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film school questions and answers

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Q: film school?
i'm applying to film school's and i've narrowed it down to three. two of them are one-year filmmaking programs. my question is: Is it really possible to learn everything you need to know about filmmaking in ONE year??? i don't really think so, but i would like some outside opinions.

A: It's a lot of money for what you can usually learn at your local public access station. They spend most of the time working on angles, lighting, how to get started in the business, funding (but they give the same info to everyone so you're always competing against grads and current students), scriptwriting, and FinalCut Pro. The really hard part like creativity, is something they can't and don't teach. Honestly I think it's a waste of money and you'd be better served by submitting something for admittance to the Sundance Institute. If accepted there, they pay for you to go see them and you work with real directors and actors. I'm not sure how it works now but they used to take a handful of people out of several thousand to go out to Utah. There was a writers program and a directors program and you could apply for both. http://www2.sundance.org/

Q: How can I get into film school for directing?
Movies have always been a passion of mine and I want to pursue a directing career. I finished high school but I'm in this work-study program until I'm 21, so I'm sort of still in school even though I graduated. Anyway, the problem is through out my time in school, I was in learning-support classes(for students with trouble learning) and I was steered away from getting into some sort of school/college. Now what I want to know is, what REQUIREMENTS do I need to get into film school? Where should I start from where I am now? For people experienced in this field, do you think I have a chance? Thanks for reading.

A: There is a school in Santa Barbara that specializes in that type of thing. It's called Brooks Institute I believe. They offer scholarships, grants and loans. You should check it out. I wanted to go there but it's so far away from home. I'm a chicken! But they'll send you info and talk to you over the phone... Of course you have a chance!! http://www.brooks.edu/

Q: How does one get into film school after completing an undergrad degree?
I have an undergraduate degree in biology, but I want to go into film rather than med school. How plausible is it to try to get into a graduate film school in this situation? How difficult or easy is it to get into film school in general? And would film school be a good idea for someone with little to no movie-making experience? I'm looking to be a screenwriter or producer (but I'm not aiming as high as director just yet). I would also be interested in being a medical/technical advisor for a TV show or movie. Any advice would help.

A: do a short course - eg two months, in screenwriting or general film production techniques. Get some books on screenwriting and go to Drew's script-o-rama and download some good scritps and analyse them. a good book is Ray Frensham' s 'teach yourself scriptwriting'

Q: What are Loyola Marymounts Film School's Portfolio Requirements for Undergrad Admission?
Hi I'm planning on transferring and was interested in LMU's Film School for undergrad, however I couldn't find any detail on their website on their website regarding any portfolio requirements for Film and TV production. Most other schools like CSUN or Art Center require supplemental materials for their programs. No one's picked up the phone on their office so far so I was wondering if anyone knew.

A: LMU has no portfolio requirements. There is a prompt for a 250-500 word essay regarding the power of story. When you fill out the LMU application, you will see a section for LMU Supplemental Application. Click on it, and you will see some essay prompts. The film program essay prompt is in that section. Good luck!

Q: How do I effectively add film school to my resume? The school closed before we finished?
I was in film school and had 5 more classes to go. The school ended the program. I had to start all over again. I still want to add the courses I took at the other school. How do I put this on a resume without making me look like like a failure?

A: You're in luck! When you go looking for a real job in the film industry, nobody will really be looking at your resume. Just put both schools on your CV (resume) and carry that with you in case anyone asks. The specific classes you took really won't make a difference to anyone as you go looking for work, so truly, don't worry about it at all. What people WILL look for is someone who is enthusiastic, at least moderately intelligent, great to get along with (shoot days can be long), and passionate about what she wants to do. Once someone knows what you want to do and determines that you can actually help them, all you really need to do is be available. Then you go to work doing the job you are hired to do that day (even if you "really are a Director"), do that job well, and thank them for the work that day. If you are hired to be a PA (for instance), under no circumstances do NOT complain about the work and insist that you're only doing this for the day but you are really a Director. Nobody wants to hear it. If you are a Director, then you'd be a Director. But on that day, you're not. The jobs you do could lead toward you getting a directing job, but in the meantime, be a very pleasant person to work with and do your job to the best of your ability. At some point, if you are trying to get a studio Executive type position, your resume may come into play, but usually not at the entry-level positions. Brian Dzyak Videographer/Writer Los Angeles, California IATSE Local 600, SOC http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com

Q: What are the major benefits of going to film school?
I am currently enrolled in the local college and getting an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts: Broadcasting. I want to study film and try to get a career as a writer/director. I am currently working on my very first 120 page script as we speak and I would love to be able to one day write a script and be able to direct it myself. I also have a few video pieces under my belt to make a demo reel to submit to schools including: 1. Friday the 13th Location Documentary 2. The 1st Place Stephen Lynch Halloween Music Video Contest entry 3. The submission I entered for the Jay Leno Correspondent video contest 4. 6-minute educational spoof film I entered into the New Jersey Skills USA competition for my past high school 5. 5 minute MTV Movie Awards "Saw" Spoof that I entered in that contest. I am currently looking into the LA Film School, NYFA, NYU or UCLA. I am just wondering whether or not it is beneficial to go to a film school and, if so, which school would be the best choice? Thanks!

