5 answers
Nick
Student
Hodgenville, Kentucky
2
Questions
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What advice would a seasoned filmmaker give a novice for choosing the best fit when deciding on a college?
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5 answers
Diana B
3
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Diana’s Answer
I would recommend schools that have highly competitive film programs. You can also check out schools that have clubs that coincide with film.
Steven Bachrach
Filmmaker/Screenwriter/Educator
20
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Hello Nick V.-
Feel free to reject some or all of my advice as I haven't met you and therefore am providing generalized suggestions.
I would recommend finding a college or University that either you and your family can afford or one that could provide you with a decent financial aid package. Colleges can be expensive and filmmaking is also expensive all by itself. Research your top choices and look up the professors and graduates who have gone on to make films. Does their approach seem like an environment you would thrive in?
Do some of the films made by semi-recent graduates of that institution speak to your sensibilities?
Can you afford it?
If there's a great school in your town, that makes it easier financially, as you can live at home, although for many young people, moving away from family is something they want to experience at your age.
Visit your top 2 or 3 choices and speak with as many students as you can regarding their experience, and try to access course syllabi to get a feel for the teachers'/professors' tastes. Do the students feel both challenged and nurtured? Sit in on a few classes.
What other non-film-related programs does the school offer to you that will also enhance and challenge your perspective?
Then make a decision based on the combination of all these factors.
Finally, realize that many of the greatest filmmakers never attended film school. They just watched zillions of films and grabbed a camera and some friends and got on with it.
Best of luck, however you approach your decision!
Feel free to reject some or all of my advice as I haven't met you and therefore am providing generalized suggestions.
I would recommend finding a college or University that either you and your family can afford or one that could provide you with a decent financial aid package. Colleges can be expensive and filmmaking is also expensive all by itself. Research your top choices and look up the professors and graduates who have gone on to make films. Does their approach seem like an environment you would thrive in?
Do some of the films made by semi-recent graduates of that institution speak to your sensibilities?
Can you afford it?
If there's a great school in your town, that makes it easier financially, as you can live at home, although for many young people, moving away from family is something they want to experience at your age.
Visit your top 2 or 3 choices and speak with as many students as you can regarding their experience, and try to access course syllabi to get a feel for the teachers'/professors' tastes. Do the students feel both challenged and nurtured? Sit in on a few classes.
What other non-film-related programs does the school offer to you that will also enhance and challenge your perspective?
Then make a decision based on the combination of all these factors.
Finally, realize that many of the greatest filmmakers never attended film school. They just watched zillions of films and grabbed a camera and some friends and got on with it.
Best of luck, however you approach your decision!
Ty Warren
Retail
1
Answer
Southfield, Michigan
Updated
Ty’s Answer
Film school can be helpful, especially if you don't know where or how to begin or you live in an area with little to no film community. What kind of school you want to go to is based on what you need and want. Film or liberal arts college? Close to home, or far away? Cost? Type of degree? You will also need to do a lot of work outside the classroom. Get comfortable with editing softwares, cameras, and equipment on your own. That way, whether it's for a class project or a job opportunity you will be prepared.
Hank Isaac
Writer/Director
39
Answers
Ocean Shores, Washington
Updated
Hank’s Answer
My answer is: If you really want to be a filmmaker, don't attend college for that purpose.
Why not?
Because no one in the film industry will ever ask you, "Where did you go to college?" In fact, no one is likely to ask if you even WENT to college.
The industry is people-based and apprentice-based.
If you TRULY want a career in film, take the money you would have spent on college, move to LA or NYC, get an apartment in a nice area and without a roommate, and offer to work on film projects for free. There is nothing taught at a college film school that you can't learn on your own. Nothing. And if you pay attention and are self-motivated, the folks you work with WILL notice. And eventually you WILL be paid. And after four years that you would've spent in classrooms, you will be nearly a decade ahead of the students who would have been your peers in college.
Why nearly a decade?
Because when they graduate, they will have to do the exact same thing you just did for the past four years.
And you may be the one deciding which of them you want to work on your company's current film project.
You probably know a lot more right now than you think you know--who would want to be a filmmaker otherwise.
I used to teach filmmaking at the college level. I know what it's like.
But if you want a broad education (not counting film), then by all means, attend college.
But don't do it to become a filmmaker.
/h
Research cost of four years of taking filmmaking courses in college.
Research cost of living modestly in (or near) LA or NYC.
Call up as many production companies as you can find and share what you plan to do and ask their opinions.
Think long and hard about whether you're willing to slave and have your heart broken regularly -- because that's what it will take.
Why not?
Because no one in the film industry will ever ask you, "Where did you go to college?" In fact, no one is likely to ask if you even WENT to college.
The industry is people-based and apprentice-based.
If you TRULY want a career in film, take the money you would have spent on college, move to LA or NYC, get an apartment in a nice area and without a roommate, and offer to work on film projects for free. There is nothing taught at a college film school that you can't learn on your own. Nothing. And if you pay attention and are self-motivated, the folks you work with WILL notice. And eventually you WILL be paid. And after four years that you would've spent in classrooms, you will be nearly a decade ahead of the students who would have been your peers in college.
Why nearly a decade?
Because when they graduate, they will have to do the exact same thing you just did for the past four years.
And you may be the one deciding which of them you want to work on your company's current film project.
You probably know a lot more right now than you think you know--who would want to be a filmmaker otherwise.
I used to teach filmmaking at the college level. I know what it's like.
But if you want a broad education (not counting film), then by all means, attend college.
But don't do it to become a filmmaker.
/h
Hank recommends the following next steps:
Kristin Fowler
The Walt Disney Co, Feature Films
5
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Kristin’s Answer
Hello Nick,
I agree with Demilynn. It's best to look up universities with successful film programs. From there, take a visit (if possible) or talk to alumni to get a better idea if that school is the right fit for you.
In my professional experience (I've worked on feature films at Legendary and now Disney), USC has an incredibly good film school - their alumni connections and classes are top notch. I've had colleagues and interns who went there and they really do help their students get into that field.
For background, I did not go USC, I went to Pepperdine and majored in Journalism. Going to film school isn't necessarily an "in" for getting into filmmaking, but certain colleges can help. Most of the entertainment industry is more who you know than what you know, so be sure to be friendly and good at networking too.
Hope that helps and best of luck!
I agree with Demilynn. It's best to look up universities with successful film programs. From there, take a visit (if possible) or talk to alumni to get a better idea if that school is the right fit for you.
In my professional experience (I've worked on feature films at Legendary and now Disney), USC has an incredibly good film school - their alumni connections and classes are top notch. I've had colleagues and interns who went there and they really do help their students get into that field.
For background, I did not go USC, I went to Pepperdine and majored in Journalism. Going to film school isn't necessarily an "in" for getting into filmmaking, but certain colleges can help. Most of the entertainment industry is more who you know than what you know, so be sure to be friendly and good at networking too.
Hope that helps and best of luck!