You can do more when you have money than when you don't. Case in point, the short we've just worked on - we wanted rain. If I weren't willing to spend an extra hundred dollars on making a rain machine, it wouldn't have happened.

Would it work without rain? Yes. Just not quite as well - and I'd be a hundred dollars richer. There are a whole lot of these little expenditures that make the piece a little bit better. Money gives you flexibility and options.

Back to the main argument of this page - as artists we need options. Would Dali make as good work if all he had to work with was a box of crayons? There's incentive right there to reach an audience with your films - for money for options. Francis Ford Copolla spent millions of his own on Apocalypse Now. Why? Because he could - and because he needed the options. Apocalypse Now is a classic example of a Hollywood movie that's anything but escapist. And it wouldn't have worked without all the money.

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Francis Ford Copolla spent millions of his own on Apocalypse Now. Why? Because he could - and because he needed the options. Apocalypse Now is a classic example of a Hollywood movie that's anything but escapist. And it wouldn't have worked without all the money.

Go watch "Heaven's Gate," "Adventures of Pluto Nash" or even Coppola's own "One From the Heart" and tell me how money makes films better. It's not the money, it's the minds in front of the camera. Getting all the money in the world hasn't helped Rodriguez top "El Marachi," it's still his best film, because he was in his most creative place. He basically handicapped himself into making that film what it was in the way it was. He had something to prove. Isn't that a place you'd like to stay in? Instead of worrying about your student loans now, you'll just end up worrying about your 5 million dollar beach house, and coming in under your 100 million dollar as to not lose net points in your contract.

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And, no, it's not greed; it's a case of me aspiring for more than you, and you trying to degrade that. I really want my movies to be seen - and you don't, which confuses me, but, to each his own.

TD, I invite you to watch all 2 hours of my feature. I "really want my movie to be seen" by you. The links are at the bottom and I am eagerly anticipating your response to the entire thing. (I'm sure we'll talk later about this).

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Star Wars is the best example I can think of, because it is THE most popular movie of all time. Star Wars changed the lives of millions of people. If I can do that, I'll be happy.

Jaws was very successful in thsi same regard. People were afraid to sit on the toilet for weeks. In fact many demanded that we start killing sharks because the movie was so convincing. I call it happiness in slavery. Now if only any good could come from a film.

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Perry. I challenge you to a one dollar movie.

winner gets 2 $

Kyle? Don't you still owe me money for describing the meaning of that obscure painting some 12 months ago or so.

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There are a whole lot of these little expenditures that make the piece a little bit better. Money gives you flexibility and options.

I just spent $120 on a few bottles of SMASH plastic breakaway glass. I knew there'd be a place to justify it.

No, but seriously, someone getting thrown through a window will definately improve the film. A lot. Right now it's just a CUT TO BLACK with a glass sound effect.

I know many people who graduated fromt isch 30ago up to 2 years ago....and tisch has changed MASSIVELY. These days, it is up to the student what he wants to do and we have COMPLETE freedom (except porn and real violence w/humans and animals.

let me tell you that. In my 3 years at tisch, NEVER was I told NOT to do something but many times the teacher suggested not to do it my way (most of the time they were right). I learned EVERYTHING technical in filmschool. I was surrounded for 3 years by students and faculty who simply loved film and live for it. I was in the best environment for an artist (NYC). Every damn corner has a museum and I had plenty of time to visit it. I grew as a human being by living in this city on my own. I built a nice looking reel and I will go out in the real world with 1-2 shorts that will most likely do good at festivals and show a good understanding of filmmaking and storytelling.

I could go on and on...but what i really want to say. No one should say that filmschool is not a good thing who did not visit a good school. The only reason NOT to go is the money ad I cmpletely back it up. 200000 dollar is a lot and many people cant afford it. To say that filmschool is a place that follows industry routines and tries to mold you into just another uninspired filmmaker is complete and utter bull****. ESPECIALLY tisch has a reputation of having students who risk a lot and push the boundaries of filmmaking. And Tisch definitely loves students who do experimental film (we have one of the best departments for experimental film in the world!!!).

I am not trying to be the tisch fan boy. I am just honestly telling you my experience and that it was worth every single penny that was invested in the education. I would do it again and again. In fact, after graduation, I feel like I need to take another 2-3 years of filmschool because I realized how LITTLE I actually now about the true art of making a movie even after 3 years of film school.

I am also sure that anyone on these boards who went to one of the top film schools will back me up in most points. I know that all my friends wo go to AFI love it and learned a tremendous amount already. I can say the same about USC and Columbia University.

myy perry said everything I tried to say in my rage-flawed english

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No one can presume the ability to teach a person to be a better artist. Film school gives us several things: the technical training we need; the practice we need; the connections we need; and the environment in which we are most likely to discover our own style, our own artistic direction, and to teach OURSELVES how to be better artists.

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You said it pretty well too. I really agree with all of that.