SimplyScripts Discussion Board
Blog Home - Produced Movie Script Library - TV Scripts - Unproduced Scripts - Contact - Site Map
ScriptSearch
Welcome, Guest.
It is March 29th, 2024, 7:51am
Please login or register.
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login
Please do read the guidelines that govern behavior on the discussion board. It will make for a much more pleasant experience for everyone. A word about SimplyScripts and Censorship


Produced Script Database (Updated!)
One Week Challenge - Who Wrote What and Writers' Choice.


Scripts studios are posting for award consideration

Short Script of the Day | Featured Script of the Month | Featured Short Scripts Available for Production
Submit Your Script

How do I get my film's link and banner here?
All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
Forum Login
Username: Create a new Account
Password:     Forgot Password

SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    General Boards    Questions or Comments  ›  Film School...  Is it worth my time?
Users Browsing Forum
No Members and 2 Guests

 Pages: 1, 2, 3 » : All
Recommend Print
  Author    Film School...  Is it worth my time?  (currently 4567 views)
Leegion
Posted: August 29th, 2014, 12:21pm Report to Moderator
New


Location
England
Posts
491
Posts Per Day
0.10
Hey folks,

Lately I've been pondering my future in this gig.  Writing is all fine and dandy, but it's not gonna get me anywhere unless I have something to show for my time.

I've been writing for about 3 years now.  I'm at my peak.  My writing's not gonna get any better, unless I utilize my vast vocabulary of spectacular words! lol

Anyway, I want to go further by setting myself up for a shot at a Directorial Course at London Film School.

My question, really, is simple:  Is it worth my time?

Or will I be in the exact same situation 2 years from now if I do so?  

This is what I've been doing for the last week.  Alongside that gargantuan project I'm working on.  Hence my absence from the boards.  

In the long run, I wanna direct my scripts.  I want to raise the curtain on Project Destiny and share it in my own unique, visual way.  Like no shaky cam...

So what do you think?  

FILM SCHOOL:
YAY?
NAY?

I'm asking, because I'm debating whether this is right or not... that, and I'm wondering if ANYONE HERE has gone to film school.

Revision History (1 edits)
Don  -  November 17th, 2014, 5:51am
clarified title
Logged Offline
Private Message
DustinBowcot
Posted: August 29th, 2014, 12:36pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



Personally, I prefer to just dive right in. Sink or swim. Never been one for school. Whatever you learn there you can learn from just doing it, IMO.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 1 - 36
Reef Dreamer
Posted: August 29th, 2014, 12:57pm Report to Moderator
Old Timer


Part time writer

Location
The Island of Jersey
Posts
2612
Posts Per Day
0.57
Not having been to film school I would have thought the best element about it, apart from technical education, is the contacts and leads.

I took a two day course in London and just in that time I met people in the industry who want to do things...but...what was clear is that whilst we were there, offers came through of talks with folks in the industry, private screenings with directors and chats with writers.

They are just not happening to me sitting at home. In short, it's networking at the right level.

So, I would expect that if you focused and worked hard it was result in opportunities - the core question is, is this an industry you really want to commit to? And is it worth the money?

All the best and keep us informed.

You going to the LSF festival ?


My scripts  HERE

The Elevator Most Belonging To Alice - Semi Final Bluecat, Runner Up Nashville
Inner Journey - Page Awards Finalist - Bluecat semi final
Grieving Spell - winner - London Film Awards.  Third - Honolulu
Ultimate Weapon - Fresh Voices - second place
IMDb link... http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7062725/?ref_=tt_ov_wr
Logged
Private Message Reply: 2 - 36
Toby_E
Posted: August 29th, 2014, 2:33pm Report to Moderator
Been Around



Location
London, UK
Posts
872
Posts Per Day
0.15
The only people I know having any success in the business have no formal training. They just did exactly as Dustin said -- jumped right in.

They fronted their own money, built a crew, hired equipment and cast actors, resulting in them producing some relatively well received shorts, which have gone on to be shown at numerous decent festivals (Sundance London, SXSW, London Film Fest, etc.).

