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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Despite this wide selection of opportunities, people may still struggle, unsure of how to enter the film production industry. Indeed, it’s almost always difficult to break into a new area where you have little experience on. It’s a good thing that a number of programs that will help aspiring filmmakers find their niche are available. One is filmmaking.net, which is specifically made to provide resources just for such interested people, providing helpful internet links, articles on current filmmaking opportunities, a directory of other organizations and schools oriented around film, and gear and software needed for amateur forays in the filmmaking industry. Another wonderful option is the Entertainment Career Connection whose subset, Film Connection, links aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals through effective mentoring programs. This way, the mentor can pass along valuable information while giving a broader look at how the real world of film and filmmaking proceeds.

Educational Options in Minneapolis

There are several Minneapolis film schools, based within the area and offering training in many of the technical areas of film production, for those who prefer a classical approach. One of the most famous is MCAD, or the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Aside from offering media, art and graphic design courses, MCAD also provides classes on filmmaking and technologies used in various types of film elements. There’s also a less conventional school called Brainco (an affiliate of MCAD), where a more film-oriented program schedule on directing, shooting and film writing classes are carried out.

If you’re looking for a mentor-based type of training, see what you can find out about ScreenLabs, a non-profit Minneapolis program that links those interested in having film careers with writers, directors and producers at a series of workshops designed to give tips and how-to knowledge. Be sure to check in with local colleges and film studios, since they’ll often have hands-on knowledge of film in Minneapolis, and be able to point the way for more information about other Minneapolis film schools options and what you can do to land in your dream job in film production.

Minneapolis Film Schools offer one-on-one mentoring from Hollywood film professionals. The Film Connection ’s mentor apprentice approach to filmmaking pairs you up with a working professional on actual film and video jobs – no teachers, no crowded classrooms, to massive tuition debts.

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The Location

NYU’s film school is located in Greenwich Village on the island of Manhattan in New York City. Going to school in such an urban location offers both positives and negatives. On a positive note, New York City is your campus and therefore you are in the mix of all the limitless cafes, stores, famous locations, iconic neighborhoods and interesting New York personalities that the city is famous for.

On the negative side, also, New York City is your campus so you don’t have the ‘protected campus experience’ you would have at a school with a closed off dedicated campus. In my opinion I viewed living, taking classes and making films in NYC to be a tremendous advantage. Where else would you get such great inspiration and material to draw from than in one of the greatest cities in the world. The only negative would be if you wanted to get out of the city to shoot or just to get some quiet away from the hustle of the city. It’s hard to keep a car in the city without spending a fortune but subways and trains can take you just about anywhere you need to go affordably.

The Curriculum

NYU Film School’s curriculum consists of classes in all the major areas of the filmmaking process. There are classes in sound, editing, writing, television technology and finally group classes where you make films together in small crews. Generally, as you move through the program the projects you work on become more complex. In beginning film classes you might make black and white 8mm or short videos.

As you progress you make longer and more complex projects and can choose between experimental type or narrative films. Generally students are given a certain amount of tape or film stock and the basic equipment such as lights and dollies that one would need. If a student wishes to make something that requires more complex props and/or equipment then they need to provide the funding themselves.

Generally, every student that wants to can direct their own films with other students acting as crew members on their films and vice versa. NYU has a good selection of equipment. It is not always the latest technology and technology changes so frequently, especially when it comes to video, but in general you won’t be lacking for anything. They have ample editing facilities running from old steenbeck for film splicing to computer systems for use of final draft and adobe premier. Again, if a student wishes to shoot more footage than the school is willing to supply film or video for the student can pay for additional developing, etc.

The Professors

Generally I found the professors to be competent with a few ‘exceptional’ ones thrown in. They are all working professionals with some more successful than others. In some classes you also have guest lecturers and occasionally famous alumni will teach a class such as Spike Lee or Woody Allen. Each week the school hosts film screenings and the director or producers of the film will show up to discuss with the class and take questions about how the film was put together and the history of making the film. These are great opportunities to network with successful alumni and often previous graduates of the program show up to watch these screenings so they are a great way to make contacts.

After Graduation.

