Texts for College Film School
 

I'm not sure if this belongs in this particular corner of the DV I community, but here it goes.

Beginning January I will be an Adjunct Professor at New York University. My course is titled "Fundamentals of Sight and Sound Video." This is a core course in the NYU Film School. The students that have to take this course have their sights set on cinema, so a course on video - 3 camera live in studio, switching, boom mikes, vectorscopes, single camera doc on location, and dramatic with "real" actors is not exactly what they think they are here for.

My approach is that this is the foundation for anything they plan to do after they are done with the course. If you can't visualize a scene live with three cameras, you're in for a hard time visualizing it with one camera.

Anyway, the reason for this post is because I just went through some of the suggested texts. My lower jaw is still hanging after seeing the prices. The same text I had in graduate school in 1969 - Herbert Zettl's "Television Production Handbook" is nearly $100!!! These students are already paying $40k per year. I'm not about to require them (or their parents) to dish out $100 for ONE textbook. Instead, I've decided to give them the option to go with handouts that are cheap and more to the point. This is where you come in - I am looking for suggestions on good informational materials.

This class spans a very wide range - from color temperature, through directing, to editing with Avid. I already have a long list of suggested supplementary materials, but I can always use more. So if you have a favorite book, magazine article, website, video, DVD - ANYTHING that will help a novice class, just let me know. I'll probably end up writing my own text, but that's a few years down the line.

Thank you in advance.

Photocopy appropriate parts of that $100 text and hand those out.

Ozzie

From my bookshelf I've pulled my old supplemental text for RTF 681Ka, Principles of Television & Film Production by Louis Leung, Fall 1990 at UT-Austin. Granted this is thirteen years old now but perhaps it might be of some use as a rough and outdated guideline. It's a bound collection of photocopies Prof. Leung put together and made available to students for a grand total of $15.34 at a nearby photocopy shop. It's an assemblage of material from a variety of sources including some fairly notable books. Here's the TOC:

The Production Book
Television Terminology
The Ten Commandments of TV
Staff and Crew
Flowchart: Pre-production
Flowchart: Studio Day
The TV Producer's Responsibilities
Television Directing
The Director and the Floor Manager
Some thoughts on using the Asst. Director
Composing the Picture
The Five C's of Cinematography
Scripts and Storyboards
Bretz-Plotter - the TV Director's Slide Rule
Marking the Video Scripts
Pre-Production: Script Marking and General Info
Marked Sample Script for Director, AD and TD
Marked Sample Script for Audio
Marked Sample Script for Floor Manager
Camera Concepts: Shots and Lenses
Lighting: Additive vs. Subtractive Color
Glossary of Lighting Terms
Visuals for TV
Framing Titles
Television Handsignals
Audio Cues
Shot Numbers and Camera Cue Sheets
Film Cues
Cues Given at the Opening of a Show
Editing
Time Base Correctors
The Video Signal
Component Video
Tape or Film
Get ready, Get set, Go Remote
Five Characteristics of Documentaries
Settling on a Concept
The Instructional Development Process
Corporate Video Applications
Video Post-Production
Sweetening Audio for Video
Introduction to Digital Video
Appendix of various technical manuals for studio equipment

Total is 186 pages. If you think this dinosaur might be of some use to you as an example of the "bound photocopy" concept in planning your own texts, let me know and I'll drop it in the mail for you right away. Hope this helps,

Chris,

The TOC just about covers it all. Mr. Leung seems to have covered the field very well. Yeah, that bound text would be very helpful but I don't want you to part with a book that I'm sure means a lot to you. I'll make a copy of it and send it back. Is that possible? I can tun it into a PDF for posterity.

It seemed so ironic to be shown around the facilities at NYU - here are the cameras, here is the vectorscope, here is the audio mixing room, here is our Avid. And all the time I had my VAIO laptop in my shoulderbag. The VAIO with AVID for editing, Audition for sound editing and mixing, Encore for DVD authoring. Add a small DV camera and I would have had the entire floor in by bag.

The challenge is to not let them get "here" from where they are. It's too easy and not the best route. They really have to learn the nuts and bolts and it's my job to let them know why that is necessary.

