upwardly_m
My son is a high school senior. Next year he wants to go to community college and live at home (at least that is reasonably affordable) instead of going away to school. He wants to take an expensive major however. Video production. We have been able to save about $5,000 towards his education. We are not wealthy people. The rest will have to come from loans and maybe a grant or scholarship.
We are looking at some "entry level" pro cameras in the $1500-1800 range. That's about 1/3 of our savings for his education.
Models include these:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/518555-REG/Sony_HVRHD1000U_HVR_HD1000U_Digital_High_Definition.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/745707-REG/Sony_HXR_MC2000U_HXR_MC2000U_Shoulder_Mount_AVCHD.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/878341-REG/Panasonic_hmc40kit_AG_HMC40_AVCCAM_HD_Camcorder.html
and
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/749467-REG/Canon_4922B002_XA10_HD_Professional_Camcorder.html
My concern is he starts September 2013 so these products may not even be available by then or others will be available. We hope he graduates May 2015. He tells us when he graduates he will maybe find a freelance job or shoot local cable news, build up some experience, maybe after 2 years go for a B.A. at least part time.
Is anything we buy him in 2013 (summer) going to be any use to him as a working professional in 2015 (summer)? So let's say you are a class of 2012 graduate with an AAS in video production. The camera you purchased in the summer of 2010 when you first started, do you still use it professionally? Can you make anything doing freelance news videos, PR videos or local account commercials with this equipment?
We're going to do everything we can to help him. No doubt he will still be living at home in the summer of 2015. By then he's going to have a student loan to pay off. We have a 2005 Hyundai Accent that we are going to give him for college. I hope that thing still runs when it is 10 years old and he isn't making car payments on top of that. The thing has 120,000 miles on it but runs really well. I just fear when he graduates he's going to be in deep debt and have limited employment. I may be wrong. What do you think? Thanks.
Answer
Hi "Upwardly Mobile":
Fellow Contributor "L" covered most of the bases quite well, but the only point he didn't underscore is that MOST good video & film production programs at community colleges HAVE the cameras, lights, mikes, tripods, and other gear that the students will learn on & use.
When I went to a local (but nationally prominent) university with a Broadcast/Film Dept., portable video was still fairly new, but all the film cameras, tripods, & light kits were supplied by the Department for students to "check out" as-needed for class projects.
And most video production students start out with Studio Production techniques (where it's easier for groups to learn 3-point lighting, camera setup & tripod/dolly operation, shot composition, audio techniques & mixing, etc.). No need for portable field gear there.
For field production & Electronic News Gathering, a good college will have a fair number of camcorders for students to use & check out (if needed for outside-of-class projects).
The same is true for Editing Software & computer workstations. Some college programs might be economizing and making students supply their own laptops for this, but all the major software companies offer Academic Editions of their normally-expensive edit suites at discounted prices. And of course, nowadays, apps like iMovie (Mac) and Movie Maker (PC) come "free" as part of the operating system and can accomplish what older (and expensive) software used to do, as far as basic editing.
As "L" mentioned, do a bit of "homework" yourself by contacting the community college's department head & instructors for your son's chosen major. Tour the facilities (studio and edit suites) and ask about the "equipment room" for student project gear. See what textbooks (a major expense) are required, and whether computer/laptop & software expense will be part of what's expected of your son. Only if there's little-or-no camcorder gear (or no hands-on studio cameras) would I recommend buying anything like the models from B+H that you listed.
Almost every cable TV & freelance video job I've had over the past 30 years has "supplied" (rented or company-owned) the cameras & grip gear I needed. I bring my own gear only when it's a "favor" or when what I have is better-suited to the task, or they want a "director with gear". My point being, your son doesn't need to own =any= camera gear to make a living freelancing. A good camera operator can stay busy in almost any part of the country, with just his/her skills. (Same for sound mixers & boom/wireless mike operators.)
hope this helps, and hope it saves you some money,
--Dennis C.
Â
Hi "Upwardly Mobile":
Fellow Contributor "L" covered most of the bases quite well, but the only point he didn't underscore is that MOST good video & film production programs at community colleges HAVE the cameras, lights, mikes, tripods, and other gear that the students will learn on & use.
