Ad filmmaker wanting to switch to long format

[Faizan Ansari]

Hey folks!
I'm an ad filmmaker from Mumbai, India. I've been directing for 9 years in advertising and I want to switch to film and TV.
My direction portfolio: Faizan Ansari | Filmmaker
I feel like studying screenplay (1 yr) specifically will help me make that transition.
But then I also get a lot of people telling that I shouldn't be paying a film school to sit and WRITE!
So I'm a bit confused about whether to go for a Screenplay OR a Filmmaking (direction) program.

Anyway, very pleased that this forum exists and that I found it!
Hit me up if we have something in common.

 

[iheartmfa]

Hi! I'm also originally from advertising on the art direction side -- nice to see people switching back and forth between the industries that can be so connected but so divided! Hmm...I think a lot of it depends on what you ultimately want to be doing. Do you want to be a film and TV writer? Or a film & TV director? Or both...the direction route might be a better across the board route where you get to dip your toes in a lot of areas. Where are you applying?

Yeah ... I'm in the same boat applying to see if I'll get in / scholarships, and then making the decision whether to stick it out on the festival route or to go to grad school. A little bit different of a boat coming from concepting vs. production side, but feel your pain in this decision process!

 

[Faizan Ansari]

Hi! I'm also originally from advertising on the art direction side -- nice to see people switching back and forth between the industries that can be so connected but so divided! Hmm...I think a lot of it depends on what you ultimately want to be doing. Do you want to be a film and TV writer? Or a film & TV director? Or both...the direction route might be a better across the board route where you get to dip your toes in a lot of areas. Where are you applying?

Yeah ... I'm in the same boat applying to see if I'll get in / scholarships, and then making the decision whether to stick it out on the festival route or to go to grad school. A little bit different of a boat coming from concepting vs. production side, but feel your pain in this decision process!

Hey Chris! Thank you for validating me.
So I want to be a writer director. Since I have 8-9 years direction experience (although in advertising) - I was thinking about maybe dedicating this degree to mastering screenplay. Because I wouldn't want to be in a direction program where they are focusing on direction basics, but in screenplay writing I am a complete novice.

I've been looking at the UK mostly because they have 1 year programs. So looking to apply to LFS, LFA and Goldsmiths for now.
Haven't really found degree programs in the US that are 1 year.

What about you? Where are you from, and where are you applying?

 

[iheartmfa]

That's so cool & makes sense about wanting to focus on writing! I'm from the US & applying to directing programs at USC, UCLA, NYU, and UT Austin. On the other flip of the coin: wanting to focus more on skills talking with actors, leading a set, that sort of thing, so really hoping to get that out of the programs.

You should also check out this place called Maine Media Workshops & College if you haven't! I went for two weeks a few summers ago and learned and grew more there than I ever did in undergrad film school. It's worth looking at, and hell of a lot cheaper!

 

[Faizan Ansari]

That's so cool & makes sense about wanting to focus on writing! I'm from the US & applying to directing programs at USC, UCLA, NYU, and UT Austin. On the other flip of the coin: wanting to focus more on skills talking with actors, leading a set, that sort of thing, so really hoping to get that out of the programs.

You should also check out this place called Maine Media Workshops & College if you haven't! I went for two weeks a few summers ago and learned and grew more there than I ever did in undergrad film school. It's worth looking at, and hell of a lot cheaper!

Thanks a lot! I'll check out Maine.
All the best for your applications

 

[iheartmfa]

Of course! And HAHA my name is Lex, but it's weird with all the anonymous usernames! Great luck to you too Faizan!