Why Filmmakers Stick Around? "Because Cinema is an addiction"

The film business has been rough and sometimes cruel, but what about the schools leading up to it? Attending film school and college is supposed to get students ready for lucrative careers in the business, but in most cases, it does not end that way. Unpaid internships, unrealistic ideals, and lack of mentorship are a few of the traps most students fall into, and it is hard for them to succeed.

Unpaid internships are so common practice in the film industry that even film schools advise students to do them in order to gain some experience. But this is a barrier to entry for students who simply do not have the means to work for nothing. Already, the majority of students are barely managing as it is, and unpaid internships are a huge burden. This can narrow the student pool who are capable of operating within the sector and contribute to a lack of disadvantaged representation.

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There is also an earnest desire from these film schools to present professional-standard work, which puts unreasonable standards on the students. At certain times, there is the necessity for the students to come up with quality motion pictures, musical videos, or other work without sufficient resources and instructions. The burnout as well as tension may prove bad for the well-being of students both physically as well as psychologically.

Film schools place greater emphasis on technical education but do not offer students the kind of guidance and counseling necessary to succeed in the business. Others cannot be incorporated into production, and without mentorship, they are lost and lack direction when it comes to their careers. Without mentoring, students also can't deal with failure and mistakes, which are part of the creative process.

The flip side of film studies comes at the expense of human resources which cannot be ignored. Most students can't balance their creative ambitions against the cost constraints of aspiring to become the career in cinema. The stress of having to deliver quality output, and shortage of infrastructure and facilities, can result in burnout, stress, and disappointment.

Film schools and universities must analyze their own activities thoroughly and make a deliberate decision to rectify the problem of unpaid internships, unrealistic targets, and lack of advisement. This is done by providing interns with fair wages, advisement and guidance, and supporting more positive and open learning cultures. Thus, schools of film can make sure that the students end up being successful in the field and create a more balanced and sustainable future for professionals in the industry.