My 15 year old son made a "movie" with his friends over the summer. I lent him my XL-1s (he's a resposible kid) and I taught him and a friend how the Avid works. Just the basic stuff. Within a few days these kids had mastered the camera AND the Avid! They were doing picture in picture, trimming, keys, sound mixing - stuff I had not shown them. Then, one night, I was talking with my son about some of his shots. I commented that he should learn to shoot in manual mode (he had complained about the picture getting darker when he included the sky) - I began to teach him about f stops and focal lenghts. In the middle of my "lecture" he stopped me with - "dad I don't have to know that..." Needless to add, I went through the roof. I won't go into my rant here but I saw his reaction as typical of so many students - they just want to get "there" NOW - all the stuff in between is boring or of no value. Where is this attitude coming from? We didn't teach hm this. It's an epidemic of "life is so easy why should I care" itis.

Anyway, it is going to be a challenge. I started teaching and it seems like the right thing to get back to, for a while.

End of rant.

Ozzie,

Since we have met before and know each other personally, of course I'd have no problem sending this up to you. Please shoot me your mailing address by email and I'll get it on the way to you a.s.a.p.

I would imagine that the 15-year-old son of a CTW producer would be most responsible with his dad's gear! By the way, I couldn't resist a Sesame Street reference when titling our meet-and-greet forum "These Are The People in Your Neighborhood." I grew up watching that show.

Give 'em the nuts, the bolts, the cotter pins, the steering wheel, the whole works! Then watch 'em put it all together.

Well the obvious website would be this one <g>. Seriously,
the single best thing that helped me (and I'm still at the beginning
of the learning curve, mind you) visualize things is editing.
Ofcourse this was with footage that I've shot myself.

The "I don't know to know this" or the "why do I need to know
this" is very familiair. A lot of people have this to in the computer
industry (working people mind you!). Basically I just think it boils
down to people not that interested in it and who are just in it
for things like a job or the money.

Now ofcourse your 15 year old is another thing. He probably
just wants to shoot (ie, not have it complicated). We know a lot
of people want to get into movie making but few do (succeed).

I still believe the best things are: seeing = believing and working
with it yourself. If you point your camera to rain or moving cars
and change the shutter speed you will see what this does to the
levels of the image and the amount of blurring. F-stop might be
a bit more difficult although together with zooming some DOF
might show this.

Personally I've always learned better and faster this way then
from any book, although they are very valuable for referencing.
Then again, this is different per person, ofcourse.

In the grand scheme of things, Zettl isn't too expensive when one considers it will form the foundation of a professional television reference library. Certainly cheaper than the Art books!

We do require it at the Community College Level for the Television Production classes. By the time they reach those classes, they've been through the basic Cinema classes and, if they are smart, the Acting for Television and the Speech classes. That way they know both sides of the camera.

The basic Cinema text we use, along with watching a lot of movies is: "Understanding Movies" by Louis Giannetti out of Prentice Hall. Louis is concerned with, as he puts it, 'Cineliteracy,' and this book is really to the point.

With only two years to work over the students, we cannot hope to get as in-depth as NYU. In fact, we are really a feeder school for SF State, USC, and even NYU.

The Leung book sound interesting too.

BTW, I just replaced most of the VHS and 16mm footage with DVD's as the old library was a bit shabby. Spent about $2500 and was able to buy most of the titles. Some wonderfully restored.

Found this interesting link on film/movie schools - MovieMaker Guide to Film Education

Charles, did you attend the undegraduate or graduate film program at NYU?

Brad, don't forget that for any graduate program, regardless of subject, that one of the important aspects of applying is knowing that you should also look into a variety of grants and scholarships. Also look into seeing if you can somehow gain residency and see if that doesn't cut costs down as well.

you might consider a smaller college for the 1st year.
perhaps one that has X number of students that is close to the number of camera's they have for use. it's no fun going to a school that has 4 camera's and 200 students as you can't ever get your hands on the equipment. the 1st year will give you a taste and either you want to BITE and spend the 100-200k or you might find/see a different path.

take a look at the american film institute in LA (AFI) .. they have a program for directors, producers, cinematograhers, editors , writers.. i think they accept 20 persons in each area for the 1st year .. then maybe 5 in each area for 2nd year ? classes taught by persons in the industry. may guest speakers from leading film business persons...

i went to college outside of LA . degree in film. when i went to LA i started out as PA same as most persons that have the 200K degree from USC/UCLA .. after one week in LA i took film school off my resume. i didn't find the degree help in fact i found it to be a negative back in 1982 as too many film graduates thought they knew everything and would try to tell a experienced (10-20year) film persons they weren't doing it right !!! In the end just about every job i got was because of a referral not because of sending a resume. hollywood is a very who you know kind of town.

