I, too, would think that school is where you would learn - not
where you come in the experience and knowledge. And you
need to own a camera? Wow.

Okay - the camera: Any camera from a major manufacturer will
be fine. A Sony is like a Sharp is like a Canon is like a Panasonic
is like Samsung. Take a look at these:
Samsung SMX-K40
Sony CX100
Canon FS200
Canon R100
Canon HF M31
Canon HF M41
Panasonic HDC-TM700

For the self-portrait you need to shoot you can use one of the Flip
cameras. They are quite good.

Check http://filmmaking.net/bookstore/ for some excellent books
to read.

Many student filmmakers are happy to have an amateur assistant
with no prior experience on their set. They need all the free workers
they can find. You do not mention where you are so I can't offer any
anything specific as to where you can find volunteer work.

What school are you applying to?

=============================================
The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shanzi

Hi,
so, I'm planning to apply for a film school (in Europe) - department Screenplay and Dramaturgy, and, well, of course there's a really demanding entrance exam.

Now, I've seen a huge amount of movies, and know a lot about it in general, as well as about music and literature, but I've never actually tried filming one, and I especially don't know much about the technical side of it, and it seems that, at this particular school, a great pre-knowledge is required.
They will be questioning not only our knowledge about the department we're interested in (in my case - Screenwriting), but also - Production, Camera, Directing, Editing, and one of the assignments is to film a 5 min Self-portrait as a biography, the other one eg is to write an 'expose' (?) of a movie including its end.

So, I was hoping you could help me by suggesting where do I start from? What books do I read, what programs do I download, how do I get more familiar with the whole proccess of film-making, who could possibly want an amateur assistent with no prior experience? I am also apparently expected to own a camera, so do you have any not too expensive suggestions for a 'first' camera that could also be used for the filming of the self-portrain mentioned above?
Well, any advice in general might be useful to me at this point, since I thought all those things are to be learned once I get in and the classes start, but apparently not.

So, thanks in advance. ??

---

There are a lot of books/websites you can AND SHOULD learn from before you even think about going to an expensive formal "filmschool."

As an aspiring Screenwriter, I HIGHLY recommend that you read every page of the website www.wordplayer.com . You will not be disappointed.

I also highly recommend the book: Film Scriptwriting: A Practical Manual, Second Edition, by Dwight V. Swain

You should also look at the book: The Film Producer: An Industry Veteran Reveals What It Takes to Be a Producer in Today's Hollywood, by Paul N. Lazarus

...and my book that describes in detail what a standard/typical day on set is like from everyone's perspective: What I Really Want to Do, On Set in Hollywood, by Brian Dzyak

Start with those above which WILL give you a very thorough overview of the screenwriting, production, and business aspects of the professional film industry. THEN reconsider which school (if any) you'll apply to for a formal "film" education. It is quite possible that you won't benefit from a formal "filmschool" environment, but you can't know that until you've done some prior research on your own.

As far as purchasing a camera goes, why do you want one? Do you plan on being a professional Cameraman/DP? You're not purchasing sound gear, are you? Or lights? Or Grip gear? Or a makeup kit or hair kit or materials for special effects or props? You need all of those things to make a movie, just as much as a camera, so why purchase a piece of equipment for an aspect of the industry that you don't want to do?

Instead, concentrate on WRITING and/or DIRECTING and find others (in class, etc) around you who DO want to be Cameramen. Let THEM bring the camera to YOUR projects. They'll likely know more than you ever will and they want to do it. Don't spend money on things you don't need. Don't devote energy and time to aspects of the job that someone else wants to do. You don't need a camera. You need PEOPLE who can and will do those jobs for YOUR PROJECTS.

Brian Dzyak
Cameraman/Author
IATSE Local 600, SOC
http://www.whatireallywanttodo.com
http://www.realfilmcareer.com

There may be preparatory courses to help you do well on the exam. That said, I'm surprised they require prior knowledge of film - most film schools in North America don't require that.

Wow, I didn't expect that much replies in such a quick notice. Thanks guys!

Ok, so, first, I'm in Vienna and the school I'm hoping to get in is Filmakademie Wien. And it's not an 'expensive formal school', it's a state Akademie, the problem is they only take 5 students per department.
About purchasing a camera - well, it's not an official requirement, but after I read all the assignments we are supposed to deliver to them till February, it was only logical to assume we should own one, how else will I get familiar with its functions, and having someone else do the camerman job sort of feels like cheating to me, I think they expect us to do all the assignments by ourselves. Or do they?

Requiring the prior knowledge of film - well, I think it's different in Europe, here at the Academies they only accept few people per departments, only the most talented ones get in, I mean, I'm sure there are also some private universities that offer more places, but that's not what I'm talking about here.

