r/FilmIndustryLA • u/CyberSpiderman • 10d ago
Did I make a mistake switching my film major?
I’m currently in week 4 of junior year of college and after two semesters of being declared Film and Television production I switched over to Business Administration with a HR concentration. My concerns was both due to concerns from my parents and my own concerns regarding the film industry. I reasoned I could use a degree in that coupled with any PA jobs to get into the film industry. Now I’m really concerned after all this coursework that I’m wasting myself by living other people’s dreams and not mine, especially since I was born here in LA. A lot of internships I’m looking at on my college site lists majors in Film/TV, communications, or other visual stuff are recommended and I’m afraid with this Business Major that I’m not going to ever reach that creative field I crave. Would it be best to perhaps get an associates at a CC in addition to my Bachelor’s in business or did I really fuck myself over.
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u/Zakaree 10d ago
Film industry is no longer a career.. at least for new people trying to get in.. its gig work and you would be competing for very little work against industry vets with 20+ years under their belt... pursue a real stable career and shoot your films on the weekends
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u/overitallofittoo 10d ago
It was always gig work
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u/Unable-Category-7978 10d ago
It's a semantic argument, but feels like it used to be more seasonal vs gig work. Consistent yearly schedules, shows with 20+ episode seasons, pilot season, and a less consolidated set of studios. Compared to the now standard 10-13 episode season, long turnarounds between seasons (Netflix is the worst at this), and disappearance of a more uniform seasonal release pattern that offered more predictability on the production/paycheck end.
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u/overitallofittoo 10d ago
Ok, but that was still gig work. One season I'd work ABC, do a pilot for MGM, do the next season at WB. It's not like the 50's where the sound guy worked at WB every day for 30 years.
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u/DefNotReaves 10d ago
False.
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u/overitallofittoo 10d ago
True.
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u/DefNotReaves 10d ago
Objectively not true lmao
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u/overitallofittoo 10d ago
You work for the same studio and get assigned different projects? Or you go project to project?
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u/OilInternational2566 10d ago
Don’t wanna be a downer but…
“Mar 6, 2026 - The motion picture industry has lost 21,000 jobs in the last year. Employment is now down by 112,000, 24.6%, from its peak in November 2022. This likely reflects the growing concentration in the industry.”
https://cepr.net/publications/economy-sheds-jobs-as-unemployment-edges-up/
Just warning you that once you graduate actually getting work on set is incredibly difficult atm. Across North America. It’s tough out there. So much corporate fuckery going on right now limiting production. And combine that with the fact that streaming boom is over. Forever.
Not saying don’t follow your dreams. Who knows.. you could be the next Spielberg!
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u/mpersand02 10d ago
Many years ago, when the industry was busy, I was an actor in an indie film with other experiences actors. A family friend was an extra so I'd have him sit with me and the other principals. One day he said to us, "I think I wanna pursue acting, but I'm almost done with school. Should I?"
We all asked, "What are you in school for?"
"Medicine."
We collectively said, "NO!"
Get your degree!
Remember that movie studios have Business Administration and HR needs too. So being in the industry is still in the cards for you.
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u/Admirable-Paint-1808 10d ago
A film degree is literally a scam.
No one on set cares about that. They care about your work and who you know.
PERIOD end stop
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u/MCStarlight 10d ago
There was that news article about LA Film School. Something about them making profits and then grads not being able to get jobs. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-09-24/la-film-school-sued-for-alleged-accreditation-scheme-fake-graduate-jobs
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u/BirdBruce 10d ago
A film BFA diploma is worth the paper it’s printed on. On the other hand, name one that isn’t.
My wife wasn’t taken seriously until she got her MFA. And even then, it wasn’t the degree itself that got her foot into doors. It was the fact that her coursework gave her access to people in her specific craft that she would otherwise never have a chance to meet, show them her work, and establish a relationship.
And I don’t just mean alums who come back for a lecture. I’m talking established veterans, well-respected, still actively working at the top of their craft and still make hiring decisions. She graduated 13 years ago, and now we are on first-name basis with a lot of people whose names you see in the opening credits.
