Going to the movies is an activity that most people like to partake in. Whether it’s to see an adaption of their favorite book, to see that really good-looking actor or actress, or just to escape for a while, the movies are a great place to experience something different.
But there’s more to movies than just seeing some actor or actress you really like. There are a lot of aspect of cinema that can be analyzed, from the characters to symbolism and historical accuracy. If you tend to be someone who finds a passion in analyzing film closely, you might want to consider majoring in film studies.
Education
According to the College Board, a major in film studies is typically earned at the bachelor’s (4-year) level. College courses that are often taken as a part of this major include acting and directing, critical writing about film, film technology, film theory, video art and contemporary film. Learning about film history is also a prominent aspect of this major and students will examine the social and cultural issues that occurred during the making of the film and will often compare them to what is occurring in current culture.
What to know before you apply
When looking into different schools, students should be aware of whether the film study program they are applying to requires a separate application or if all applicants are accepted. Students should also look into available resources to use for their studies, namely by looking at the film reserves in the library or in the school’s database. Being able to discuss and debate different movies also essential for students in this major, so be open to all different kinds of film and ideas about certain films. Internships are also a vital part of this major so find schools that will be able to place you in a studio that will give you good experience and exposure to what it’s really like to work in the industry.
Salary
There are a variety of career options that are available after earning a degree in film studies. Some examples include set designers who earn an average yearly salary of $54,890 as of 2009, directors/producers who earn an average of $86,870 as of 2009 and camera operators who earn an average of $45,490 per year as of 2012.
-All salary estimations from bls.gov
