In this episode we discuss the big question: “Do I go to film school? If so, which one should I go to?” Here are some quick things to think about once you have listened to the podcast:
1) Film schools are for people who want to work in TV and film or teach. If you want to make industrial videos or wedding videos, you want want to consider saving your money and putting it towards starting your business.
2) Go to a school that shoots on film. It is expensive but you will/ should know it. People still shoot on film all of the time. Going to a film school takes the fear out of production.
3) Find a school that is in your desired setting. If you don’t like cities, do not go to school in the city.
4) Do not let money be your main deciding point. Money can be earned, loans can be paid back. Experiences count more than gold. This business is all about being the person who steps up and takes charge. If you are not willing to push yourself, you are in the wrong line of work.
5) Go to a hard school. If you are not being challenged, transfer to a school that will challenge you.
6) Apply yourself. Get in big messes. Make mistakes. Take risks.
7) Make your own films. Do not just settle for being a crew member on other peoples project (though you should do that too!). Film school is about finding your voice as a filmmaker. Even if you never intend to make a film outside of school, you will never get a broad enough exposure to the process if you do not do it yourself. With that in mind, go to a film school where you are not limited to working on other peoples projects or big group films. If you cannot choose which roles you work in, do not go there!
Go to a film school people in the industry have heard of. Ask around.
9) Did we mention that you shouldn’t shoot on video? Yeah… we meant that.
10) Find a school where you will be spiritually active. This doesn’t necessarily mean a Christian school. No matter where you go to school, you need to go somewhere where you can be proactive with your faith. That means that you will not be hiding in a corner, afraid to lose your faith. Instead, you want some place where you can be bold with your beliefs in love. People do not lose their faith because of other people. We are the ones who give up our own faith. Missionaries have long gone into hostile environments and succeeded. Are you tough enough? Do you believe strongly enough?
11) If you stop and ask random students on the campus if there is a film school there, what is their reaction? We looked at a school where many of the students who took classes in the communications building did not know that there was a film school on campus.
12) Are there internship possibilities? If so, do you get to pick where you intern, or do they tell you? Does the school have links to good internships? Do these internships get you on set, or do they stick you in an office?
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