Need help, and some info

[Lamb]

OK so i sent this tot he film schools ection, but its more dead than, ummm somethign very dead like soo I noticed this section had more life and was going to send it here, I hope thats not a problem.

Hi I am bored and want to do something with my life I have a degree in game design and am located in Seattle. Your probably think that’s a pretty good hook up cause of all the game companies up here in the Seattle area, which it is. I have worked on a TV show up here so I have worked with high quality models not just games, but seriously i am bored of working in front of a computer day in and out, and want to move on. I love movies and want to be apart of the creation of movies and thinking about going to a film school. I was looking into both the Seattle Film institute, and Vancouver Film School. SFI is more in my price range and I was wondering if any of you guys have gone there or have heard of anything about it. I am really interested in your guy’s opinion so any comments would help.

Thanks for any replies,

LmB

 

[Kim Welch]

LA or NYC

LA or NYC

Go to LA or NYC and get a job as a hand on a set. Read everything you can about making movies. go to workshops. possibly apply to NYU film school.

 

[Lamb]

Why NYU film school? What makes it better than all the other film schools out there. I feel that if I put my all into any film school I will get the same out of it, as long as I work my ass off. How is NYU internships programs? I went into games the first round and i went to a school with no internship programs. I would apply to somewhere and they would be like we didn’t even know they had a game program, and they seem really hesitant to hire me or not, cause they don’t know what I have learn and if the school has taught me anything about the industry. From what I have read, which isn’t really must, but something, that SFI had a descent internship program from Seattle and LA, and that’s a plus in my book.


LmB

 

[Kim Welch]

NYC

NYC

I like the NYC pace and the diversity. There are a lot of things going on here in the entertainment industry. Also, the school has excellent teachers and a superioir reputation as well.

 

[Lamb]

Those are all the reason I like seattle so much too. and I have a job here that feeds me and I dont wanna start over again till I get into some sorta job in the film biz or start moving towards that goal. And its not like seattle is that bad we are still in the top 10 cities for indie film makers. So I think I am ok right here for the time being

LmB

 

[JimT]

I am a writer/producer/director and I have been in the film/TV industry for many years. I am a member of this forum because I am also an educator and have taught TV production at the college level and I enjoy helping young filmmakers. I am also a member of the TV Academy (Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) and this year I was a judge for the college Emmy awards. Based on the quality of the work that I saw, I would say that NYU and AFI (American Film Institute, Hollywood) are producing quality students who can do quality films. However, I concur with your thoughts about just working very, very hard at not matter where you choose to go--there is something to be said for that. But if you want to work in professional film, video, or TV, you really should consider relocating to NY or LA. No matter where you study, check out the TV Academy intern Program. I was on one of those committees as well and we looked at students from all over the world. The secret to making a living in this business is a lot of study, a lot of hard work, and a whole lot of luck. The trick is to use the study and hard work to put you in a place where luck can find you. JT

 

[Brad Hoover]

Hi,
I'm a film instructor and DP now living and working in Asheville, NC. Prior to coming here, I lived in Seattle for 12 years and was in fact one of the original instructors at the Seattle Film Institute. I feel that I had, along with David Shulman the Director of the school, a strong hand in the development of SFI from its very humble beginnings 10 years ago to what it is today.

I can tell you honestly that the philosiphy of SFI has always been to immerse their students in the actual hands-on filmmaking process with an emphasis on professional film industry methodology and protocol. Learning by doing. Of course the work is structured and guided by some very skilled and knowledgeable instructors.

While I taught at SFI (from 1995 to 2001) my students produced a number of excellent films that played in festivals across the country. I know that the instructor that replaced me when I left is also an excellent and experienced teacher.

There may be a lot to be said for studying film in a film center like LA or NY. But the truth is, like in any school, you get out of your education what you put into it regardless where you study. There is still quite a lot of film production in Seattle, especially independent production.

SFI is an excellent school. Since you already live in Seattle it seems that SFI would be a logical choice from a financial and educational standpoint.

In case you're wondering, I left Seattle to accomadate my wife's new job in North Carolina. I no longer have any professional or financial connection to SFI. I only recommend it because I know it to be a superior school at a reasonable price.

