I`ve read his biography and was a little bit surprised.
He doesn`t have any filmmaking education.
How did he manage to get into "Big" filmmaking then?

The same is true of many great filmmakers. Making it big seems to take a combination of luck, skill, connections, and merely being in the right place at the right time.

But where is that "right" place and when is this "right" time?

Peter Jackson's first few films were all organized by him - they were funded here in NZ, and there was a lot of work he had to do. It was not really "right place at the right time" for PJ, it was skill and determination. He started with the very tiny budget film (with assistance from friends etc.) in 1987, Bad Taste. After a while, the NZ film commission agreed to help fund his films.

Once Peter Jackson had made these early films he had a sort of mild reputation from the film commission. So in the early 90's the commission gave him funding for Heavenly Creatures.

Lord of the Rings and King Kong were not just planted on him - Peter Jackson has wanted to do these films all along. As you will know for LOTR he pitched the ideas using a demo reel from wingnut films. He physically went over to all the major hollywood studios and pitched the idea. They would have seen Heavenly creatures, the frightners etc. and obviously were impressed . Newline believed that he had what it takes to bring an epic series to the screen.

This is great proof that if you have the skill, and the determination - why can't you be the next big director? Think positively, know you can do it, and some day...you will.

-Chris

Exactly, I figure film school (while costly) will be a great place to practice and learn more about film and find out what direction to go in. It's not only about luck like most people mak it out to be... you practice now and get better so hopefully by the time you're ready to persue film as a true career it isn't too hard to get a job.

Many people believe creativity is bestowed upon you and writing and film skill is either a you got it or not situation. Some people write books about making your movie if you don't have skill and the truth is, it takes practice.

Ah... that's the thing. The elusive right place, and infrequent right time: nobody knows until it happens.

I don't believe in that, I agree it can help significantly, but I say when it comes down to it, it's what you can do and have done, not what you've been taught to do and who you know.

Say two fellas pitch a movie to a hot shot producer. One has a film school education, and gives a half assed comedy as his portfolio and experience. The other guy, a highschool drop out, shows the producer an amazing indie drama. Who's pitch is the man with the money going to take?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrandonGlossop,

Oh absolutely, it ultimately comes down to who's work is better. The expensive "brand name" film school diploma can give you an advantage when you're against someone of equal prowess who doesn't have it, but in most situations it's just who's got more to show for themselves.

the thing is....there is a way to find out where the right place and the right time is...and I found it...in fact, its comming up soon and I will be there...waiting under the full moon for it. dont ask me where it is and when...I wont tell you!


but yea, I'm a bit tipsy right now

That`s why I`m going to study in the US.
1. The level of film education is the highest in the world.
2. There are more "right" places in the "right" time than there are in Ukraine.

I too read Peter Jackson's BIO and was quite suprised. Apparently he thought his Academy Award was made of chocolate and he tried to eat it whilst backstage. It got lodged in his throat and he almost died. The whole thing put him off eating for months, which is why he is now so skinny.

I don't think going to film school has much to with it at all. I think it boils down to three things talent, business sense, and being a salesman which obviously Jackson has. Even though I love Meet The Feebles would you want that on your resume if you were pitching a project to someone? Possibly,it depends on the project I guess. You can see his talent in that movie but from what I have read about him underneath that messy exterior is a very smart business man and that's half of the game in the film industry. Personally I am against going to film school - you can take all that money you would spend for tutiton etc and just go out and make some movies for that matter. He's a perfect example.

Damn it. It's seven something in the morning and I'm all hung over. So I actually searched the net to see if he really tried to eat his oscar.

filmschool gives you the feeling that you have enough knowledge and "power" to shoot films.
Although, it gives you a chance to get in another country.