Cinematography Schools?

[AlexJones]

Does anyone know of any cinematography schools out there?

 

[Marc Wielage]

Here's a few big ones:

UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television
02 East Melnitz Hall - Box 951622
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1622
(310) 206-2736
http://www.tft.ucla.edu/

USC School of Cinematic Arts
900 West 34th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2211
(213) 740-8358
http://cinema.usc.edu/

American Film Institute
2021 North Western Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027-1657
(323) 856-7600
http://www.afi.com

Be warned they are not cheap and are not easy to get into.

 

[Brian Merlen]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/25-best-film-schools-rankings-215714

You might find this list helpful. I too am considering getting a brand name degree, namely an MFA. Keep in mind these are some of the most competitive in the world, so any where on the list is probably a great school in general

 

[Jean-Claude Benet]

for me personally, if i could go back in time knowing what i know now about film schools and the industry, i wouldve never paid to go to. The best things i learned while there I learned on my own on set, doing my own projects to supplement the classes. the lessons they teach you, i feel you can learn just as well and in my opinion more effectively by participating in the actual process, making mistakes, and as simple as sounds, just by making movies. get a crew of like minded filmmakers together and work on your own projects, study movies themselves, but most importantly just keep shooting. you can get all sorts of jobs on sets without a degree, and thats the best way to get educated in the real world film industry, by doing it. alot of these films shools all teach the same basic principles about filmmaking, the more expensive ones offer fancier equipment and better industry connections, but that never made anyone a more talented filmmaker. I am only speaking for myself but my advice to past jean would be to save my film school money, stay out of debt, and have a ton of films and on set experience under my belt at a younger age than i am now.
plus you can learn anything on youtube these days. best of luck alex!

 

[Marc Wielage]

Jean-Claude brings up a good point. Getting a degree will not necessarily guarantee you a job.

But: I'm reminded of noted DP Wally Pfister telling the story of how he met ‪Janusz Kaminski while going to AFI, and got work through him as a grip and gaffer, as well as DP Phedon Papamichael.‬ So in some cases, it's not just training you to understand the technology; it's getting the connections and relationships that lead to bigger and better things. I always say, understanding the mechanics is easy; dealing with people is the hard part.

 

[Marc Wielage]

And just an update: I forgot about Evan Luzi's excellent blog, The Black and the Blue, which goes into a lot of detail about the perils of being an assistant camera operator. There's a wealth of knowledge up there.

Evan also has a free book on How to Launch Your Film Career in the Camera Department, and there's some good tips in it. If nothing else, I think he has a very real (painfully real!) approach, with a feet-on-the-ground style that tells what you can expect, and what you can't expect to happen while trying to knock on doors and break into the business.

 

[Roger Viloria]

I highly recommend REDUCATION X at the Red Studios. It's a short-term intensive training program.

Check it out:
http://www.red.com/reducation
http://www.red.com/learn/reducation-x/reducation-x-2013

 

[Chad Lancaster]

I went to the Academy of Art in San Francisco, for still photography so I can't comment on their film program. I'd say take the red course and then find someones work you admire and slave away for a couple years. It will save you a ton of money and you'll be learning on real jobs.

 

[Paul Dean]

I'm in the "film school is a waste of time and money" camp. The guys that I work with that went to film school started out doing the same grunt work on set that I did. The film set is the best school and there are plenty of opportunities to get the techinical information for free. For instance Richard Cadena is going to be streaming some of his workshops for free. A noted Focal Press Author, ETCP Trainer, and Founder of the Academy of Production Technology, Richard usually teaches through the education program of IATSE Local 728 (Los Angeles Electrics). Log onto bit.ly/nptwkshps for details. Here's the flyer.

Paul Dean

 

[Marc Wielage]

I'm in the "film school is a waste of time and money" camp. The guys that I work with that went to film school started out doing the same grunt work on set that I did.

That can be true, but you can't beat the life experience of meeting new people in college, making friends, and learning how to deal with people. I'm a firm believer in actually knowing stuff outside of film, and that means art, philosophy, history, literature, music, the whole thing. Some of the best DPs I've worked with are real renaissance guys who can have civil conversations on politics, psychology, and current events. And they also understand the essence of storytelling and acting -- sometimes better than the director.

 

[Paul Dean]

I'm a firm believer in actually knowing stuff outside of film, and that means art, philosophy, history, literature, music, the whole thing.

Then you would agree that a liberal arts education is a better investment than film school?

Paul Dean

 

[Terry VerHaar]

FWIW - I get emails from this place; relatively new but they have some brand names as founders. Seems expensive, like all these programs do. Not sure you get what you pay for but...

http://globalcinematography.com/index.html

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Then you would agree that a liberal arts education is a better investment than film school?

Paul Dean

+100 for this

 

[Tehben Dean]

I thought about this as well and ended up deciding to spend money on gear instead and teach myself as well as learning on set by working.
Still a little early to say how it will work out but do far so good

 

[Zach Decastro]

"Expanded" Cinematography Program in Los Angeles

"Expanded" Cinematography Program in Los Angeles

If you are interested in places to study cinematography in Los Angeles, check out Global Cinematography Institute (www.globalcinematography.com)

"Global Cinematography Institute is devoted to the extension of the cinematographer’s profession into the digital and virtual realms. This advanced program is designed for all willing to learn about the latest achievements in cinematographer's profession."

Classes include:
- Lighting for Feature Films - taught by Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC
- Fundamentals of Lighting and Composition - taught by Yuri Neyman, ASC
- Virtual Cinematography - taught by Ron Fischer (supervisor of Universal UVS1 Virtual Stage) and Kyle Murphey
- Digital Cinematography - taught by David Stump, ASC
- Cinematography for Music Video - taught by Christopher Probst, technical editor for ASC Magazine
- Cinematography for Independent/Low Budget Films - taught by Jay Holben, technical editor for HDVideo Magazine
- Image Management from Set to Post - taught by Bob Kertesz (DIT) and Aaron Peak (Colorist)
- Previsualization/Digital Lighting/Cinematography for Video Games - taught by Sylvan Doreau (director of cinematics for Activision), Brian Pohl and Fred Durand

GCI is having a class demonstration event at Filmtools in Burbank on March 9th at 10am. Tickets are $10, but all guests in attendance will receive a Filmtools coupon. Go to www.globalcinematography.com to pre-purchase tickets to reserve your spot at the event. You can also check out the event on GCI's facebook page - www.facebook.com/GlobalCine. Email RSVP@globalcinematography.com for more info.