Film Student Stereotypes: Have You Heard Any of These?

You’re studying a film degree. Therefore you must be a hipster. Sound familiar?

Are you studying a film special effects course at the University of Bolton? Or perhaps you’re interested in doing a film degree and hoping to get a job in the industry? Wherever you are in your career journey, you may have come across certain stereotypes to do with your chosen subject.

Here are some of the things that people often assume about film effects students or student filmmakers!

You’re obsessed with world cinema

Yes, world cinema is great and it’s a fantastic way of appreciating art from other cultures, but it isn’t all you’re interested in. As a film student, you’re taught to understand films from every genre, including big Hollywood movies. It’s also not fair to pigeonhole, as every film degree student is different.

You may prefer film noir, action movies, psychological thrillers, arty films, or even cheesy Christmas movies. The point is, your course teaches you how to critique different genres and styles.

You prefer indie over mainstream

Independent films are loved by student filmmakers and many people in the film community because they provide opportunities for those without a Hollywood budget to get their work seen by the world. Indie films also offer something raw and different, and provide students with amazing inspiration.

But the thing is, film students also rave about them more simply because they are exposed to them during their course. But let’s not assume that an indie film will automatically be favoured over something mainstream. They’re not mutually exclusive, and both can be enjoyed for what they are.

You’re a hipster, and so are all of your film friends

If you have lots of close friends in your film special effects course or another film-related course, you and your group may get branded with labels, such as hipsters. This is of course not true, as every student is an individual.

Being called a hipster is a harmless stereotype, and some may even be proud to wear the label. But it’s good to remind others that you’re not all the same. And you certainly don’t share a wardrobe, because each person has their own style preferences.

You’re a bit pretentious

This is a common stereotype for student filmmakers. Some aspects of film theory can make us seem overly passionate on certain topics, and this can be misunderstood at times. But there’s nothing wrong with caring about your art and wanting to share your opinion on it.

If you ever find that people are not taking too well to your thoughts on films, just remember to ask about their opinion and make sure you respect what they have to say (even if they are not an expert).

You’ll find it hard to get a job

There’s a common misconception about film students and their prospects. With a film degree, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get to work in film or television when you graduate. But if you work hard, snap up every opportunity, and network during your university years, you’ll be able to get your foot in the door.

At the University of Bolton, our film special effects courses provide access to live projects for practical work experience, and we offer amazing opportunities to attend industry events and build your professional network.

We have an extensive partnerships for live work, so we can teach students at industry standard. And many of our graduates have gone on to work on major productions, including Game of Thrones, Star Wars: Force Awakens, Doctor Who, Wonder Woman, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Jungle Book, and more.

For those looking to hone their art and upskill, a master’s degree in film FX at the University of Bolton can be a fantastic investment of time. To find out more about applying in 2022, see our available courses here.