Hello!

I currently attend a high school course called media and communication, and the 3 years I've spend here has made me interested in further film studies. I'm really not sure about what I want to do, there fore i would like to have an intese film year anywhere in the world, but I'd prefer a European location. I've found a school called European Film College in Denmark (www.efc.dk) which seems to be right in my alley, but I'm looking for other alternatives as well.

Where do you live?

My advice is not to go to a film school. Go to a real university and get a real degree. If that degree is in film, great. But thats not important. Go to college and write as much as possible and get your hands on a camera and make short films.

Most importantly keep involved and surround yourself with friends that you trust that are also interested in film.

Instead of spending (or getting in debt) $120,000+ for film school, use that money to make a film or start a production company.

I wouldn't say completely ditch film school and save money to make a feature film because you need to have an understanding of film if you want to make good films, and film school can definitely help with that. I would say that you should get a degree no matter what, because it's a great thing to fall back on if film doesn't work out.

I agree on some of your points, but I've already thought this through. Just getting some degree is just as expensive as going to a film school, and nothing prevents me from writing all the time as well as attending a film school. Your point about saving up cash to found a production company is good, but who's gonna hire a nobody who has no network or relevant education? I've already decided to go to film school, but I want to have a very productive year in which I will find out if this is what I want to do, instead of doing a 3 years long Bachleor degree.

quote:

Originally posted by thomaswk:
I agree on some of your points, but I've already thought this through. Just getting some degree is just as expensive as going to a film school

No its not. Public university for 4 years=$40,000. 4 Years at film school=$120,000

quote:

Originally posted by thomaswk:
Your point about saving up cash to found a production company is good, but who's gonna hire a nobody who has no network or relevant education?

You make your own work. You think anyone gives a **** about some film student? They are a dime a dozen. You have to make work for yourself. And on the note of "relevant education" You would be surprised how many Film makers don't take Film Classes. Why should they? To offer a new fresh perspective it might be better to get a science degree.

quote:

Originally posted by thomaswk:
I've already decided to go to film school, but I want to have a very productive year in which I will find out if this is what I want to do, instead of doing a 3 years long Bachelor degree.

That is cool, but you are going to have alot more to show for yourself by going to a university and getting a degree. If you are really interested in making films and you keep at it and you are good eventually things will work out.

Things are obviously different in Europe than in USA. Where I'm from (Norway) the national film school is actually free, but it's impossible to get in there, at least for an unexperienced dude like me. Film schools around Europe don't cost much more than going to uni, of course there are exceptions like NYFA's London school which I'd have to rob a bank to afford.

quote:

Originally posted by thomaswk:
Things are obviously different in Europe than in USA. Where I'm from (Norway) the national film school is actually free, but it's impossible to get in there, at least for an unexperienced dude like me. Film schools around Europe don't cost much more than going to uni, of course there are exceptions like NYFA's London school which I'd have to rob a bank to afford.

Tjena!! Im from Europe 2!! I live in Sweden...I wewre just following yr dicussion. Yes I just windering if u have a list oh schoolin Europe?...Maybe in Spain, Netherland..etc...
Thank u!
Vi ses!
Krapola/

Tjenare grabben!

Nah, I haven't really found any other schools in the same price-range as EFC. In Spain, Italy, Germany etc. the education is in their primary language, so that's a problem too. If you find any other alternatives please let me know.

Fred ut
Thomas

hey, how are you guys doing? just found that page and was wondering, if you could help me to find the right school, lthough I think probably everybody here is trying to find the right school. was at the open house day in the LA filmschool last week and i can say it was incredibly impressing. the equipment, the faculty, everything "seems" to be perfect. so I'm asking you guys, have you been in any schools yet? or do you have to recommend any?
thanks Joelle

Hey amigo!! sorry tath I'm coming to u now..beeing doing alot things lately!!
WEll Im inthe same search!!!
A tthe moment Im just doing filmprojects all the time..try to get a nice briefcase to show for people...maybe this is the most inportant thing for me at the moment and for te people who want to really start in this bussiness.
Of course maybe in the future apply for some filmschool also!! Are u form U.S?
Im wrting from Sweden actually...

So did u find some good filmschool now?
T-care!
Kr/

Can anyone give feedback for the New York Film Academy? Given that there are many options to the length of time you can attend, I was curious if anyone got more out of it by going longer or shorter?

i always pictured nyfa as a summer thing. i really couldnt picture making the most of a solid year of it

Get a B.A. in art, communications...whatever and take production classes as your electives. You'll learn everthing you need to know and you'll have a degree in another field to fall back on. The only degrees that people care about are Master's degrees in film production and going to graduate school for film is insanely expensive. Get a BA and then ask for a DV camera as a graduation present and voila; you're a filmmaker who can also get a day job if he has to.

listen guys, don't speculate over spendinf hundreds and thousands of dollars on a film school. i know its a great feeling to be in a film school. but believe me you will be an ostrich with your head and ass both buried in the sand of debts. in the film schools too, they just leave you to make films... nothing heavenly happens there. If you reaaly wanna know what film industry is all about then do the following: -
a) for a fraction of your fee, buy books like Steven d Katz's shot by shot or some on cinematography. read books alot of them/

b) Pay 5000$ and Join Cineam Arts tech in LA. Call their Head Jim Kelly Durgin. he has been in the guild for last forty years. He can train you in positions that are stepping stones to be a director and a produccer. he makes you work on real hollywood productions. most film school guys after graduation ( there are ten thousand of them In LA alone who dont have a job)go to him to get their first low paying job in Hollywood. IT IS AN ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE TO BE WORKING AND EARNING IN A PROFESSION WHICH HAS AN EXTREMELY HIGH MORTALITY RATE....

If you want to go for a year ..you should apply to Asian Academy of Film and Tv.The course is very intensive and practical.goto http://www.aaft.com and check it out.
The course is called Diploma in visual comm.
It cant get better than this

Well well well. I was rejected at the European Film College, but accepted for the BFA programe at Eicar in Paris. Surprisingly enough. Needless to say, I'm a very happy man these days.