What to Study to Become An Adventure Filmmaker

One of the most common questions I get from aspiring adventure filmmakers, especially high school students, is whether they should go to college and, if so, what they should study. It’s a tough question to answer because everyone’s path is different. Adventure filmmaking is an unconventional career, and the path to success isn’t always straightforward.

While college can be a fantastic opportunity to grow, learn, and connect with others, it’s also a huge financial investment. So, it’s important to think carefully about whether it makes sense for you. There’s no right or wrong answer, and it depends a lot on your individual situation. For some, college provides a strong foundation of skills and experiences, while for others, the hands-on, real-world experience of just going out and making films is more beneficial.

This article is my take on what to study if you’re seriously considering college as a step in your journey to becoming an adventure filmmaker. I’ll break down five or six different areas that could be valuable and explain how each one might tie back into your future filmmaking career—even if not directly. I also want to be clear that college isn't the only path, and I don't believe it's worth going into massive debt for unless you have a clear plan and strategy to make the most of it. Hopefully, this guide can help you make an informed decision.

My Experience: Political Science, Dance, and Filmmaking

Let me start by sharing my own journey. I majored in political science and double-minored in music and dance—yes, hip-hop and contemporary dance. At first glance, these subjects might seem completely unrelated to adventure filmmaking, but each of them played a role in shaping my career.

Political science gave me a broader understanding of how people interact, how societies function, and how to navigate various perspectives. I interned in Washington, D.C throughout my time in school., working on diplomacy and international affairs, and that experience of interacting with people from all walks of life proved incredibly valuable when working on documentary films. Filmmaking is about capturing stories from diverse perspectives, and that understanding is a huge asset, whether you're filming climbers in Yosemite or interviewing local communities in South America.

Music and dance, on the other hand, helped me cultivate creativity and a deep sense of rhythm, timing, and movement, which are crucial when editing films or planning action sequences in adventure sports. My time as a video intern on campus gave me hands-on experience with gear, access to mentorship, and the freedom to experiment without the pressure to monetize my projects right away.

A Brand Campaign I Made as a Video Intern at Colorado College…

For me, college provided a space to grow, learn, and build my business without the pressure to immediately make a living off of filmmaking. That breathing room was essential. I could make the videos I wanted, learn from my mistakes, and grow without needing every project to be a commercial success. College was a place where I could fail safely and keep learning—something that’s difficult to replicate in the real world.

The Pros and Cons of College for Filmmaking

Before diving into the fields of study, I want to emphasize that college is a big decision, and it's not for everyone. Here are some factors to consider:

Cost: College is expensive, and it’s important to weigh the financial burden against the benefits. If you're going to take on significant debt to attend, consider whether the value of that education will help you achieve your goals. Adventure filmmaking is a creative field, and many filmmakers build successful careers through real-world experience rather than formal education.
Opportunities: College can offer opportunities to experiment, access to equipment and mentors, and a network of peers who can support your growth. Many schools have video or media internships, giving you hands-on experience and access to resources that may not be available outside of an academic environment.
Self-Directed Learning: On the other hand, if you have the discipline and drive to teach yourself through online courses, tutorials, and by creating your own projects, you might be able to build the skills you need without the formal structure of college. The internet is filled with resources for aspiring filmmakers.

If college is affordable for you or you have access to scholarships or financial support from family, it can be an incredible opportunity to study subjects outside of filmmaking that will make you a better, more well-rounded filmmaker. If it's too expensive or seems like a risky investment, self-directed learning and building a portfolio of real-world projects might be a more practical path.

What to Study in College for Adventure Filmmaking

While film school is often the most obvious choice, it’s not the only one. In fact, many filmmakers, myself included, find that studying subjects outside of filmmaking can provide a unique edge. Here are five or six areas of study that can contribute to a successful career in adventure filmmaking.

