I am a 19, almost 20 year old Californian currently attending community college. I?ve come to the conclusion that I definitely want to get involved in film/tv/theatre. I?m not positive whether I?d prefer acting or directing, but I know I want to have a significant part in creating films, hopefully ending up in a place where I can work with international material. A lot of my favorite films/actors are British, or otherwise involve a mix of talent from various countries, and I can see how directing could more easily allow me to venture away from strictly American material. Anyway, my question is this: What should I do at this point in my life, as someone with no experience whatsoever, to begin a path to making films and/or directing stage? Transfer to an American University and do a general Drama major, try and get into a British conservatory for directing or acting? Is this possible with no experience? Are there other options? Examples of people who are doing or have done what I want to do are Joe Wright, Sam Mendes, Saoirse Ronan, James McAvoy, Fernando Meirelles, Eddie Redmayne, etc..
Thank you so much, any input would be a godsend!
Take an acting class. Audition for local plays. Get involved in local
theater. Meet others with similar interests.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
This is an old topic, but It has been a while since I came by and I just saw this now.
Every so often, we see similar posts from a young enthusiastic person who thinks (s)he would like to get into filmmaking and is wondering what to do: directing, acting (or both)...
Filmmaking as an art form is in many ways same as any other form of art (painting, sculpture, dance, music, writing). It does, however, stand out from all other forms in one significant way: it is extremely glamorous. And it is oftentimes this glamour that makes it such an attractive form of art. Because of it, young people (especially teenagers) get so easily seduced and fascinated by it that they want to try it themselves. That is not how it works, though.
Filmmaking is, just like any other art form, a creative endeavour. Much like in all other forms of art, the only people who are even remotely successful at it are those who have the talent for it, and who've had the desire for it for as long as they remember. Very few successful musicians out there decided at the age of 20 to become musicians. Same for painters, writers, dancers... The knack for an art form (which is an absolute requirement, without which one cannot become an artist) emerges rather early in the childhood. If there is a fertile nurturing environment, this knack (talent) will slowly develop until the child recognises it ("My son draws incredibly well!", or "my daughter can sing 'God Save the Queen' in perfect pitch!", or "My boy loves playing with my camcorder, making these silly action films with his classmates"). The point being, if you are 19 and haven't really had the urge to perform in front of others, then you are probably NOT an actor. If you haven't thought of taking your dad's camcorder and getting your friends together to make up some movie, then you are probably NOT a director. In all fairness, though, a knack for directing can lie dormant well into a child's adulthood, so there may be a chance. The best way to know is to figure out whether you actually often have these wild ideas for movies. It also depends on how you watch other movies: whether you think how the lines are delivered, how the scenes were shot, what angles and shots were used, how these contributed to the pace (rather than just watching the film for entertainment).
On this forum, I have always been advocating that a proper film school provides knowledge and skills that would take inordinate amount of time and effort to acquire independently. However, unlike many other activities, filmmaking can be learned by doing and independent reading. As with other art forms, talent is a basic requirement without which there is no art. If you do have a gift (acting, directing, writing), you might be able to learn by doing, rather than spending money on film school.
The bottom line is to evaluate your desire to be a filmmaker and think what is driving it: the creative talent urging to come out, or the glamour and fascination with the art form itself. If it is the first, then go for it; read everything you can, get friends together (or strangers on craigslist) and make movies. If it is the second, well...
