How do I know if film school is worth it?
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RynoII — 9 years ago(January 11, 2017 05:55 PM)
Okay thanks. The recording studio class, is a completely different course though, and it's not part of the motion picture arts program. It's a separate program entirely, they said.
Also, when you say there is a better school one province over, which school are we talking about here? I truly am lost. The one province over from me is Manitoba, and I do not know of any schools in Manitoba. Which is it? I can't find it, so could you please tell me? -
Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 11, 2017 09:44 PM)
The recording studio class, is a completely different course though, and it's not part of the motion picture arts program. It's a separate program entirely, they said.
The point the FT is trying to get across is that the school is primarily a audio recording arts program that recently started a motion picture program. Thus the motion picture program is heavily borrowing from the recording program in structure, and not really a full film program in its own right.
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 15, 2017 03:01 PM)
Oh okay, I thought it seemed like a lot of it was devoted to video, cause when you tour the school, they have a lot of video equipment and green screen/FX rooms, and just departments devoted to video related matters. I don't think they could borrow from the audio department much cause the audio department needs there resources for their program as well, so it looks like both parts of the building are separate completely, from when I took the tour.
I am heavy into audio when it comes to filmmaking though, since sound is half the movie, so I thought that if they are heavy into audio as well, isn't that a good thing, since sound is half the movie?
I talked to one of the students so far and she said that she learned a lot and made good connections, so it was totally worth the money for her, so I wonder how bad could the school be, if one student so far actually really likes it. But I am having second thoughts now. -
Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 15, 2017 04:44 PM)
I am heavy into audio when it comes to filmmaking though, since sound is half the movie, so I thought that if they are heavy into audio as well, isn't that a good thing, since sound is half the movie?
It is good to have a good sound department within a good film program, but what we noticed on the school's page is that their film program seems lifted from the recording school, and not a real quality film program in and of itself (as we wrote about earlier. it's lots of styles with no depth or chance to improve on a style. Just bam, bam, bam on to the next project without ever learning what worked and didn't work on your shoot. Plus, no class time and them admitting that they would have to make adjustments to teach you how to produce and budget. Massive red flags!).
I talked to one of the students so far and she said that she learned a lot and made good connections, so it was totally worth the money for her, so I wonder how bad could the school be, if one student so far actually really likes it. But I am having second thoughts now.
Yeah, one person out of how many graduates? You can find one person who thinks anything is positive, doesn't mean that it really is. Again, what is the percentage of grads working professionally in the industry? What is this school's reputation within the industry? So you would be spending nearly $2000/month on something that is on par with a community college program.
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 15, 2017 04:51 PM)
For sure, I would have to find other grad's to talk to. Not sure where to look though. I thought that the fact that they were willing to modify the program for me, was not a red flag, but a good sign, cause it shows they are willing to do that for a student's advantage of a particular area, that student might find useful.
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RynoII — 9 years ago(January 15, 2017 04:51 PM)
For sure, I would have to find other grad's to talk to. Not sure where to look though. I thought that the fact that they were willing to modify the program for me, was not a red flag, but a good sign, cause it shows they are willing to do that for a student's advantage of a particular area, that student might find useful.
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Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 15, 2017 08:45 PM)
For sure, I would have to find other grad's to talk to. Not sure where to look though.
Ask them for an alumni list. You say you've been helping out on other people's films. Ask them if any of them have heard of or worked with people from this program. Again, this isn't hard. Start thinking.
I thought that the fact that they were willing to modify the program for me, was not a red flag, but a good sign, cause it shows they are willing to do that for a student's advantage of a particular area, that student might find useful.
The simple fact that fundamental aspects to the craft like producing and budgeting are NOT part of the regular curriculum is a huge issue, and a further example that this isn't a serious film program, along with all the other issues FT and I have pointed out to you in this thread. Don't know how many other ways and times I can say it before it sinks in. This is an overpriced community college level program. Take some time, do the research, ask the right questions and quit looking for the quick and easy way to learn this craft.
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 16, 2017 10:05 PM)
Okay thanks. Well I have been researching and couldn't find any graduates of the program so far, but one thing a lot of film school graduates say, is that even though the degree is useless, and they could have used that money to make their own movies, it was still worth going, cause of the connections they make. And that is what I am lacking is connections.
So I was wondering if it's still worth going for that reason? As for going to a more expensive one, you say this one is overpriced, but other main ones in Canada are higher, and I could not afford it.
So it's pretty much either go to this one and hope the connections are worth it, or just use the money to make my own short films, or add the money to a feature. Which option do you think is best? -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 16, 2017 10:05 PM)
Okay thanks. Well I have been researching and couldn't find any graduates of the program so far, but one thing a lot of film school graduates say, is that even though the degree is useless, and they could have used that money to make their own movies, it was still worth going, cause of the connections they make. And that is what I am lacking is connections.
