Wouldn't it be great if there was an answer to this?

You're right, some say it's not worth it and that there
are many successful filmmakers who didn't go to film
school. Some say it's worth it and that there are many
successful filmmakers who did go to film school. I
think it really depends on you. Are you the type who
learns by doing? Or are you the type that learns in an
academic environment? Neither is better, just different.

If you're a self starter and will make a lot of movies and
make a lot of contacts without supervision, then you don't
need film school. But if you need others (and grades) to
motivate you, then film school is the better path.

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

Yeah, exactly what CI said. The only answer is what's the best environment for you.

I'm attending a university film program, starting this fall. Why? Because I like school. I've wanted to go to university all of my life, and I want to take advantage of higher education, studying other things apart from film. That's my working opinion at the moment, we'll see how things pan out. But I decided on this because it's what felt right for me.

Essentially, it would seem that one's success as a filmmaker isn't determined by attending film school or by not attending. There have been phenomenal directors from both paths, you just have to decide what's best for you, personally.

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http://vimeo.com/corax

two great answers, Appreciate it!

" see things through my eyes "

i have mixed feelings about film school.

on the one hand i was really eager to get into film school and learn everything i could to be a successful director. the one thing you have to do, is pick the right school for you. most film schools are cash grabs. mine for instance had 6 start times per year with 30 students per start class. this led to faculty not remembering anyones names so it was hard to leave a lasting impression. this had an effect on my progress at school since teachers would have no idea who i was. another gripe with my school is that every teacher was there for personal gain. our head of department went to school at the local university and once he got his masters he bailed on our school. you'll have to do your research.

on the plus side, the people you'll meet and connections you'll make is priceless and worth it alone. you just have to pick the right school for you.

The term 'film school' seems to be defined very loosely here, and it looks like it is to mean any learning facility where you pay a fee and in exchange get instruction of some kind in the subject of filmmaking. In other words, it could easily be a six-week summer programme, or a full four-year accredited university degree.

I would say, a proper university with a recognised film programme, where class sizes are reasonable, and curriculum is meticulously defined, provides the amount of knowledge and skills that no other method can match. In an university film programme that is good, you will study film and theatre history, art history, aesthetics, film direction, TV direction, cinematography, photography, production design basics, audio engineering basics, sound design basics, film editing, digital editing, music theory, copyright law, and, depenting on the quality of school, many other, seemingly unrelated subjects (foreign languages, psychology, philosophy, literature etc). The point is, university-based degree programmes are designed to create a very well-educated and well-rounded intelectual, in addition to teaching the filmmaking craft.

Since you live in America, you may want to look into the possibility to perhaps audit some courses at your university. You won't get an official degree, and likely won't get to participate in the practical component of the course (actual filmmaking), but for subjects that are taught in a traditional classroom setting, auditing a class will be infinitely better than just reading a textbook on the subject (the ability to interact with the presenter significantly enhances the value of the course).

To make the long story short, nothing can substitute for a proper university-based 3- or 4-year degree programme. Keep in mind, though, that what others have said is certainly true: even the best university programme can't guarantee that you'll become a filmmaker upon completing it. By the same token, you don't HAVE to learn filmmaking in a school in order to become good. You WILL have to read a lot about it, and to make a lot of films. If you have a lot of talent, you have a shot at it.

It may be helpful, but something I realized in the last month or so is to just start making movies as quick as you can. It doesn't matter if you have a crappy or borrowed 12 year old camcorder, just start going through the process. Like robert rodriguez said in his book,(paraphrased) if you want to be a filmmaker than sart making films!

Tryin' to live the dream, any advice?

If you can find a way to go to NYU, UCLA, USC or AFI, then I say film school is worth the money. Not only will your acceptance into one of these programs validate your talent, but you will be networking with the future of the film industry, not to mention learning from industry professionals in a safe environment.

Other than the top schools, you're better off reading a lot of books and just making some films.

Also, depending on your goals you may be better off getting a B.A. in something more marketable and then pursuing an M.F.A. from one of the top film schools.

Hope this helps.

Jamie Paszko
Publisher/Editor
www.FilmSlateMagazine.com

That's a good question. A lot of folks face that same question. I'm on college now (for a different degree) but in college none the less. I'm not sure if I need it, however a degree never hurt.

It's said that if you read like 20 or 30 books in your subject matter, then you'd be considered an expert.

Here's little food for thought. Steven Spielberg never went to film school. His story is really cool. You should look it up. Basically, he just went to the set, put his name on the door and kept working until he got the job. Cool.