Film School
 

Well I'm coming up on my senior year in highschool, a VERY scary thought. My entire life I have aspired to work in film. I've had a camera in my hands ever since I was born. My question is what do I do outside of highschool. My parents have been pressuring VERY much to get a college degree. I don't blame them either. I have really good grades and am in the top 20% of my class. And if I am wanting to be immersed in film, my guess is to go to film school. But after hearing lots of people say don't waste your money on film school, use the money you would use for film school on making your own films, and I'm sure it is a note-worthy effort. But it just really REALLY scares me, I don't want to go spend ton's of money on a film school and wind up working a filmmaker's coffee house. I don't want to piss my parents off by not going to college either. It all gives me a REAL big headache. I have the desire and the will to make films, and I could handle any rigorous course, I am just in the dark right now. Can you guys list your experiences and help me form a path? I mean i figure if i get a degree, and don't make it to hollywood, i could do video work in a big city and be fine, and still be able to work on videos. Any suggestions on schools etc. I live in oklahoma btw ;-) Thnx

Nothing wrong with deferring college for one year after high school ... unless of course your parents scream bloody murder.

So the year doesn't go to waste, it would be a good idea to line up a promising job and/or have a solid well thought out plan before taking that leap - otherwise here's a list of schools

Seconded.

well in actually I only have english and gov't left to take, and i was thinking about graduating a semester early by going to summer school, so basically i would have an extended summer that would be like a year off. and what schools do you think would be best/cheapest the university of oklahoma has an ok film/video studies program, i figure ill probably end up at UT at the most...i dunno i'm scared of not having a plan

Or go to film school but don't expect them it to get you a job. Spend a lot of time doing PA work on other people's shoots. Then you'll get book learnin' and OJT at the same time.

If you find your getting further ahead outside of school, you can always quit.

Riley, I've heard you talk a lot about what your parents want (understandably so), but what do you want? A job in film, network news, cutting trailers etc.? Do you want to move to get a job in your town or move to the big city (scary thought for many)? Any thoughts or ideas?

a job in film or working as a videographer, perferrably a job in film

I might be in the minority here, but I think you should go to college and skip film school. If you have had a camera in your hands for so long then I'm sure you understand the workflow of things, and PA'ing on a few shoots will help you understand working with a larger, legitimate crew (if you don't have any experience with that). Go to college. Learn to write. Take a bunch of English classes so you're forced to write and read. You're probably only 18, take your time. Give yourself a chance to mature. Believe me, all 18 or 19 year olds need that time (whether they think so or not!). Unless, of course, you're family is in a financial situation, where college would be an unnecessary burden.

I personally believe film school is a waste of money, but I think college, for people willing to get everything out of it, is invaluable.

mg

What is a videographer? They shoot weddings and such, don't they? If you really want a job in film and your committed, then move to LA and go to film school. Plan on living and working in LA. there are exceptions of course, but they are few and far between. Film schools have been discussed before, you might want to do a search.

Riley, with all due respect...stay in school.

I think Matthew is pretty close to the mark here.

Although it isn't really about your parents, believe me when I tell you that they have a better idea as to what's best for you and, you still don't know what you want.

I was once in your position and in retrospect, I wasn't quite as smart as I thought.

Once you get out of the school "mindset", it is a real bitch to get back into it. Kinda like the gym...it's allot easier not to go.

I have trained many a film Camera Assistant Apprentice fresh out of film school. They showed up on my camera trucks with textbooks in hand and absolutely no clue as to how to "make" movies or handle themselves on a real set, although they could talk up a storm on theory.

You seem to have a handle on what you want to do. That's great, and nothing should get in your way, and you should continue to do it as much as possible. But beware. This business, especially the film industry, is a dog-eat-dog business.

Get your education, THEN get out there into the real world and KICK SOME SERIOUS ASS! I'll be looking for your name in the credits.

Good luck and GOD bless.

RB

P.S.

LA is not the only answer. As we say on this side of the Country..."We don't care how you do it on the West Coast!"

thanks

This is a thorny, complex issue. Not knowing you personally, it's nearly impossible for any of us to offer valuable guidance. So take my remarks as merely thoughts of a stranger (and someone who's probably older than your parents, at that).

On the one hand, it may seem to make good common sense to leave school until you're certain you know what you want to study. After all, why spend the money aimlessly?

