yes, another film school thread, but different!

chris f

chris f

Veteran
ok i won't bore you with all the details of my life as there are already 32089234 threads about attending film school or not, but in short here is my situation:

I will graduate next month and have a B.A. in Media Arts, but want to pursue writing and directing. I'm considering going to graduate film school at san diego state (i know, not the most prestigeous program, but wayyyy cheaper and still very close to the film industry). My best friend just moved out there and I can stay with him for the next 2 years during school. Having been at college for 4.5 years I'm definitely tired of school and just want to start focusing 100% on making films. So I guess here's the problem.... I live in Indiana where the film industry is pretty much non-existant and not having gone to a film school I have made zero contacts that would be helpful in making a movie here. I'd like to make a movie here, but I really don't see how I could do it with the resources I presently have. So even though I really don't want to go to school any more, going to grad school would guarantee that I make 2 shorts and a documentary as well as learning some more and making much needed contacts. (ok, so appearantly i am boring you with all the details of my life...) So anyways I guess what I'm looking for here is either some advice on whether to do the grad school thing or not, and/or how to go about collecting the resources I would need (actors, crew, funding, legal stuff, etc.)to make a film where I'm at now.

i want to apologize for posting another "should i go to film school" thread, but any advice would be greatly appreciated
 
I suspect that making two shorts and a documentary would be cheaper to do outside of a grad program, than as part of it...

How much will grad school cost you, in total? Divide that by 3 and you might have the budgets for three well-financed small films.

You could always try the DGA's AD trainee program; if you are selected you'll be in a good position to make contacts and acquire useful experience...although if you are caucasian and male you probably should find a different route.
 
1.) Move to LA.
2.) Get shirt made that says "Midwestern Work Ethic - Explot Me"
3.) Profit.

Let grad school be plan B... go work in the industry for a year or two.
 
Definitely get some work experience first. It'll give you a taste of the industry, the challenges, and help you figure out what you want.
 
Depends.....
Id say if you can get financial aid to cover it....then by all means go ahead and go..while your out there you can work a lil on the side and have both your cake and eat it too!

As for just going to do the shorts, sounds like a lack of motivation....which I myself am conflicted with, so dont feel bad.

If you really wanted to make a movie- you could do so(whether it be LA or Indiana). There must be regionally or local theater somewhere near you so there's your actors....and if you are just finishing film school....there's your crew.

Grad school is really up to your learning style.......honestly my opinion is that you should go. My reasoning for that is solely based on the fact that I assume you need people to help get the ball moving for you. I know when I have a deadline I work better than if I don't. I think if you truly want to be an writer/director you should try to gain as much knowledge as you can in anything and everything.

Also, you'll probably have a good time with your best friend, and it shouldnt hurt living out in Cali. If your going to make a movie, it doesnt matter if your in Indiana or California.... so Id suggest the school..
That or sac up, get a ragtag crew together and make the next napoloen dynamite.
PS- I know that was utah, but thats the same concept.
 
Have you been to San Diego? It's gorgeous. My son wants to settle there. Geez,
go to Grad school. Make some contacts in school. I will never knock how
important education is for anyone.
 
I would say, take a year, at least. Get a job. Make a couple of shorts and what not on your own. Get some life experience. Then, re-assess your situation, and see if you want to go and get some more training. If so, then do it. If you are happy with where you are headed at that time, then don't. But always keep the possibility open.

Jason
 
One of the bigger problems that I see with San Diego State is that they are not a SAG signatory film school so as a director you will not have access to professional actors as easily as if you attended a school that was.

I really can't believe that I am about to write this, but have you considered Chapman University? Up until recently, they were not as well regarded as many, but the new facilities that they added are impressive beyond any description.

The "ultimate" in my opinion is still AFI's conservatory program, but this is extremely difficult to get into.
 
Just worked with some AFI thesis-project people, and the AFI program impressed me as subjecting its students to all of the constraints of a 'real world' commercial production project, along with the constraints of independent-style production, and few of its benefits.

I found the people involved in the program to be very impressive in terms of talent and knowledge-base, but I suspect that they could have gotten more bang for their bucks had they done their project in the independent arena.

Although AFI seemed to be ultimately more about making contacts, for them, which might make it worthwhile.
 
Never underestimate the value of contacts in this industry. They may be the most important thing you take away from any "scholastic" experience. I have yet to see the high success ratio that former AFI grads achieve from any other "film school" experience.

Some of the AFI graduate thesis projects that I have seen far exceed what any other film school achieves. I know of two individuals that were involved in their director program that got real budget feature film deals. One that I know got a great editing gig in the UK just after graduation.

I would say that their experience was not a bad deal for them at all!
 
I'm agnostic. Film school was of virtually zero value to me, in terms of making contacts (of course, the choice of school probably makes all the difference) while just moving to Los Angeles had me working in my (then) chosen field within two weeks, and matters progressed from there.

What's funny is that the production designer with whom I've done four shows in the last eighteen months, turns out to have graduated the same school, a few years before I did (didn't find that out until our second show together) and worked on some of the same projects for Roger Corman (didn't find *that* out, until a couple weeks ago).

From my own limited experience, formal education is nowhere near as valuable as professional experience, for learning your craft and making contacts.

But as always, YMMV.
 
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