Are Film Schools Preparing Students for Careers in New Media?

I had the opportunity to attend USC’s Women in Cinematic Arts Industry Forum this weekend (I know what you’re thinking wise guy – men were invited too). Besides the opportunity to soak up knowledge from the likes of Kim Evey, Mary Feuer and VP of ABC’s Digital Media, Alexis Rapo * I wanted to visit my Alma Mater and check out the new digs. Over the course of the day (and an evening of networking) one thing was abundantly clear: USC students are excited about breaking into new media.

Half the questions asked at the panels amounted to, “Will you give me money to make a web series?” or the popular follow-up “Who should I ask to give me money to make a web series?”. The panelists weren’t always optimistic about the prospect, but the crowd didn’t seem to be listening. Alexis Rapo had to reiterate no less than four times that ABC is only interested in derivative content**. Both panels made it clear; now is not the time to get rich in new media. I still don’t think the idea stuck. And I’m glad.

If New Media is the new independent film, then these kids need to be ready. Though there has always*** been a steep degree of self teaching in new media, shouldn’t students, especially those who are interested in the field, be prepared for the realities of the business and the nature of the form in school? Isn’t that what schools are for? And since USC’s film school is now the school of “Cinematic Arts” and not “Cinema-Television” one would think made for web content would be a part of the program.

A quick glance at the ‘SC class schedule tells you that there isn’t a single class on the creation of Web Series****. Is the form too nascent to host a class? Apparently neither panelist Mary Feuer nor Kim Evey think so (since they have both run classes on the subject). Besides, nascent forms are what Universities are supposed to explore. Sure, plenty of the skills they pick up in film school will be applicable to working in web content, but as we all know, web creators have to be so much more than your typical artiste. Marketing, SEO, social networking, brand management, are all up to the emerging web creator/student. Not to mention the opportunity to grow and explore the medium in a safe, risk free environment. Where would we be if schools like USC weren’t there to allow their brightest students to explore and experiment in emerging fields?

It seems to me the school, as progressive as it may be, deals in extremes. They’re either on the cutting edge of media experiences or celebrating cinematic traditions. As a student you can either program a multi-media enriched experiences, or cut a black and white 16mm silent film, but take a class on web series? nah. What results is a fantastic and invaluable education, but not a complete one.

I’d love to see a class designed around the exploration of serialized, short form content made for the web. It could examine current trends, history, and the nature of the business. The school is at the epicenter of a new media boom. LA is the home to the creators, journalists, agents, and portals that make web media go round.  Hell, plenty of the people involved are alums anyway. It needn’t be a requirement, but I think the university owes it’s students the opportunity. After all, you only go to film school once (because we can’t afford to go twice).

So, Dean Daley, I hope you’re reading this. You know how to get in touch with me. ;)

* I could, and may, write a whole other post about ABC’s stance on original web content. Until then, NewTeeVee has you covered.

** One resourceful student proceeded to ask how you get to write one of their derivative shows. Answer: write for the sitcom first.

*** I admit, “always” implies a larger scope of time than may be appropriate for our nascent little form, but whatevs, right?

**** Though there is a canceled class on Guerilla television, and many multi-media classes available through the Institute for Multimedia Literacy- the place that helped first spark my interest in web content to begin with.