on you a series of proven tools and ideas, and really try to help you obtain a mechanic’s understanding of the machine that is film making. BUT that’s all they can do.

All the film school in the world won’t make you talented, won’t get you that big agent at William Morris, and won’t make you rich. As someone much smarter than I once told me… it takes TWO of three things to make it in Hollywood: 1) talent, 2) connections and 3) luck. A degree in film ain’t one of them. But it can help with 1 and 2.

Good luck.

Best regards,

Michael Tabb
WGAw Writer
Burning Tree Films, Inc.

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I really like his last paragraph and the section about not being able to “get better in a vacum.” As you may remember, SelfReliantFilm’s Paul Harrill and I had a great discussion about attending vs. not attending film school.

As Michael has eloquently put it (what is this guy, a writer?), film school CAN be good for you - but it’s no save all. A film degree alone will not reflect your talents and it sure as hell won’t earn you a paid gig. However, you may learn some skills and meet some people if you do your homework before enrolling.

Thanks Michael.