So I was wondering if it's still worth going for that reason? As for going to a more expensive one, you say this one is overpriced, but other main ones in Canada are higher, and I could not afford it.
So it's pretty much either go to this one and hope the connections are worth it, or just use the money to make my own short films, or add the money to a feature. Which option do you think is best? -
Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 16, 2017 11:03 PM)
Well I have been researching and couldn't find any graduates of the program so far
Your first red flag! Good programs that have students working in the industry will always flaunt those students.
it was still worth going, cause of the connections they make.
Total BS. Connections only work if the school puts out quality graduates.
I've been in this profession for almost 20 years and NOBODY I've worked with has attended a program like the one you're jazzed about (or they are too embarrassed about going to one to admit it).
See where this is going?
And that is what I am lacking is connections.
No. What you're lacking is understanding of the medium. That's where a GOOD film program could help. With quality come the connections via the alumni.
So I was wondering if it's still worth going for that reason? As for going to a more expensive one, you say this one is overpriced, but other main ones in Canada are higher, and I could not afford it.
Dear god! Just go to a state university with a media program and a film theory class and you'll have a better education at a lower cost than this program.
Simple rule of thumb, if you simply have to sign up, pay the tuition and don't have to apply and get accepted, the program is a waste of time and money. But if you need reassurances about every little decision, after knowledgable people have given you sound advice, just go and hope for the best.
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 17, 2017 05:44 PM)
Okay thanks. I just want to make the best decision based on experienced people who could probably give me better advice Does this school look any better?
http://saskpolytech.ca/programs-and-courses/programs/Media-Arts-Production-Certificate.aspx -
Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 17, 2017 08:30 PM)
Hard to say. Their website is kind of nebulous, non-specific as to classes. The fact that they don't have any faculty listed is worrisome.
Overall, if you can't leave Saskatchewan, this is the better program:
https://www.uregina.ca/mediaartperformance/areas-study/film/index.html
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 17, 2017 10:36 PM)
Okay thanks, but there are independent filmmaker here who have made feature films cause they don't need the tax credit. They have used programs like kickstarter, and other ways of getting money from outside of Saskatchewan.
You don't need a tax credit break from Saskatchewan to make a movie, when you can get money from other places through networking. The reason why I am here, is because I know some actors who I have worked with before, and I stick around to work with them again. However, I was just wondering what school is worth it here; I wasn't inquiring about the government tax credit. Plus with online networking, filmmakers that I have worked under before, are not relying on local government tax credits. Do you think the tax credits effected the schools as well?
Either way, I would only travel outside of Saskatchewan to shoot a feature film, in the future, but I wouldn't be able to afford to move for school. But I am perfectly willing to travel outside to make a movie, I just didn't want to go to school outside of.
You say that the University of Regina program is much better. What is it about it, that makes it better? -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 19, 2017 10:07 PM)
I could move to go school, but is it worth going to school to make the connections? I thought I could make the connections in other ways, even in other areas. But if it's worth going to school for the connections than I could move. Does it have to Vancouver or Ontario though?
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Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 18, 2017 12:39 PM)
You say that the University of Regina program is much better. What is it about it, that makes it better?
I'll admit to knowing nothing about the program. All I can do is look at the program layout at UR, and it looks more like the film programs you see at top film schools here. It is similar in structure to NYU and FSU. They provide course descriptions and tracks. They show you the faculty so you can decide if these are people under whom you would like to study. The other programs you referenced are more like NYFA and early Full Sail workshop programs, which are just not well regarded in the industry.
So this is where you need to start your independent, critical thinking and research about the programs. We can't help you anymore, because it is down to you doing the legwork and the research.
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 19, 2017 09:41 PM)
Okay thanks, for looking at it and for all your input. I emailed the U of R about it before though, asking them certain questions, and they never got back to me. So I didn't have a good feeling about them compared to other schools which gave me a whole lot more information. I can email them again, but if they don't get back to me again, is that a bad sign?
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Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 20, 2017 10:28 AM)
It's a state school. One email isn't necessarily going to get attention, especially if you use the same grammar and punctuation you use on these boards.
How about calling the department and scheduling a tour? Actually see the facility. Meet the faculty and students, and get a feel for the program. Hell, do that with any school or program you're seriously looking to attend, even those overpriced workshops you're interested in. It is your money, your education and your future. So don't rely on one email to define your decision.
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 20, 2017 09:19 PM)
Okay thanks a lot for your input. After doing some research, I won't be able to afford a house in that city it turns out, so I am hesitant to go now. But I will find out more about the program first, to see exactly how much it is