When I went to a local (but nationally prominent) university with a Broadcast/Film Dept., portable video was still fairly new, but all the film cameras, tripods, & light kits were supplied by the Department for students to "check out" as-needed for class projects.
And most video production students start out with Studio Production techniques (where it's easier for groups to learn 3-point lighting, camera setup & tripod/dolly operation, shot composition, audio techniques & mixing, etc.). No need for portable field gear there.
For field production & Electronic News Gathering, a good college will have a fair number of camcorders for students to use & check out (if needed for outside-of-class projects).
The same is true for Editing Software & computer workstations. Some college programs might be economizing and making students supply their own laptops for this, but all the major software companies offer Academic Editions of their normally-expensive edit suites at discounted prices. And of course, nowadays, apps like iMovie (Mac) and Movie Maker (PC) come "free" as part of the operating system and can accomplish what older (and expensive) software used to do, as far as basic editing.
As "L" mentioned, do a bit of "homework" yourself by contacting the community college's department head & instructors for your son's chosen major. Tour the facilities (studio and edit suites) and ask about the "equipment room" for student project gear. See what textbooks (a major expense) are required, and whether computer/laptop & software expense will be part of what's expected of your son. Only if there's little-or-no camcorder gear (or no hands-on studio cameras) would I recommend buying anything like the models from B+H that you listed.
Almost every cable TV & freelance video job I've had over the past 30 years has "supplied" (rented or company-owned) the cameras & grip gear I needed. I bring my own gear only when it's a "favor" or when what I have is better-suited to the task, or they want a "director with gear". My point being, your son doesn't need to own =any= camera gear to make a living freelancing. A good camera operator can stay busy in almost any part of the country, with just his/her skills. (Same for sound mixers & boom/wireless mike operators.)
hope this helps, and hope it saves you some money,
--Dennis C.
Â
thinking about college, no clue what to do?
Marcus
I'm a 25 yr old male, unemployed, my car is broke down. I'm stuck in a bad situation of living in a small town with minimal work opportunities. I've really had an urging to go to college lately, i think it will help me find myself and figure out where i wanna go in my life. I really do feel that I'm smart .High school was fairly easy for me, but i didn't put much effort into it. I want to attend a campus, but I have no idea how to go about it. Should I contact the school (maybe Ohio University)? How do I go about financing all of this? Do I need to take SAT/ACTs? This is a pretty daunting task for me, none of my close family has gone to college to give me advise. I won't be receiving any help financial from my parents (which I'm OK with). I know I should file my FASFA soon, I will get on that. I would be willing to work part time and go to class full time,... Thank You for your time and advise. Marcus
I'm thinking about possibly studying Religion as a major or minor
Answer
I'm not an expert in financing and universities, but do know a lot of bits of information.
You need to decide why you want to go to college. It takes 4 or more years of your life and a lot of effort. You learn how to learn; that is a college graduate will typically know how to find information and accept training better. You generally broaden your perspective of people and the world. You learn information in various subjects. You have a credential to get a job that requires the degree, and also are showing employers that you can learn skills. It can be a fun place, but that should be a side benefit. It does not guarantee a successful life.
You will have to choose schools that you would like to attend, and coursework you would like to take in general (a major) though that can be undefined to start.
http://www.usnews.com/rankings
It is not only which schools you would be willing or want to attend, you also need to get admitted to the school. Each has varying criteria for admission. You will pretty much need either SAT's or ACT's, and do not need both.
http://www.collegeboard.org/
http://www.actstudent.org/index.html
That is a way for a college to judge your basic knowledge of Math, Reading, and Writing skills. They use your high school grades and sometimes essay questions on an entrance form. Schools admissions boards/departments are generally totally separate from their financial offices. Their job is to choose students who will graduate. They do not like to accept a student who fails out because it was too difficult, and higher reputation schools have higher competitiveness with other students, so the admissions is more difficult. There are any number of applicants, and the acceptance rate varies. To find schools that offer a major, you should probably google search. They also use your lifes experience, because you have been out of school for a while.
