Get an MFA from NYFA, or buy a Scarlet, could use some advice from you pros

[Brian Merlen]

I recently graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a degree in Video Production (on honor roll) and was wondering if any of you could advise me on what you think is the best course of action for me now. Come December it will be an entire year I have been unable to find a full time job in broadcast or film. I have done some freelancing on a DSLR and own Avid, FCP7, and CS5, but freelancing is not self sufficient for me. I have also interned for a firm and am looking to intern more. I enjoy the technical aspects of the field immensely, with an emphasis on troubleshooting.

I am trying to decide if I should get an MFA or buy a Red camera at this juncture, I took Reducation in May and could run the camera proficiently since I study up here consistently. I don't currently have the cash for either option, but Stafford loans are one of the few easy credit options these days so getting the MFA cash would be easy as filing out a FAFSA. Though I really don't have an interest in teaching at this time, it couldn't hurt to have a brand name school attached to my resume, I also am considering doing workshops at NYFA, but I think an MFA sounds more legit. I am sure my grades would make getting the Stafford loan a piece of cake. Saving for the camera would also not take long, I know how to have some willpower and live in moderation.

What do you think would be the better course of action for me? I still owe 16k for the Bachelors, but that's not really a lot of cash anyway, and I have been doing part time non industry jobs to squeeze by, in addition to family assistance. I know times are tough but any advice some pros could spare would be highly appreciated. I could get the cash together for either option, given enough side jobs and effort. I actually had enough cash to get a fully loaded Scarlet X package, but paid off half my Bachelors loan with it instead a few months prior to the Nov 3rd announcement (sometimes feeling a little remorseful about it:scared. With a will there is a way, I can get that cash back and own a legit camera package in no time though. I just don't know what the best course of action for me might be given the current economic climate and the fact that my resume is lacking professional real world experience. Thanks for any advice you guys can provide me!

 

[David W. Jones]

Cameras will come and go, but a degree will last a lifetime.

 

[squinonescolon]

To play devils advocate, I've been in the film industry for 12 years, nobody has ever asked for my resume, just my demo reel, and after a while, they don't even ask for that, they go on reputation. Something to think about.

 

[James McLellan]

MFA from NYU or NYFA? Has NYFA joined NYU?

 

[David Rasberry]

Based on my step son's experience at NYFA, I would say buy the camera. If you already have a degree with technical production training, NYFA has little to teach you and it is a lot more expensive than a decent Scarlet package.

 

[Brian Merlen]

James I was looking at the MFA's from NYFA. NYU is a possibility too though, I had a friend go there for finance and he is doing extremely well. I was just trying to get some input, thanks for the help gentlemen, much appreciated! I am looking for as many differing opinions as possible. Your right that an MFA is more then a pretty decent Scarlet package David, maybe I should of written Epic instead (or Monstro)... The funny thing is with how easy it is to get a student loan, degrees often can be easier to get then business loans in this economic climate, but since I have a bachelors already I didn't know if a workshop at NYFA would really boost my resume significantly the way an MFA might. I was considering taking their discounted 9 week winter film making workshop program, its quite economical, and unlike the MFA program they teach it in NYC. The MFA's are all handled at their California location, making it even more cost prohibitive other then Stafford is willing to write me a blank check to pursue it. In either case I know eventually I will own a Red, I just didn't know if I should hold off longer and get the MFA or not...

 

[Curt Schulz]

I have an MFA in film production so I like to think I know what I am talking about from experience.

Get the camera and find a core group of like-minded people to work with. The only really valuable part of the film degree are the people you meet and work with in the program. Most technical stuff you can get from books and real world experience. You have to be very very driven and self motivated to make it in this industry. If you are not, I recommend the structure of college, but a film degree will not get you a job.

 

[Chris Zamoscianyk]

if you have an compelling story to tell, buy the camera and make your movie. If you are just fishing around, go back to school. Spend your spare time getting involved in film production and meeting people. As long as you have some talent as a filmmaker, your contacts in the industry will be your most valuable asset.

 

[Demetri Zuev]

NYFA is an infamous place and I won't recommend to go there under any circumstances, basically, they accept almost anyone who has enough money and the faculty consists of recent film school grads with zero to very little experience.

