Has anyone here attended Full Sail in florida... im thinkin about it but i need to hear from people... let me know guys.

---------------------------
Mike Jones
Green Sky Productions

I never went, but they were like, my first choice. I kinda regret not moving to FL and spending my time there, appearently this guy was able to make a pretty decent film there. If you haven't already, check out the other two movies from students who went there.

-Elliott

That film was well done, and speaks volumes for those who made it. But were they going to school there, or hired by the school after they graduated as teaching assistants and had access to all the facilities?

I am aware of certain graduates, who work at music retail stores, not my idea of a job 'in the industry.' Also, think about 25K or however much it is, and how much equipment you could buy with that. A mac with avid, a dvx100 or comparable camera, light kits, mics, etc. Then use the leftovers for random production costs. Boom you have your first set of short films, or even a feature film if you decided to rent and develop everything needed for that route.

I also know people who have quit that school in utter distaste of the teachers and the equipment usage situation. Some of the graduates, who are hired as lab techs, use the time for their own projects, won't really give you any tips worth hearing (hell they are your compitition), and will try and get you to finish your school work and go home so they can again, use it for themselves; all the while reducing your chances to work on your own side projects. I wouldn't shell out the 27K for that.

Most of my knowledge of the school is from audio so, the film department may be slightly different, but I highly doubt it. You are better off reading some books, buying gear, and getting an internship somewhere, etc.

All in all, school is what you make of it, and you might like this place. But, from what I understand, your money is better spent elsewhere, and so is your time. Even Valencia Community College (also here in Orlando) has a good film program, there was an article in Axis Mag about it (a local rag). They have a much better situation regarding film, but if you are out of state, I wouldn't come here for VCC. It's up to you...

-B

Avoid them like grim death. Overall bad school. I dont have time right now but I will ellaborate later. I will say you sriously would be better off going to Vallencia community college.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

ok, someone with a brain agrees with me, i was a little weary of flaming the school outright, since i don't know first hand, only from what people have told me. but yeah, thats what they all said to me: dont go near the place, buy gear.

Heres something I wrote about them on another board...

I hate to do this but I cant say enough bad things about Full Sail. I will however try and bite my tounge a bit and be objective.
I think Full Sails appeal is their short program, and allure of 35mm. I have known a few very talented people who went there, seen countless shorts from them and a few behind the scenes docs. This is what I have acertained

The mojority of the people who attend wish to be writers, or directors (or both) yet the school only makes one 35mm piece per term. The result is that you all fight writing scripts to see who is selected. Then you all fight again to see who directs, and so on. There is only one of each so many are left doing crew jobs from set construction whatever. They are bitter and angry, and often do what they can to undermine the director out of jelaousy. They will even sometimes have crew positions rotate. So one day you have a great AD, but the next guy is awful.

Alot of spoiled rich kids looking for their latest hobby, and dropping $30,000 to do it. One short I saw (horrible i might add) they took a 9 hour day to get one crane shot. Countless amounts of 35mm film and time wasted. Afterwards the crane operators went on and on (in the doc) about how good they were. Good is nailing the first take. All day means you arent allowed back on set.

The best short I saw from there is called "The Body". You can view it at www.studentfilms.com (just search films for the title or directors name) I have spoken with the director Gabe Sanchez who contacted me after I gave it a bad review on the afore mentioned site. Turns out he lived a few miles away and we later talked at length about the experience. He got chosen for script and to direct. A week before production the deans told him he had to trim his 27 page script down to 15 (so they would spend less on film stock. Funny, they werent giving him part of his tuition back) They later fought him on almost every aspect. (telling him crap like "you have to take out all the language" on the first day of shooting. As a result the films plot has some big holes because entire scenes were cut. It looks great thanks to the hard work of te ditrector, his D.P. and a few other serious crew members, but it could have been alot better and the school shopuld have helped it be so, instead of hindering it.

In closing, truth be told you would be much better off at say Florida State University wich has a fantastic program. There is also Savanah arts college and North Carolina School Of The Arts. All the afore mentioned school eithere give you a budget or provide film stock, and processing as well as equipment. NCSA costs about $4,000 a year for in state students and a degree from one of these schools means alot more than one from Full Sail.

