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Should I Go to Film School?

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:07:41 +0000

As someone who’s attended two of the top film schools in the world, NYU and USC, I often get asked a simple question: Should I go to film school? The answer actually can’t be answered in a yes/no fashion as it really depends on multiple factors regarding the individual student considering attending and what they hope to get out of the experience. This article aims to address some of the major points that one should contemplate when considering a film or cinema school education.

The first distinction that one should understand are the differences between attending an undergraduate or graduate film/cinema program. Undergraduate programs combine the general liberal arts education requirements that are necessary to receive a bachelor degree along with major specific classes in film and television. Usually the first two years are predominantly liberal arts while the junior and senior years include mostly major concentrated classes. Some programs start with film related classes earlier. Both USC and NYU start the beginning film student off with some film history as well as either video based (DV) or Super 8 filmmaking that progressively leads to more sophisticated film classes in later years.

Graduate program on the other hand vary more widely than the undergrad programs in scope, length and type. Graduate programs mostly consist of two years of in depth film and television coursework from day one. The resources that are at the student’s resources tend to be greater than in the undergrad programs and the projects that are undertaken are more in depth. For instance, in the undergrad program the ‘Senior Thesis’ project is a short film of between 15-30 minutes in length that the student writes, directs and leads a crew of peers in producing. This is a fairly common “thesis” at most of the top film schools.

Graduate schools vary greatly however. Some do a similar ’short film’ approach while others encourage the students to make a feature film. There are some programs, such as Columbia University’s Masters Program that are actually more than two years and that combine directing along with writing into an overall Graduate thesis involving the creation of feature length scripts and films that can be entered into competition.

The goal of undergrad and grad programs differ as well. While both types of programs can train the ‘technical’ skills of an aspiring cinematographer or cameraman for instance, graduate programs tend to groom their students to make films that can be entered into the festival circuit and garner notoriety and attention for the filmmaker in hopes of his either getting his film ‘picked up’ or him gaining representation by a talent agency. Undergrad programs on the other hand provide a more generalist education with the emphasis not being so much on the students creating ‘festival’ films but more on learning all the facets of filmmaking such as editing, sound, directing, camera, lighting as well as the business side of the industry.

For further information about if film school is worth attending and to get more detailed information about how to decide please visit http://www.USCfilmschool.com.

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Film Schools in LA

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:38:26 +0000

The proximity to Hollywood has made Los Angeles a perfect place for Film schools. The Institutes boast of facilities incorporating the latest production technologies, with some of them providing the opportunity of working with Hollywood personalities as well. This proves to be ample motivation for the students and encourages them.

These institutes employ professional filmmakers and highly qualified instructors to guide their students in the film industry. The courses covered by most of these institutes include cinematography, film producing, production design, editing, directing, story analysis and screenplay and sound designing. Digital video editing and workshops are arranged to provide hands- on experience in the projects. The entire process of creating motion pictures, starting with the conception, through the different production stages is taught in the workshops. The workshops provide practical experiences in filming and sound stage exercises. Documentaries are made by the students and hosted on the Internet for public viewing. The best film is chosen from the list of entries and mentioned under the name of the film. This encourages the students to strive harder.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Internet. A non-refundable application fee is required along with high school reports. Detailed information regarding the application procedure for international students is also available in the websites of the various Institutes and can be easily downloaded for reference. Any queries regarding the course contents, duration and other details can be sent by filling up the information form online. The tuition fees may vary from one Institute to another, including the course curriculum and duration. Additional charges are applied for the equipment used during the course tenure. Educational loans and scholarships are also offered to assist domestic and international students. Some of the institutes provide online campus tours, to give an overview of the infrastructure and the facilities.

Film Schools [http://www.e-FilmSchools.com] provides detailed information on Film Schools, New York Film Schools, Top Film Schools, American Film Schools and more. Film Schools is affiliated with Italian Cooking Schools.

Film Schools in LA

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:32:17 +0000

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Film Editing Schools

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:30:39 +0000

An editor lends structure, form and pace to a movie. The job of an editor requires a high level of creativity and craftsmanship. It is due to this reason that an editor is usually called the second director. The job can attain perfection through proper training and guidance.

Several film-editing schools offer online or classroom training and courses on film editing. These courses cover the important aspects of editing, such as the basics of time and space, cutting shots and scenes, dialogue mixing with sound. They also include music, transitions, maintaining the continuity of the flow, adding the momentum and offering proper rhythm and pace.

The film editing schools offer extensive digital editing workshops, varying from four to twelve weeks and designed to make the students familiar with the necessary skills of a good editor. Highly experienced and certified instructors guide the students about professional methods to shoot and edit scenes, keeping with the storyline and flow of the movie. Students are also required to complete projects, providing them with hands-on experience in film editing.

The students are also provided with the latest and necessary editing equipment, manufactured by renowned brands. The fees of the course may vary according to the duration and content of the courses. There are projects involving professional clients offered by some of the famous institutes. Many Institutes have placement opportunities to ensure the students’ careers as film editors. These institutes welcome international students and offer migration assistance.