But on the other hand I have to agree with Rick; stay in school The scholastic / academic regimen is indeed very hard to resume after leaving school, even for a year. If you have the academic, financial and emotional support opportunity to continue studies at a collegiate level do so. Taking a break might seem attractive but many distractions can arise within a year or two. Perhaps you'll find a job that pays you "good money", a girlfriend that wants to get married, you set your sights on a new car. Such influences become sirens that draw you perpetually off the education path. Suddenly you're invited to your high school's 10-year reunion. You're still earning pretty nearly what was "good money" to an 18 year old. You don't even remember that girlfriend's name any more. And that car has long since met the compactor.

One last point. There is a natural, and understandable, tendency to view a college education identically to that of a vocational school. That is, you ask yourself, "Will I become rich and successful if I go to college?". That's the wrong view. While a vocational school may provide you with instructional guidance on a very narrow occupation, a good college education can give you something far richer; it teaches you how to learn and exposes you to many disciplines and avenues of knowledge. These are far, far more valuable lifetime skills. Used wisely they can open doors and enrich you for the rest of your life.

I'll close with a personal anecdote. From the age of 14 I was absolutely certain of my professional goal. I spent 10 years of grueling, competitive study in pursuit of that goal. Ironically, after finishing all nine yards of requisite study I ultimately never practiced the profession for which I had studied so hard. Do I feel that I wasted time and money? Absolutely not. There is not a day that passes in which I am not grateful for completing that education and in which I do not use some part of it. Life led me in directions I could not possibly anticipate. But my education enabled me to continue to grow in new directions and keep pace with my new track.

Good luck to you, Riley. I know that most of us 'old-timers' know that you're facing a difficult bend in life's road. If you are fortunate you will encounter many such bends in the road ahead.

Just an off topic question. I noticed someone implied that LA isn't the only answer to finding a job in the film business. I am enrolled at Full Sail in the Orlando area. I'm just curious as to whether there is much opportunity in the Orlando area for a career in the film business. I have yet to move up there, (I don't start untill November) so I havent really been able to look around the area completely. Have any of you worked in the area before?

Orlando has various production jobs and many, many applicants. If you want to work in your field after graduation, be prepared to move.

I agree with Matthew exactly.

Filmschool is unecassary; school is not.

i think i'm going to major in Film/Video or media, so basically I could work in media, video, etc. And working on making it in film outside work. Good idea?

Honestly

The important thing to do is what makes you happy. (I know, how cliched) But it is true. Most people don't learn this lesson fast enough. Go with your gut, go with heart. Do what makes you feel good.

I can understand where you're coming from; my first year at the local community college stunk and didn't offer film. It did the second year and I was pumped to finish my school.

But there is always something to say about having a degree, esp. if you want to teach.

But, if you just want to learn the technical side in a matter of months, you can always go to tech schools that focus on filmmaking, videography, post and more.

Some schools include Conneticut School of Broadcast, New York Film Academy, Palm Beach Film School (where I now teach) and more. Those might be an option if you just want to learn quickly, then go out and start doing your own thing. Or work at a post house, etc.

I also tell people if they're serious about film school as a Bachelor's or Master's degree, consider that you'll also be networking at these schools. The places where you'll meet pros most often is in New York, L.A., North Carolina, Miami and Austin film schools. I'm sure there are others, but those are the most common that I'm aware of. This in no way reflects bad on other great film schools, but on a daily basis, those cities have a lot of pros going in and out of the school.

heath

Hey Dustin,

I am not implying that LA is not the only place...I am stating it as a FACT.

Riley,

Orlando has allot of opportunity, albeit, not as much as LA, but it is still there. There are plenty of opportunities everywhere.

I also know for a fact that Orlando is a tight place to find work, remember my "dog-eat-dog" comment?

There are many other places that give CA a run for its money.

NYC, Miami, North Carolina, MA, TX, etc.

The opportunities are there, you just have to dig in and go for it, especially if you are not already "juiced in" by having connections.

Look around, do not limit yourself, but get your education, and then, grab the bull by the...forget the horns...grab it by the B*LLS and make it your own!

RB

I have to just say one thing, if you decide to go to school in Florida, I'd recommend Miami. That's were around 55% of film, TV and video production is happening.

heath

<<<-- Originally posted by Rick Bravo : Hey Dustin,

I am not implying that LA is not the only place...I am stating it as a FACT.

Riley,

Orlando has allot of opportunity, albeit, not as much as LA, but it is still there. There are plenty of opportunities everywhere.

I also know for a fact that Orlando is a tight place to find work, remember my "dog-eat-dog" comment?

There are many other places that give CA a run for its money.

NYC, Miami, North Carolina, MA, TX, etc.

