I'm new here, but glad to see so many people enthusiastic about films. Lately I've been thinking about going to film school. I live in a small town built around a college, and I've been stuck in an English degree because the only thing other than films that I like is writing. I'm trying to write a screenplay, but it's difficult when there are no courses at this college that will help with that. I know a lot of theatre majors here, but every time they claim to be enthusiastic about a film project, they drop out.

I'm considering buying a camera to shoot footage...I found one for fairly cheap but I won't be able to afford an external microphone. I guess what I'm asking is how did everyone decide they wanted to go to film school? I've always been the one behind the camera, and it makes me feel like I accomplish something when I make videos, but I don't know how to really start doing it as more of a profession than a hobby.

I'd love to get out of Michigan (where I am currently) and go to film school somewhere else, but I highly doubt I can afford it. Any pointers for an extreme beginner?

As far as affording it, I think it depends on if you're willing to take out loans or not. If you're willing to go into some financial debt, you can go to film school.

Buying a camera to get a good idea of composition and framing isn't a bad idea. Writing feature-length scripts is good, but have you thought of writing/directing a short film? (Perhaps borrowing a camera from a friend or renting one before buying)? That will give you a good taste for filmmaking, and help you decide if that's what you want.

As far as actors dropping out of a project, welcome to the world of film! I've had friends who went through the whole casting process, only to have actors go AWOL the day(s) of the shoot.

Good luck.

My project that I'm writing now could be a short film...how long do those usually run? 15 minutes, 30 minutes? I told a friend of mine that I'd like to do a short film based on a favorite short story of mine, but she hasn't returned my calls. There aren't a lot of people in my area that are really serious about filmmaking, and I really feel that I am.

Debt? Hahaha. I'm in my third year of college and I feel like I've learned nothing. The first two years were mostly scholarships and grants, so I don't have too much in loans taken out yet. I'm just scared about moving out of state alone, which is what I'll have to do to go to film school.

A short film can be as short as you want it to be. I've made films from 36 seconds to 28 minutes.

Moving out of state alone is part of life...I too come from a small town built around a college...in Ohio, and driving cross country in a Rav 4 packed with all of my belongings was my first time seeing anything west of Michigan.

And I was 28.

You can do it!

I haven't seen a lot about Full Sail in FL...I requested information (Florida is a place I'd like to be in the next couple of years, part of my goals). This summer I'm hoping to afford a camera...anything fairly inexpensive that a poor college student could afford?

I know this probably isn't the best place to ask any of this. I'm just very new to the whole "filmmaker" mentality and trying to get some good beginner's advice.

Look at the thread in the "Non Accredited" school forum for info on Full Sail. The thing is, you might as well get a BFA if you've done three years of college already...FS can't offer you anything more than a certificate that doesn't mean a thing to other schools beyond "She went to Full Sail." It's a trade school.

I do not speak from experience, but from reputation, and the goals you speak of, I would warn against it...let the thread speak for itself, though.

If you find yourself uncontrolably drifting toward film (it happens to the best of us), then I'd seriously suggest considering Grad School. It's expensive, it's time consuming, but it would give you a great education in film and really help you settle yourself within the art-form.

Until then, look around for any productions in your area, and try hard to get involved. You'll learn so much from just working on a set. Getting your own camera to experiment might be good to - though, another option is just getting a still camera and starting with basic composition and single-frame narratives (I actually think everyone should really start off this way - I wish I had).