The best thing about film school (as I have been told by those who attended) was the availability of cast, crew and equipment.

However, you don't need to go to film school for this, IMO.

Another friend of mine dropped out after 6 months, because he was getting enough work (as a cinematographer) to support himself and claimed to have learned a lot more by taking a hands on approach to learning.

In my opinion, I would recommend putting the money you would pay and using this to fund a short. That is, entirely my opinion though.


Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 3 - 36
CameronD
Posted: August 29th, 2014, 4:34pm Report to Moderator
Been Around



Posts
542
Posts Per Day
0.14
I have a friend who went to film school in New York and graduated two years ago. He does janitorial work for a school last I heard.


http://www.TheFilmBox.org Movie reviews, news, and fun!
http://www.screenplaywritenow.com Write a screenplay. Write. Now.
http://www.SchismSEO.com Separate from your competition. Affordable SEO services
http://www.MyEasyGifter.com Because nobody likes receiving gift cards
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 4 - 36
Grandma Bear
Posted: August 29th, 2014, 8:56pm Report to Moderator
Administrator



Location
The Swamp...
Posts
7961
Posts Per Day
1.36
I know 10 people who went to film school. The most successful ones are three guys who work for small local media companies. They shoot and edit local commercials for the most part...

The people I know who make movies are go getting entrepreneurs with virtually no formal film education.


Logged
Private Message Reply: 5 - 36
Demento
Posted: August 29th, 2014, 9:36pm Report to Moderator
Been Around



Posts
946
Posts Per Day
0.25
Movies are a unique thing. You go to school to learn about things you don't know. In reality you've most likely seen thousands of movies. So intuitively you have to have picked up on a ton of stuff. Especially if you have a passion for them (movies). You may not know what an "establishing shot" is in name, as a term, but you've seen it... and... you know it. If you start filming a movie let's say tomorrow, I'm sure a lot of stuff will come to you via your instincts, by what you've seen on TV or at the cinema your whole life. It's more a question of how perceptive a person is and how much have they picked up on things.

Since you can write a script, you have an idea of how movie structure works. How to tell a story in a limited timeline. How it needs to start, grow and end. So you DO know a lot about movies and how they work. Just by saying "no shaky cam" you've noticed what you like and dislike, you have a style in mind.

A LOT of famous directors haven't gone to film school. I read William Friedkin's book a few months back. He started in the mail room at a TV station and in a few years he was directing TV shows and Documentaries. And a few years after that he won an Oscar for best director for the French Connection. No film school, no formal film training. Worked in the mail room for a year or two, told people where to sit and what camera to look into for a few years and then tried and did his own thing.

I read an interview with Frank Darabont a few years back and they asked him what he thinks of screenwriting seminars, classes, books and so on. He said... "if you're talented enough, you'll figure it out on your own.". And I agree, that like with anything, if you have enough enthusiasm and talent, that's all you need. In this case, that and a camera.

You can educate yourself with the use of the internet, you can edit and mix sound on your PC, you can film on your camera. All you need is passion and talent to start off and build on that.

If you can't figure it out on your own, chances are film school wouldn't have helped much in the first place. Movies are a creative thing and creative things are driven by intuition, which is not something someone can teach you. Best they can do is steer you in the right direction.

My 2 cents.
Logged
Private Message Reply: 6 - 36
Andrew
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 12:31am Report to Moderator
Old Timer



Posts
1791
Posts Per Day
0.32
It's really down to the person. Paul Thomas Anderson didn't do too badly after walking out on film schoool, did he. A number of other directors chose not to go to film school. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any major directors who were products of film school? I'd imagine the majority end up doing commercials, which can actually be nicely lucrative anyway.

Ultimately the film industry is about who you know. It's that simple, and whilst film school will help you get a solid technical grounding, if you're not good at networking, connected, or like a dog with a bone, you won't get anywhere. Film school isn't an answer in and of itself.