If you want to get an MFA, consider USC, UCLA, AFI, NYU, Chapman that's the ones that spring to mind right now.

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

To play devils advocate, I've been in the film industry for 12 years, nobody has ever asked for my resume, just my demo reel, and after a while, they don't even ask for that, they go on reputation. Something to think about.

Very true. No one has ever asked to see my bachelors in cinematography. You can learn 1000% more by doing.

Get out and shoot.

 

[Jon Carr]

NYFA.... Well the best thing about NYFA is..... The equipment, they have some of the best gear in any NYC school. First school to have the RED (still M sensor), first to have the EPIC. Worst thing about NYFA, anyone can join. Anyone... 70% of the people who joined when I went there was very rich kids who didn't really care. It's a great TRADE school. That's it. It's NOT a theory school at all. Only go if you want to learn the trade. The funniest thing about NYFA is that 80% of the shoots I been on in NYC, at least 1 or 2 people were former NYFA students. So the school must be doing something right, at what I have no idea.

 

[Charles Wood]

I got a great piece of advice when I was considering this a few years ago:

"Does it really matter if you have a film degree if your ideas and stories suck? All it takes is an iPhone and YouTube to figure out whether you can tell a story"

I would focus all your efforts on using your equipment at hand, FXPHD.com, Lynda.com, DVDs, and free resources to just "start making stuff."

After awhile you'll start to meet people, create a reel, and get jobs. I focused hard at Virginia Tech on my craft, tutorials, and just making stuff. 5 years later I was a Creative Director at Modea. Would have never gotten that job if I had gone to get a film degree.

TLDR: Make, Make, Make, Make, Make. No story is too large, too small. Learn from mistakes. Learn from the audience.

 

[Andrew Allsbury]

Education is important...but in this economy your capabilities and relationships are the only thing that will get you a job, buy A camera...

 

[Jeff Lower]

Education is certainly valuable, but so is experience. Putting yourself in a huge amount of debt either way would not be my choice. Either way, take your time, work on what paid jobs you can, and save up money for what you want to do.

 

[Timothy Tse]

I was at this cross road around 15 years ago (well... not exactly since Red cameras doesn't exist back then...) I had an undergraduate degree in film and was debating whether I should get a MFA. Well, I ended up went to Hong Kong and worked for some TV networks over there. I certainly think that a good degree can help you to get your foot into the door, but like everybody said in the above posts, people in this industry (no matter if you are in Hong Kong or anywhere in the world) don't ask what school you graduated from (unlike lawyers and doctors - which school you go DOES matter) or what degree you have. After a few years, it's all about who you know and how good you are.

 

[Brian Merlen]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, much appreciated!

 

[Noel Evans]

it's all about who you know and how good you are.

And those are the two things you should work on every day - if you didnt today, then find a way to do so.

 

[M Most]

I don't understand why you would want to take someone else's advice on what I see as a very personal decision. Education is not just technical. It is life experience. It is a venue for deepening one's understanding of the arts without the pressure of making a living. If one wants to be an artist, one should be educated in the arts, and that means all of the arts: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and, yes, film and television. Buying a camera doesn't get you any of that, but you have to decide on the direction you want your life to take, how quickly, and why. Nobody but you knows the answer to that.

These kind of things should never be seen as "either/or." They should be seen as life decisions that are based on your own specific reality. Nobody here or anywhere else knows what that is. But you do.

 

[Anthony Vu]

Steve Jobs. Didn't finish school.
Jim Jannard. Left school.
Steven Spielberg. Left school twice before getting an honorary degree and actually getting his B.A. in 2002.
Chistopher Nolan. Graduated from UCL

One thing all these guys have in common.

Passion and dedication for what they love. They worked harder than the next guy.

 

[Carey Lee Coffey]

The second best camera ever made, or a piece of paper... hmmm... this one's a real head scratcher... Get the F-ing camera!! Your degree will get you a job fetching coffee, at best. School is a scam. Don't feed the machine. Don't follow the rest of the sheep off the cliff. Make your own way. Join the rebellion!!!