Film College is expensive and there are several options to consider. There is film education that is the major course of study in the overall, general college experience. While this is a well rounded education, it is not only expensive but can be very trying for the student, especially if they are not one for conventional school and classes. In addition to the cost of the tuition though, there will be the costs of books and other learning materials to consider. If the school is not local there is the cost of travel to and from as well as the cost of living at the school, including meals and lodging.

In addition to these costs for film education, there are also costs for the equipment that the student will need. While enrolled in film college, students can usually utilize cameras, lights and other equipment in the school although many will prefer their own set ups. Even used equipment can be very expensive, and can sometimes be harder to find, especially in smaller areas.

Film education can also be expensive because it is so exclusive and difficult to get in. The aspiring film student might need to apply several years in a row trying to get in to the film college in the first place. To apply, most schools require an admission fee as well as a short film clip or other example of their work, meaning there is a need for film equipment before the education even starts. Even renting or borrowing these items can be very costly; especially if the short film is going to take a long time to actually be shot.

No Budget Film Making is one of the only low cost alternatives to the various types of film school or film making education. Film education is very expensive and can be very heart breaking as well. Not everyone is going to make a blockbuster movie, but everyone should get the chance to try. If the cost of film school is stopping your visions from coming to life, there are cheaper alternatives available that will help develop your movie training without breaking the bank.

Filmmaking Courses is a site providing reviews and information on film making courses in order to give readers an informed choice for their education in this industry.

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The bulletin is a booklet (or book, in some cases) that breaks down the classes and resources offered by the school. It is updated and issued to students every academic year. Bulletins are typically be mailed to prospective students upon request, but many film schools have them online.

If you are applying to a large university, request the bulletin of the school that the film program is located in. For example, the film school at NYU is located in Tisch School of the Arts (TSOA), so you would request TSOA’s bulletin. Actually, there are three film programs at NYU, located in TSOA, the School of Journalism, and The School of Professional Studies. From this you can see why it’s important to request the correct school bulletin.

Again, a lot of this can be found online. Just keep in mind that the larger schools can be a maze of interconnected websites. To save time, you might try The Film School Reporter’s US and international film school directories (link below).

Perhaps better than reviewing the film school’s bulletin is calling them directly with your questions. We don’t recommend calling admissions. They are too far removed from actual film instruction and production, so their answers will be too general. The same goes for advisers and counselors.

What we recommend is that you call a member of the film faculty or production staff. They are in the best position to give you an inside look at the film school. Go through the points below with them. You’ll find that they are not out to “sell” the school and their answers will be surprisingly blunt.

Here is the checklist:

Equipment
What type of production and post-production equipment does the film school have? How often is it upgraded? This second question is most important. You don’t want to learn filmmaking on outdated gear. This can be determined by researching the school’s camera models online. Look carefully at the digital video cameras. Are they high definition (HD) or standard definition (SD). Standard definition equipment is fast becoming obsolete.

If they teach film in addition to video, is it 16mm, Super 16, or 35mm? 35mm is a big plus because Hollywood is reluctant to give up this format. On the other hand, 16mm and Super 16 have little value except as a stepping stone to 35mm.

Film Faculty
Are there any award winners? Check their credentials in the bulletin, and then crosscheck them online against the Internet Movie Data Base. You’ll be surprised by what you find.

Filmmaking Courses
Do they cover the areas that you want to specialize in (e.g., narrative, documentary, experimental, TV production, etc.). If you want to make documentary films but the school specializes in narrative production, you don’t want to discover this on the first day of class!

Ties to the Industry
What are the film school’s ties to the industry? Do they have successful (i.e., famous) guest speakers, faculty, or advisers?

Student Films
Are the school’s student films available for your review? Some schools issue them on DVD, while others put them online. Take a look-see. It will give you an idea of the type of filmmaking the school fosters, as well as its caliber. Are there award winning films in the archives? Successful alumni?

Student Exchange Programs
This is not for everyone, but it might be important to you if you have a desire to experience international technologies and film education.

Career Opportunities
Does the school have a student internship program or job placement program for graduates? There are two points not mentioned above that you should consider, both revolving around money. First, if the school you are considering is out of town, you must factor in the cost of living in a dorm or apartment during the course of your studies.