Where I felt the NYU Film Program fell a little short was in career planning and direction. They didn’t dedicate a whole lot of time to teaching you how to build a career after you graduated. This is one of the flaws I have found in most film programs. Luckily, NYU has so many graduates that work in the industry that if you are proactive you should easily be able to find successful graduates willing to sit down and speak with you about your ‘after graduation’ game plan.

In recent years the school has been good at building up its active alumni organization on both the East and West coasts so whether you decide to be based in New York or Los Angeles you can utilize this resource to create a network for yourself which is very important. Overall, I found the NYU Film School experience to be a good one for those wanting a generalized education in different aspects of filmmaking before embarking on a career.

Film school, while it can be a great launching point for some people, is not right for everyone. There are a host of things to consider before spending the time and money on a film school. To learn more about how to make this decision please visit www.USCfilmschool.com.

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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.

For those looking to create exciting visual works, film schools can provide the basic education, training and specialized skills needed for filmmaking and video production. Film students learn how to produce radio and television news, studio programs, documentaries, sporting events, music videos, and especially feature films. The training will include classroom lectures and hands-on coaching to develop an understanding of the various media production processes.

Film schools offer a broad array of classes and specialties for students looking into occupations in the media and film production industry. They can prepare students for careers in animation, broadcasting, television production, and filmmaking with educational courses in media arts.

Film Schools can help students develop a sense of which role they might choose to pursue: production, performing artist or support. The industries of film, television, video, and radio generate literally thousands of jobs, both behind the camera and in view. Vocational, technical, and trade schools often provide courses in visual communications and media communications, as well as computer animation, writing, casting, acting, directing, and producing. They also provide courses in the technical aspects of filmmaking for positions such as gaffer, key grip, editor, and many others.

All skills for the film industry can be gained in film school for entry-level employment in the more than 250,000 jobs in the filmmaking industry. With the right education and background, a film production job may be found just about anywhere, but especially in California, New York, and Vancouver.

If you would like to learn more about Film Schools [http://www.schoolsgalore.com/categories/3/film_schools.html] and related programs of study such as Film and Photography, you can find more in-depth information and resources on our website.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2007 – All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.

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If you get to those websites, you are not left behind anymore. So, when you talk to your friends about certain topics, you can just chat with them and give feedbacks. With the rapid development of internet communication, you can now explore lots of information of the world in your seat and in front of your PC. You can still have your entertainment, even if you are crazy busy.

There are 2 such Austin film schools which will be discussed here.

The first is The Film Connection Film Institute of Austin. This is an alternative style film school where you study on the job. A professional filmmaker will be appointed to a student to guide them in training your craft. The mentor/apprentice training environment will give you one-on-one experience, and give you one of the best ways to make the links you need to make in n the film industry.

You will learn with different classes, such as Film Directing Techniques, History of Film, Cinematography, Film Production, Film Editing, How to Write a Screenplay and How to Finance Your Film.

The other film school in Austin for our purposes here, is the Austin School of Film.

In there you will be taking courses in a more school-like ambience. Some of these courses include: Screenwriting Essentials, DV and HD Camera Basics, Sound Recording for Film and Video, and Digital Filmmaking.

Directing a movie is more than yelling “Action!” and “Cut!” A director is on overall charge of the movie. He or she decides who the cast will be, what locations and studios will be used for shooting, and the production schedule.

The producer will have more to do with the industry side of a film production. They hold the purse strings, so to speak.

A Film Editor will take the hours and hours of footage that is shot and put it together in a logical fashion. While the director will tell the editor which of the twenty-seven takes of a scene he or she wants in the eventual cut, the editor is the one who has actually puts it together.

The Cinematographer is the person who lights the set, and controls how the camera will film the picture. The director confers with the cinematographer on what the best angle would be for the camera to film. These are a few of the things that Austin film schools will tackle.

Here are some of the films made in Austin, Texas: Office Space, Miss Congeniality, Man of the House, Secondhand Lions, The Life of David Gale, Doubting Thomas, Slacker, Idiocracy, A Scanner Darkly, Waking Life, Spy Kids, Dazed and Confused The Wendall Baker Story, Grindhouse and How To Eat Fried Worms.

Austin Film Schools offer one-on-one mentoring from Hollywood film professionals. The Film Connection ’s mentor apprentice approach to filmmaking pairs you up with a working professional on actual film and video jobs – no teachers, no crowded classrooms, to massive tuition debts.

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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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