Film School?

[Generic Skinhead]

I've seen this argument doing the rounds quite a few times over the years. And I'm back to say what I always say.

For me, film school is unquestionably the way to go if you are really serious and have the talent. I'm biased, I go. But just hear me out.

Film school in this country is free. 750 euro a year is loose change compared to British courses. However even if it cost thousands I would still go.

Now I'm not one for making extravagent statements, but in all honestly, I would say I am roughly ten times the filmmaker I was going in. But why?

[Spunkey1pestic]

"Frustrated-filmmaker wannabe's?"
"They can't use a kit?"

What are they teaching you lad's in Jolly ole' England!!!

I went to Film "Tech" school in NC, USA. The "Tech" makes the difference in my mind!!!!!

I trained to be crew.. I didn't go to school to learn film theory or how to direct- I went to school to learn gear- So therfore I picked a school that specailized in learning the Gear!

So in defense of my fellow film "Tech" Kids----
***I did learn how to Load, grip,light, find a"taco cart",carry "C-47's", and so on in film "Tech" school!!! So when I went to work on my first paid feature... I knew what I was suppose to do. So not "all" film school kid's are
Idoit's!!

[just-nick]

Thanks for all the different views guys.
so does anyone know any decent film schools around the london area???

[Chance1234]

in all fairness, in regards to london schools i have heard and worked with many people who have done the panico course, which i believe is a weekend course. And they have all had good things to say about

do a quick search on google to find out details, the one to avoid is the one i havent mentioned the name off, but if you put the words london the title of this thread together it doesnt take einstein

[taragolden]

Im at the Zaki Gordon Independent Film School in Sedona Arizona. Its an intensive one year course and i think its the best thing i could have done with an interest in film making to get myself kick started.
Sure, i COULD have styarted making films without it and i did but i have been learning a tremendous amount every day I attend. We make 8 short films in the first semester, and are working on larger class shoot right now. I feel the opportunity to pitch my idea, have it accepted, go into pre production and then direct my own concept with a crew and all equipment is fantastic. I know this is the only time in this career that I will be allowed to fail. There is a freedom in that.
Right now i am the self directed camera person for a behind the scenes documentary about the class shoot. Im there all the time, in almost every meeting, learning and using my creativity constantly.
Of course once you finish school, you need to have the inititive to leap and get going on your own.
I also try to take advantage of every contact i make in the school.

[Bnew]

just-nick, from the sounds of it you mean Bachelors rather than Masters level right? The three heavyweights at BA level are Westminster, University of the Arts London (London College of Communication) and Surrey Institute of Art and Design, as these are the only ones that shoot on film as well as video afaik. Places are in high demand though, with over 1000 applicants for 40-50 places for each of those Unis, and from what I've seen they don't accept people fresh from school/college, only those with some kind of experience. I would suggest either working as a runner for a few years getting some experience, and working on your films etc too, or doing a BTEC Foundation year thingy in filmmaking, which is required for LCC and Surrey afaik, and would speed things up, then applying for the BA the year after. If you do the BTEC at LCC, they give you a guarranteed pre-ucas interview, and obviously will know what your abilities are already, which is a huge bonus, considering most applicants won't even be given interviews.

Basically they are looking for people who are dedicated to filmmaking, rather than the kind of Empire-magazine reading 'it would be cool to direct films' type of people. Be prepared to be rejected a couple of times.

Other Uni's which are supposed to be good are Bournemouth Art Institute (or something like that) and Staffordshire, but I'm not 100% sure whether or not they shoot film.

I'd be interested to hear from people who have actual experience of LCC/Westminster, I've seen some people talking about going there in older posts, any of you still post here?

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 21, 2005 06:21 AM: Message edited by: Bnew ]</font>