Detailed information of all the procedures regarding course enrollment and fee structures can be found online. Students may also download online brochures for reference purposes. However, it is important to check and compare the course content and career opportunities offered by the various Institutes. A discussion with an ex-student of a particular institute can be very helpful.

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How To Choose The Right Film School

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:27:18 +0000

Acting seems to be one of the things many people would like to do. It can certainly be rewarding, but it’s probably one of the hardest areas of the film industry to break into. If you’re hoping to work in film or television, there are plenty of other areas to consider. For example, you might think about producing, directing or script writing. Choosing the right film school is one of the key decisions you’ll make.

The first step towards getting into the film industry is choosing the type of career you want. Almost any job in the industry pays pretty well, so be prepared for lots of competition. You also need to keep in mind that you’ll probably be starting from the bottom, commonly as a production assistant (PA) – answering phones, fetching coffee, etc. Keep in mind that you will also likely need to move to where the work is available. In the film industry, that can mean working on location for weeks or months at a time.

Choose the Film School that Meets your Criteria

If you’re passionate about becoming an actor, don’t choose a film school that specializes in directing. Of course, you need to be familiar with all aspects of the business but you should choose a school that is strong in the area you most want to work.

Find a school that will let you choose courses that best suit your goals rather than handing you a set class list that you must follow.

With the popularity of film related jobs, there are film schools popping up all over the place. This means you’ll need to do your research to ensure you’re not paying thousands of dollars to get a degree or diploma that is considered a joke. Make sure the school has been around for quite a while and check their credentials. Many major universities also offer top notch film degrees which are well regarded in the industry.

Looking for more information about the top film schools for acting, directing or other aspects of the industry? Check out the Top Film Schools website at http://www.topfilmschools.info for more helpful tips and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_James

Choosing The Right Film School

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:25:45 +0000

If making movies is your lifelong dream, then you might be right for film school. There are many programs out there, but choosing which one to attend is often difficult. With the right research, you may be able to find a school that’s right for you.

School rankings often list top film schools based on criteria such as industry reputation and connections and student experiences. This means a large part of the school’s prestige comes from who graduated from that school and whether the school has a strong relationship with the film industry.

Other film rankings are usually based on user submissions. This means anyone with an opinion can vote. Although looking at these rankings might help you get a vague idea of which schools have reputations, the informality of these rankings should let you know that it’s better to find out for yourself rather than trusting the opinions of strangers.

Consider this: even if a magic equation existed that could objectively measure film schools in general and make a list based on this equation that would place the “best” film school at the top of the list, the best school might still not be the right school for you. Do some research and ranking of your own to find out which schools to consider. Try to consider the following when narrowing down your film schools to a choice few:

Are you going to focus solely on directing? While some students at film school focus exclusively on directing, some film schools require course work in other areas of filmmaking such as acting, writing, editing, and producing. Either approach may be right for you, depending on what you prefer. If you want to be a director and you have no interest in exploring other fields, the former might suit you best. If you want a more well-rounded experience, the latter might fit your needs. Additionally, if you want to take another major apart from film altogether, you may want to examine whether the school’s other programs are reputable as well.

Is your number one priority to get a film started while at school? Although you may get plenty of filmmaking experience at school, you might not make a film while you’re there. Competition to direct a film is very stiff at some schools. Other schools require students to complete a full film or video production before graduation.

Are there any famous names at your school? Although you should not choose your school based on famous names, there are certain advantages to attending a school that has turned out famous graduates in the past. These famous names usually support these schools, and consequently the schools enjoy stellar equipment, strong reputation, and Hollywood connections. These schools typically have a big tuition bill. Other less famous schools can still provide you with a solid film education to launch you into the movie business.

Written By J. Edwards

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Film Schools – How to Choose a Winner

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:22:02 +0000

It seems like everyone today want to be an actor. While acting can certainly be a very rewarding profession, in both monetary and fulfilling terms, it’s probably one of the most difficult areas of film to break in to. If film and television is your passion, there is a whole host of other jobs that will get you into this sometimes glamorous, always competitive industry. Whether you’re interest lies in directing, producing, or even script-writing, choosing the right school is the most important decision you’ll making.

The first step in getting into the film industry is determining what type of career you’re interested in. Just about any job in the film industry pays very well, so you should be ready for plenty of competition.

You should also be aware that you’ll need to start at the bottom, often as a production assistant (answering phones, getting coffee, etc) before any hopes of working in the field you were trained in. Also know that you’ll need to move to where the work is. If you’re planning on working in film this often means working on location for weeks, sometimes months at a time.

Choose the Film School that Meets your Criteria

If your passion is continuity, don’t go to one of the film schools that focuses on directing. While it is typically important to get a feel for all areas of film production, you’ll want to spend the most time focusing on your own career goals. Look for film schools that allow you to take specific classes in your film degree rather than a set course load.

About The Author
Nathan James offers information and advice about film schools at the Top Film Schools website. Visit http://www.topfilmschools.info for more information about getting into the film business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_James