Often, in-state public has a lower base rate for expenses. Many private colleges have large endowment funds, and even with a high tuition base rate, may waive 100%. There are schools they guarantee that if you get in, finances will be managed fairly. You should also file the FAFSA which is a determination of what the government thinks you should be able to pay. An education gets financed by grants=aid that does not get paid back, plus loans and the best are the US government backed oned, and part time jobs if necessary.
http://www.collegefinancingguide.com/
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/01/03/12-smart-tips-to-finance-college-costs-in-2012/
College costs are:
Tuition, housing, food, utilities, books and supplies including a laptop if you don't have one, some fees, possibly medical insurance and any medical costs that occur, transportation, and discretionary spending (for stuff and activites)
The goal you have is to get as much covered in aid, and generally US Gov't backed loans that do not get paid back until after you graduate. http://www.collegescholarships.org/loans/guaranteed.htm
In choosing what to study, the best way is first choose what it is you want to do with your life after you graduate and what is the courses and degree(s) that help you get it. College is not an end, it is a beginning or stepping stone. You do not choose the degree first, you choose your life plan first.
You will have exam costs and possibly school application costs. The schools will sometimes waive their fee.
I hope this is a good start. You should at this point apply for a test date with its fee, have a copy of your high school grades or at least the address and contacts for a school to get them including class rank if available, and can then start on the FAFSA because SATs and ACTs are given on a schedule, and you will want to study for it. You can buy a study guide: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764144367/
There are many more (see on the page). Some are available at libraries.
You can usually apply online to a university, but may involve printing and mailing also. The SAT scores will need to be sent to the schools you are applying to.
I'm not an expert in financing and universities, but do know a lot of bits of information.
You need to decide why you want to go to college. It takes 4 or more years of your life and a lot of effort. You learn how to learn; that is a college graduate will typically know how to find information and accept training better. You generally broaden your perspective of people and the world. You learn information in various subjects. You have a credential to get a job that requires the degree, and also are showing employers that you can learn skills. It can be a fun place, but that should be a side benefit. It does not guarantee a successful life.
You will have to choose schools that you would like to attend, and coursework you would like to take in general (a major) though that can be undefined to start.
http://www.usnews.com/rankings
It is not only which schools you would be willing or want to attend, you also need to get admitted to the school. Each has varying criteria for admission. You will pretty much need either SAT's or ACT's, and do not need both.
http://www.collegeboard.org/
http://www.actstudent.org/index.html
That is a way for a college to judge your basic knowledge of Math, Reading, and Writing skills. They use your high school grades and sometimes essay questions on an entrance form. Schools admissions boards/departments are generally totally separate from their financial offices. Their job is to choose students who will graduate. They do not like to accept a student who fails out because it was too difficult, and higher reputation schools have higher competitiveness with other students, so the admissions is more difficult. There are any number of applicants, and the acceptance rate varies. To find schools that offer a major, you should probably google search. They also use your lifes experience, because you have been out of school for a while.
Often, in-state public has a lower base rate for expenses. Many private colleges have large endowment funds, and even with a high tuition base rate, may waive 100%. There are schools they guarantee that if you get in, finances will be managed fairly. You should also file the FAFSA which is a determination of what the government thinks you should be able to pay. An education gets financed by grants=aid that does not get paid back, plus loans and the best are the US government backed oned, and part time jobs if necessary.
http://www.collegefinancingguide.com/
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/01/03/12-smart-tips-to-finance-college-costs-in-2012/
College costs are:
Tuition, housing, food, utilities, books and supplies including a laptop if you don't have one, some fees, possibly medical insurance and any medical costs that occur, transportation, and discretionary spending (for stuff and activites)
The goal you have is to get as much covered in aid, and generally US Gov't backed loans that do not get paid back until after you graduate. http://www.collegescholarships.org/loans/guaranteed.htm
In choosing what to study, the best way is first choose what it is you want to do with your life after you graduate and what is the courses and degree(s) that help you get it. College is not an end, it is a beginning or stepping stone. You do not choose the degree first, you choose your life plan first.
You will have exam costs and possibly school application costs. The schools will sometimes waive their fee.
I hope this is a good start. You should at this point apply for a test date with its fee, have a copy of your high school grades or at least the address and contacts for a school to get them including class rank if available, and can then start on the FAFSA because SATs and ACTs are given on a schedule, and you will want to study for it. You can buy a study guide: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764144367/
There are many more (see on the page). Some are available at libraries.
You can usually apply online to a university, but may involve printing and mailing also. The SAT scores will need to be sent to the schools you are applying to.
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