1. Political Science or Social Sciences

As I mentioned earlier, I majored in political science, and it turned out to be a great decision for my career. Political science - and social sciences more broadly - teach you how to understand human behavior, navigate different perspectives, and analyze complex systems. Adventure filmmakers often work in diverse environments with people from various backgrounds, so understanding cultural dynamics and how societies function can be incredibly useful.

For example, if you're making a documentary about environmental conservation, the skills you gain from studying political science can help you understand the policies and social systems that impact conservation efforts. If you're working internationally, it can help you navigate cultural differences and communicate effectively with people from different walks of life.

Other social sciences like anthropology or sociology are also valuable. They provide insight into human behavior and culture, which are essential for telling authentic, engaging stories through film.

2. Business or Entrepreneurship

Many filmmakers overlook the business side of filmmaking, but it’s critical if you want to turn your passion into a sustainable career. Taking classes in business or entrepreneurship can teach you how to pitch your projects, manage budgets, build client relationships, and market your work.

As a filmmaker, you're running a business, whether you're freelancing or working for a production company. Understanding how to manage your finances, negotiate contracts, and grow your brand will help you stay afloat in a competitive industry. I didn't take business courses in college, but I’ve had to learn a lot of these skills on my own. I highly recommend building a strong foundation in this area early on.

Additionally, knowing how to market yourself and your work is crucial, especially as an independent filmmaker. Understanding how to leverage social media, SEO, and branding can make a massive difference in how quickly you grow your audience and land new clients.

3. Environmental Studies

As an adventure filmmaker, a deep connection to the natural world is often at the core of your work. Many of my projects focus on environmental issues, conservation efforts, or simply showcasing the beauty of nature. Having a background in environmental studies can provide you with the knowledge to tell more informed and impactful stories.

Understanding ecosystems, climate change, and environmental policy can help you approach your subjects with more depth and authenticity. Whether you're filming a documentary on a glacier's retreat or an adventure film showcasing the beauty of a national park, that knowledge will enhance your storytelling and help you create more meaningful content.

If you're passionate about using filmmaking to drive environmental change, this field of study is a great way to build a strong foundation for your work.

4. Communications or Journalism

Communications and journalism are closely tied to storytelling, which is at the heart of filmmaking. These fields teach you how to craft compelling narratives, communicate ideas effectively, and understand your audience. Adventure filmmakers often work in documentary filmmaking, where the ability to research, interview, and tell stories is crucial.

In addition, journalism teaches you how to get to the truth of a story, find unique angles, and present information in a way that resonates with viewers. These skills are valuable not only in documentaries but also in branded content, promotional videos, and even narrative films.

Communications courses, on the other hand, can teach you how to effectively convey your message across different platforms, from social media to traditional media outlets. As a filmmaker, you’re constantly communicating—whether it’s through your films, social media presence, or working with clients.

5. The Arts (Music, Dance, Visual Arts)

Finally, studying other forms of art—like music, dance, or visual arts—can enhance your creativity and give you a unique edge as a filmmaker. I minored in music and dance, and while they may not seem directly related to filmmaking, they taught me valuable skills that I use every day.

Dance, for example, gave me a sense of movement and rhythm, which is crucial when choreographing action scenes or editing adventure sports footage. Music helped me understand the emotional impact of sound, which is incredibly important when scoring films or designing soundtracks. Studying other art forms allows you to think more creatively and approach filmmaking from unique angles that others might not consider. Whether it’s understanding the subtleties of movement, the timing of music, or the emotional power of visual art, these creative skills will help you stand out as a filmmaker.

If you're passionate about the arts, don’t hesitate to pursue them alongside filmmaking. It’s all interconnected. Adventure filmmaking, in particular, thrives on visual storytelling, movement, and emotion—elements that are often developed through an understanding of other creative disciplines.

