Film School

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch, what are your artistic merits that will make your school a good film school? An Epic camera and pristine Master Primes does, for sure, not teach anyone to become a good film maker...

All info will be given in do time as I already said, all related info will be given, and of course no matter the gear one can have makes only a partial statement about a Film School, and what you mentioned plus some, its my personal gear, not what will end up at the School, which will have its Gear List of its own, and will certainly not let down any one attending, as no other school, currently open and any of the new ones about to open will have even close the Gear List that we will have, but the teachings will remain the most important part, were the Gear list is just the tools that will be provided to do a better job.


However if you are thinking of comparing it to any other school to date, don't, as this will be a Film School like no other ever existed, if the Students will love it or not, that will remain to be seen, but I am extremely confident that they will...

 

[Jeremiah Kuehne]

In my opinion, the best film school is the film school that you are most comfortable getting out and networking with people who are interested in similar things and also being comfortable immersing yourself completely in film. The degree means virtually nothing. It's all about who you know and what projects you've worked on. Now, I'm only about to turn 18 and I'm in a similar situation as you..I've been doing random film projects and all sorts of different things as time has allowed and been researching things on my own. I got the 5DM3 when it first came out because back then the Red One was still $25,000.

Anyhow, I've looked at random film schools from local to regional to national to international..visited some, talked to the people, etc. Some have really cool equipment, some have really nice people..but ultimately it's about what you're going to DO there. I've decided to stay local and actually study Multimedia and I'll continue film projects on my own. It is a more conservative approach, but someday I'd possibly like to get into directing, which means I should have an idea of how to do EVERYTHING. Multimedia is perfect for that, so it should be great for me. Watch the credits of even a lower-budget film and you'll see the hundreds of people and different departments that go into it. I'm not telling you to switch majors or anything, by all means, do what you're going to. I think all the people here will be willing to help you out in some way or another and you'll hear a lot of different opinions. You've got plenty of time to figure it all out, glad that you are starting now. Good luck!

 

[Adam Ekblad]

In my opinion, the best film school is the film school that you are most comfortable getting out and networking with people who are interested in similar things and also being comfortable immersing yourself completely in film. The degree means virtually nothing. It's all about who you know and what projects you've worked on. Now, I'm only about to turn 18 and I'm in a similar situation as you..I've been doing random film projects and all sorts of different things as time has allowed and been researching things on my own. I got the 5DM3 when it first came out because back then the Red One was still $25,000.

Anyhow, I've looked at random film schools from local to regional to national to international..visited some, talked to the people, etc. Some have really cool equipment, some have really nice people..but ultimately it's about what you're going to DO there. I've decided to stay local and actually study Multimedia and I'll continue film projects on my own. It is a more conservative approach, but someday I'd possibly like to get into directing, which means I should have an idea of how to do EVERYTHING. Multimedia is perfect for that, so it should be great for me. Watch the credits of even a lower-budget film and you'll see the hundreds of people and different departments that go into it. I'm not telling you to switch majors or anything, by all means, do what you're going to. I think all the people here will be willing to help you out in some way or another and you'll hear a lot of different opinions. You've got plenty of time to figure it all out, glad that you are starting now. Good luck!

Thanks a lot Jeremiah. Let me know how that works out, I may go down that road too!

 

[Jon MIchael Puntervold]

I've decided to stay local and actually study Multimedia and I'll continue film projects on my own. It is a more conservative approach, but someday I'd possibly like to get into directing, which means I should have an idea of how to do EVERYTHING. Multimedia is perfect for that, so it should be great for me.

Well, that sounds like a perfect choice to become a post-production supervisor, not a director.

Directing is about the craft of human interaction. Interaction with the actors, interaction with the audience and interaction with the cultural heritage. And since most students at film schools are 25-35 years old, you have some time to build your skill set.

The first thing I would do, at your age, would be to study art history and film science abroad. And do some weird choices, that is the only way to open some doors.

For the 16 year old kid. Your still at high school? I would consider studying drama at high school, perhaps get on an exchange program and study one year abroad. That would be extremely beneficiary on your CV, and to upper your life experience level...

