Film School vs. Learning on Set: What No One Tells You

If you want to work in film, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Do I go to film school, or just get on sets and learn by doing?” The answer isn’t simple, and the truth is, no one really tells you what each path actually gives you. And that’s because film school ends up being very different for each student. There are a lot of different opinions on film school whether or. not it’s useful to your film career. So let’s jump into what no one tells you when it comes to film school.

Here’s the brutally honest breakdown:

Film School: What It Really Offers

Film school is often sold as the fast track to becoming a filmmaker. And in some ways, it could be simply because the hope is when you’re in films school you actually make films. So, in essence you are a filmmaker. Here are the benefits:

• Structured learning: You get assignments, deadlines, and critiques, a controlled environment to practice storytelling, camera work, editing, and more.

• Access to equipment: You can experiment with cameras, lights, and editing suites without paying for rental houses or worrying about breaking gear. (I personally don’t think students really grasp how valuable this is and definitely do not take advantage of the access to equipment enough.)

• Networking with peers: Your classmates are future filmmakers who can become collaborators or even people who hire you later, or who hire you!

• Portfolio work: You graduate with short films or projects to showcase your abilities.

• Industry knowledge: You learn terminology, workflows, and theory that can be helpful on set.

But here’s what film school doesn’t prepare you for:

• The grind of real sets: The 14-hour days, chaos, and unpredictability aren’t fully replicated in a classroom in the least bit.

• Industry politics: Navigating producers, unions, ADs, and talent is rarely covered. This is huge! The politics are for real and very much still alive and well unfortunately.

• Money and survival skills: Film school doesn’t teach you how to hustle, budget, or get your first gig. They teach how to make a film, not how to get on film sets. Two very different things.

• The cost: Film school is expensive! Well, at least the majority of them are. Tuition can easily run tens of thousands per year, sometimes more, not including living expenses, equipment fees, or software. You’re investing a lot with no guarantee of a job at the end. Which in most cases is all college programs in any degree if we’re being honest here.

Learning on Set: The Hard, Fast Truth

Getting on set without formal schooling is messy, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming. But it’s also one of the fastest ways to learn:

• Real-world experience: You see how films are made from prep to wrap, dealing with real problems, last-minute changes, and tight deadlines.

• Soft skills that matter: Reliability, communication, and knowing when to step in or stay quiet are lessons no classroom can replicate.

• Networking opportunities: Every set is a chance to meet directors, ADs, DPs, and producers who may hire or recommend you again.

• Skill-building under pressure: You learn fast because mistakes are visible and costly, which makes you internalize lessons quicker than any class could teach.

The downsides of no film school and learning on set:

• No structured learning: You have to figure out everything yourself. And some people don’t do well in this situation.

• Limited access to equipment: You may not touch cameras, lights, or editing software unless someone trusts you. And this could take awhile.

• Uncertainty: Jobs can be inconsistent, underpaid, or unpaid, and getting noticed is competitive. Very Competitive.

The Middle Ground

Here’s what no one tells you: you don’t have to pick one. Many successful filmmakers combine both paths. Like me I didn’t go to a traditional “Film School” I went to school for communications with a concentration in Media Production. I learned editing, lighting, camera work, and I left with a great portfolio, made some good stuff when I was in school and actually made projects for real life clients before graduation. It wasn’t me directing a thesis film, but it was me producing commercials for people in the real world. It sort of set me up for some place in the middle where I could be a producer of sorts on a smaller scale.

• Film school can give you a foundation and portfolio.

• Getting on set teaches you how the industry actually works communication, problem-solving, and reliability under pressure.

Some people go to school for a year or two, then jump onto sets to gain experience while learning. Others skip school entirely, learning everything on the job while supplementing with online courses, workshops, or mentorship.

Last Words of Advice:

• Don’t expect film school to hand you a job. It won’t.

• Don’t expect sets to be easy. You’ll work hard, be tested, and make mistakes, but you’ll learn faster than any class could teach.

• Value both types of learning. Craft knowledge + on-set experience = career acceleration.

• Start where you are. and make the most out of every opportunity. If you’re broke, start on sets. If you want structured learning, film school helps  but be aware of the massive cost. but there’s also something to be said for self learning there so many tools out there today that help you learn filmmaking.

• Take action now. Don’t wait for the “perfect time” or the “perfect path.” And definitely do not wait for anyone to just hand you an opportunity.