Best City/School to study cinematography and establish professional connections.

[Rodrigo Prata]

I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this, if not, I apologize.

I`m a working cinematographer but I am not currently satisfied with the job opportunities where I live and was thinking about relocate myself in a near futre.

I had the idea of enrolling in a cinematography (or maybe general filmmaking) course in some polo city and use the opportunity to establish connections but also to improve my skills, since I think that a period of dedicating myself to studying would be very welcome at this point in my life.

So given that I already have a base knowledge and a somewhat decent reel (and also own a bit of gear), I would like to ask for opinions on what are the best program options and (in what cities) to enroll with the primary intention of establish working connections. I aim to work mainly with narrative projects. I would also like to ask if you think this is a good idea.

My ideal timeframe is 3 months, but one year is not out of question.

I know LA is the obvious place to go, but I was thinking maybe NY since I have family there and could stay there for some time, and also Vancouver, since I`m attracted to the idea of living in Canada.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Alex Lubensky]

Check this one http://www.globalcinematography.com/. I've got a couple of high-end locals, who have attended their courses, and they stricktly recommend them.

They have a bunch of short-term courses, focused on practice and perfection of craft. Pick one, try it out, if they are ok - daisy-chain them as a regular institute.

I've also heard of New York Film Academy as a mostly useless waste of time/money from different folks here. Bright name, not so bright knowledge. But, mention - it's what people talk here, not my own experience.

 

[Karim D. Ghantous]

From what I'm hearing these days, there is no reason to go to film schools anymore. Of course you have to go with your heart and/or your intuition.

 

[Marc Wielage]

Check this one http://www.globalcinematography.com/. I've got a couple of high-end locals, who have attended their courses, and they stricktly recommend them.

Yuri Neyman over there is a very good man who does a terrific job with his students, and I think he imparts a very realistic, practical hands-on understanding of how cinematography works today. Yuri himself also does very good work.

 

[Rodrigo Prata]

Check this one http://www.globalcinematography.com/. I've got a couple of high-end locals, who have attended their courses, and they stricktly recommend them.

They have a bunch of short-term courses, focused on practice and perfection of craft. Pick one, try it out, if they are ok - daisy-chain them as a regular institute.

I've also heard of New York Film Academy as a mostly useless waste of time/money from different folks here. Bright name, not so bright knowledge. But, mention - it's what people talk here, not my own experience.

It looks, like there's no course schedulled for 2018 yet. But I`ll keep an eye on it. Thanks!

 

[Rodrigo Prata]

From what I'm hearing these days, there is no reason to go to film schools anymore. Of course you have to go with your heart and/or your intuition.

I did went to film school some time ago and I tought it was a valid experience. I enjoyed the time I was imersed in learning and discussing with fellow students. But my primary goal here is using the the time spent to also make professional connections.

 

[Grzegorz Gill]

NFTS and work in London. I applied four times and got rejected. I live and work in LA currently but the competition is too much. I work more in LA and get paid less. While I spent some time in India, there I worked less but got paid more.

 

[Jason Nolte]

Los Angeles: AFI Conservatory if you can get in. Otherwise I've heard good things about the program at LA City College

 

[Homer Dulu]

I second AFI