Like I said I hear you and I get your point, but OP has made clear they feel they lack knowledge in film. I have seen film schools like what you are talking about. That was my undergrad and spouses grad experience at a film school in Chicago. There much of the faculty has the same level of or less experience as I do currently as a student which is similar to OPs and absolutely that type of school should be avoided because I agree it won’t help them get the knowledge they want and is just debt that could be used for their own work.
And I do agree there are many an incubator/fellowship, etc. that doesn’t provide anything. There are also many that are worthwhile. The same is true of festivals for those who make a film. It’s really all about research and talking to those with experiences. Which is why I was giving my personal experience in contrast to yours. Yes it’s one program but it’s one I know doesn’t fall into what you’re saying. Similarly, I can advocate for Łodz in Poland (not a good option for OP) as similarly being a great program where students learn from polish masters as I have a close friend who transferred from the Chicago program I mentioned to that program who has gone on to do great things they wouldn’t have if they stayed where they were.
I’m all for people going out and making their own things. That’s what this is all about at the end of the day, but having similarly made shorts and run the mid-tier academy festival qualifiers and working in advertising I get OPs feeling of knowing their stuff but also wanting to expand their knowledge base in a way that just finding opinions and technical videos on the internet wasn’t meeting. So, I’m just pushing back on the idea that all film schools are a waste. Many are, but not all, and I’d hate for OP to be discouraged into giving up finding a way to expand their knowledge if that’s as important to them as it seems.
On that note I wouldn’t encourage OP to make anything narrative much longer than 15 minutes that isn’t a feature…. At least in the US. There was a time where you could do that and it might serve you by showing your abilities at a larger scale than a briefer short, but post COVID with the industry the way it is now that’s just sadly not a way in anymore. Which I also think is a value to finding the right school or program where you have working instructors who can tell you what it’s really like in the industry right now.
Through AFI I’ve been lucky to talk directly with writers like Lauren Wells, Mike Scully, Brent Forrester, Chris Marcil, Karen Janszen, Cindy Caponera and many more who’ve helped not just in terms of technical skills but also the realities of the moment we are in.
I agree ultimately you need to write or make films instead of finding ways to delay them and accountability is huge. I also believe being realistic with yourself and establishing a long term plan with smaller goals is equally important. That’s part of why I recommended OP check out DWW+ it will provide education and a network while also baking in accountability to actually continue on their path of making things. Is that right for them? I don’t know, but if it’s something that can help them along I’m happy to pass it along for them to decide.
I do apologize for coming out hot, but I also want OP to feel supported in their search for answers. Ultimately I want as many people to succeed as possible which I’m sure we share.
