Oh wow, I need some ADVICE

Capt Quirk said:
You think you can just walk onto a set and operate a Panavision?
Click to expand...

Actually, thats one of the things you do learn. Full Sail has a Panavision focus as
part of their program... one of a VERY small set of programs that do. In my time
teaching there, I was shocked at the access to gear that students had. Its never
been matched in my professional career, which does get pretty high end.

"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?"

Thats a chilling quote and one that should be taken to heart by all the want-ins.
Everyone knows that the work is centralized in a specific place, and if it leaves that
place, its for budgetary reasons, but the contacts to get that farmed out work are
still valid. Chalking up ANY debt for a film education, then running as far away from
where most film is originated is simply childish. If you study the stock market,
move to New York... If you study film... err, you do the math... :)

Once again.. I taught at your school. Didnt like it that much, but felt that the
largest problem was the level of student accepted.. not the program itself.

Hate to be harsh, but the question still remains.. do you want to be a filmmaker,
or do you want to live/party/whatever in Germany? Seems like you've got some
coming of age issues to work out before committing to a career.
 
Greggl said:
Actually, thats one of the things you do learn. Full Sail has a Panavision focus as
part of their program... one of a VERY small set of programs that do. In my time
teaching there, I was shocked at the access to gear that students had. Its never
been matched in my professional career, which does get pretty high end.

"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?"

Thats a chilling quote and one that should be taken to heart by all the want-ins.
Everyone knows that the work is centralized in a specific place, and if it leaves that
place, its for budgetary reasons, but the contacts to get that farmed out work are
still valid. Chalking up ANY debt for a film education, then running as far away from
where most film is originated is simply childish. If you study the stock market,
move to New York... If you study film... err, you do the math... :)

Once again.. I taught at your school. Didnt like it that much, but felt that the
largest problem was the level of student accepted.. not the program itself.

Hate to be harsh, but the question still remains.. do you want to be a filmmaker,
or do you want to live/party/whatever in Germany? Seems like you've got some
coming of age issues to work out before committing to a career.
Click to expand...

some valid points here.

just curious, but what'd you teach there and for how long?
 
Compositing... it was less than a year. Loved the facility, was disappointed by
its admissions policy...
 
Yeah, I understand exactly what your saying Greggl. The sad part is, is that I feel the exact same way. After hearing you basically say I shouldnt have been accepted if I am feeling this way now was pretty harsh, but made me realize my real passion. (not that I ever forgot it)

Basically, you are right. If I do stay and end up paying $70,000, it will be for some medium level training, and 19 more months of withstanding 90 other students trying to become the next Peter Jackson...Is that what I want, or is there another way to accomplish this without paying nearly as much?

Now, as for Germany... Its not that i'm "running as far away from where most film is originated" its more so that I am taking a few years away from the states to appreciate the rest of the world for its incredible history and societies. When I return, I will be spending some significant time in LA. This is definitely what I have to do for my career, not because I like it, but because I am it.
 
Yes, $70,000 is a a lot of money, but compared to nyu, at roughly $50,000 a year, its far cheaper.

Also, Its not like everyone out there wants to be the next Peter Jackson. Besides if they did wouldn't that be good for you? 90 diirectors vs. 1 camera operator/DP, sounds like you're chances of getting a job within a month out of college would be good, perhaps certain.

Just keep your chin up and do what feels right. NO ONE PERSON can tell you what to do to be successful. Someone can share with you what they did or how they made it, but everyone's different. Just because Quentin Tarantion dropped out of high school, doesn't mean every other aspiring director should do the same. Goodluck with whatever you choose!
 
The key element is that you can't afford any 'cooling down' after school is completed.
You need to move with that network you've built, out to LA. Thats your peer
group.. you've still got some leeway with parents, inlaws, etc that expect you to
need that extra support as you make a go at it. Taking a year or two off, growing
apart from your classmates, losing contacts with others, etc.. all so that you
can sightsee is a bad idea :)

FS is an *expensive* and wickedly fast paced program that can be used to
seriously catapult you into the industry if you go in with your eyes WIDE open,
ready to exploit the opportunities that come your way. Otherwise, just its
a waste of money.

I've gotten a few of my old students into the industry and an ex-student
networked me into the ep2 department that he was in... the contacts made
there are the ones that are currently fueling my workload and I'm probably
moving back to LA for 8 months to a year for a job I simply can't pass up...

There are people that want into this thing BAD... its hyper competitive and
people are attracted to the 'movers'... you've got to make yourself a valuable
contact, which in turn, gets you more valuable contacts... thats the secret to
the WHOLE thing... ability to do the work is secondary, especially at the lower
levels. That usually sorts itself out, once you're 'in'.
 
Greggl said:
The key element is that you can't afford any 'cooling down' after school is completed.
You need to move with that network you've built, out to LA.
Click to expand...

I've heard a lot of mixed things about how much money you actually need to live out in L.A., care to shed some light on any of this. Can you find affordable housing in L.A. or should you look to move in somewhere on the outskirts. Also people have mentioned that having a car is a must. Any truth to these rumors? And what do you suggest to first do upon moving out there?
 
Shattered Glass Pictures said:
I've heard a lot of mixed things about how much money you actually need to live out in L.A., care to shed some light on any of this. Can you find affordable housing in L.A. or should you look to move in somewhere on the outskirts. Also people have mentioned that having a car is a must. Any truth to these rumors? And what do you suggest to first do upon moving out there?
Click to expand...

Car is a MUST... small, reliable and efficient car. You're gonna spend a LOT of
time in it. You're also going to need a Thomas Guide http://www.thomas.com/
Thats how all the productions give directions to shoots.. Address and Thomas Guide
coordinates.

Immediately get in contact with your schools' LA based Alumni group... thats
your source for your first work/contacts/interviews. Do your research before
you go and have a score of user groups lined up that you can join. It helps
to either move out with a few friends or use that alumni group to get you
set up with an apartment. Decent place will run you 1500ish, though it can
be split a few ways.

You may want to suppliment your income doing extra work.
http://www.entertainmentpartners.co...rvices/central_casting/nonunion_registration/ Pay is low, but it can get you on
set and keeps you from taking a job at Starbucks. You can also do this
from pretty much day 1 when you arrive in LA. Take it seriously and
it can really get you some HIGH end contacts fast. You'll meet a lot of
ADs. Take orders well and get some PA/Assistant biz cards in their
hands.

Once again, the BIG thing is to have a network out there that you're
ready to use, before you go. Start up email relationship with folks,
hit trade shows when you can, etc. Its ALL about the networking.
 
Word to that. I'll be saving that post! I have decided to stay, so things are looking better for me now. Here in Orlando, their is a company called "Florida Future Filmmakers" owned by Mike McNamara who also started "Florida Film Monthly" publication.

As of VERY recently, three other FS students (and myself) were brought onto a short film being produced by Mike. I will be DP'ing the film, which was also written by him. Out of hundreds of FS students he couldve selected to shoot this project, he chose us because he saw potential and passion for what we do. Very encouraging.
 
>people have mentioned that having a car is a must. Any truth to these rumors?

Ha!
 
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