It, of course, also depends on what you want to do. Direct? Produce? DOP? Sound? Edit? Costume? Hair and makeup? SFX? VFX? SMUFX? Propmaking? Production designer? Writer? IMO, nothing beats getting on sets, making films of your own, and being unafraid of failiing. It's a competitive industry. More people than positions.

I know a few film grads, and a couple have told me they didn't think it was worth the money, cos let's not forget, it costs a lot of money to go to film school. That said, it does depend on the person. Some people benefit from being in that environment and it's the right path.

Simple point is that going to film school isn't the answer to gaining work in the industry. That will depend on your character, your tenacity and / or your ability to network, or if you're fortunate to have $$$ or connections backing you up. Look at the Ellisons. You've got Megan running Annapurna at 25. They're doing great stuff, but would she be in that position if her father wasn't Larry? Highly unlikely. Same with Skaydance and the brother. Skydance is currently working on MI:5. Would he be there without daddy's money? Possibly, because he's building up a decent slate, but would he be there without daddy's money?

Because that's the brutal truth about film. It's all about money. If you want to direct, you cannot make films without money, and there's a dearth of funding opportunities outside traditional streams, no matter what people tell you about the insanely crowded crowdfunding. So when you consider film school, you realise it doesn't, alone, circumvent the practical realities of working in the industry and going through the shit of getting movies made.


Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 7 - 36
LC
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 1:16am Report to Moderator
Administrator



Location
The Great Southern Land
Posts
7583
Posts Per Day
1.34

Quoted from Leegion
Hey folks, Lately I've been pondering my future in this gig.  Writing is all fine and dandy, but it's not gonna get me anywhere unless I have something to show for my time.


I take it by having something to show for it you mean attracting a producer or getting paid for it? And, really unless you're a staff writer with a network or regularly know producers who will take your work, you're right, something's gotta give. Of course you can still write when not doing your day-job.

The only circumstances I would go to film school is if I were eighteen again and living at home or if money was no object and I could be bothered sitting through a bunch of stuff I already know to get to the stuff I don't.


Quoted from Leegion
I've been writing for about 3 years now.  [b]I'm at my peak.  My writing's not gonna get any better...


How do you know you're writing's not going to get any better? Hmm, perhaps you just want to do something else like Direct?

I'm with Andrew on this one. There's nothing like getting experience 'on the job' and working your way up. Especially if you want to Direct. Get yourself on a film set and work for nothing to begin with if you have to. And, make yourself known. I don't mean blab on about yourself - that could get you booted out the door.   I mean be there for whatever is needed - be a 'runner' or 'assistant' or work in the production office to start with.

Or do what I did (yonks ago now). Write to whomever you want to work and ask them for a job. If you've got a public broadcaster, start with them - they're more likely to take people on than the commercial stations and pay you and also train you once you've worked for them for a while. It can be that simple. Don't expect you'll be a hotshot overnight though. Hopefully you'll love what you're doing and keep at it.



Logged
Private Message Reply: 8 - 36
DustinBowcot
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 1:28am Report to Moderator
Guest User



Our writing always gets better. Our writing is merely the sum of our education and experience.  As we gain in both, so does our writing.

I suppose senility can put a stop to it.

I'm actually making films at the moment. In post with one, in pre-production with another, have yet another on the development slate, alongside several possible features. At the start of this year, I wanted to make my own films but didn't know anyone else at all. I approached people and tried to build a team, almost went in one direction, then met up with an old friend from 30 years ago. We were kids last time we saw each other. Turns out he's a music producer and had done some extra work on set. Now we've set up a production company together.

