film school necessary?

i did three years doing contemporary music, with some animation and photography included, at an australian uni from 1991-1993. the government paid for the course, but i have to pay back the money one day.

in 2000, studied digital media (namely: flash, photoshop, quicktime pro, adobe premiere) for 6k, i had to pay.. at a college in sydney. very helpful.

2001 went out with a beautiful film director lass, she was awesome but very wild too. an education of sorts.
 
This is also the situation that I am currently in. I have been studying Film independently for the past 3 years, while studying Telecommunications and Film promotions and Business Management for the past 2 at a University. I have been considering that for this fall semester that I would look into attending an institution, either FullSail or Ithica College or another, that would grant me the equipment interests that I have, as well as give me a good technical education that focuses in how to use the tools of the trade. Now, this is not a selling factor mind you, as I agree with much thats being said here. Independently, ive learned quite alot from the pre to the post, and especially in producing and promotions, and though im still quite fresh, i believe I have learned what I have through my experiences thus far. Through tiral and error.

Really, i think it comes down to whether or not I want to pay the money to spend the next 2 years of my life nose deep in learning the technicals while implementing the resources given to me to fuel my own personal projects.

The important factor in this debate I myself am having is is it worth going, or should I just stay at my current University (which doesnt have a very good mind towards filmmaking other than an interest in attending our screenings) and continue working independently, or take the plunge and surround myself in the Industrial acadamia?
 
TO REVIVE A PRETTY MUCH DEAD THREAD THAT CAN'T HAVE AN ANSWER

I say go to school and take psychology and philosophy and then everyone you meet that is connected in the film industry, use what you learned to manipulate and convince them to work for you for free and make a phenomenal film. LOL On the serious side though, learn everything you can from those around you whether or not you go to film school. At one time, the best teacher was the one who tried to figure out how things worked and then duplicated the result to show others. The ones who sat around are the ones who never learned.

Deciding whether film school is worth it or not is kind of like deciding whether to use this camera or that. NOTICE I didn't name a camera? That's because if I do, you will get a million people who agree, and a million people who don't. It all depends on your end goal and the situation you're in. You take it one step at a time, and if film school is the right path, then take it.

If I had Spielberg mentoring me for a couple years, I might be able to pull off something great! I wouldn't need film school in this case. So using my psychology and philosophy that I took in community college and a little pacific college in San Dimas, NO you don't NEED to go, and yes it is worth it IF it is worth it. Hmm that sounds a little like Yoda or something.
 
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sfoster said:
I say go to school and take psychology and philosophy and then everyone you meet that is connected in the film industry, use what you learned to manipulate and convince them to work for you for free and make a phenomenal film.
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In all seriousness if one does decide to go to college for film I'd definitely advise them to take a wide breadth of classes so they have a larger pool of knowledge to draw from. If all one takes is typical film classes then one is flirting w/being stuck in the typical filmmaker box w/everyone else making it that much harder to stick out.


-A
 
Having not even read this thread other than the original posting I would say:

I went to NYU film school and it wasn't a waste of time but probably a waste of money.

I learned a GREAT amount there that in no way helped me become a filmmaker because I have yet to make a film (after 7 years). I did, however, use to make a ton of shorts in high school. Perhaps it was a change in the environment that caused this or perhaps a huge number of other reasons, especially those regarding moving to NYC which was quite different from where I was from. I'm not sure. I have since done a great deal of very cool stuff having worked closely with Robert DeNiro for awhile being a highlight. I'm also close to being a shooter and eagerly work still in NY-- thank God I haven't gone to LA like my other NYU friends ;). But those things may be a result of my work ethic and may have had nothing to do with film school. It is, after all, only an art school that really doesn't give you work being an "artist". You will learn this if you go there.

The only people who appreciate that I went to NYU are other film students who recognize how great a school NYU was. Other than that no one really cares. Still... I learned a great deal. Nothing I couldn't have learned on my own mind you, I'm sure people here have said that, but still there's very little you can't learn on your own. I would say some of those are bitter about people walking around with these degrees whether they are worth it or not--or perhaps thats my own insecurities having spent the money (my money, not my parents..... BIG BIG difference). But what they don't realize is there's nothing you can't teach yourself, even rocket science should you care to learn it. It's just a matter of if you care and are disaplined enough to learn it.... After all... there are a LOT of bad movies out there.

Forgive me, I just got off a 17 hour shoot. OT BABY!!!
 
I taught college level film making for a few years.

I found that most people need some sort of structure to learn because they lack self-discipline and they need someone to help them through the confusing areas. It's OK to get help, in fact it's the smart way. Unfortunately most students are lazy. I understand, I was lazy when I was young.

Can you learn it yourself? yes, but most of us will give up before they're capable of delivering the goods. If you're really passionate then you might get there. School is basically a tool to help you get to where you want to go. It makes it easier.

Each school is different as well as each student, therefore you need to determine for yourself what you need. If you feel stuck, school might be helpful. If your parents want you to get a degree and you can't decide what you want to study, go for a major in Business/ Marketing and minor in Film. A class at the local community college might be all you need.

The key to film making is screen writing. This is where the it starts and this is where many think they can easily grasp it or just avoid it. They can't. Story telling is difficult and must be studied. Editing is the next best way to learn the craft of cinematic storytelling. After this cinematography and audio is needed and finally producing.

Producing, of course, is the business of film-making and this is where you will spend your life. The producer in you will be searching for a great story year after year. Once you find a great story then you'll need to understand what is going on in it (deeply) so you can direct it. Then you'll need to figure out how to shoot it so the images bring forth the story...

Each area above is huge. How will you figure this out on your own? A good school should help you bring out your own self-discipline and awareness of the road ahead of you. School will prepare you for your journey. The main thing to remember is: you get what you put in to it. If you're lazy, then you will not get much out of it. School will accelerate the process and help you find out if you're cut out for it or just having fun exploring.
 
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