Which Film School Should I Go To?

So You Want To Make Movies?

I was in the middle of a career in IT when the filmmaking bug hit. I was crazy about movies—watched THE MATRIX 18 times in the theater. But for whatever reason, the idea to make movies didn’t hit until age 27. I swiveled in my office chair, Googled “film schools in Los Angeles” and the rest is history.

Below is a pic of me fresh out of film school. I was an editorial PA working on a couple films directed by the talented Bob Odenkirk. But I’m getting distracted.

Nowadays if you hop over to Google and search for something like, “What film school should I go to?” you’ll see A LOT of results. At the very top, Google Generative AI attempts to answer the question.

So let’s take a look at what AI tells us about selecting a film school and then I’ll comment based on my personal experience in film school, working in Hollywood and now working as an independent filmmaker. We’ll also assume we’re talking about directing jobs. Not producing, camera, VFX, etc.

Cool? First, a few basic industry statistics:

Current Film Industry Stats

The MPA reports that the film industry supports approximately 2.74 million jobs as of 2024. But these are both behind and in front of the camera. According to Perplexity AI there are approximately 175,300 film directors employed in the US as of 2024. This encompasses a wide range of directorial roles in the film and television industry. The director’s guild (DGA) represents around 8000 directors. And these directors work essentially as contractors, from project to project.

In summary there are 8000 directors in the DGA who can work on union TV and film productions. Now, this doesn’t mean they’re all working. For example, there are about 100 films each year produced by major studios. And sure there’s TV, but you get it. The competition to direct is fierce.

Let’s get back to what AI tells us about recommended film schools:

AI Response 1: Industry Reputation

Google’s Generative AI says USC and NYU are often considered top film schools to go to. Why? Extensive alumni networks within Hollywood. Interesting. So let’s assume that’s true. If I ask AI how many people graduate from these two schools each year it’s around 960. So a thousand NEW people each year who need jobs. This doesn’t take into account the other 62 accredited film schools in the U.S.

Are you tracking with me?

Can An Alumni Network Land You A Directing Job?

My two cents? No. Not for directing jobs. Alumni networks do help however. For instance, I helped my classmate get on as an editorial PA for Fast & The Furious Tokyo Drift. But here’s the thing: He was a directing major in film school. Editorial PA isn’t really a career path to directing.

Here’s the facts and there’s no getting around it: Hollywood doesn’t care about your education. They care about what you’ve done. What you can do. Who you know. Stuff like that.

One of my classmates in film school was related to Jerry Bruckheimer. Sound design teacher actively worked on Law & Order Special Victims Unit. My directing teacher was an honorary member of the DGA. And NONE of that did anything for me or anyone else in my class.

Film school teachers see boat loads of creative geniuses who think they’re God’s gift to cinema every year. These teachers cannot hook you up. If they could, they’d probably be directing themselves.

AI Response 2: Focus Area

Google AI recommends seeking a school out that complements your interests. Not a bad idea if you wanna work as crew (DP, Editor, etc). I was a double major in film school. Editing and Sound Design. The reason? I knew there were zero directing jobs waiting for me, so my angle into the industry was as crew. I had the most polished reel in my class. Began calling studios before graduation hoping to land an assistant editor job. You know what a studio receptionist told me? “We only hire award winning editors.”

So sure, if you want to work in VFX and you can find a school that Pixar recruits from, have at it. But you’re competing against a lot of people even to land work as crew. For those of us who want to direct, there are no film schools where studios go to find directors. Hollywood doesn’t work that way.

AI Response 3: Location

Google AI suggests Los Angeles for “greater access to industry opportunities.” Again, a logical response. But LA is SATURATED with creatives hoping to break into the industry. Craigslist is full of bitter crew hating on new directors trying to get films off the ground with no money. Malibu restaurants employ wanna-be filmmakers just trying to make ends meet.

For those of us who want to direct, LA is one of the most difficult places to do it. Nobody is going to “discover” you. We hear the magical GOODWILL HUNTING stories and hope for the same. But your chances of becoming a millionaire at the slots in Vegas are higher. A lot higher.

So what gives? What film school should you go to if you want to direct movies? I have an answer, but there’s something you need to understand about the entertainment industry first:

What Hollywood Cares About

Hollywood does not care about school pedigree. They don’t care about your amazing thesis project, or the fact that you graduated top of your class. But hey, don’t take my word for it. Get on IMDb Pro, call up studios and pitch yourself: “I just graduated as a directing major with honors from SCHOOL NAME.”

They might let you be a production assistant (PA) and get coffee. And you would be lucky to land that job. After film school I even interviewed at Cheyenne Productions for a job where you worked FOR FREE. And guess what? The line of hopefuls was so long I didn’t even get that.

I know, it’s a harsh reality. My common gripe after film school was “Hollywood is a sweat shop!” Because I had to do A LOT of free work even as crew. I cut three feature films for a total of $4000. Not forty. FOUR.

Hollywood cares about the films you’ve already done, and the ones you have cooking. They care about the size of your audience. About your connections. Your skill level. Why hire you if they can hire Ron Howard, Edward Zwick, Ryan Coogler or one of the other 8000 directors in the DGA?

The 2 Things Aspiring Directors Must Do

If you want a chance at making it as a film director, you have two primary objectives: Learn the craft and start making movies. Regardless of what film school you go to, your post graduation objective is literally the same: Make movies. And who funds these productions? You do.

Along with rent, insurance, food…all of that jazz.

The very last thing you want to do is nuke $63K for two semesters at USC. Sorry AI, but that was the WRONG answer. I guess Terminators won’t be taking us out any time soon.

After graduation you need money to begin making movies Rebel Without A Crew Style. You must hone experience. Master the craft. Build an audience. Gain momentum. You need a school that economically teaches the craft of filmmaking, but teaches it well—It was for this reason that I started Write & Direct.

The Director’s Film School

Write & Direct is a self-paced, hands-on film school that teaches aspiring directors what they need to know—from development through post production. Because as you’re starting out, you won’t be able to afford crew day rates. And sure, you can pull favors. But when your gaffer gets a paid gig, you’d better know something about lighting or your production stalls. Your filmmaking career stalls.

Write & Direct not only teaches you the craft in a unique way, but you will purchase the gear you need to make a film during school and then continue making films—All for a FRACTION of the cost of traditional film schools.

This isn’t some fly-by-night offering. The Write & Direct online film school will be a catalyst to pursuing your filmmaking dreams. Enroll today! We have a full money-back guarantee.

I hope to see you on the other side! If you have questions, the film school details page might help. You can also schedule a free call to get specific questions answered.

Whatever you do, don’t give up on your dream to become a filmmaker!