why go to film school - pdf

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slimchrisp

slimchrisp

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this may have been posted already, but just in case it's not i thought i'd put it up. if you go to http://whygotofilmschool.com/ and put in your name and email address, the site sends you a link to download this pdf. it's around 160 pages and packed with good info. and the best part, it's free.
 
Eastside Parkway said:
and wouldn't trade it for anything.
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I would trade it for all the money you're using and spend it on MAKING movies... Alas, to each his/her own :Drogar-BigGrin(DBG)
 
ATTENTION INDIE FILMMAKERS!!

Want to know what the pros in the film industry know?
Everything you need is in this tell-all book!

DO NOT COMMIT TO A FILM SCHOOL WITHOUT READING THIS FIRST!

FREE e-book download!!!

for a limited time only!

That's my warning flag right there. I read no further than that. someone want to tell me what it's about? LOL
 
It's actually filled with some good info but Ill take real practical making films experience anyday

But, getting film theory from NYC must be pretty special
 
What do you actually do Robert ?
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LOL

Hudson, I saw that you were the last person to post here and knew it had something to do with mine.

Well, I like to help people out with their projects. 2nd AC, grip, cam. op, DP(my own stuff mostly) and PA work/volunteering. As a full time assistant editor I try to get as much set work done as possible, mostly on the weekends.

Check out eastside parkways post and see where I'm coming from ;)
 
Robert86 said:
Books like this annoy me. I get real set experience and wouldn't trade it for anything.

:)
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I get real set experience too, bro. In the past four weeks I've worked as 1st AD on three Super 35mm projects and 2nd AC for another film shot on Super 16mm. I don't make my living off of it yet, but with the connections and experience I'm getting, I like to think that I'm well on my way.
 
I get real set experience too, bro. In the past four weeks I've worked as 1st AD on three Super 35mm projects and 2nd AC for another film shot on Super 16mm. I don't make my living off of it yet, but with the connections and experience I'm getting, I like to think that I'm well on my way.
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That's good Eastside, I wasn't trying to put you down or anything. But inside info is always good too. I haven't read those pages, but just stating a principal. Anyways, it sounds like you are well on your way.
 
sorry, this wasn't meant as yet another film school is bad vs. film school is good thread. if you browse through the (FREE!!!) pdf, one of the first things the author points out is that he's not making an argument against film school. he went to film school and now works in the industry. he just wants to help others to learn from his experiences. nothing wrong with that.
 
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Eastside Parkway said:
I get real set experience too, bro. In the past four weeks I've worked as 1st AD on three Super 35mm projects and 2nd AC for another film shot on Super 16mm. I don't make my living off of it yet, but with the connections and experience I'm getting, I like to think that I'm well on my way.
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And rather than check the book out you JUMPED to a conclusion. It's amazing sometime where we can garner information.
 
Blaine said:
And rather than check the book out you JUMPED to a conclusion. It's amazing sometime where we can garner information.
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I've read books that follow similar premises (there are a lot of them out there). You're right, I jumped to a conclusion, but it's the one that I agree with.

I'll go ahead and check this one out, and report back. If it makes good points and doesn't just poo-poo film school, then I'll be the first to admit that I was wrong.
 
Allright, so I flipped through it and it wasn't what I thought it was. I'm sorry I jumped to a negative conclusion. However, everything I saw in the book I learned in my first semester here. This book is by no means a substitute for film school (but then again, it's a free book, and film school is expensive. You get what you pay for.)
 
The argument isn't as simple as "spend the money on making movies!" Why? Because good film schools give you access to equipment you could only afford otherwise if you were a Saudi Arabian prince, not to mention the fact that you room and board with your peers, which beats out DVX user any day (even though I love DVX user...)

Oh, and it's a social business (vanity of vanities; all is vanity). Universal doesn't go through their drop box looking for the next Spielberg. It's sad that you have to name-drop to advance, but that's the way it is. Can you be a Roger Avary by making your own films? Sure. A George Lucas or a Robert Zemeckis? No.

Sure, people beat the odds every day, but what are the odds that an experienced USC grad will lose out to an unknown? Slim to none. Also, why does everybody think film school is film theory? The program is called film production for a reason . . .
 
film school

film school

I went to a website several years ago, I think it was a condensed version of a book (Film School Confidential???). It had some good advice and some advice I did not agree with. I was briefly tormented with the decision about whether or not to go to a film school. I finally bit the bullet and took a 24-credit film production certificate program at a local college and while it set me back almost $8000, it certainly gave me a good grounding in cinematography, sound, etc..., not to mention access to actual film cameras, high-end editing systems and working professionals.

However, I definately learned the most making movies on my own. However, my experience at film school gave me (I think) an edge over the average joe on the street who's trying to make movies with no experience/knowledge at all. The classes I took brought me from a video virgin to someone thinking like a filmmaker...a story teller.
 
Technically, and I mean "Doing field production technically", going to film school, or college, didn't add much to me. (Of course the theory of how to do things was all there, and academic projects helped have basic contact with the production side of things, but the real world is a completely different story.)

However, what I gained most from my 5 years Art and Film School degree was basically how to "think"cinema, and had interesting debates with people that devoted their lives into the fields of Film, Videoart, Art , Philosophy, Music, etc. The time I spent there was really an eye opener, and, of course, the bibliography offered was excelent. I believe the value of film school is a very big plus for any individual who wants to take film seriously. (Of course, this varies from school to school, based on their curriculum and speakers/teachers).

Its true one can follow their own path and learn from themselves and their experiences, but merely working in productions is not going to make you a good filmmaker: I always see a book, may it be on film or a fictional romance or thriller, an exposition of the writer's experience and knowledge. There are people that devote their entire life studying film. Reading what they have to say may raise questions to you or make you debate points you would probably debate further in your life, if you hadn'tread about this book. So reading and watching films, naturally (all kinds) are a shortcut for a better filmmaker. In fact, in my view, they are essential.

My 2 cents :)
 
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