Hey, not new to the forum but new to posting. I'm in a odd spot. I always see these people asking about breaking into film and stuff. It all seems to lead to that big industry job with 'your name in lights' type of connotation. I really don't want to deal with Hollywood in those terms. I'm not trying to be the next big thing in directing or cinematography (still haven't figured out which is more me). I just want to learn as much as possible about films (from all different jobs) and be able to convey my story through film.

So I'm not real interested in spending 40k a year just to break into the industry. My list of schools are (for the most part) under 20k a year. Is this sound reasoning on my part?

All in all, I really would rather be in the independent film scene than in Hollywood. I don't think the films I want to make would be very mainstream. But I feel like I'm alone on this stance on Film.

If it would help anyone my list as of now is, UNCW, SCAD, Columbia College Chi, U of Ill of Chi, U of Texas Austin. SCAD is really the only wallet buster.

Any advice or criticism would be helpful.

Check out Watkins Film School in Nashville as well. Very young school but very cheap relatively speaking and has great professors and resources. They focus on independent filmmaking.

NY is a very indy town from what I hear - alot of independent films are made there.