How do I know if film school is worth it?
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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
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Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 21, 2017 06:04 AM)
People starting out can't afford to live in New York or Los Angeles either, but they figure out how to make it work because it is what they want.
This may not be the career path for you. As a film maker 90% of your job is problem solving. If you want to be a director, 99% of your job is problem solving. That just seems like something you can't do based on your activity on these boards, and especially on this thread. Once I pointed you in the direction of what sort of questions to ask of programs, and what to look for in a film school, this thread should have ended. But the fact is that you can't extrapolate out and start to problem solve on your own. Nobody is going to trust you to be a director if you can't even do simple problem solving, and nobody is going to hire you for their crew if you need to be told what to do at every step, because you're a burden and a time suck on other crew member's time and energy.
Example: can't afford a house in Regina, get an apartment or get roommates. See if any current students are looking for roommates. Maybe the university offers student housing. Maybe the school offers a work/study program to help defer some of the costs. Maybe the school offers scholarships. All this I came up with after being awake for 5 minutes.
best of luck.
Never go with a hippy to a second location. -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 21, 2017 10:34 AM)
Okay thanks. I don't know anyone in Regina so I will have to look. Also, in order to solve the problem, are their any online filmmaking school programs worth taking, where I would learn more than what there is to offer in my city?
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John-PaulJones — 9 years ago(January 22, 2017 02:12 PM)
Seriously. Pick one. ANY one.
GO TO FILM SCHOOL.
Your friends are idiots; you listen to advice from random strangers and you have now just pissed off WORKING PROFESSIONALS who have tried and tried to help you. You ignored their advice, asked the same questions over and over again - THAT THEY TOOK THE TIME OUT OF THEIR BUSY LIVES TO ANSWER - and now they have had enough of you. Some have deleted their comments and moved on.
You have NO CLUE whatsoever who the people were that you were talking to. I have been fortunate to have worked in the film industry here in California for many years and have amassed a nice list of credits. Those WORKING PROFESSIONALS you have now pissed off have HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of credits.
I have no idea why they continue to offer advice to someone who won't take it, and I respect them for it, but enough is enough. If this is a little hobby, then stand under a cold shower and tear up hundred dollar bills instead. It will feel the same; the food will be just as good, and at the end of the day, you will be cleaner.
You need to decide if this is going to be a hobby or going to be a career. If it's a hobby, then waste your money, have fun and don't think for one minute that you will have absolutely nothing to show for it except bills ten years from now.
If this is a career, find a GOOD film school; find a way to attend, and GO.
It is obvious you just talk and talk and can't do the walk. Either go away from these boards or start learning your craft the right way. There are many other message boards on IMDB for losers; these SHOP TALK boards are for professionals (or those who want to become professionals.) -
RynoII — 9 years ago(January 26, 2017 12:44 AM)
Oh sorry, I didn't mean to piss off anyone. I thank everyone for the advice, I really. It's much appreciated. It's just some of the people in the industry I have asked saying film school is a waste of time, and I might as well use the money to make short films, so I was undecided which root to take therefore, that's all.
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Arriflex74 — 9 years ago(January 26, 2017 08:38 PM)
It's just some of the people in the industry I have asked saying film school is a waste of time, and I might as well use the money to make short films, so I was undecided which root to take therefore, that's all.
That is a total BS answer because we have always said that school is a personal choice and dependent on how you learn best. It isn't for everyone, but it isn't an objective "waste of time" either. It worked for Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Spike Lee and many thousands of others. For as many others it isn't worth their while and they didn't need it.
So that answer you gave is complete crap. Only you can determine whether film school is right for you, and you get out of it what you put into it.
After that, we gave you the tools to determine for yourself the quality of programs. You continually showed a lack of initiative or problem-solving skills to take matters into your own hands. Instead wanting us, people you don't know, to hand hold you and tell you what actions to take. So excuse and explain all you want, but it's time to make your own decisions. We're done helping.
Never go with a hippy to a second location.