Brad Hoover
Educational Director,
Blue Ridge Motion Pictures
Asheville, North Carolina

 

[Nomrulz]

NYU is a very expensive way to go into films, just take the money you would pay for the tuition (which would probably be over $100,000) and use that to buy a nice camera and begin making your own films.

About SFI, They seem to have a good program and the price is very reasonable for their 10 month filmmaking program. The reason I would go to a film school is to play with their equipment and learn the cameras, make friends and connections, and play with their cameras again and make as many movies as you can for your money.

 

[Lamb]

Thats exactly why I want to go to school in film, for the networking with fellow film students and the prof, and of course playing with the equipment. But I dont want to spent an arm and a leg to do that, and what if this isnt for me I am then 100k in debt and screw<and thats in the bad way>I just want to play around and do something that interest me, and that I enjoy, and maybe one day become a pro with practice

LmB

 

[Brad Hoover]

I'm sorry, but there is no film school in exsistance that will allow you to "play around" with their equipment. As a student, you would have access to equipment only after you have been trained on it and have a bonafide project to shoot. Film cameras (and even DV cameras), lighting and sound equipment are hugely expensive investments for any school. They protect that investment with strict rules regarding access. Not that you don't get access, but you get it when you need it. Not when you want to play.

If all you really want to do is play around, then forget about school, go out and buy yourself a DV camera and play.

Brad Hoover,
Educational Director
Blue Ridge Motion Pictures

 

[Lamb]

So How do you learn with out playing around, playing around is experimenting, and I believe schools try to encourage experience, for the learning process, and isn’t it the schools job to help teach/learn its students? So in turn I will be learning the equipment, in turn experimenting, in turn is playing, I am not going to take the equipment to my yard and play trucks and mash them into each other. so don’t assume that when I mean playing with the equipment that I am here to beak it, because when you assume you make an ass outa you and me
And as an Education Director I would think you would know that
LmB

 

[JimT]

Playing

Playing

I can only speak from my experience, but I do not believe that you will find “playing” in any legitimate film or television university program. For one thing, making films is a discipline, not a game. If you eventually want to be in the business and make films for clients who pay you money to do so, you will need to know how to balance creativity and production schedules, you will have to know how to talk to talent as well as deal with their union reps, you are going to have to deliver the look that the client wants with in a budget I assure you that you will feel is inadequate, and then you are going have to deal with larger issues such as reconciling the differences between your vision for the project that that of your client's. All of these things you can learn at a good university---of course, they will also teach you things like lighting, composition, NLE, and the like, but you could probably learn those by playing with the equipment (assuming that you can afford professional equipment or someone will trust you with it). The other stuff, the important stuff, you don't get from playing, you get it from listening to professionals who have been there, done that, and got paid for it. How do I know all this stuff? I have produced hundreds of hours of programming - both TV and film-and I have taught at the university level for ten years. I have been around the block a couple of times. If you want to succeed in this business, I suggest you begin thinking about it as a profession rather than playtime. It takes a lot of work, a lot of study, and a lot of mistakes to learn to be good at what you already love to do. JimT

 

[Brad Hoover]

I wasn't assuming anything. I was using your own words. Perhaps you can understand that from a film educators standpoint, when I hear people talking about "playing around with cameras" It makes me very nervous.

Schools tend to be very regimented places out of necessity. It has been found over and over again that most beginning students tend to progress at a faster rate if they learn the basics first (in a classroom) and then shoot structured projects. Once they understand and are comfortable with the fundamental technical realities and rules of filmmaking, i.e. light, exposure, composition, cameras, lenses,etc. THEN and only THEN are they encouraged to experiment and break those rules.

It would be really wonderful if every film school had an inexhaustable source of funds so that evey student had their own cameras and equipment to experiment with. But that is just not the case. Equipment gets damaged, not becaue people necessarily intend to damage it, but because things just happen. Its unavoidable. My point is that schools just simply can't afford to give you a camera to experiment with when you're first starting out. Not to mention that it would not be the most effective method of teaching.

If you really feel that the best way for you to learn is to just experiment with a camera, (this may be true for some people) then perhaps film school is not the best environment for you. Perhaps you would be better off just taking the money you would have spent on school and buying a camera and start making films.

Brad Hoover

 

[Brad Hoover]

Thank you Jim for your response. You beat me to the punch and did it much more eloquently.

