I'm saying this as a film school drop out, someone who got accepted to UCLA and USC (biggest schools I was accepted to) screenwriting (did't go because I can't afford), every topic I read on here is looking for advice on anything and everything. However in most topics Robert Rodriguez's book, "Rebel Without a Crew," is braught up. To those of you who have't read this, please do so, and then get El Mariachi and Desparado DVD just for the 10 Minute Film School Featurette. These items are precious to own. What I have learned from those items (and every other film/screenwriting book I own), it would probably have taken me over a year to learn the same thing in school.

For other fellow film school drop outs who whish they didn't have to drop out I recommend:
Make your own movies by yourself and learn from them.
Read "Rebel Without A Crew"
Robert Rodrigueze's 10 Film School Featurettes on El Mariachi and Desparado.
Interviews with Taratintino (I'm not the greatest speller, sorry)
Watch Indie films
Snake your way into the business and laugh at those who are wasting money on film school (If you get into the business you can, you have my permission)
Network, network, network
Work with your local Indie film makers
Don't take "no" as an answer, show your willing to work, even for free.

You can learn just as much while not in film school and get into the business sooner if you play your cards right. It's all on you my friends.

BTW - For those who like to talk ****, I'm now a journalist for the Gloucester County Times, helping to open an Arts center, cameraman for Comcast Sportsnet, have worked on Indie films and work at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

If you would like anymore advice or just want to chat or what not... AIM HumachFilme

What I believe in isn't scary, it's what I don't believe in that is.

It's great that you dropped out of film school and are doing great, but that doesn't mean everyone should. Film school isn't necessary to become a filmmaker, but it is deffinatly helpful. You learn how to work with people and make great connections at film school. I went and am glad I did.

Cammo

HumanMachine brings up great points and should be considered by up and coming filmmakers as a way to go about their life in film.

Though I'm still in high school, I've learned more then I ever thought from filmmaking and art in general and grasped a greater knowledge of who and what I am about. Once I'm through with school, I don't plan on ever going back. I'm planning on traveling, meeting new people and learning new ways of living and experiencing life. I'll look to pursue my own route towards my defined success.

Back to the topic, HumanMachine makes it sound like the you don't even need Film School. In some ways he's right. But there are those out there that NEED direction and WANT to sit in classrooms with other want to be professional filmmakers and learn through lectures, papers and whatnot. I myself considered film school but grew to a point after visiting a few that it just wasn't for me. Not that it wasn't for me as a filmmaker, but wasn't for me as person. That's what I think many need to figure out. Go for yourself and if it feels right for YOU, not going just because you think it'll benefit your career.

the best stories and ideas come from the outside and their experiences

www.jps-productions.com

Yes! That first post sounds perfect to me. Hard work is where it's at...not a classroom. Funny how people here generally agree on film school not being the ticket to talent on a site called STUDENTFILMS.COM

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BTW - For those who like to talk ****, I'm now a journalist for the Gloucester County Times, helping to open an Arts center, cameraman for Comcast Sportsnet, have worked on Indie films and work at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

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cameraman for Comcast Sportsnet

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Being a freelance sports camera operator myslef, braging about be freelance for comcast, and anything associated with them is pretty pathetic. They dont even meet rate for there camera men, and their trucks, directors, producers, video guys...they all suck. This is from a guy who used to work for them before moving up the ranks to ESPN, NBC, ABC, and sometimes FOX.

DOWN WITH COMCAST. THEY ARE CHEAP, AND THEIR PRODUCTIONS SUCK!!

"Pain is temporary, Film is forever"-Peter Jackson

"Art only does so much, and sometimes it doesn't even pay the bills!"-AFC President

http://www.ErwinBrothers.com

Speaking of Comcast, we watched footage shot by a comcast cameraman for a local tv spot - oh my god- it sucked. The whole discussion was supposed to be how to salvage a seemingly hopeless tape of raw footage but the topic turned to how the guy actually kept his job as a crew member regular cameraman at COMCAST! Gag!

- C. Davis
YELLOW HAMMER PRODUCTIONS

I'm not saying drop out of school if you people can read, it's for those who can't afford the ****. And those talking **** on Comcast, you obviously didn't read the rest, selective reading. Personaly, (not to brag) but I know I am better off then my friends in film school, yea there films are good on technical aspects but the stories are almost all the same and suck ass. Creativity can not be learned, especially in a classroom. For those of you in film school, remeber you're not going to learn everything from someone, some things you have to learn yourself. Go ahead say I'm pathetic, but for you people I laugh... Ignorance is bliss I guess.

What I believe in isn't scary, it's what I don't believe in that is.

I'm all for the idea of making your way in the industry by yourself, especially when money's a rare thing, but I think a certain amount of film theory is necessary to develop your knowledge, your eye, and your judgement.

Sometimes, when you listen to a teacher with a few dozen years of experience in the field, you can learn lots. I know I do...

the only thing I can say about this topic is: if you CAN afford film school, then, by al means, GO FOR IT. you WILL learn a WHoLE LOT in the class room from GREAT teachers. You WILL learn a LOOOT working on student films EVERY WEEK!. You will meet a lot of extremely interesting and cool people, you WILL HAVE fun. In fact, If you can afford film school and you do not go, your an idiot

Being in high school, this is a topic I must ask about:

Is there anything wrong with combining film school and your own endeavors?

It sounds to me most of you think it should go one way or another.

Don't chew on me for asking because I really don't know.

Film Director is not a name,
It's a lifestyle.

you said:

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Go ahead say I'm pathetic, but for you people I laugh... Ignorance is bliss I guess.

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I said that comcast wasnt something to brag about. There productions suck. They are cheap, and dont do good work. I was just saying, be careful with what networks you associate yourself with.

I believe the selective hearing may be one of your shortfalls

"Pain is temporary, Film is forever"-Peter Jackson

"Art only does so much, and sometimes it doesn't even pay the bills!"-AFC President

http://www.ErwinBrothers.com

To answer Rellik, no there is nothing wrong with both. This is a very "different strokes fior different folks" type thing and this is coming from an ubber Robert Rodriguez fan mind you.

Going to film school afforded me opportunities I otherwise would not have had without wasting "good money". I paid for three classes total as i had to work full time. As it happened I became good friends with the faculty and since m,y films kept winning the school money they kept letting me use equipment despite the fact that I wasnt enrolled.

Cant beat free cameras, mics, lighting, and tape stock.

Its really about how much you put in versus how much you get back. I am still considering attending some school now but the stipulations have changed as my life has as well.

To each their own. Do what works for you, and conform to nothing.
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

Tizzy filters out the bullsh|t for a clear view of reality

It is hard to find the clear view of reality. It works out differently for everyone

there is a Gilr at NYU, sophomore, I heard rumours she just got a 12 million dollar deal....things like that may happen in film school

Now, How on earth does that happen?

Did she just have a really great script?

Or did she go out and make her own film?

How does someone do that?

Do not ask me I just picked up rumours. She made once a good short, then she wrote an excellent script, got attention, money and miramax is interested as well...

I worked with someone this weekend who knows her.

I'd say, that is a once in 1209731902 lifetime luck