No School.

[SEC]

Anyone on here that has not attended film school? I've heard mixed reviews about spending a small fortune on a nearly useless education...

 

[Josh]

There are plenty of arguments for and against it. In the end, you just need to do what you feel is right for yourself, and choose to ignore the other side of it.

 

[Hoeks]

nearly useless education? It thought me how to make good movies. I would not look at this as a useless education

 

[Trespasser]

yeah, i gotta agree with hoeks. The knowledge I've gained in my first year in film school has been extremely beneficial. Your generalization that film school is a nearly useless education is extremely premature.

 

[duders]

I think an undergraduate degree in film, is to a certain extent, useless. I think that if you want to go to film school, go for grad school.

 

[Hoeks]

now please explain the difference between undergrad and grad school in film

Looking at NYU first run or USC first look festival, the undergrad films are mostly better than the grad ones actually. Also, the education is more or less the same.

And how many famous people came out of undergrad film...Marc Forster is just a recent one

 

[REDking]

Of course there is no clear answer but you have to take stock in your sitiuation as it stands now. I assume you wanna be a filmmaker so have you worked on or completed a film? Do you have a million questions about the artform or do you already feel you know enough to produce some original work? And when you finish your work then what? Do you know how to distribute? (and I don't mean make money just get your film seen) Hey lot's of famous folks just jumped in and that's a legitimate angle if you have a tremendous amount of talent and drive! But sometimes a little direction and mentoring goes a long way!

For me film school gives direction to my delusions of grandure, plus access to equipment and most importantly being surrounded with other starving artists to bounce ideas off and get feedback! Plus a solid knowledge of film history will save you from accidental duplication of ideas or repeating known mistakes!

But by no means does film school entitle anyone to success and ultimatly your films will open the most doors not a degree.

 

[SEC]

Thanks for the input. I am very lucky to live where there is a good amount of independent work being done, and a some great places to get formal training on film equipment. For me the formula seems to be: learning the techniques, how to use the equipment properly, having access to informed criticisms of ones work, being in regular contact with other filmmakers, watching movies and reading lots of books.
It is mostly about drive, and film history is full of stories about indies with nothing but drive getting them from one shot to the next. I've enjoyed watching some of the movies on this site. It's encouraging to see others work and commitment to the art.

 

[insomniac]

there is no clear answer. it depends on your level of knowledge going into it. for example, a friend of mine, as a junior in high school, had films premiereing in festivals around the country, and one got an indie distribution deal. he chose to not go to film school, and obviously someone with that much natural talent and who knows that much isn't going to be missing as much as someone who doesn't know anything about movies.

i also unfortunately know people who THINK they're good, but aren't. it's a harsh world, so i don't try to sugarcoat anything. this is basically what i have to say. if your movies, BEFORE film school, don't look a professional as an actual movie... you're not there. i know people who think they can write or direct or shoot. and maybe they can do some cool stuff. but if they aren't THE BEST at it before film school, they need to go. otherwise, they're screwing themselves out of education they obviously need.

so that's just the way i see it. many people get started really young in film and don't need help. others do. if you don't know exactly what it takes to make a great film, and if you haven't done it yourself yet, go to film school. it's as simple as that. those who need education should go to film school. those who know how to make movies do not have to.