The Big Question: Film or TV?

Ivan & Mike @ the unofficial End-of-Term-3 Partay! (Feb 25)

Two weeks before the end of term 3, department head, Michael Baser, and trusty sidekick Dionne rustled us into the writing theatre, closed the door, and asked us a question we all knew was coming: "Film or television?"

No, not which did we prefer to watch that afternoon, but rather, after six months of general exposure to both, which of the two streams did we want to specialize in for the remainder of the year?

Some of us (myself included) had been agonizing for weeks over this one. On the one hand, it didn't seem fair that we had to choose; on the other hand, it made perfect sense. To get really good, we had to zero in and become a master of one. Ask any five teachers to sell you on the benefits of either (a ritual I strongly recommend), and you'll, of course, get different answers. Some championed film with bells and whistles, others pointed to TV as the no-brainer, hands-down way to go.

Evan & Matt

For some of us, there was no debate or inner turmoil: we knew already. The challenge for me was that I'd come in to VFS with my heart set on film. That's where my experience, interest and, most importantly, my heart was.

But over the course of three terms, I'd come to love television writing and the frenetic pace and fury of the writer's room - the instant feedback, the constant workshopping, the all-heads-together generation of ideas. As I presented my dilemma to my instructors and fellow students, the question often came back, "Do you prefer writing alone or as part of a group?" - suggesting that loners belonged in film, extroverts in TV. Though an admitted generalization, it wasn't a bad point. However, I was equally comfortable working alone or with others. So that wasn't my issue.

Mel & Kate

The next question that came back was, "Which medium do you want to pursue as a career?" For me, that was also easy. Film. But based on the course outlines I saw coming for both streams, I felt I had more to gain academically (script formatting, how the industry works, etc.) by chasing after the TV curriculum. Plus, from everything I'd been hearing, chances were my first jobs after VFS would be in TV, if only as a production assistant. One more check in the box for TV.

"Eyeballs" Elberson

Then I had a few questions for myself, that applied uniquely to me. How does being 41 with three kids factor in?  Not unimportant details. I mean, I knew this going into the program and the future's still very bright, but there's no denying that I'm limited in some ways that other students aren't. Bills to pay, mouths to feed, perceptions to fight. And hey, I'm totally cool with that. I get it. Nonetheless, TV comedy, say, is probably not an option. (Apparently the industry doesn't have much use for comedy writers over 27. Not "hip" or "fresh" enough. Yeah, I know, but that's just the way it works. Besides, I intend to help prove that little bit of bullshit untrue in my own way down the road. . .)

In the end, I reconciled my heart with reality and opted for television. It just makes sense. But that doesn't mean I`ve changed my mind about wanting to write for film. I fully intend on exhausting myself with every film elective I can squeeze into my schedule, continue working on my feature script, and scheduling mentoring sessions with first-rate film gurus like Rudy Thauberger and Rodger Cove.

And of course, either way, we're not making career decisions here. We're just focusing on a study path while in school. The future is still ours to carve out, as always. Nothing's in stone.

Here we come, Term 4!