My opinion, stay away. You would be better off investing that money in a film.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

I went and really enjoyed it. No, it's not for everyone. You have to be self motivated and willing to work. Like any other film school you get out of it what you put into it. It's also quite expensive, but let me assure you that of the 50 people in the month i was in (can't speak for other classes) there were no rich kids looking for a hobby. There were 50 people who worked hard and wanted to make films. I made connections with people I still work with and respect today.

As far as the urban legend about the disgruntled crew members sabotaging the films out of spite for not being picked as Director or DP, it's only happened once to my knowledge. But you know what, it happens on real films too. Sometimes people lose the respect of there crew or happen to have scumbags working on there film. It is as likely at Full Sail as it is at Warner Brothers. Also to clarify what Tizzy wrote the person who writes the chosen script is not necessarily chosen as the director, you must interview for the position you want. Which is very helpful once your in the market for a job. Also, I can assure you that the film I made there had plenty of bad language, and I was never asked to take any of it out. Making the final project was an overall great experience. Not just for me the Director, but for everyone involved.

So in closing, Full Sail is not the perfect school. It's expensive, and there are things I would do differently. But overall I learned alot and had access to equiptment that most people in this site have never touched. Having worked with Arri and Panavision 35mm, and Avid Symphonys is invaluable on a resume.

Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.

Cameron

Cameron: Thank you for your input, and for clarifying. It did come across wrong, but I meant to say you have to interview for the positions. Gabe just happened to be selected for both.

As to the "sabotage" I got that from two different students in two different classes. (one of whom shot a doc that showed some of it first hand) The doc had alot of self absorbed blow hards talking about how they were going to "change the industry" and so on.

I came to my conclusios about the school after knowing and working with atleast six graduates (almost all of which were very talented BTW) and speaking to a few more as well as seeing atleast 6 shorts from the school.

He is right about the Arri and symphony looking good on a resume, but so does a student academy award, or a selection as a "coca-cola refreshing film maker", ect. FSU, and North Carolina School of the Arts are among the 7 schools asked into the Coca-Cola program, and FSU thesis films have been nominated for student academy awards and more (Eduardo Rodriguez took his Horror influenced FSU thesis short "Daughter" all the way to the Cannes film festival and was signed to a three picture deal with Dimension films based on the short. His first feature "Symbiosis" which he co wrote and directed should be out next year.) and the Savanah Arts College has symphony as well as a Dolby Digital surround sound mixing system.

I guess my biggest problem with the school is the cost versus the amount of education you recieve. You can get a great education at the afore mentioned schools (and many others) with hands on experience even with 35mm for less or a similar amount of money, and alot more time dedicated to your craft.

One thing is true regardless. You will always get only as much as you put in back from any film school. While Ful Sail seems a little hit or miss you will not get a better education elsewhere if you dont take charge. Many have gone through the film progra i did and learned nothing. From day one I started pre production on a short and simply didnt stop working. Good luck in your choices. Wherever you attend I hope you recieve the best education possible.
R. Michael

"Luck, is when opportunity, meets preperation." "There are 3 sides to every story. Yours, mine, and the truth, and none of us are lying" -Robert Evans
Tizzy Entertainment "Redemption" Hi-Def trailer

quote:

---

Originally posted by cammo407:
Having worked with Arri and Panavision 35mm, and Avid Symphonys is invaluable on a resume.

---

Just a tip for people to take or leave as they see fit in regards to resumes.

As a D.P., if I were looking through resumes (Which would be a last resort) looking for an AC or camera operator I don't think a portion saying "proficient with Arri and Panavision cameras" is really going to be the part that catches my eye. IMO it'll only hurt you because it suggests that you only work with those specific manufacturer's models. I'd rephrase it to "proficient with most 35mm and 16mm cameras" or something to that extent. What would catch my eye is a relatively extensive and diverse credit list. The AC that I would hire would be the one that would feel confident to be able to learn and handle a brand new camera in the time before production begins (Conceptually, most cameras are very similar anyway). I'm pretty sure editing houses think the same way. Also, where the applicant went to film school would make very little difference. It would only come into play if the entire stack lacked real-world experience, and even then I'd base my decision more on attitude.

Nota "Hasn't done a whole lot of hiring" Mono