what have you studied?

**ninjamonkie** · February 9th, 2001, 08:51 AM

I would like to know (about film studies):
1. what everybody has studied
2. how it has been benefiting
3. if it has been essential
and what else about film studies that you could share.

eddie · February 9th, 2001, 10:07 AM

I have read a lot of books and attended a weekend 16mm workshop in Bristol.
Ive also almost finished 2/3rds of my wee feature film.

The weekend workshop was excellent, and pretty cheap, and I reckon all you need to get out there and do it. There are no right and wrongs, but there is good technique, which you cant teach yourself without a lot of practice.

As far as Im concerned, and have seen in courses, 'film studies' will teach you how to study film, which is interesting, but it is the reverse of what you want to do, which I guess is you want to make film.
If you've got a job, then there's no substitute for just doing it in your spare time. (Oh and saying farewell to your social life!)

**machead** · February 9th, 2001, 11:51 AM

I have no film education
But I have met many cameramen and picked their brains.
I've also done stills on a few productions .
I also have a pretty good knowledge of photography.
I don't make movies at the moment,I make short documentaries with very low production values, (this due to lack of time and also my resources go into photography)

Machead
http://www.apple.com/uk/ http://www.computerjock.com/films/gates.mpeg

**Keviano** · February 9th, 2001, 06:35 PM

I have an Advanced GNVQ in Media Communication and Production and GCSE Media. I've also completed courses in still photography and monochrome developing. We part-completed a project for a local Martial Arts academy and have filmed mock promotions for BMW and other companies. Not to mention our many films that we have made and even more that are in the pipeline. I've also worked at the Garsington Opera with special effects and lighting. Including pyrotechnics and animatronics. I'd have to say that work experience outstrips the college-style work any day. The media course is ok, but it's just not related to the industry enough. Not to mention the very poor knowledge of the teacher. The still photography course was excellent, as now I see every frame in a movie as a photograph and it's certainly helped with composition, lighting and general camera-work. It even helped using the video camera itself, with focus, aperture and shutterspeeds. I guess the old saying goes; those that can, do. Those who can't, teach! wink

Regards
Keviano
ReelRaine Productions

**SouthWalesFilmClub** · February 9th, 2001, 06:40 PM

you've done work for BMW? tell us about that..

**shirt** · February 9th, 2001, 07:18 PM

I am currently taking a film/television/radio broadcasting course at Niagara College, in Canada. The course is excellent... if you are very interested in film though, learn all you can about photography... every principle is that same, so from there on it is simply to operate a camera... now light, that's a different story!

**Keviano** · February 9th, 2001, 07:39 PM

It was a mock-project for us to set up an advertisng promotion video for the placement of a billboard advertising the BMW 328i. We worked with OSCAR and JICNAR guidlines, and presented the video trying to persuade BMW to accept the bid. It was a good vocational project. As is say, the best way to learn is to actually do something, instead of reading it in books. At least in my experience.

Regards
Keviano
ReelRaine Productions

**Chance1234** · February 9th, 2001, 11:05 PM

i believe all the answers to the world lay in the guy propping up the bar at the end and black taxi drivers smile

id say though books are jsut as important as going out there xand doing it its a lot cheaper as well -) , also talking other film makers etc is great.

btw what are OSCAR and JICNAR guidelines ?

Chance

------------------
5YLAC Films

www.itkoa.co.uk

http://www.lookingglass.atfreeweb.co...ghts/index.htm

download the deadlights trailer at

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ights_trailer1.rm>

**marti-c** · February 10th, 2001, 05:32 PM

I am currently doing HND television production and operations and have found it absolutely brilliant. Obviously it isnt film studies as such but the format isnt the issue, it's still putting ideas on to the screen. It is totally a hands on course so everyday you get to shoot(usually on Dvc-pro,panasonic mII or beta sp) and afterwards you have a selection of editing options(3 machine linear,acorn optima non-linear ,Avid or recently installed discreet system.(if you feel retro you can use the u-matic) All aspects are covered in the course including:

Multi-camera studio setup and programme making(you have to write and shoot a studio project)
Single camera projects(dramas, advertisments etc)
linear editing (practice and thoery)
non-linear editing
camera techniques
lots of lighting (studio setup and location setup)
lots of sound recording/dubbing using mac pro-tools.
Photography
Law and the tv industry
first aid (take note Chance1234)
Graphic design
basic I.T
Band (recording)
Media studies
Radio studies and show recording
Television systems (lots of boring electronics stuff)
Script writing for TV
Budgeting
etc................

These are just the ones i can think of off the top of my head. The amount of information you can aquire in the space of a few years is amazing and i would advise anybody thinking of taking further education to "just go ahead and do it".

marti