Oh wow, I need some ADVICE

$65k is a lot of debt. i am not poo-pooing school, but you are not going to be making significant payments on that nut for quite a few years. just something to consider.

maybe you should consider a state school program or work for a while and figure out more precisely what you want to achieve out of a film program.
 
My brother is a sound engineer in Dallas. Has been at it for years. His opinion of schools like Full Sail and The Art Institute is not very high. He can teach anyone anything, but he said if you're an ass they won't hire you. Too much time spent in close working quarters to be around unpleasant people. You can read a book and learn everything they are going to "teach" you. My experience with one of these "schools" was to be told over and over, "it's not what you know buy who you know."
65k is a huge debt to pay off. What's your interest rate? Go make movies, enter contests, get known and work your ass off. Nobody gives a rats tukuss where you went to school except to talk about football.
I say get out and go to Germany and make really great stories into really great films. Stay out of debt cause it haunts you for ever.
 
Yeah, and I want to live a relatively stress free life at least...I would really like to continue doing film, start doing it on a professional level once I move to Germany, does anyone know any locations over there for professional work going on? What does the "industry" look like over there? You all have been helping me so much. Thanks, I really appreciate it.
 
InvisionProductions said:
Yeah, and I want to live a relatively stress free life at least...\
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I'm not trying to stop you from doing what you're passionate about, but the industry itself really isnt stress free as it is. Just curious but what expeirience do you have in terms of the film industry.
 
korimickster said:
All I can say is I have a buddy who went to Full Sail and hated it. He felt ripped off and regrets it. I also have several friends at Columbia in Chicago who love it, but they have nothing to prove what they are learning.
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if they's got nothing to show that's their fault. Columbia teaches grown ups, they're not going to force you to make a reel. In production 1 you get to use 16mm, you want to use DV then you need to work in video or the television dept.
korimickster said:
That artsy college film garbage isn't going to pay the bills or get you anywhere.
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I guess learning lighting, composition and little things like that simply aren't big deals to the mighty DV filmmaker are they. I don't like film as an aqu. format but I learn how to light and do good composition from them. Sure some teachers are artsy, some are all business but you get a good mix. And my Film tech 2 techer (it was film tech in those days) was the man and the first teacher to show us El Mariachi (which I would've never picked up on my own). Without that I don't believe I'd be doing my second film today. So I owe them a dept of gratitude.
Future user said:
My brother is a sound engineer in Dallas. Has been at it for years. His opinion of schools like Full Sail and The Art Institute is not very high.
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AI tries to be Columbia but from what I hear they fail very badly. Columbia put equipment in your hands in the first few weeks and let you hack through the getting it done. Guess what, that real life. It's going to be all on your shoulders during a real production, no one elses.
InvisionProductions said:
Nathyn, didn't the renowned DP (and one of my favorites) Janusz Kaminski attend Columbia?
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And every so often he comes back to give a seminar or something. Bob Titel who produced Barbershop when there too. Why don't you take a few classes then leave. People do do it.
Shattered Glass Pictures said:
The main point of film school never really was the diploma anyways though, was it? To me film school was always an option because of the techniques I would be learning, and the people I would be meeting and networking with. Unless maybe you were planning on working at an advertising agency down the road, I really wouldn't think you would need the diploma too much.

If you think about it a film degree is a lot like a business degree in some senses. If you decided to start up your own company, where would you really need a business degree? Can't really see a use for it other than maybe reptutation when first starting up. But with the techniques they teach you and the networking that takes place at school, you can hopefully start up a successful company. In both fields, its going to be up to you to use your degree to it's fullest capabilites.
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Well said. But if you do decide not to go, you really need to make a film. Either a feature or a few decent length shorts.

-Nate
 
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yeah, I agree with Nate, just getting your name out their is an important start to your career. Myself I would go for a feature, just because only about 2% of filmmakers make a feature, and I figure I would be that much more ahead of the competition. Above all, everything thing you do is gonna be a learning experience. It's just your job to learn from it.
 
its a lot of money for sure, but its not like someone is just going to loan you $65,000 to buy equipment and a build up a company. Getting a private loan to build up a company is a lot harder. At the same time, theres no saying whether you're going to make it or not. I almost think one would have more stress carrying a $65,000 debt from a private loan to build a company then you would with school. At least with a school loan you have 6 months to find a job. With a private loan, you're gonna start paying it off right away. You may only get a piece of paper with school, but at least you're on some sort of guided track. You really need to know what you're doing to spend $65,000 to build up a company.
 
Yeah, good and valid points. I think I am deciding it's not worth the money, or the trouble. Having to bear the weight and pressure of being in debt at age 20 is definitely something that draws me away from it. Besides, I just do cam op work, it's not like i'm trying to make the next SPR or something. Right now i'm planning on leaving around christmas time...Thank you all for the support.
 
Again, it all depends on what you want to do. No, school alone will not get you that big job Directing movies for MGM. But, it will give you a hands on knowledge and experience using the same tools that are used in Hollywood. You think you can just walk onto a set and operate a Panavision? Not exactly like using a DVX. It's also not easy to find one to play around with on your own.

If you want to make your own movies, do it. You don't need the school to do that, just look at Kevin Smith. 6 weeks into film school, he drops out to make his own movie. Sold off everything he had, maxxed out credit cards, and $27,000 later, had Clerks on the big screen. But he was lucky.

If you want to do weddings, music videos, or even corporate stuff, you also don't need the school. Get a DV cam and do it. Work with others and learn with them. Network, Practice, Learn.
 
The classroom can give you invaluable knowledge, connections, understandings
that might take you longer to learn outside of school. I wonder if you hate
homework, hate projects, hate assignments? Class teaches you deadlines.
Teaches you to discipline your time and effort.

I had a child and never did attend college. I've had to learn about screenwriting
the hard way, one book at a time. Make sure if you leave, it's for the right
reasons and not because you didn't want to work hard at someone else's
time table.
 
Yeah, its defnitely not because I don't want to work. I love working, especially towards something thats gonna benefit me. If you read all my previous posts, you'll understand why I want to leave.
 
If you want to live a stress free life, then the film industry is definitely not for you.
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I meant stress-free in terms of being in massive debt. I know just as much as anyone that the film industry is one of the most stressful careers one can pursue.

If you're so set on leaving why wait to Christmas?
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Financial reasons mostly...I have to wait to find a new roommate to replace me, pay back my roommate some money and then i'm goin. Plus, my dad already bought me a plane ticket for christmas break so it would just make his life easier too.
 
Wow tuition for that school really went up. I once sent away for a brochure and this guy who works there called me everyday and tried to get me to enrol before the tuition went up again.l I have heard good things about though. IMO, I think it would be nice to have a degree. You'll be able to get more work probably.
 
>In 10 years, you might want to switch gears of some sort and the
>degree is a first step to showing a prospective employer
>that you can start something and finish it.


Yup.
 
By no means am I saying I want to quit the education process, If I were to leave Full Sail, I would definitely look into another school...I am moving to Germany in 08, so maybe I will be able to find something over there...
 
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