So I got into grad school. This coming fall I'll be starting my MBA at the University of Oklahoma and hopefully earning/developing my business school superpowers.
Having an MBA in my pocket won't get me hired as a cinematographer, but the reinforced business background is a long play. In my experience, learning to navigate the business side of creative work is just as important as constantly improving my artistic skills.
Not gonna lie though, taking on student loans again makes me want to puke.
Going back to school – business school specifically – is flat-out an investment in my business infrastructure. No question those small business loans and credit lines for gear purchases over the years helped improve my business revenue and opened up opportunities I'd have not had otherwise. The student loans I'll be taking on for an MBA will be comparable to what I borrowed for my first RED camera back in 2012. Again, not super excited about the new student loans, but it's reassuring to know I'll not need to replace that graduate business degree three years later.
I've already connected with my CPA about Tanner Herriott Inc. paying for my grad school costs; businesses send their employees back to school all the time. Turns out my employer (me) sending its employee (me again) back to school for a business degree doesn't exactly work out as a direct business expense. It's a tax write-off for me to go to a filmmaking conference or training due to my business setup, but tax-wise it's looking like business school for a filmmaker is off the table. Again though, it's all about the long game.
If by chance you're also a filmmaker applying to MBA programs and desperately searching around for personal statement examples, here's mine 'cause I'm cool like that.
I've already had clients ask if I'll be working while I'm doing business school, and yes, I'll still be doing the thing (and being married, a parent to two house fires, etc.). OU's Online MBA program is synchronous, meaning classes are taught via Zoom in the evenings during the week, so we'll figure that out when I have work conflicts. Not super worried though because the program is full of working adults, the classes are recorded, and we'll have access to them afterward if necessary.