-Brad Hoover

 

[Jonathan Houser]

Re: Need help, and some info

Hi I am bored and want to do something with my life I have a degree in game design and am located in Seattle. Your probably think that’s a pretty good hook up cause of all the game companies up here in the Seattle area, which it is. I have worked on a TV show up here so I have worked with high quality models not just games, but seriously i am bored of working in front of a computer day in and out, and want to move on. I love movies and want to be apart of the creation of movies and thinking about going to a film school. I was looking into both the Seattle Film institute, and Vancouver Film School. SFI is more in my price range and I was wondering if any of you guys have gone there or have heard of anything about it. I am really interested in your guy’s opinion so any comments would help.

Lamb,
Greetings, I am a former SFI student and actually was one of Brad's students some years ago. The instructors and equipment are like nothing you will find in the area. I currently own an operate a local production company as well as a few other business ventures and I have to say that I owe much of my success to SFI and Brads instruction. I'm not writing this to stroke anyone’s ego; I'm just being honest. However, as with ANY education, it's hard work. What you put in is what you get out. The classes are small and you definitely get plenty of equipment time. There is nothing like learning on film. My $.02

Jonathan Houser
H&H Optics
Makers of the Guerilla35
www.guerilla35.com

 

[Lamb]

Schools tend to be very regimented places out of necessity. It has been found over and over again that most beginning students tend to progress at a faster rate if they learn the basics first (in a classroom) and then shoot structured projects. Once they understand and are comfortable with the fundamental technical realities and rules of filmmaking, i.e. light, exposure, composition, cameras, lenses,etc. THEN and only THEN are they encouraged to experiment and break those rules.

Exactly and that is why I want to go to school to learn the basics and work with equipment that I, myself can’t afford. I don’t understand what you're trying to get at here. in my past career I "PLAYED" with very pricey equipment including my 5k computer and my render farm that cost way more than that, and not to include the programs I have bought in the past years, like Maya, which I think is the most expensive piece of software I have. so I know How to treat stuff like a new born and not foolish with hardware. When I work on a project most people think just that, its work, I dont think that way I have having fun and enjoy what I am doing soo I am playing. I dont know much about filming and I would love to learn, and that is my goal at the moment. So do you have any info on SFI?

LmB

 

[abelevy]

Film school is for connections

Film school is for connections

My biggest regret is that I didn't try harder to get into one of the big three schools - NYU, USC, UCLA

Everyone I know that went to one of these schools gets incredible hookups from other alumni. If you want to go into the business - In the end film school is really a place to make connections. you can learn all you need by working on sets and in post. To get hired in the real world you will have a way easier time if you can rely on your schoolmates. Speaking from LA anyway. Not sure what it's like in Seattle.

Abe Levy
www.theaviarymovie.com

 

[jeffad]

Thats exactly why I want to go to school in film, for the networking with fellow film students and the prof, and of course playing with the equipment. But I dont want to spent an arm and a leg to do that, and what if this isnt for me I am then 100k in debt and screw<and thats in the bad way>I just want to play around and do something that interest me, and that I enjoy, and maybe one day become a pro with practice

LmB

Why not try the New York Film Academy. They have resonable prices, places everywhere and they DO let you play around with the equipment.

I am not affliated with not get any cutback for saying this!

 

[Lamb]

I think I am just goin to go to seattle film institute. Its close, and I will learn wha tI want to learn, and its cheap, and not in a bad way. from the info I have recieved, from other forums that gave me some info, its sound pretty good.

LmB

 

[cmscalvert]

Video Editing Job Opportunities

Video Editing Job Opportunities

I gradiated from Albright College, Summa Cum Laude, with a Degree in Digital Media and Art. My specialty is video editing with final cut pro. I have a dvd of college projects but have no commercial editing experience. I only had a semester long internship at a local public access station. Due to the fact that I have little-to-no money that I can use to establish a new residence, I cannot take an internship in my field in a beneficial location. Cape May, NJ has no internships for television production and/or video editing. I cannot gain commercial/professional experience in my field in my current economical situation/location. Are there things I can do to get the experience I need without going poor and running out on my student loans by trying to live elsewhere, or am I screwed? Please reply!