Filmschool or no filmschool at DVinfo.net

Stacy Principle · October 14th, 2003, 02:31 AM

Im just posting this because i get alot people who want to be filmmakers ask me, HOW DO I MAKE MOVIES?

Do I go in debt 80.000$ and try to be accepted to NYU or do I learn from a internet film website for 50$, or books?

IM a believer that you should learn the basics of screen play format, camera angles to a point and some lighting. After that practice practice practice.

You can learn the basics but you cannot teach creativity!!

I would like to hear what the dv family has to say!!

Robert Knecht Schmidt · October 14th, 2003, 02:43 AM

Hi Stacy,

This qualifies as a Frequently Asked Question. These other threads may be of interest to you.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=11156

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=10208

My general take on it is: film school isn't about teaching you how to make movies (although if you go to a good one you will be well prepared for the technicalities). Film school is about making connections and giving you the opportunities to get your work seen by the right people.

To make the most out of film school, the student should already have read the popular books on filmmaking, have assayed a few short film projects, and have a clear direction as to what kinds of films he or she is interested in making, if not a full thesis project already plotted out. The most successful film students use university curricula as a way of workshopping their dreams already in progress.

There are many working directors in the industry who came out of major films schools, and a notable but much smaller handful who worked their way up from various backgrounds, including independent projects, music videos, or other industry jobs like set decorating and props.

For the big films schools, a four year undergraduate curriculum is more along the lines of $120,000--probably $150,000 by 2010.

Glenn Gipson · October 14th, 2003, 05:26 AM

If you’re going to a bare bones Film School, that is a non-college degree training program, then I would say skip it. BUT, if you are pondering going to a film school within a quality college, I would say go for it. The reason is because college can increase your knowledge about the world, as well as yourself, and this, in turn, can result in you creating scripts with more depth.

Joe Carney · October 14th, 2003, 09:41 PM

Actually, a good vacation would be that 1 week NY film school that advertises in the back of Film Maker and other zines.

Mike Rehmus · October 14th, 2003, 10:17 PM

Don't overlook the real training one can get from organizations like those we have here in San Francisco. Bay Area Video Coalition and the Film Arts Foundation. There are a few in NYC too.

Michael Wisniewski · October 15th, 2003, 01:00 AM

I'm someone who's bootstrapping my education in movie making.

The best money I've spent so far is on stuff that had nothing to do with "MOVIE MAKING" and everything to do with writing a good story.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd just spend my time/money on learning how to craft a good story, which is really the hardest part. Once I started concentrating on creating good stories, the technical side was a piece of cake.

Unfortunately, it's so easy to get swamped by the tidal wave of technical know-how available, and very difficult to separate the few precious drops of story-telling resources that are out there.

Rob Belics · October 15th, 2003, 09:11 AM

Michael,

Agree! The writer is like the architect of a movie. Too many times we get wrapped up in how to lay bricks and mortar but someone has to hire you for work. But if someone likes your building design, you can get paid for that and maybe allowed to be a bricklayer too.

October 14th, 2003, 02:31 AM	#1
Stacy Principle New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chicago Illinois Posts: 9	Filmschool or no filmschool Im just posting this because i get alot people who want to be filmmakers ask me, HOW DO I MAKE MOVIES? Do I go in debt 80.000$ and try to be accepted to NYU or do I learn from a internet film website for 50$, or books? IM a believer that you should learn the basics of screen play format, camera angles to a point and some lighting. After that practice practice practice. You can learn the basics but you cannot teach creativity!! I would like to hear what the dv family has to say!!

October 14th, 2003, 02:43 AM	#2
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	Hi Stacy, This qualifies as a Frequently Asked Question. These other threads may be of interest to you. http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=11156 http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=10208 My general take on it is: film school isn't about teaching you how to make movies (although if you go to a good one you will be well prepared for the technicalities). Film school is about making connections and giving you the opportunities to get your work seen by the right people. To make the most out of film school, the student should already have read the popular books on filmmaking, have assayed a few short film projects, and have a clear direction as to what kinds of films he or she is interested in making, if not a full thesis project already plotted out. The most successful film students use university curricula as a way of workshopping their dreams already in progress. There are many working directors in the industry who came out of major films schools, and a notable but much smaller handful who worked their way up from various backgrounds, including independent projects, music videos, or other industry jobs like set decorating and props. For the big films schools, a four year undergraduate curriculum is more along the lines of $120,000--probably $150,000 by 2010. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 14th, 2003, 10:17 PM	#5
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Don't overlook the real training one can get from organizations like those we have here in San Francisco. Bay Area Video Coalition and the Film Arts Foundation. There are a few in NYC too. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

October 15th, 2003, 01:00 AM	#6
Michael Wisniewski Wrangler Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Makati, Metro Manila Posts: 2,706 Images: 32	I'm someone who's bootstrapping my education in movie making. The best money I've spent so far is on stuff that had nothing to do with "MOVIE MAKING" and everything to do with writing a good story. If I had to do it all over again, I'd just spend my time/money on learning how to craft a good story, which is really the hardest part. Once I started concentrating on creating good stories, the technical side was a piece of cake. Unfortunately, it's so easy to get swamped by the tidal wave of technical know-how available, and very difficult to separate the few precious drops of story-telling resources that are out there. __________________ "Ultimately, the most extraordinary thing, in a frame, is a human being." - Martin Scorsese

October 14th, 2003, 05:26 AM	#3
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	If you’re going to a bare bones Film School, that is a non-college degree training program, then I would say skip it. BUT, if you are pondering going to a film school within a quality college, I would say go for it. The reason is because college can increase your knowledge about the world, as well as yourself, and this, in turn, can result in you creating scripts with more depth.

October 14th, 2003, 09:41 PM	#4
Joe Carney Inner Circle Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Centreville Va Posts: 1,828	Actually, a good vacation would be that 1 week NY film school that advertises in the back of Film Maker and other zines.

October 15th, 2003, 09:11 AM	#7
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	Michael, Agree! The writer is like the architect of a movie. Too many times we get wrapped up in how to lay bricks and mortar but someone has to hire you for work. But if someone likes your building design, you can get paid for that and maybe allowed to be a bricklayer too.