The entrance exam is extremely difficult, there are short stories to be written, essays on given films, photo shootings for a given story, filming a self-portrait, in case one wishes to take directing as his minor, one needs to film a 30 min. documentary, etc, I just don't understand how all these things could be expected from someone who only has a finished high school, or maybe they don't expect the perfection, but only want to see the best we can offer?

Anyways, I am planning to try it in any case, I've got nothing to lose, and thank you all for the recommendations, I'll try to find some of those books. 🙂

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shanzi
About purchasing a camera - well, it's not an official requirement, but after I read all the assignments we are supposed to deliver to them till February, it was only logical to assume we should own one, how else will I get familiar with its functions, and having someone else do the camerman job sort of feels like cheating to me, I think they expect us to do all the assignments by ourselves. Or do they?

---

Only you can know that.

As Brian said, a screenwriter does not need to know all
the functions of a camera. Even a director does not need
to know that. Someone studying to be a director of
photography needs that knowledge. It is not cheating
for a writer or a director to use a camera person - that
is done all the time. Most screenwriters have never even
picked up a camera.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shanzi
Requiring the prior knowledge of film - well, I think it's different in Europe, here at the Academies they only accept few people per departments, only the most talented ones get in, I mean, I'm sure there are also some private universities that offer more places, but that's not what I'm talking about here.

---

I understand better now. Thank you.

Won't it be difficult for you - someone with no filmmaking
experience to get into a school that requires experience? I
suspect there are people your age who have been making
short films and music videos for several years applying. I
do not think a crash course of reading books and downloading
programs will make you an experienced filmmaker is a short
period of time.

Good luck. I think it is worth trying.

Yeah, I know there are people my age out there, already making short films and music videos, that will also be applying, but I'm still hoping they'll value talent more than experience (I'm not saying I have it :D, in general I mean) and plus, not being already 'shaped' might come as a positive thing I think? And, I am mainly interested in screenwriting, not directing.

And it wouldn't be a 'crash course', I would be applying for the year 2012/13, so plenty of time. And I have to start from somewhere, so might as well be books and dl programs.

And, well, I know my chances are not that high, that is why I'm studying something else at the moment.
Thank you all for the advice, I appreciate it.

If you do have more talent than people who have been making movies
for five years your talent will shine and you will be accepted.

What you are going to find out during the next several months is
making a movie is very, very difficult. Knowing a lot about about
movie because you have seen a huge amount means very little when
you are on set. You have some time - start making your movies
right away. Since you are mainly interested in screenwriting you
will have a few really good scripts. Use any camera you can get
ahold of, gather the best actors you can find, put together a
small crew and don't forget the audio - sound is half the
experience. - and make your first movie. Much better than reading
books and downloading programs. The most difficult part of making
a movie is gathering the people to help you.

I hope you post your first film so we can all see it. Good luck!
You're in for a great time!

School systems in America are much different from those in most European countries, and this here is a good example. The 'Filmakademie Wien' is your traditional school of higher learning that is primarily funded by the government. Unlike community colleges in US, state-funded schools around Europe are often quite prestigious. They accept very limited number of applicants, teacher-student ratio is very low, and usually, those that do get in are quite gifted. Having a good 6 - 9 months to prepare for the entrance exam is definitely helpful.

If you are applying for screenwriting and directing, you will NOT be expected to own your camera (camcorder). In my country, this is not expected even from those who choose cinematography as their major. Neither will you be expected to know how to operate a camera. If you are required to choose only one major (either screenwriting, or directing), you will get a few semesters' worth of classes of basic cinematography in directing. In a screenwriting major, this is usually not part of the curriculum.

If you know someone who has graduated from this school (or is currently attending), asking questions about the entrance exam will help. So will reading about the moviemaking process, although I'd make sure I get exposed to the local variation, since the way the process is organised in America is not quite the same as elsewhere in the world (starting from the document formatting for the screenplay, to classification and naming of various shots and camera angles, through the flow of work on the set, to the post-production process).

Film academies of the old continent generally always have applicants without practical experience. Consequently, they admit those who show greatest talent. It is therefore important to find a way to clearly show them how much talent you have. Keep reading about moviemaking and keep asking questions. There are many quite experienced people here (two of the top ones -- C.I. and Brian -- already chimed in, willing to help). As they say, there are no stupid questions except those that were never asked.

For screenwriting...all the standard stuff, McKee, Syd Field, Vogler. For my money, I think Kal Bashir is the best story mechanic around.

Get a camera and actors together and start filmmaking!