As a parent myself, I can sympathise with one’s child announcing that they want to be a filmmaker. Why would the child you have invested so much time, energy and money be interested in a career where success is nebulous? Film school might not be the most direct path to the professions. Each of the professional careers requires specialised education and training specific to the field. However, attending film school could still offer valuable skills and experiences that might indirectly benefit your child’s future in unexpected ways. Here’s how film school prepares for any career:
Transferable Skills and Perspectives
- Critical Thinking and Analysis:
Film studies involve analysing narratives, themes, and filmmaking techniques, which can sharpen critical thinking and analytical skills. These skills are valuable in any profession that requires problem-solving and analytical thinking, such as law or teaching. - Communication Skills:
Film school emphasises storytelling, scriptwriting, and visual communication. These skills can enhance a person’s ability to communicate complex ideas in clear, engaging ways. These skills are beneficial for lawyers presenting cases, teachers explaining concepts, or accountants advising clients. - Creativity and Innovation:
The creative process of filmmaking can inspire innovative thinking and creativity. These traits are increasingly recognised as valuable in all professions, including in areas where finding creative solutions to problems is key. - Technical Proficiency:
Learning about the technical aspects of filmmaking, such as editing software or digital cameras, can develop a comfort level with technology. Modern professional environments, including classrooms, law offices, architects offices and accounting firms use a wide variety of software tools, not to mention the mediucal professions. - Project Management:
Producing a film requires exceptional organisation, time management, and teamwork skills. This mirrors the project management skills needed in many careers, including managing a classroom, organising legal cases, or overseeing financial audits. - Adaptability and Resilience:
The film industry is known for its competitive nature and the need for constant adaptation. These experiences can foster resilience and flexibility, traits that are valuable in any career path. - Attention to detail:
A successful film career demands close attention to detail. Learning how decisions made at the start of a project, or career, can cascade both positive and negative results. This experience is an invaluable asset to any career, not just that of a filmmaker. - Managing the budget:
Nowhere is managing the budget more important than as a filmmaker. Get the project wrong and the project won’t be completed. Filmmakers learn how to estimate and extrapolate thier creative ideas in terms of cold hard cash. Again, this has a wide ranging benefit for anyone, both in their non-film career and in their personal life. - Understanding how the industry works:
Film school offers insights into the business side of filmmaking, including production management, distribution, and marketing. This knowledge is essential for navigating the industry and making informed career decisions.Indirect Career Benefits
- Networking and Interpersonal Skills:
The connections made during film school and the ability to work within diverse teams can be beneficial in professions where networking and interpersonal skills are crucial. - Cultural and Social Awareness:
Film studies often explore different cultures, societies, and human experiences, providing a broader understanding of the world. This awareness can enrich professions like teaching, law, and even dentistry, where empathy and understanding diverse client or patient backgrounds are important. - Educational Content Creation:
For a future teacher, skills in filmmaking could be directly applicable to creating engaging educational content for students, leveraging multimedia tools in the classroom.
While film school may not provide the specialised training required for careers in dentistry, law, accounting, or teaching, the skills and experiences gained can complement the professional development in these fields. It’s also possible that an initial interest in film could lead to a specialised niche within these professions, such as legal expertise in entertainment law, educational film production, or marketing for dental practices. Ultimately, the decision should be based on aligning your child’s education with their career aspirations, keeping in mind the broad value of diverse educational experiences.
It’s important to research and choose a film school that aligns with your child’s interests and career goals, as programs can vary significantly in focus, strengths, and industry connections. Encourage your child to make the most of their time in school by engaging actively in classes, seeking internships, networking, and constantly working on their craft.
Raindance Film School offers a range of short evening and weekend courses that can lead to degree and diploma courses. Our goal is to make each of our students aware of how the film industry really works. and, of course, the technical skills are important too. But without the career options explained properly, a film student might never become a filmmaker.
At Raindance we don’t just teach filmmaking.
We make filmmakers
The Raindance Film School pathway
A taster evening; 99 Minute Film School – a single evening explaining how the film industry works.
A taster One Day Masterclass: Saturday Film School – discover the ins-and-outs of writing, directing and producing a film in an information pacted and entertaining day
The Raindance 2 year Higher National Degree: a students entry point to Higher Education
Study filmmaking or acting over 2 years at one of our 3 international campus’s! This is a full-time University level course. Through Raindance, students will have the opportunity to attend renowned courses delivered by industry professionals and attend our networking events to develop further opportunities.
The Raindance BA in Filmmaking or Performance: The Raindance Film School Top-Up BA (Hons) in Film and Performing Arts Practices is a one year practical course. It’s been designed to provide aspiring, and existing, Film and Performing Arts practitioners the opportunity to develop their existing academic or professional experience up to BA level in a chosen pathway or pathways (producing, directing, screenwriting or acting).
The Raindance MA: Study your MA in Filmmaking or Screenwriting at Raindance Film School (accredited by De Montfort University). They are 21st-century degrees for filmmakers, entrepreneurs, creatives and future academics wishing to upskill or transition into the film and digital media industry. These programmes provides a unique opportunity for you to benefit from the experience of Industry Experts across the world, whilst developing your personal professional practice, as well as your research and independent study skills.
Photo Credit: Bertie Watson
I founded Raindance Film Festival in 1993 because the British film industry was closed, polite, and congratulating itself while shutting new filmmakers out.
I co-founded the British Independent Film Awards in 1998 because British indie film deserved more than a shrug, a pat on the head, and a Tuesday night screening.
Raindance didn’t start as a brand. It started as a rebellion: film training without gatekeepers, a festival without permission, and a community built by filmmakers who weren’t waiting to be invited in.
Later, we took it global: Toronto, Vancouver, New York, LA, Berlin, and Brussels, because independent film doesn’t belong to one city, one class, or one accent.
I’ve produced 700+ short films and seven features, including Deadly Virtues (2014) and ALICE, which won the SXSW Grand Jury Prize (2019) not because someone “discovered” us, but because the work earned its place.
I’ve written three books used by filmmakers worldwide because too many courses taught compliance instead of survival.
In 2009, I was awarded a PhD for services to film education, ironic, given that most of my career has been about tearing down the rules that education insisted you follow.
I don’t believe in waiting for permission.I believe in making work, building systems, and forcing the industry to catch up.
Specialties: Independent Film (the real kind) · Producing · Writing · Film Education · Festivals · Breaking Broken Systems
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