The opportunities are there, you just have to dig in and go for it, especially if you are not already "juiced in" by having connections.

Look around, do not limit yourself, but get your education, and then, grab the bull by the...forget the horns...grab it by the B*LLS and make it your own!

RB -->>>


Thanks for the info Rick! I feel a little better about it now. I really like Orlando. Its a really nice and quiet place, and the people are really nice too. Well at least in the parts that I have been in. So I was hoping that I wouldnt have to move away from the area to get a job. But we'll see how it goes...

Jobs are very tough to get in Orlando, very tough. That's why I suggested that you be prepared to move if you want to work in your field. There are lots of new grads and experienced applicants for almost all job openings, all wanting and looking to do the same as you.

Jeff is right; it's a little easier down in Miami. I've been able to get work when I want it. But you also have to know people and they have to know that you are a great, hard worker.

I lived in Orlando 4 years ago for about a year, and it was tough getting freelance work outside of weddings. In West Palm Beach and Miami, it's much easier and I don't do but maybe a wedding a year.

heath

My son just graduated from FAU with a degree in Comunications majoring in film/video studies. Unlike Full Sail, it's an accredited degree with all the requirements that it implies (math, english, and what ever other classes FL requires to get a degree of any sort).
So while the core was film/video (both theoretical and pratical), he also got a well rounded liberal arts education.

Thats going to help him no matter where he ends up.

He got his first job doing PA work with a local production company that does the syndicated ship shape show. They liked his work ethic and want him back for several other shoots.

He didn't stand around acting like a college grad. He did what ever was needed, when ever they needed it. Whether it was putting out the directors cigarette or setting up the lights or recording time cards for the talent. Without complaint, With a
positive attitude. He knows what he wants and is willing to work to get it.

Thats what they are looking for. In exhange, the director is already giving him tips on framing and lighting setups. They are also going to allow him to sit in on editing sessions, just becuase he's willing to go there at night and make the effort. (just to watch and ask a few, very few questions, hehehe, at least for now).

The points?

Get a good well rounded education.

Get your resume in as many hands as possible.

Network like crazy.Hustle every contact, even long shot ones.
Even if you know the person if full of baloney, you never know where they will be 10 years from now. I mean this in positive way, not a sleazy underhanded way.

Exceed their expectations of you. Work you butt off. Don't be afraid to perform better than others doing the same thing. Those others won't get you hired or pay your bills.


Within legal limits, no task is beneath you.

He also supliments his income doing at least one wedding a month.

I'm one proud papa.

//Even if you know the person if full of baloney, you never know where they will be 10 years from now. I mean this in positive way, not a sleazy underhanded way.//

I find this very hard to do but I believe you on this tip.

Ken,

I'm at my 10 year anniversary since high school, and sometimes I wish I could change some things, but I think things are going well.

Joe,

FAU's film/video department is quite lacking, IMHO. I'm going there for my BA degree (something I've never gotten, but always wanted to). But the people are nice and it's close to my apartment. I don't really want to go elsewhere for college. I'm 28 now and working in this area (West Palm Beach, FL).

Keith,

<<-- //Even if you know the person if full of baloney, you never know where they will be 10 years from now. I mean this in positive way, not a sleazy underhanded way.//

I find this very hard to do but I believe you on this tip. -->>

Where was this quote on the 10 years from now you refer to?

heath

Joe Carney's post above my last one.

Whoops, missed that one...

He's right, though, Keith. There have been a lot of people who burned bridges with me over the years. Just recently, one of those people came to me, looking for work on my next film. I read his resume (which wasn't too impressive) and decided his bad attitude hadn't changed and didn't want him on my set.

heath

Heath, FAU is putting a lot of money into the program. They are getting better, but with the emphasis on Broadcast over film making. For the time being all they offer is DV based gear (several XL1s, and soon dvx100s), plus some high end Avid and other setups I've never heard of before. Jojo is actually doing some post graduate classes involving web and animation.

I would take an accredited BA from FAU over one from Full Sail. Though at graduation ceremony the University President came off as something of a nerd. hehehe. But then again I don't have a degree either.

I don't want to keep going on about FAU, but one of the new teachers is an old friend of mine. He's changing things, but the video production class I took last fall with a bunch of friends stunk. SVHS cameras and iMovie. Didn't hear about the DVX100s.

The school I'm teaching at, the Palm Beach Film School, has DVX100s, FCP and Avid XPress Pro. That helps, I think, because most places cut on FCP and Avid!

heath