A: I'd go with UCLA. It's right near all the major studios and some of the faculty in the film school are accomplished directors, actors, writers, etc. Plus, it's great to gain internships. I have some film school friends who got work at ABC, Disney, NBC, WB, Fox, etc. They even had casting calls for extras for Pirates 3 on campus. Plus, a lot of celebrities hang out in the area and there's also movie premieres right next to campus. Plus, I took a screenwriting class and it was a blast.

Q: What is the best Film School in Toronto?
What is the best Film School in Toronto, that is a college? Is the "Toronto Film School" considered a college?

A: i would like to know if its a college to cause i have tooken applied level threw high school

Q: Film school application essay: What type of movie should be reviewed?
The essay is to write a critical movie review of a film. My question is what type should I review? Should it be a well-known film that has won awards, or a good film that hasn't won any awards? I'm not sure exactly what the admissions office at the film school is looking for. Any ideas? Thanks!

A: The question is valid and a darned good reason for asking it.,but your consulting the wrong source. The best way to find out what the admissions office is looking for is to ask someone in the admissions office. Simply explain that the assignment is open to interpretation, and you don't want to MISinterpret what they want, and then ask if they can offer some guidance.

Q: What's the best film school if you want to be all rounded(direct,produce,write etc),yet have zero experience?
I really would like to get into a prestigious school, definitely among the top five, and money is no object, but experience is! the most i've ever done is take those really basic home videos. i'm a student at a university in nairobi kenya, i'm currently doing a degree in communications, but would like to transfer next year. lacking a portfolio,1.should i take the basic video production and screenwriting course at my university or just apply as i stand?and 2.which would be the best for an all rounder-write, produce, direct, edit, score, market etc etc...[we have few film proffesionals here(Kenya) so its better to have broad training], 3.and an international student? 4.which is the best regarded by the industry? 5.which graduates more prolific film makers? help i'm running out of time, and internet searches seem to be muddying, not clearing my insight? then again i gather that different schools have different philosophies/approaches to teaching film? what should i be looking for?

A: The best in the US would be UCLA, USC, NYU, followed by the AFI, Cal Arts, Univ of Chiago, Emerson, University of Montana Bozeman. On a non-credit basis (it's best to do this after college) the Sundance program is conisdered outstanding. But unless things have changed they do not give an accredit degree only a diploma or certificate. Sundace would make a great post grad studies place.

Q: After I graduate from UT's film school how do I go about to starting up a film and a production studio, etc?
I plan on graduating from UT's film school but what do I do after that?

A: Do you really think you would go from new film school graduate to production studio owner in one move? More likely you would have to work hard and pay your dues. You will have to try to get work on small local productions first and work your way up. It will take time, effort, and dedication. But I find it hard to believe that you don't know that already.

Q: How good do your grades need to be to get in to NYU film school?
My cousin started in some college and now wants to go to film school. His grades aren't so good, can he get in? What can he do?

A: He/She needs pretty good grade at where he/she is or was and needs to meet film standards but they would need to go to their website and find out for sure

Q: What is the best Film school to go after undergraduate school?
I want to be a director and already attending ASU and I am in the Pre-film program right now and want to know what would be a good school to go to when I graduate from asu and want to get a Masters degree in directing or something?

A: It sounds to me like you want to go into directing, and you are currently getting a film degree from Arizona State. But, you seem to be under the impression that after you finish, you should go on for a masters because it will help you to get a job as a director. I'm not sure why you would want to do that, but you wont need a masters to get work. You certainly will not get any more work directing just because you have one. Get your master if you want to teach, otherwise, you dont need it right away.

Q: If you go to LA film school and complete it do you get a associates degree?
Thanks. Also feel free to write down any of your experiences at LA film school or New york Film academy.

A: Yes, all of the programs offer an associates degree.

Q: Making a feature film after graduating film school?
Is it a good or bad idea? If me and all of my friends/film crew - that attend film school with me now - All get together and make a feature film to try and make it big?

A: Yes, you can try, why not? Good luck!

Q: How do I gain entry into an American film school?
I live in Australia but I want to study film in America as it has the biggest movie market and industry. So how do I gain entry into a film school? Are there any requirements for gaining entry? Also are there restrictions on entry into big film schools such as UCLA, USC and NYU (e.g. you have to have graduated from an american school etc).? What about the smaller schools? Also do they require certain grades to gain entry?

A: How about you take a look at the websites for the schools which you mentioned for the admission requirements for international students; all of the information you seek is on there.