Schools

a scamming school.... some people will do anything to rip another person off and not to live an honest life..... sad
 
to be totally honest, i think the whole school system is a big rip off to a certain extent. for example, at my JUNIOR college, you have to pay to post ads on bullitein boards if you are trying to sale books back, etc.. and im not even gonna mention the cost of books/supplies that you may not even use during class.

if your trying to go to film school, and come out a director, do some more research on this industry. i know a guy who went to full sail, and came out w/ a associate degree and no reel. but he DID come out w/ $30k+ in debt.
 
If you are planning on going to one of those "DV Academies" you see advertised in film magazines, just save your money and buy a camera and a computer. You'll be much better off. If you want to go to school then go to a university that has a film studies degree program, or a legit film school (AFI, USC, and so forth.)
 
I can't say anything bad but what I can say is I had sveral friends who gradutaed from Full Sail in Orlando and well..... two of them are now currently working at Best Buy and the other is living with his mom( not that there's anything wrong with that..I think). I saw their demo reel and to be honest, if I paid thousands to go to a nice filmschool I would expect to be somewhat bad ass! Lets just say I'm a little dissapointed! I see local college film kids have better work. I'd go to Full Sail if it was offerd to me for free.
 
Wow! Two DVXusers who know people who went to Full Sail. That school must have a steady flow of students. They must be making a fortune.

Now that I've read some more opinions, it looks like you get what you put in. But I'm always weary of paying for education.
 
"Like a monkey training to be shot into space..." hah!
I don't think you can shut them down just because they offer experience with "real life" equipment and throw you a degree of folly not one executive will read. Style over substance again... have you seen their site? "we are artists"
 
I think you'd need to give some idea of your resourses to get any good ideas.

Lots of places to learn, lots of different costs.
 
Personally, I have known of eight Full Sail grads. Some are successful, others are still dreaming. Two of them found work within a month of graduating with a theatrical lighting company. They travel the world setting up an LED dance floor for high profile and corporate parties. One of them became good friends with magician David Copperfield, supposedly.

Basically, it comes to this: If an already accomplished individual goes to this school with clear goals in mind, never misses a class (attendance is super important at Full Sail), and pursues every opportunity available to them, they will have a nice credential to add to their resume when it's all done.

That, however, is not the typical Full Sail student.
 
Without going into the depressing details, I'll chime in that the couple of full-sail folks I've worked with in the past have not landed anything that remotely resembles a dream job. The above comment about installing LED dance floors is all too accurate.
 
I have two degrees from Full Sail. I'm doing just fine, and I have my dream job, but I guess i'm not the average FS grad.

It all boils down to talent, and how bad you want it. The school is full of hacks who think just because they go there they'll be the next hot producer or director. Unfortunately these individuals get out there and give the place a bad name. They "expect it". You do learn a lot there. Sure the place has it's problems, any school does. Bottom line though, you get out what you put into it. The education and experience is there if you're willing to work your balls off to get it. There are no free handouts in this world.
 
Very well said Kai.

I've already gone on about school in another post. Bottom line, you can learn just as much on your own. Save your money and put it into projects and equipment.
 
Yeah, I didn't want to just go to a DV school. I want a reputable school - I want to write, direct, and edit. I'm savvy with Final Cut, and I've always loved writing, I just want to hone my talents in a good school, while at the same time building a portfolio and getting good contacts. Thanks for the advice so far- but any names of schools you can throw out there? Thanks again guys!

-Zach
 
I ordered a brochure from them and this guy won't stop calling me now. He's trying to tell me that tuition is going up to $65,000 next year.
 
I am going to chime right into this one.

I am a Full Sail grad. I did the film program and graduated in Oct. 2000. And honestly that school was a great experience for me. You can look up alums from any college that are working at Best Buy.

My first year out of Full Sail I was working on a bunch of independent films. And trust me...where I live those are few are far between. Location is everything!! But I got to work with kids from NYU and kids from USC...and they didn't know anything about equipment and how to use it. Some did, but a lot didn't. There are 2 types of film schools out there. There are schools that teach theory and schools that teach technical aspects. If you want to learn more about theory...go to NYU or USC. If you want to learn technical...go to Full Sail.

Since people were so kind as to give examples of people they know from Full Sail and where they currently work, I will too. I'll start with my graduating class. People I still keep in contact with. 1 is doing lighting for all the big shows. He did T3, Adaption, OC...et cetera. Another is the writer/director of Saw 2. Another is editing for The Shield. Another is editing Storm Stories for the weather channel. I convinced one of my grips to go there and now he is doing camera for college sports. I am currently working for an independent production company; editing, directing, producing, and shooting.

You can look all over the web and there are going to be a lot of Full Sailers bitching about not working...there also the ones who think Full Sail should have gotten them jobs.

No matter where you go your only going to get out of it what you put in.

Kai what programs did you take??
 
Zach I just realized your a local! I know somebody in Reading who went to Full Sail and was working camera for me for a year. He just got a job in DC working for the Bureau.
 
thisiswells said:
I'm really surprised the Art Institute of Seattle doesn't get recommended more often...
What do you intend to do after you graduate? How will you make a living?
Click to expand...

Making a living isn't one of the things you think about when you are going to Film School. haha!! I didn't. That was an awakening.
 
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