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There are many reasons why Im going to school, but two good reasons are:
1.To come away with a degree -no one in my family has every graduated from college-
2. The people you meet-
Film school is what you make of it, and for many people isn't necessary, but since I feel strong about coming away with a degree, I think it should be in something Im passionate about.
Finishing school with a degree in film is important to me, and that is what counts.
Scott
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I did take a couple classes around 1992 at Glendale City College, and one of the downfalls of the situation is, that you're grouped with people who are exactly like Roger said, they have no ideas, no passion, they just want to be cool and say they're directors, filmmakers whatever.
So here you are, trying to put together a project in a democracy, which NO feature film ever is!
And you have to accommodate the lowest common denominator; the stupidest ideas are treated equally to the brilliant ones, everyone has to participate, etc.
And that's how it has to be, but it's a flawed process if you're the one actually trying to create something decent.
I think the best filmmakers that came out of film school, probably bucked the system, made their own stuff apart from the other students whenever they could, or hand picked fellow students instead of engaging in the democracy scenario, and basically used the system, instead of the other way around.
But, I think you have to look at Spielberg, who, wherther you like his work or not, you have to agree he's the most successful filmmaker in history.... and he didn't go to film school.
He just made films (lots of them on 8mm by the way).
And I think the worse thing about film school is, that by telling everyone what the "right" way to make a film is, the students become unwilling to do anything but that, and they become less creative about what they're going to have to do to make a film.
In other words, they are NOT going to use any improvised equipment, not shoot on anything less than 16mm or maybe even S16, no cheap lights, you HAVE to have REAL HMI's, rent a REAL full lighting package, etc.
I had one guy telling me how uncool I was because I used a Steadicam JR on a shoot!
He was actually laughing at me, saying "God, those things look so cheesy and unprofessional... little plastic thing hanging down like that. How ridiculous. I would only use a REAL Steadicam"
My responds? "I'm trying to impress people who watch the film afterwords, not the people watching me film. Who cares what the equipment looks like? The camera is light enough, so the result is the same."
Of course, this guy was working in a Deli at the time, having NEVER made a film, and he went to USC!!! But as soon as someone gives him 1.2 million, he's going to make his masterpiece!
Matt Pacini
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Couldn't agree with you more.
Scott
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"And I think the worse thing about film school is, that by telling everyone what the "right" way to make a film is, the students become unwilling to do anything but that, and they become less creative about what they're going to have to do to make a film.
In other words, they are NOT going to use any improvised equipment, not shoot on anything less than 16mm or maybe even S16, no cheap lights, you HAVE to have REAL HMI's, rent a REAL full lighting package, etc"
or try video, verite, Dogma, Super8, improvised acting, no final scripts, no scored soundtrack, etc....
Don't want to start a fire just trying to illuminate.
(Yes Matt this is in reference to the Dogma debate http://www.hostboard.com/ubb/wink.gif
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Just to be the devil's advocate (I never plan on going to film school) are we talking about it on a undergrad or graduate level? I do agree that all film school does in terms of teaching is tell you how the studio's want you to do it. They can't teach you how to be creative and innovative. They sure as hell do not inspire. And on an undergraduate level you get all types. Most that may eventually make it someday to the mail room of a studio, waiting for the day when someone will see inside them and realize they have talent to do . . . nothing. Sort mail I guess. But at least college (not film school) gives you the time (and sometimes the resources) to work on your projects. But what about graduate school? At least they are selective about who they let in (well some colleges are). Has anyone here any graduate school experience?
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Konton the Grey
I think it all boils down to making the most out of the film school experience, no matter how lousy the cards may be laid out for you. When I went to CSUN about ten years ago I was in a similar experience to what Matt writes about. A group-democracy sort of situation. Luckily I was the loudest and most creative and was with some reasonably cool people who recognized that my ideas were better than theirs!
Unfortunately the rest of the class was made up of frat/jock-boy types and there were some arrogant daughters of a famous film composer; annoying people like that.
I thought our final film project kicked ass creatively, but, because of some minor sound problems we got graded down. Meanwhile horribly written frat boy films got high marks! Go figure.
I got what I wanted out of the class - but then decided being a pro filmmaker was not for me!
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