Second, you must consider the cost of making student films. Unlike, other academic programs, which only require books and supplies, film courses require that you make movies, which can be quite expensive. Some schools offer “allotments” to help defray the cost of production, but it is usually only a fraction of the actual expense. So, in addition to tuition, add on the cost of housing and making student films.

We hope this guide is helpful in researching the right film school for you.

-Antonio Fox

Visit Film School Juice! http://www.FilmSchoolJuice.com, dedicated to the art and craft of filmmaking for beginners and film students.

Here are links to the film school directories mentioned above: Best International Film Schools Directory and Best US Film Schools Directory.

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There is no doubt about the fact that the film industry is the broadest and the most creative field out there but making the cut in this cut throat industry is no easy task. With an array of great film schools out there that appreciate and nurture the dreams of people who are interested in making films, you cannot help your career better than getting yourself in one such place. People who have been trained with high quality film programs will have a greater scope in the movie making industry as it will provide the perfect platform for the big life.

The career scope of an individual who has successfully completed his or her film courses will be a fabulous one as such a person can enter film production companies, film studios, government film making departments and advertising agencies. If you have a really strong vision or a desire to bring on the big screen then you can go ahead and become a film director, film producer, film editor, etc and start your own freelance career. A number of film seminars are also available for new comers in this industry to learn the tricks of the trade and keep one updated about the latest advances in the industry.

Undergoing training with the best film courses will undoubtedly help you in learning all the aspects of various areas of film production like development, physical production and post production procedures to financing, legal issues, film distribution and film festivals. The best film schools will also teach you digital design, animation, visual effects, film and TV acting, game design, film promotion, sound design, makeup design and more. With such specialized training you will definitely hold an edge over other untrained artists.

Being artistic is one quality that most people aspiring to make a mark in this industry will possess and getting training with good film courses is the only way to beat the competition. Another great aspect to attending film schools is that it helps you greatly in gaining technical skills that are required to understand not only your core interest area but the supporting areas whose knowledge is required to be good at your job. Becoming a well rounded and trained professional in this industry will not only ensure you to achieve your targets but will also help you to understand the entire procedure involved in converting your crude concepts to a refined production.

Creativity is one quality that can create miraculous events in one’s life and creativity in the area of film making can be converted into a reality by attending great film schools. Geared with the correct knowledge and expertise no one will be able to stop you from walking the red carpet with the confidence of a true film maker.

Erick von Schulz is author of this article on FIlm seminars. Find more information about Film programs here.

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These schools were once was a great way to see movies you couldn’t see anywhere else. Film school can help you become a better filmmaker, by refining what’s already there, but if you don’t already have the raw creativity, ability, and motivation from the start, you will be at a serious disadvantage. Film isn’t like writing, where you can sit down and do it all by yourself, you need someone in front of the camera too. Film school gives you the collaborators, framework, and the time and space to help you work on your film projects. Film schools will generally offer classes in many or all of the following categories: Cinematography, Film Production, Film Directing, Set Design, Screenwriting, Film Editing, and Working with Actors. Top schools will offer variations of all of these film courses. Film students who dive directly into graduate programs with only a general desire to be involved in movies can sometimes find themselves in positions where their eventual careers are outside the film industry.

Students for these schools are often hand-picked from hundreds of applicants. Students are the sole owners of their screenplays and are often behind the camera from the first day of class. Students will learn about the visual, dramatic, and technical challenges that directors face. Students make bonds, both professional and personal, that extend beyond film school. Students get to retain the digital master tapes of their work, so they can include it in their portfolios. Students work with their advisors to determine a budget, and they may contribute additional funds toward a project if preferred. Students at the top schools are very prepared for the industry, and they need to learn to be quick and creative to stay in the game.

Industry schools are known for training students to mold themselves into the Hollywood structure and successfully persuade producers to fund feature films. Independent schools teach students to minimize film making to the fundamentals and then raise their own funds to make films apart from the Hollywood system. The rise of independent film making and digital video has allowed anyone with a few thousand dollars can shoot their own film with little formal knowledge of the industry. Advocates argue that film school is important because it allows students to develop their skills under the guidance of professional instructors, and to network with others interested in film making. The basic building blocks of improving film making skills are reading, thinking through, and watching as many films as possible. As with any art form, success in film making has a lot to do with luck, preparedness, and being in the right place at the right time.

Alexander Isaac writes about film schools at http://www.applytofilmschool.com

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