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High Definition Video for Independent Filmmakers
A How To Guide for Digital Filmmakers
Welcome all! This is my blog to share my latest research,
thoughts, etc. on utilizing HD for independent filmmaking.

YES, I am available for consulting
Contact me at mike@hdforindies.com

All content copyright 2004-2007 Mike Curtis.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Ten reasons you should go to film school - DV Guru 

Ten reasons you should go to film school - DV Guru

This is to balance out against last week's 10 Reasons NOT to go to film school piece.

His reasons are: peer connections, industry connections, technical know how, intelligent feedback, mentors to push you, history & theory, credibility, time your projects, stay the course, and you either have it or you don't.

The rationale for each is explained in detail. Go read both if you're contemplating film school. Then whichever you pick, blame me for guiding you wrong, move to Seattle and sulk with your coffee and cigarettes.

; p

-mike
Comments:
hey now-
you are correct - coffee IS an obsession here. but cigarrettes? Seattleites rarely smoke.
and we certainly don't sulk.
in fact, we passed an ordinance last year. no sulking in the city limits.

; P

riley
 
The important difference between the two lists is that the "should" points assume that none of the "should not" points exist. But they do, and that's enough for me to feel that film school is a waste of time. The "should not" list can exist on its own because the benefits of the "should" list assume that Hollywood as an institution isn't going anywhere. Unless you're living in a cave, I think you know better.
 
I have always pushed Film School. Or at least college. Sure, it might not mean that you will get hired over someone else, but at least you are better educated. And, going to film school allows you to leard ALL aspects of film production, so that if you wanted to make a film on your own with little help, you could.
 
Film School usually doesn't teach the business and financial side though. At the place where I work as an office PA, I have heard a number of stories where a person was hired and was asked to do something financially related that their school had never even mentioned, such as an expense report. If you don't know how to do things like this you will simply be laughed at. Also, I would argue that it is far better simply to do your best to read material, work on actual sets and work your way up, and make films on the side. If you get in at an early enough age, you can accomplish a lot of this. I am at University not for film, and I am working at a production company, reading on the business and talking and listening to learn from others, AND working on my own projects at the same time. It is all very doable. So I would say that going to film school to learn is a moot point. My two cents.
 
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