If you really want to do it, you'll just do it. Film school isn't going to get you an easy in.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 9 - 36
JimiLamp
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 5:22am Report to Moderator
New


Posts
85
Posts Per Day
0.02
Lee,

It doesn't matter if film school is a good idea or a bad idea. Do what your heart directs. I was fortunate enough to get a scholarship and grant for a two year stint at a film school. I learned a lot of wonderful and technical info... About cameras and lenses and structure. But I quickly realized that all I wanted to do was tell stories. Writing became  the most important thing for me. I  found I had no interest in being on set. And film editing became  another passion.  So the point is find what you love and do it. If going to film school is something that comes about - then go for and embrace it. But if it's a means to an end - fuck it. Follow your tingle.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 10 - 36
JimiLamp
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 5:27am Report to Moderator
New


Posts
85
Posts Per Day
0.02
And will second Dustin. He makes a wonderful point . Our writing does get better. There's no end. It gets harder but better. At least in the sense that one grows and learns from experience.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 11 - 36
Leegion
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 8:48am Report to Moderator
New


Location
England
Posts
491
Posts Per Day
0.10
So I've gathered that in order to push the envelope through the mailbox I need to set aside the funds I'd otherwise splash out on a director's course at LFS and film something I've previously written?

I already have a camera...

I do agree with "writing could get better".  I know my way around it.  I've written novels.  I suppose I just have difficulty getting novel-terms and wording into scripts.  That may change at some point or another.

So, with what folks have said.  I'm now at the gate.  Film school seems like the type of place you go if you don't understand the concept of film making.

I know establishing shots, how action scenes should work (no shaky cam) and how to use "shots" for certain things.  Heck, I visualize this when I write the story anyway.

So, with that said and what you folks have added, I now know what I want to do.

I'm not going to film school.  Instead, I'm going to start networking.  LinkedIn seems like the place to start.  Grab me a few professional contacts.

After this, I'm going to set aside some cash every week and, once I have enough, I'm going to purchase Autodesk 3DS Max.  A �5,000 animation suite for CGI movies.  A top of the line suite that I've been eyeballing for a while now.

Eventually, I want to film live action movies.  Project Destiny's 19 at the top of the list.

I guess I need some top-notch contacts in order for this to happen.  Peter Jackson, as a director of LOTR and Hobbit, would be a plus to have on board.  A few actors.  Maybe I'll get in touch with Youtube Composers such as Mattia Cupelli, who recently composed a soundtrack for Red Sand, a Mass Effect fan short.

Thanks for the responses.  I'm glad I didn't slap down that �50 admission now that I know more.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 12 - 36
bert
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 9:36am Report to Moderator
Administrator


Buy the ticket, take the ride

Location
That's me in the corner
Posts
4232
Posts Per Day
0.61

Quoted from Leegion
Eventually, I want to film live action movies.  Project Destiny's 19 at the top of the list.


Start with short films.  That is essential "schooling" right there.

Only a fool attempts a feature-length as their first project.

Same goes for these boards.  If you are approached by a "producer" who wants to make your feature as their first project, generally speaking, your response should be "no thanks."  Unless they are crazy rich or something, of course.


Hey, it's my tiny, little IMDb!
Logged
Private Message Reply: 13 - 36
Mr.Ripley
Posted: August 30th, 2014, 11:48am Report to Moderator
January Project Group


Writing

Location
New York
Posts
1979
Posts Per Day
0.31
I agree with the rest that you need to dive in. Not like a starving artist type of dive though. I would suggest having a job and doing film. That's what I'm going to do.

Fuck waiting around and do the damn thing. Lol. My motto.

Gabe




Just Murdered by Sean Elwood (Zombie Sean) and Gabriel Moronta (Mr. Ripley) - (Dark Comedy, Horror) All is fair in love and war. A hopeless romantic gay man resorts to bloodshed to win the coveted position of Bridesmaid. 99 pages.
https://www.simplyscripts.net/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?b-comedy/m-1624410571/
Logged
Site Private Message Reply: 14 - 36
 Pages: 1, 2, 3 » : All
Recommend Print

Locked Board Board Index    Questions or Comments  [ previous | next ] Switch to:
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login

Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post polls
You may not post attachments
HTML is on
Blah Code is on
Smilies are on


Powered by E-Blah Platinum 9.71B © 2001-2006