Should I Go to Film School to Work in Production?

I didn’t go to film school. I’ve had an entire career in film and television, first working at Paramount Pictures, then for Nicole Kidman, and eventually producing, writing and directing my own films.

So, do you need a film degree to work in production? In my experience, no.

When I’m hiring, a film school education doesn’t determine whether someone gets the job. I want to know whether they can do the work, whether I can rely on them and how they’ll contribute to the crew.

That doesn’t mean film school has no value. It can offer tremendous opportunities. But before you invest the time and money, I think you need to understand what you’re hoping to get from it, which part of the industry you want to work in and how you learn best.

My Film Education Started With a Temp Job

My first break came when I was temping at Paramount Pictures, covering for an employee who was out sick.

I had no idea how much I would love being immersed in the studio’s culture. Once I was there, I wanted to understand everything. How films came together. Who made the decisions. What happened between an idea and a finished production.

Through someone I met there, I was introduced to the CEO of Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s company. That introduction led to an offer to become Nicole’s executive assistant.

For the next three years, I worked with them and studied filmmaking through their projects. I was doing my job, paying attention and learning from the people around me.

Right place, right time, with the right disposition.

And that last part mattered.

What I Mean by the Right Disposition

I’ve always been a can-do person. My instinct is: if you can’t do it, I can, and I’ll find a way.

I was willing to arrive early, stay late and take on the small tasks as readily as the big ones. I wanted to learn the entire industry, and I understood that some of that learning would come through work that wasn’t particularly exciting.

Nicole noticed that attitude right out of the gate and commented on it.

I couldn’t have planned the introduction that led to that job. But I could control how I approached the opportunity once I had it.

People need to trust you before they give you more responsibility. Being willing, observant and dependable helps build that trust.

Where Film School Earns Its Value

The strongest arguments for film school, in my opinion, are access to equipment, practical instruction and other people who are as eager to make films as you are.

You have an environment in which to experiment, collaborate and develop your skills. Depending on the school, you may have access to equipment and facilities that would be difficult to get your hands on independently.

That’s a considerable draw.

Technical Skills and Creative Practice

I think formal training can be especially useful in areas such as cinematography, lighting, sound, wardrobe, directing and writing.

These disciplines benefit from focused practice, feedback and an understanding of the craft. Having someone explain a technique, let you try it and help you understand why it worked or failed can be enormously valuable.

You can learn those things outside film school too. But you’ll need to find the instruction, equipment, collaborators and opportunities yourself.

The question is whether the particular school you’re considering offers enough of what you need to justify the cost.

The People You Meet

Film school is also a fantastic environment for building relationships.

You’re learning alongside other filmmakers. You’re helping with their projects, they’re helping with yours, and you’re finding out who you work well with.

Some of those people may go on to have extraordinary careers. Others may become the collaborators you make films with for years.

I wouldn’t choose a school on the assumption that a classmate will become famous and give you a job. But the opportunity to build working relationships early is a real benefit.

My own career changed because of someone I met at Paramount. I know how much an introduction can matter. Film school is one place to develop those connections, but it isn’t the only place.

The Job You Want Should Influence Your Decision

“Working in production” covers a lot of different jobs.

Someone who wants to record sound needs a different set of practical skills from someone who wants to produce. Before deciding whether you need film school, get more specific about what you want to learn.

You don’t have to choose your entire career now. I started as a producer and only later became a writer and director. Your interests can evolve as you gain experience.

But having a starting point will help you judge whether a course is useful to you.

Why Producing Felt Natural to Me

I sometimes say I’ve been producing my life since I could walk and talk.

Organizing, solving problems, finding people who can help and figuring out how to make something happen have always come naturally to me.

At Paramount, I could observe producing at the studio level. Then, through Tom and Nicole’s projects, I could see how productions worked on set.

By the time I started my first production company, I felt comfortable producing. I had spent years watching, learning and taking on responsibility.

That was my education. It suited my temperament and the work I wanted to do.

Someone else might thrive with more structure, dedicated instruction and time to practice. There’s no reason our routes have to look the same.

What I Look for When Hiring

A degree doesn’t tell me everything I need to know about how someone will behave on a production.

Crews are very adept at spotting the difference between someone who wants to be near the glamour and someone who wants to learn and contribute.

Are you paying attention? Do you follow through? Are you willing to do the task you’ve been given, even when it’s less interesting than what’s happening across the set?

Those things matter.

So does being honest about your experience. A can-do attitude includes knowing when to ask for guidance. If you don’t know how to do something, say so and learn how to do it properly.

I’d much rather work with someone who asks a sensible question than someone who pretends to understand and creates a problem.

How I’d Start Without Film School or Connections

If someone came to me with no experience, no industry connections and a willingness to work, I’d tell them to find an opportunity to help on a first production.

My instinct would be to offer my services on a small, appropriate project, perhaps a student film or a short made by emerging filmmakers, and be willing to take on the tasks I could safely handle.

The purpose would be to get practical experience, understand how a crew operates and become someone people want to work with again.

Treat Your First Production as a Learning Opportunity

On that first project, I’d focus on a few things:

• Turn up prepared and on time.
• Listen carefully and follow instructions.
• Treat every department with respect.
• Ask when you don’t understand something.
• Learn from mistakes and follow through on your responsibilities.

Don’t spend the whole experience waiting for someone to notice your ambitions. Let them notice how you work.

The person beside you may be able to recommend you for another job. Give them a reason to feel confident doing that.

Then Start Pursuing Paid Work

My advice is to start looking for paid work for your second production.

That isn’t a guarantee that one project will prepare you for every entry-level job. It’s a boundary I’d encourage you to set so that working for free doesn’t become your career plan.

Choose any unpaid collaboration carefully. Be clear about the tasks, hours and what you’ll actually learn. An established commercial production should not treat your enthusiasm as a substitute for paid crew.

You will make mistakes while learning. You’ll make some after you’re experienced too. What matters is whether you take responsibility, learn and become more capable.

You don’t have to know everything before you deserve to be paid.

Before You Commit to Film School

Look closely at the actual education you’d be buying.

What equipment will you use? How much time will you spend making films? Who will teach you? What are graduates doing, and how does the school help students move into work?

Then consider your alternatives. Could you begin working on productions, take focused classes or find practical training in the department that interests you?

Compare the cost of the school with the specific opportunities it provides. A qualification alone wouldn’t persuade me. Meaningful instruction, substantial hands-on experience and strong working relationships would.

My Answer: You Don’t Need Film School, but You Do Need to Learn

I would never tell someone they can’t have a career in production because they haven’t been to film school. My own experience would make that a very strange position to take.

I would tell them to take their education seriously, wherever they get it.

Mine began with a temp job at Paramount. It continued through working with Nicole, observing productions and eventually taking responsibility for films of my own.

Film school may be the right environment for you. If it gives you the training, practice and community you need, that has value.

But if it’s beyond your reach, the door to this industry is still open. Find a place to begin, be useful, pay attention and keep learning. That’s how my career started.

Kerry David · IMDb