Undisputed Truth
Active member
My 2 cents and experience (for what its worth)
I hope my experience has granted at least one fellow filmmaker in the process of deciding film school or not a little more knowledgeable.
For a slightly shorter read, skip to conclusion.
I recently graduated high school and was faced the question many of use in this position face. Should I go to film school?
I spent time with the hefty ole search bar up top there that has answered many of my previous questions, but this question was not so easily answered.
After much thought I decided I would hold off on film school.
Fortunately for me I had 4 friends which were planing on moving to Los Angeles to pursue various art forms.
After working many months saving up money and this opportunity on my door step I moved to Los Angeles California to live and grab a grasp of what Hollywood is really about.
My roommate Zack already had plans of film school at the "prestige's" (achue) Los Angeles Film School. With curiosity running through my mind I decided to go check it out. I took a tour through the halls of this 12-18 month program and was slightly impressed with what I heard and saw(minus the plethora of xl2's lining the equipment room, with for the same price they could have gotten a plethora of dvxs, not to say the xl2 isn't a bad camera). Anyways I met and talked with a student admissions rep and after a whim of decisiveness I called my dad and asked if it was cool if I went to Film School.
In the beginning of my film school experience, I was hyped on having teachers fill my brain with knowledge which I had previously and relentlessly sought after myself through this beautiful forum.
First month was awesome, although a lot of what was taught I already had an understanding in.
The following months absolutely sucked.
I had a couple good teachers mixed with some teachers resembling high school English teachers attempting to analyze a movie.
Conclusion-----------------------------------
Long story short, going to LA Film School has made me realize the bad side of film making. After being treated vary well while applying, they dump you in the program and leave you there to fend for yourself, aka they just forget about you.
Along with this was the realization the school wasn't teaching me how to make the films I want to make, but to ready myself to work on films that others want to make. In other words how to work on a set, which is an essential aspect of learning film making but not the only one. On top of that, their equipment room is lacking at best. To say the least, they don't have gels, diffusion or black rap which is essential to any gaffer or cinematographer.
Along with the unhappiness I have experienced at film school I have realized the lack of passion the majority of my fellow classmates have. Most were there just cause they thought it would be cool, rather than having a love for perusing a passion. On the other hand I have a greater understanding of my passion towards film making. Although I am a slightly cynical being towards film school there has also been some positives. I have gained some connections, a little bit of knowledge and an even greater passion for doing my own thing. I never realized how hard I worked to gain the knowledge I have gained on my own until I went to film school. I originally thought I would be in the middle of the pack knowledge wise, which was met with the realization of my naive personality.
If you are thinking of film school, I recommend it.
I have grown as a filmmaker from the displeasures I have met going to school. I now have a better grasp of what film making is to me and how much I love it.
With this said, I have a drive to make things happen rather than wait and see what might happen. Along with that I have realized my potential and a belief in myself and what I can do.
Ive made the decision I am going to be a college drop out, move back in with my parents and work on my own to create the art I want to make.
I thank you film school, for inspiring me to do my own thing. Im going to make things happen.
Sorry for any grammar/spelling errors, if any.
I hope my experience has granted at least one fellow filmmaker in the process of deciding film school or not a little more knowledgeable.
For a slightly shorter read, skip to conclusion.
I recently graduated high school and was faced the question many of use in this position face. Should I go to film school?
I spent time with the hefty ole search bar up top there that has answered many of my previous questions, but this question was not so easily answered.
After much thought I decided I would hold off on film school.
Fortunately for me I had 4 friends which were planing on moving to Los Angeles to pursue various art forms.
After working many months saving up money and this opportunity on my door step I moved to Los Angeles California to live and grab a grasp of what Hollywood is really about.
My roommate Zack already had plans of film school at the "prestige's" (achue) Los Angeles Film School. With curiosity running through my mind I decided to go check it out. I took a tour through the halls of this 12-18 month program and was slightly impressed with what I heard and saw(minus the plethora of xl2's lining the equipment room, with for the same price they could have gotten a plethora of dvxs, not to say the xl2 isn't a bad camera). Anyways I met and talked with a student admissions rep and after a whim of decisiveness I called my dad and asked if it was cool if I went to Film School.
In the beginning of my film school experience, I was hyped on having teachers fill my brain with knowledge which I had previously and relentlessly sought after myself through this beautiful forum.
First month was awesome, although a lot of what was taught I already had an understanding in.
The following months absolutely sucked.
I had a couple good teachers mixed with some teachers resembling high school English teachers attempting to analyze a movie.
Conclusion-----------------------------------
Long story short, going to LA Film School has made me realize the bad side of film making. After being treated vary well while applying, they dump you in the program and leave you there to fend for yourself, aka they just forget about you.
Along with this was the realization the school wasn't teaching me how to make the films I want to make, but to ready myself to work on films that others want to make. In other words how to work on a set, which is an essential aspect of learning film making but not the only one. On top of that, their equipment room is lacking at best. To say the least, they don't have gels, diffusion or black rap which is essential to any gaffer or cinematographer.
Along with the unhappiness I have experienced at film school I have realized the lack of passion the majority of my fellow classmates have. Most were there just cause they thought it would be cool, rather than having a love for perusing a passion. On the other hand I have a greater understanding of my passion towards film making. Although I am a slightly cynical being towards film school there has also been some positives. I have gained some connections, a little bit of knowledge and an even greater passion for doing my own thing. I never realized how hard I worked to gain the knowledge I have gained on my own until I went to film school. I originally thought I would be in the middle of the pack knowledge wise, which was met with the realization of my naive personality.
If you are thinking of film school, I recommend it.
I have grown as a filmmaker from the displeasures I have met going to school. I now have a better grasp of what film making is to me and how much I love it.
With this said, I have a drive to make things happen rather than wait and see what might happen. Along with that I have realized my potential and a belief in myself and what I can do.
Ive made the decision I am going to be a college drop out, move back in with my parents and work on my own to create the art I want to make.
I thank you film school, for inspiring me to do my own thing. Im going to make things happen.
Sorry for any grammar/spelling errors, if any.