Furthermore, most good filmmakers are philosophers. I would consider studying philosophy, not to get new thoughts, but to know who thought of what, and the history of thinking, it's not a bad thing to know Being well educated in the humanities is a must for a creative mind in a creative profession!

Film science is a perfect tool set for exploring and experiment with the filmic tradition. Jean-Luc Godard saw two films a day when he though himself to make films. If your not in an institution with a curriculum, the AFI's list of the best US American films is a good way to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI's_100_Years...100_Movies

And, if you've not seen it yet, The Last Picture Show is where you should begin - it's one of the best coming of age films ever made.

For European cinema, it's perhaps harder to find a definitive list. But a good book to have neither the less is An Introduction to Film History by Bordwell & Thompson: http://www.amazon.com/Film-History-Introduction-Kristin-Thompson/dp/0073386138

Here you'll find the most celebrated films of every thematic period and every genre. I.e. The Bicycle Thief's is a must see of Italian neorealism.

Japanese films are also important. Ikiru from 1952 is one of my favorites. In modern Japanese cinema Hana-bi is a must see, and almost everything by Takeshi Kitano.

...when you feel ready, and not later than 21 years of age, make your first festival film (a short) and travel the festival circle. Then apply to film school. Then make a feature (when you are ready). And do it again, and again...

 

[Adam Ekblad]

Well, that sounds like a perfect choice to become a post-production supervisor, not a director.

Directing is about the craft of human interaction. Interaction with the actors, interaction with the audience and interaction with the cultural heritage. And since most students at film schools are 25-35 years old, you have some time to build your skill set.

The first thing I would do, at your age, would be to study art history and film science abroad. And do some weird choices, that is the only way to open some doors.

For the 16 year old kid. Your still at high school? I would consider studying drama at high school, perhaps get on an exchange program and study one year abroad. That would be extremely beneficiary on your CV, and to upper your life experience level...

Furthermore, most good filmmakers are philosophers. I would consider studying philosophy, not to get new thoughts, but to know who thought of what, and the history of thinking, it's not a bad thing to know Being well educated in the humanities is a must for a creative mind in a creative profession!

Film science is a perfect tool set for exploring and experiment with the filmic tradition. Jean-Luc Godard saw two films a day when he though himself to make films. If your not in an institution with a curriculum, the AFI's list of the best US American films is a good way to start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFI's_100_Years...100_Movies

And, if you've not seen it yet, The Last Picture Show is where you should begin - it's one of the best coming of age films ever made.

For European cinema, it's perhaps harder to find a definitive list. But a good book to have neither the less is An Introduction to Film History by Bordwell & Thompson: http://www.amazon.com/Film-History-Introduction-Kristin-Thompson/dp/0073386138

Here you'll find the most celebrated films of every thematic period and every genre. I.e. The Bicycle Thief's is a must see of Italian neorealism.

Japanese films are also important. Ikiru from 1952 is one of my favorites. In modern Japanese cinema Hana-bi is a must see, and almost everything by Takeshi Kitano.

...when you feel ready, and not later than 21 years of age, make your first festival film (a short) and travel the festival circle. Then apply to film school. Then make a feature (when you are ready). And do it again, and again...

Alright I like that Idea, But I am going to make a bunch of short while watching these movies!:001_cool: I am currently shooting 3 over winter break!

 

[Jeremiah Kuehne]

Well, that sounds like a perfect choice to become a post-production supervisor, not a director.

There are many paths to directing and the industry is very different by location and budget, so knowing how to do everything can get your foot in the door with a lot of projects. A lot of being able to direct is simply having good ideas and knowing how to communicate them with others. Some of the most famous directors never went to film school at all. The film industry/entertainment industry is a strange place where no route is fully guaranteed.

 

[Marc Wielage]

Alright I like that Idea, But I am going to make a bunch of short while watching these movies!

You should listen to Jon Michael -- his advice is very wise. Don't be impatient. It took me about 30 years to figure out that I didn't know far more than I did know.

His advice on watching two great, classic films every day is very sound. Bear in mind that making good films is more about art than it is about anything technical. The technical stuff, you can always learn; the artistic stuff... that requires completely wrapping your brain around philosophy, psychology, and emotion. From my experience in dealing with young directors in the last 10-15 years, it's the latter stuff on which their education is most lacking.