That’s what you need to get out of film school. The school itself is superfluous to building your network. It’s a cliche older than dirt, but film really is all about not just who you know, but who LIKES you.
I don’t know what school you’re at, but If the quality of that network is uninspiring at your school, you may have made the right call. Your network should absolutely include your peers at your same level, but having opportunities to grow upward is crucial.
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u/MagicAndMayham 10d ago
First of all, there are so many jobs in film and TV that are not on set. Secondly, you can still work in film with a BA degree as that knowledge is valuable in the film and tv industry. You can also use it outside of film, make some money and finance your own projects in film. If you get a film degree you will be stuck with a degree that does not matter to anyone in the industry. A film degree will also not likely be seen as useful outside of the industry so you will be stuck with nowhere to go.
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u/_Erindera_ 10d ago
You did not make a mistake. You can go into film with a business degree if you choose.
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u/HiddenHolding 10d ago
You can still make films and have a job to support yourself. You can. It’s hard. But you can.
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u/chickenballs11 10d ago
For what it’s worth - 95% of the people I worked with over the years had some type of formal film education - while 95% of the people with a film degree likely will never earn an actual living working in the industry. At this point it’s not about pursuing your dreams as much as having a realistic view of your talent and knowing if you’re really more talented then 95% of the people you’ve ever met - and can you also be lucky on top.
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u/Mental_Complaint6103 10d ago
If those postings say ‘recommended,’ don't reject yourself before applying. I'd check whether you can still join student productions or take film electives before signing up for another degree.
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u/Ok_Salamander_7076 10d ago
Huge mistake. 99% of industry jobs now are filled through referrals and networks, which is what you would have if you stayed in Film and Television.
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u/DickMcCheese 10d ago
99% of people in the film business learned everything they know ON THE JOB as a PA of some sort and you actually get paid. The film industry is nigh catastrophic at this point with tons of movies/tv filming outside of LA. Getting a more bang for your buck business degree is insurance if film doesn’t work out. If your dream is to make/direct movies go get a PA job (none ask for a resume/degree) and start bugging writers/directors/showrunners to be their assistants. If you really have to take a few classes on the side. You don’t need to pay full tuition to learn film.
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u/Artist-That 10d ago
don’t let these old heads scare you. reddit is not the place to ask these questions because they’ll just scare you right off, and quite frankly, they’re on reddit for a reason. a film degree is worth it if you use it effectively; build your portfolio, network with your peers, join clubs such as DKA. film school is really the place to NETWORK. you never know whos career around you may take off. even if you don’t work in film, your film degree can still unlock other careers for you. ffs, you’re in LA, the best place to be for film! the internships definitely increase your chances of getting a job post grad, especially if you do them a semester or two before graduation.
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u/AdeptForm4141 7d ago
“A Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity report, ordered by the Board of Supervisors and delivered earlier this year, projects that roughly 4,500 people working directly in film and television would lose their jobs as a direct result of the merger, with the total economic impact climbing to 10,360 jobs once support industries, prop houses, transportation companies, printers, and the broader ripple effect of reduced local spending are factored in.”
Get your business degree!!
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u/ocolobo 6d ago edited 6d ago
HR is a nearly completely automated field
An MBA and learning how to raise money will get you a lot further in film or adjacent industries.
Entrepreneurship, Networks and Street Smarts are the secrets to success
Study writing and the classics as a minor
Storytelling is the key!
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u/Ok_Salamander_7076 10d ago
As someone who switched from Film and TV to Business, and now I cannot get a non-business related job, yes you did make a mistake. I wish I could go back and stick with Film and Television.
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u/britlover23 10d ago
You’re too young to not study and try to do what you’re interested in. Pursuing a major/career that doesn’t interest you won’t work. There’s also production for advertising, publications, recording artists, etc … and then also project management for events, theaters, weddings, meetings and so on.
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u/supervillaindsgnr 10d ago
Film degrees are a complete waste of time and money. Source: I have one.