hi; this is my first post, and i didn't know which forum to post it in, so i posted it in here.
i'm a freshman at UCLA, and my goal is to direct. i don't really have much experience; i took the only film class available at my high school and made a few short comedy pieces for a comedy show at my high school, along with a video that was shown at graduation. i've only wanted to direct for a relatively short time. i knew i didn't have the experience or the portfolio to get into the usc or nyu undergrad film schools, so i came to ucla because its film school doesnt start until junior year and you don't have to have film experience to get in, as well as because ucla has a good communications program (which i'm also interested in).
i was just looking for general advice from people who have been in my situation before; how to approach my goal, things to do to learn more about filmmaking before the film school (internships?), how to improve my odds of getting into the film school, etc. i'm not from LA (i'm from illinois) so even just advice on where to go here to look for opportunities or to learn would be helpful.
i would really appreciate any advice anybody might have, as well as emails or IMs; i found this site by accident and am already learning! thanks.
Dan Atherton

Without a doubt internships are a great thing to do. Directing is a pretty hard goal to attain (and there is definitely no set career path), but internships will at least provide these things:

- intro to the life of the film business
- possible contacts for job opportunities
- looks great on resume once you leave college
- REAL LIFE FILMMAKING EXPERIENCE

I interned every year that I was in Film School and it definitely paid off. I made many valuable connections with people that I am still in touch with today, many years after I interned with them.

People are always looking for people to work for free so without a doubt find an internship as soon as possible. (even if it is not for credit)

As for getting into the UCLA films school, since you are already a student try and talk to the film school's dean on how you can transfer over (i.e.. the course requirements, etc...) It shouldn't be too hard if you show them that you're enthusiasm and work ethic.

Hope this helps.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

Become a Production Assistant.

Being a PA is the way to go for your situation. You won't be bogged down with the long months that an internship would entail (at production companies, tv stations, etc.) Work with professionals working on short films throughout your area.

There are a ton of film gigs going on within the Los Angeles area that you could become apart of easily. There's always someone looking for a PA (even with no experience) or set iterns. Definitely a good idea since you'll be actually working in production. With most standard internships you don't know what you'll get, most likely a desk job.

Hope this helps. Check out: www.mandy.com for jobs in your region. Good luck.

- Eric

P.S. I also recommend you to keep shooting your comedies. Stanley Kubrick once said that the most important thing an aspiring filmmaker can do is shoot a film of any kind at all.

Yes, getting a gig as a PA is also good advice.

I'm coming from a more post-production background where internships are indispensable. (I'm currently a working editor and assistant-editor in LA)

Good luck.

-Chris
Studentfilms.com

I got my recent editing job off of mandy.com -- it really is a great place. You know, though, I don't really think that the portfolio list matters for USC. I know people that are in Production here at USC and have never made anything before. I applied to Production and had a portfolio list four pages long...but I didn't get into Production, I got into Critical Studies. The thing is...just keep making movies. Do what you have to do and make them. After my first semester here at USC, I made a feature with my two roommates because we just wanted to make movies. When we get bored, we make movies. The best way to learn is through practice...so just keep making movies.

If you are ever in England, and looking for film making expereince, let me know as Rebel Films has a lot planned for the next few years and we always need people to work with us ...

Contact Rebel Films at any time with any film making queries...

Hmm, Im suprised no one said this yet, but...

Being a P.A. is an ok way to get some technical knowledge, and it certainly will help you learn the hiarchy of a film crew, but if you want to direct, there is only one way to truly prepare your craft. You MUST shoot something. They say we all have 10 to 20 bad movies in us. It would suck to spens all that time in school, finally get into the film program, make a 16mm, or even 35mm film, and have it suck, because you dont have that much experience telling a story visually. Im not saying your bad, im saying, dont set yourself up for that. Shoot on video, and shoot alot. Shoot everything you can. Try and be creative, and tell short, smart stories that are easy, and realistic. The one advantage you have is your imagination, and creativity. Use them, be original. Take advantage of a site like this. Watch as many movies as possible. Note what works, and what dosent, and learn from it. Make as much as possible, and I look forward to checking out your work. Feel free to e-mail me with questions, ect.
R. M. McWhorter

And you shall know us by the trail of dead.

Well Lloyd Coughman, the President of Troma Films lets anyone be in his movies. If you want an intership I would definitely talk to him. You might know him his name from Toxic Avenger. I can't say that he makes the best movies but if you need the experience goto him :O www.troma.com He loves people to internship for Troma because he likes to save as much money as he can. He lets all his fans be in his movies. GL and good hunting

well, you are in the right city, that's for sure.

follow your current track at UCLA, but in the meantime, since you are not handling a camera just yet, check out LA.

try to get in as an extra or PA on a shoot over there. 15 hours of being on a set and just keeping your eyes and ears open will bring tons of information that you would never learn in a book.

so far, you seem to be on the right track.