Would you go to film school?
- Thread starter reem12
- Start date
You'd probably have a better start in this industry if you knew everyone but knew nothing about film.
Start? That describes several people I know at the studio-executive level...
Jester2138
Well-known member
I would say it depends on the specific school, no question.
The quality and reputation of film schools vary greatly and no two are alike.
The quality and reputation of film schools vary greatly and no two are alike.
Nathyn
Low Budget Ninja
I would do everything as I have. The only difference is I would've saved more money and not gotten into so much debt. I also would've done a master's degree in "Liberal Arts". I may go back to school. I'm considering it. I would love to take an After Effects class too. I mean actually sit in there and learn it like I did the older versions of Director on HTML (back when people handcoded). When I was in school we had Amigas and SGI machines. Digital video was just starting when I got out of college. I would also like to have access to those HM100s at Columbia College as well as the sound stages and all. They have a building that acts as a small indoor backlot. When I went there, you either went to the Television department or Theater dept for stuff like that.
-Nate
-Nate
Chris Light
Veteran
haha..i went to a community college and did just that. Major/Minor, respectively. That was 1994.
Gave it up to play in bands until 2008, when i came back to video...ehem, i mean, film ehem..well, 24p video.:shocked:
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Mattykins
Cute Member
If you can go to an established film school, one that lets you play with cameras year one, do it. It opens up doors that you could never open yourself. I've interned at a studio, a management agency, a magazine, a web-television studio. All because of contacts I've made while at school. That and there is a huge group of people who stay in touch after the move takes place. The internal network is used for work, crew positions, gossip - etc.
In fact, many alumni actively look for other alumni when it comes time for hiring. The benefits outweigh the costs. If I wanted to learn film, I could have done it without the private school. But I am here for the network. And so far, it's worked out pretty well.
In fact, many alumni actively look for other alumni when it comes time for hiring. The benefits outweigh the costs. If I wanted to learn film, I could have done it without the private school. But I am here for the network. And so far, it's worked out pretty well.
I'm at NYU in the grad film program. It's pretty tough to get in, it's competitive within it but a supportive and great network of people. NYU is like a second family and people really go out of their way to support one another within the program and afterwards. It's very tough, if you have an illusion of it being this rosy artsy experience you'll be in for a surprise...
It's a ton of work. I actually just stumbled across a reality show based on my program shot in 2004. It's actually more or less accurate about the experience, though it doesn't really cover the technical side or just how busy people are in the program. The show is on watch it now:
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Film...9410_0_srl&strkid=1104822746_0_0&trkid=438381
The show is a piece of entertainment and focuses more on the drama. Just know that there's a lot more dirt and work behind the scenes then what's shown.
The best part of the program is the people, your peers are incredibly talented and everyone has a distinct voice. You learn a ton from that. The toughest year is the second year, that's what the reality show is focusing on. What the show doesn't emphasize is that you're not just directing/writing/producing your film, you're also working on at least six other films at the same time. So while you're making your film you'll also be producing other people's as well. And once that second year production period begins you work nonstop on filmshoots from late September to February. It's an intense period and that's something not explained in the reality show. The reason why people are so rattled is they've been working nonstop for several months with a day or two of rest each week. It's pretty intense and very draining, but the upside is at the end of it everyone is technically sound and on top of their game.
Is school worth it? Yes. Is the debt worth it? It's a gamble. If you're going to go to school take as many producing classes as you can. I took every producing class and not only does it keep you grounded but it's incredibly practical for you to know where you can save money when you make your films and how to budget and breakdown your projects from pre-production to post. I am working on my thesis so I'm not out of the woods yet...
It's a ton of work. I actually just stumbled across a reality show based on my program shot in 2004. It's actually more or less accurate about the experience, though it doesn't really cover the technical side or just how busy people are in the program. The show is on watch it now:
http://www.netflix.com/WiMovie/Film...9410_0_srl&strkid=1104822746_0_0&trkid=438381
The show is a piece of entertainment and focuses more on the drama. Just know that there's a lot more dirt and work behind the scenes then what's shown.
The best part of the program is the people, your peers are incredibly talented and everyone has a distinct voice. You learn a ton from that. The toughest year is the second year, that's what the reality show is focusing on. What the show doesn't emphasize is that you're not just directing/writing/producing your film, you're also working on at least six other films at the same time. So while you're making your film you'll also be producing other people's as well. And once that second year production period begins you work nonstop on filmshoots from late September to February. It's an intense period and that's something not explained in the reality show. The reason why people are so rattled is they've been working nonstop for several months with a day or two of rest each week. It's pretty intense and very draining, but the upside is at the end of it everyone is technically sound and on top of their game.
Is school worth it? Yes. Is the debt worth it? It's a gamble. If you're going to go to school take as many producing classes as you can. I took every producing class and not only does it keep you grounded but it's incredibly practical for you to know where you can save money when you make your films and how to budget and breakdown your projects from pre-production to post. I am working on my thesis so I'm not out of the woods yet...
Nathyn
Low Budget Ninja
It also depends on the teachers. I had a very artsy teacher and she didn't like my kind of filmmaking. The class loved my work. I did action films and was the only one capable of pulling them off (actually I was the only one who tried). My work was considered "commercial". Honestly I went there to learn exactly what I do now, make action films. I learned that and it's pretty cool. But if you go, use their equipment to make at least one feature. If it's a four year make about two or three. LOL. I wish I had the tech they have now. I think I would've done something. With film I couldn't even afford processing aside from was already alotted in the class fee.
-Nate
-Nate
Jester2138
Well-known member
Hey! I'm about to start NYU Tisch as a undergrad freshman. I'm one of the younger members on dvxuser I think...
diego1235467
Well-known member
I didn't get into any good films school, so I'm off to community college to get my GPA up, and hopefully transfer to UCLA or some other good film school.