A college degree never hurt anyone. However, you should focus on making movies more than getting a college degree.

Peace,

Shane

Shane,

Your food for thought makes sense. Would you mind, however, removing your link to 'FREE report to... ?whatever?'? Since this is your first post on this forum, you really shouldn't post links that look very much like advertising pitches designed to attract eyeballs/clickthroughs. You risk having message removed by the admins, or worse, being banned. You may have something valuable to say to the members of the forum, so avoid looking like a drive-by guerrilla advertiser.

Sorry Vasic. Not trying to be a "guerrilla advertiser"

Thanks for the tip.

Peace,

Shane

Shane,

I respectfully ask you to not include the link in all your posts,
One needs to send in an email address and name in order to
even see the website.

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

Here is a bit more info regarding film schools. Having lived there for the better part of my life, I know many people who graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade (Serbia). Vast majority of students end up working in the industry, in some capacity. The college is part of the University of Arts (along with Music Academy, Applied Arts and Industrial Design Academy, as well as Visual Arts Academy). They have undergraduate, masters and doctorate programmes for most majors, which are:

Acting
Theatre and Radio Directing
Film and TV Directing
Audio Engineering and Sound Design
Camera (Cinematography)
Dramatic Writing
Flim and TV Production
Editing

The most interesting major for filmmakers is obviously Film and TV Directing. The undergraduate degree programme takes three years and has following courses:

Film directing (6 semesters)
TV directing (2 semesters)
Documentary film (2 semesters)
Fundamentals of screenwriting for Film and TV (2 semesters)
History of Film (4 semesters)
History of world drama and theatre (2 semesters)
Visual aesthetics (2 semesters)
Film editing (4 semesters)
Cinematography (4 semesters)
Technology of film and TV (5 semesters)
Art history (2 semesters)
Foreign language (4 semesters)
Method acting for screen (2 semesters)
Basic audio recording and sound design for film and TV (1 semester)
Psychology (4 semesters)
Music for screen (2 semesters)
Screenwriting for short film (1 semester)
Screenwriting for short form in other media (1 semester)
Film theory (2 semesters)
Business of TV and film (2 semesters)
Technology of TV (1 semester)
Aesthetics (2 semesters)
Basics of music notation (1 semester)
Introduction to musical instruments (1 semester)
Technology of photographic, film and digital image (2 semesters)
Business communication (2 semesters)

Some of the courses (directing for film and TV) require up to 10 45-minute periods of attendance per week for completion. Good part of that time is practical work. Most other courses require two or one period per week. Some of the courses are taught one-on-one, while most are taught in fairly small groups of up to ten students.

Admission is very limited; while some majors (Acting) accept about a dozen candidates per year, others (directing) accept one or two. Competition is fierce, with hundreds applying, auditioning and testing. Candidates are always admitted free of charge (education is still free in many parts of Europe); if there is enough space, a few more applicants can be admitted, but they must pay the tuition.

As you can see, a person who successfully completes the above programme will gain vast amount of knowledge in many fields directly or indirectly related to film making. I'm pretty sure most reputable film schools of the world have just as broad curricula, and create a complete, well rounded artists.

As I said before, though, no film school can manufacture a film maker if the person does not have the talent for it.

Here's my two cents. As a director, writer, producer and editor, if I were looking to hire someone (young and new to the business), I would probably prefer someone who has attended film school. But not just any film school. Most film schools entice people with ideas of finishing film school and going on to direct movies. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not unless you've got a rich uncle willing to finance your first film. Also, many film schools offer degrees. To me this is a bit of a laugh, because in order for the school to give you a degree you have to take basic courses, like math, speech, etc. And what on earth does that have to do with filmmaking? A degree doesn't make you a better director or filmmaker, nor does it you more marketable.

If I were to choose someone from a film school, I would want someone from a film school where they spent their time making movies and working their a$$es off. Because what most film schools will not tell you, is this. Making movies will be the hardest thing you have ever done, both physically and mentally. And someone that comes from a film school where they spent their time sweating in the desert, or freezing in the forest to make movies are my kind of people. Because I know they can take whatever is thrown at them and come back for more. Making movies are tough work, but it is also the most gratifying work you will ever do.

It will help you more than you know. BUT....you need to put is all into action/practice by continuing to make those films.

In summary, it is a synthesis of theory and practice.

Another thing you should get used to doing is constantly searching for finance. This is what the industry is really all about - believe me or not, writing a screenplay and making the film are actually not that difficult.