Is there is Super8mm group in LA?

[rexster]

I'm sure that course at UCLA extention is pretty good but still, $410 plus another $300 is a heck of a lot of change. You could buy a Beaulieu 6000 Pro on ebay for that much!

For me at least,I would go check out LACC ( Los Angeles City College) They're offering a S8 class for a fraction of that amount. Infact you you can even take the class for free if you fall in the necesary requirements for their waver program.

LACC has a pretty good film departments and quite a few big names have come out of there
like Tamra Davis, Mimi Leider, The Hugh's bro, F.Gary Grey, Tarseem and the legendary DP Jordan Cronenweth.



------------------

[Matt Pacini]

Yeah, but then you couldn't tell everyone you went to UCLA.
Gotta pay for prestige!


------------------

[Alex]

You may mean that sarcastically, but in fact, if you look in the UCLA extension classes, they highlight the Super-8 Class with a quarter page promo.

Good publicity for the format.

------------------
Alex

[chas_ucla]

Nothing against LA Community College -- but:
a.) it's not that easy an area to get to
b.) I'm not sure if you can just take their class without being a part of their program.
c.) you gotta deal with the usual junior college crap. I don't mean to sound like a snob but I've been to my share of junior colleges and...man, I could write a book on how crappy the system is.

ANYWAY, if you go there and can take a class paying only $50.00 or so, more power to you. The reason why I went to UCLA's extension was not only convenience (it's about 15 minutes from where I live) but it forced me to actually make a film right away instead of sitting on my ass, thinking about getting around to not making one.

------------------

[rexster]

Nothing against LA Community College -- but:

a.) it's not that easy an area to get to

Well, that just depends on were you live and if your willing to commute. I knew a Guy who wen't to UCLA who lived all the way in Longbeach and commuted by bus for 4 1/2 years. If anything LACC is probably easier to get to for more people because the Subway is right next to the
campus.

b.) I'm not sure if you can just take their class without being a part of their program

It's an introductionary class open to anyone. No restrictions at all.

c.) you gotta deal with the usual junior college crap. I don't mean to sound like a snob but I've been to my share of junior colleges and...man, I could write a book on how crappy the system is.

Well,I'm not going to deny Jr.college-or that matter any college-dosn't have it's share of problems. But the fact is that they do offer an extremly reasonable price for a class that could cost hundreads(probably even thousands if you wen't to USC)and if you play your cards right you can even take the class for FREE and as long as it has nothingto to with STD's or bills-I'll take free just about any time of the day. Sometimes the school will even give you a gift certificate to buy books with if your lucky.


Anyway, like I said I have nothing againt UCLA, I'm sure the course is great just like their screenwriting program is hailed as one of the best in the world. If you got a lot from it and it helped you advance in your career more power to you.

However,talking just for myself.If I had $710 bucks to spend and I had the choice of spending it all on a very expensive class and being able to only buy an ancient Halina to work with OR spend most of it on a bitching Beaulieu 6008 pro and taking a class at another school for a much lower price-I'd without hesitation pick the latter of the two.




[This message has been edited by rexster (edited September 30, 2001).]

[chas_ucla]

That part of L.A. (Vermont & Melrose) is not easy to get to -- regardless of the Subway which runs what, five miles from the downtown area? Yeah, real easy to get to from the Valley or the Westside! No, LACC is a pain to get to from any freeway. Try taking the 10 to Vermont and you'll see what I mean.

Perhaps I should have pointed out that the benefit of the UCLA class is that it is offered on a SATURDAY -- I know most of us are working pros and taking off time from work to get to a Tuesday-Thursday 2:15-5:00 pm class would be next to impossible.

Re the $710 -- it's $400 and some change to take the class -- it only costs more if you have to BUY YOUR OWN EQUIPMENT. How do I know? I took the class the first time it was offered! I would assume you have your own camera, and editor (if not, you can pick one up on e-bay for less than $50.00)...beyond that it is just the cost of processing. If you only make 2 or 3 films in the class that's under $100.00.

------------------

[Alex]

I wonder if they sat figuring out what to charge...."what's the most they'll pay".....

hmmmm....

Personally, I think they have cajones charging more than $300.00.

But, it's better the class is offered than not.

------------------
Alex

[the Baffler]

For a UCLA Extension class, $410 is pretty cheap!

------------------

[rexster]

Chass

If UCLA's course works for you or anyone else to go out and make movies the GOD BLESS-it's more then worth it!The only thing I'm trying to say is that across town there is an altertivie course at a diffrent school teaching a lot of the same things at a fraction of the cost that may or may not work out for other people who might be readintg this post now or in the future.

No matter what, if you go to UCLA,USC,NYU or just wan't to pick up a camera and shoot you friends birthday party,the most INPORTANT thing is geting more people to discover super 8 and hopefuly keep it around for years to come.



[This message has been edited by rexster (edited October 01, 2001).]

[Konton]

So . . . ummmm . . . . anyone who wants to start the Super 8mm LA group just contact me. Maybe Matt could sell us some of his equipment cheap as equipment just for the group. How about it Matt? Personally I think that if someone needs to take a class to truly learn about film, then that's their option. But I think a club like this would be a better value, depending on how well we run it.