6. Hot Take: Don’t Study Filmmaking

One of the reasons I don’t recommend studying film in school is that you’ll spend a lot of time learning what other people want you to learn, following a structured curriculum that often emphasizes theory over practice. While film programs can provide valuable knowledge, they typically don’t give you the freedom or time to create as many films of your own as you could if you made filmmaking a personal goal on the side. I believe you’ll grow more as a filmmaker and as a person by setting a goal to make a certain number of videos independently, learning from your mistakes, and discovering your unique style along the way. Additionally, studying other subjects gives you a broader perspective on the world, enriching your storytelling and enabling you to approach filmmaking with more depth and originality.

Another reason I don’t recommend studying filmmaking in college is that the industry itself is constantly evolving, and what you learn in a formal program may quickly become outdated. Technology and trends move fast, and often, film schools don’t keep pace with the latest innovations. By focusing on making films on your own, you'll be forced to adapt and stay current with new techniques, gear, and platforms. Plus, in many film programs, students can get caught up in the competition for limited resources and miss out on the creative freedom they'd have if they were working independently.

The Value of Experimentation in College

One of the most valuable aspects of my college experience was the opportunity to experiment. I wasn’t focused on making money right away, which gave me the freedom to try new things, take risks, and make mistakes without the fear of failing. That’s something you don’t always have in the real world, where financial pressures can make it difficult to explore creative projects without worrying about their commercial viability.

During college, I worked on videos for fun, developed my style, and built a small business without the need to monetize everything immediately. This space to grow allowed me to refine my craft and discover what I truly wanted to do. If you’re in college or considering it, I encourage you to use that time to experiment with different forms of storytelling, play with various genres of filmmaking, and build your portfolio without the pressure of needing to make it all pay the bills right away.

Internships and campus video programs can also be incredibly valuable. As a video intern, I had access to equipment I couldn’t afford on my own, as well as mentorship from experienced professionals who helped guide my development as a filmmaker. Look for opportunities to gain hands-on experience wherever you can.

Final Thoughts: Is College Worth It?

At the end of the day, whether or not you should go to college depends on your unique situation. If you have the opportunity to go to school at a reasonable cost—whether through scholarships, financial aid, or support from family—it can be a fantastic time to gain valuable skills outside of filmmaking that will ultimately make you a stronger, more well-rounded filmmaker.

However, I’m also aware that college is a massive financial commitment, and for many, the burden of student debt isn’t worth it, especially in a creative field like filmmaking where there are other routes to success. If you’re facing significant debt to attend college, it’s important to weigh the long-term benefits against the financial cost.

There are plenty of alternative paths to building a successful career in adventure filmmaking. Online courses, workshops, internships, and hands-on experience can provide just as much—if not more—valuable learning than a traditional college education. The most important thing is to find what works for you and aligns with your goals, resources, and passions.

Conclusion: My Take on What to Study

If you do choose to go to college, I hope this guide helps you decide what to study. Political science, social sciences, business, environmental studies, communications, journalism, media studies, and the arts all offer valuable skills that can make you a better adventure filmmaker. Each of these areas can contribute in unique ways to your ability to tell stories, understand your subjects, and build a sustainable career in a competitive industry.

But remember, college isn’t the only path. Whether you decide to pursue higher education or dive straight into the world of filmmaking, the most important thing is to keep creating, experimenting, and learning. Your journey as a filmmaker is your own, and there’s no one right way to achieve your goals.

Good luck, and happy filming!

*If you want to reach out about more advice on how become an adventure filmmaker, please understand that if I dedicated my time to answering every e-mail, you would see barely any films or photos from me.

These articles, podcasts and videos below should answer all your questions about my path and what I recommend for getting started:

My Life and Career with Visual Revolutionary Podcast, How to Build an Adventure Photography Business with Bokeh Podcast, The Power of Stories with Backcountry Marketing Podcast, Balancing an Entrepreneurial Lifestyle with Local Domination Podcast. All My Adventure Filmmaking Tutorials, My Camera Gear, My Blog with More Articles Like This One

Should You Go to College for Adventure Filmmaking?