[Platostolemysocks]

I'm currently in Year 12, and looking for university courses that will be starting 2013. My dream job is to become a director. I'm taking the A levels: English Lit, History, Philosophy, Film Studies and Drama. I'm predicted 5 A's at AS level (Two I definitely have), and got 12 A*s and two distinctions at GCSE, as well as an A in General studies.

I'm unsure whether to go straight down the film route (though I've heard that isn't very respected?) or to go with my original idea and read English and History at university, and then go on to film for my masters.

Help?

[ACunningham]

(Original post by Platostolemysocks)
I'm currently in Year 12, and looking for university courses that will be starting 2013. My dream job is to become a director. I'm taking the A levels: English Lit, History, Philosophy, Film Studies and Drama. I'm predicted 5 A's at AS level (Two I definitely have), and got 12 A*s and two distinctions at GCSE, as well as an A in General studies.

I'm unsure whether to go straight down the film route (though I've heard that isn't very respected?) or to go with my original idea and read English and History at university, and then go on to film for my masters.

Help?

I thought you said "dictator"

Anyway, don't waste your time on Film Studies with those GCSEs. Do a degree in History or Philosophy! Much better regarded and if the director route doesn't work - then you can become anything with a versatile degree like those.

[theking1]

(Original post by ACunningham)
I thought you said "dictator"

Anyway, don't waste your time on Film Studies with those GCSEs. Do a degree in History or Philosophy! Much better regarded and if the director route doesn't work - then you can become anything with a versatile degree like those.

Um, I think I saw something that on the subjects guide via UCAS. It was 'Director' or 'Film studies' - tbh, directing is like setting up a business, you don't actually need a qualification to go for it. It depends if you want to spend a lot of money getting a degree. Alternativly you can gain skills through work experience

[Platostolemysocks]

(Original post by ACunningham)
I thought you said "dictator"

Anyway, don't waste your time on Film Studies with those GCSEs. Do a degree in History or Philosophy! Much better regarded and if the director route doesn't work - then you can become anything with a versatile degree like those.

Thats brilliant advice thank you!

[ACunningham]

Look at Sam Mendes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Mendes) he is directing the new Bond film - he had a degree in English

[theking1]

(Original post by ACunningham)
Look at Sam Mendes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Mendes) he is directing the new Bond film - he had a degree in English

Uni cambridge :O

[oddsox]

Not that I know much about it, but I've always got the feeling in this sort of industry you start at the bottom and work your way up. I would say get a degree in something like english lit or history with GCSEs that good - you'll stand out from the crowd. But then you'll need lots of unpaid experience (that could be done during the uni summer holidays) and working for the uni newspaper/ other types of media while you're there. Then you can try and land a job as a runner or something when your out of uni.

Ohterwise, have you tried wikipediaing a few directors to see how they got into the buisness?

[coodooloo]

I have and am facing the same dilemma as you- thinking whether to go through film or through an academic route. The majority of the people that I sought advice from said that it would be better to go through the academic route because I had good grades and it would be a bit of a waste not to continue that. I think job-wise, it is better to do an academic degree and then consider doing something to do with film in masters. Nevertheless, in the film industry, the thing that counts most is skills and experience, so whether you do film studies or not, that's what will stand out most. I have chosen to do an english degree, and I will be going to UCL in september.