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I'm a high-schooler wanting to get into filmmaking and screenwriting, and I'm at a crossroads. If I do go to film school, I would probably have a great experience, get to know some like-minded people, and also learn a lot (not necessarily related to film). If I don't, I could get a jumpstart in the industry and start in productions much earlier. I just feel stuck, and I know a bunch of strangers on the internet can't possibly make this decision for me, but I think some guidance from people with more experience would help. Thanks to all of you.
...I could get a jumpstart in the industry and start in productions much earlier. ...
If you elaborate on this a bit it would probably be easier to comment. For example: is this a short term/fleeting opportunity, or an actual career starter with the opportunity to work your way up in the business?
Everyone is different. Do what is right for you. I didn't go to regular school either. I happen to believe that the education provided by the government is all but useless.
I do send my kids to school... but I have four of the little bastards and I just want to get rid of them for a few hours.
Filmmaking as a profession rather than pastime is about financing, thus why I typically rail against writing pie-in-the-sky screenplays as literature in screenplay format.
Screenplay writing is easier than directing the screenplay you just wrote. Directing is easier than producing. (Directing and producing are actually kinda the most fun parts of the process, IMHO.) Producing is easier than securing meaningful distribution. And EFFECTIVE marketing & promotion are the greatest hassle of all.
Marketing & promotion are the keys to meaningful distribution which is the key to financing, and if there's no money for nothing then nothing is what happens.
Find a good director or producer with products that have gone to market and at least made their production budgets in revenue - and ask THEM if you came to them with a filmmaking BFA would they hire you over competitors at a living wage and they'd probably provide a polite answer like "We...
If only people took the time to watch videos like this online, their short and feature films would be so much more watchable. I can't understand how people go and film shorts and even features without looking at basic stuff like this online or reading a few books. A lot of tips and techniques are out there that cost no money and will make your film look 10 times better. There are filters that give off a more film feel to digital videos, you can color correct and so on. It just takes curiosity to search them out.
It might depend what kind of filmmaker you want to be, Josh. Film school tends to be a pretty amazing place in a lot of ways, connecting you with similarly passionate people and giving you a lot of basic skills. On the other hand, it generally costs a lot of money as well.
If you want to start at the bottom and work your way up the union ranks, film school will probably give you all the information you need to do that quickly (by quickly I mean, over many, many years). If you want to go the indie route, film school will help with connections and foundational knowledge. In both cases, film school isn't the only way to get that knowledge (but it is the most expensive).
I would strongly advise against going to school for screenwriting. I guarantee you can learn more with SimplyScripts and a library card than you can with a year or two at school. If you go to school, choose a production-oriented program.
My biggest suggestion regarding film school would be to get out there with a camera right now and get some experience. See how you like to work, what you like to make, how good you are at different aspects of filmmaking. It's helpful to have some idea of where you wanna end up, even if it's just "big Hollywood director" or "tiny indie director" or whatever.
And, if you are poised to start work in the industry right away, keep in mind that you can always try that route first and then do film school later. You don't need to feel stuck. You've got all the time in the world, and whatever you choose now is just more valuable experience.
If only people took the time to watch videos like this online, their short and feature films would be so much more watchable. I can't understand how people go and film shorts and even features without looking at basic stuff like this online or reading a few books. A lot of tips and techniques are out there that cost no money and will make your film look 10 times better. There are filters that give off a more film feel to digital videos, you can color correct and so on. It just takes curiosity to search them out.
I'd rather get other people involved that do know what they're doing. I know a smoke machine is a very important piece of kit. Aside from that, filters etc are down to the DP.
Best piece of advice I can think of (and probably applies to everything): don't step outside your own area of expertise. You will mess it up. Which just isn't fair to everyone else involved in the project.