Film School
Go to film school
Film school can refine your filmmaking skills and give you access to business contacts that will help you advance your career for years to come. The networking is often worth the price of tuition by itself. After all, in the film industry, it’s not what you know but who you know. Many young filmmakers have gotten their big break because a studio executive remembered them from years earlier. Here are some things to consider when deciding if film school is right for you.
Traditional Film Schools
First, you should think about what type of filmmaking appeals to you. Traditional filmmaking courses will concentrate mostly on theory and concepts. Contemporary film schools may offer more practical application of these principles and will teach you the technical skills needed to actually create your own film. You may wish to specialize even more and attend a digital film school.
Non-Traditional Film Schools
Non-traditional film schools expose you to a wider variety of ideas and will force you to think on your feet and improvise to get your film made. Every part of the process, from screenwriting to post-production, will be covered by these types of filmmaking courses. After graduation, you should feel comfortable making your own film. Many non-traditional schools also offer flexible schedules and filmmaking workshops on weekends to accommodate the working adult who is looking to make a career change.
Online Filmmaking Courses
Online filmmaking courses may be another option if you need a flexible schedule. Most online schools allow you to choose only the filmmaking workshops you are really interested in, so you do not waste valuable time learning about things you will never use. However, this pick-and-choose approach may not give you the proper credentials, so check with your film school if you are working toward a degree.
The actual curriculum taught will be different at every film school, so do your research ahead of time to be sure you are getting what you want. Some common filmmaking courses offered include international cinema, film theory, sound mixing, digital filmmaking and video technology. Look for a school that offers post-production education as well if you plan to handle all aspects of making your own films in the future.
Many of the skills you will learn at film school will translate over to other related careers. This is especially true for the business aspects of your education, which will be useful if you transition over to becoming a musician, singer or actor.
