Yay or nay? To a film diploma in Singapore

Disclaimer⚠️: What i'm about to share might or might not be relatable for some but this is MY OWN personal take and experience.

This is a very brief and surface coverage.

1. How is the workload in a film diploma course?

2-3 Movies/week, long lectures, analysis, theory, essays, pitch, shoot, clashing assignments, rushing deadlines, sleepless nights and repeat.

Take all that...and x 3 years.

60% theory 40% hands on, as someone who isn't book smart, every single theory paper was hell for me and if it weren't for my peers, i probably would have retained.

2. Should I join a co-curricular activity?

With what i've mentioned above...

You gotta ask yourself honestly are you able to and do you want to commit your monday-sundays to school?

Do you have the mental capacity to still commit and attend to the meetings and events of your CCA?

I was already struggling to keep up with schoolwork and I tried to have a CCA, but it didn't cut out for me as I personally was more of a work study kind of person, so I spent more time on school and work.

Pros✅

- You make a lot of friends and memories

- Accumulate credits for your portfolio

- Trains you to push your stress limit and threshold!!!

Cons❌

- Barely have time for yourself or family

- Miss out on external job opportunities

- Might take a mental toll on you

3. How is the culture and environment like?

Mentally and physically draining? Very.

Competitive? Very.

Fast paced? Extremely.

Socially heavy environment? Yes.

Toxic behaviours? Yes.

Bias behaviours? Absolutely.

Not to air mine or anybody's dirty laundry but i would like to be as transparent as possible.

I faced a lot of negative experiences and sad to say I myself was one of them who contributed to them too.

Being in such a competitive environment, everybody wants to prove their worth and strive to be the best...

No...there is nothing wrong with that, but what i've come to realise is that the lengths that people will go to be the best, is really scary because of how easily people can get brainwashed and influenced.

You will definitely meet people of all ages, that comes from different stages and backgrounds of their life.

You will meet some who are from ITE, after National Service, change of course, Secondary school, gap year etc.

This is where it gets challenging, learning how to accept and adapt to people with different experience and maturity level.

My overall conclusion and takeaway:

All in all, I do not regret the shit i went through and I did had fun.

If you feel like you can take on everything i've said, please go and pursue your dreams!!!

I wish you all the best and happiness in your endeavours☺️

Stay true to yourself, be humble, be passionate, be open to taking constructive criticism, be willing to learn and fail.

It's okay to make mistakes because where better to do it at than in school?

Hope this didn't scare yall🤡

This is honestly just scratching the surface of the filmmaker's life in SG, I have more 🍵 share 👀

Let me know if yall would like more content!

#diploma #secondaryschool #filmmaking #filmmaker #film #academic #studies #course