Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing/Film school

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Expert: - 7/4/2006


Question
Im not really sure what field of film i want to get into as of now, but what interests me is turning words into action and storytelling style.  I'm thinking of becoming a director or screenwriter.  I know i would graduate with a bachelors in Fine Arts or Arts, but what field of study do i pick from with many to choose from such as theater, film, film studies, directing, screenwriting and all the others?

Answer
Sid,

Thanks for writing. Only you can answer your question. If you want to direct, you must first decide in which medium you would like to direct: film, TV, or theatre? If you want to write, you must decide which medium you'd like to write for: film, TV, or theatre?

Based on your answers to these questions, then you want to enroll in the best university that offers a degree in the specific medium of your choice. The better programs will be the ones that offer a BFA instead of a BA degree. A BFA is professional approach to the craft while a BA is a liberal arts approach to the study.

Good luck!

Phil

Careers: Acting, Performing, Directing

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Phil Nemy

Expertise

I am a motion picture and television producer with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. I am also the author of the book GET A REEL JOB: Finding Your First Job In The Motion Picture Industry In Los Angeles. I can answers questions on a variety of subjects about careers in film from acting to directing to crew work, getting into the unions, successful strategies for networking, etc.

Experience

Former VP, Production for The Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group Supervised production on such films as ARMAGEDDON, THE PRINCESS DIARIES, REMEMBER THE TITANS, PEARL HARBOR, CON AIR, ENEMY OF THE STATE, THE ROCK, CRIMSON TIDE, COYOTE UGLY, A CIVIL ACTION, ROMY & MICHELE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, NOTHING TO LOSE, EDDIE and others. Worked as an actor, stage manager, director on broadway and regional theater as well as L.A.' Equity-waiver scene. Former Associate Artistic Director of Los Angeles Equity-Waiver theater.

Organizations
Director's Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild, Actor's Equity Association

Education/Credentials
BFA in Acting/Directing from Carnegie Mellon University.

Past/Present Clients
I've worked with such filmmakers as Jerry Bruckheimer, Tony Scott, Steve Zaillian, Scott Rudin, Garry Marshall, Frank Marshall, Michael Bay, etc.

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