That's a good question. The usual advice about film schools is that they're more useful for the people you meet than what you learn, but, while I know little about that course, a decent six week course is likely to teach you pretty much anything about the basics that you might want to know before you start making movies of your own.

On the other hand, with 7000 pounds you could shoot half a dozen decent DV shorts, or a couple of shorts on film, and if you're going to university it might well be a good time to do that as you can probably blag some interesting locations for nothing and at least get some decent production values.

So probably it depends a lot on whether you prefer to figure things out by yourself by doing things, or in a more structured manner.

I have no idea how much 7000 pounds is American, but if you can shoot 1/2 a dozen DV shorts with it, it's not small potatoes. Here's the deal: If you have the guts to go out there and fail, and there's not that fear that most people have about screwing up, then I'd say, make the shorts, and skip the school. You'll learn more from messing up 6 shorts than you will from 6 weeks in film school, and you'll have the confidence shooting that much will give you.

On the other hand, film schools force you to shoot, and many people need that sort of inspiration to get past that fear of failure. If you are like most people, you need it too. In that case, the 7000 pounds spent on a 6 week course could be the best money you ever spent, just for the fact that they forced a meter into your hand and made you make something.

One last thing... this is a grueling business. When you do this professionally, family, friends, personal lives all take a backseat to the movie/tv show/commercial/etc. Websites like this never talk about that because everyone is so new and excited, but someday you may want to have a life. This is not the business for that. 70 or 80 hour workweeks are not uncommon. This is a real fact of life all of you should consider before you commit to making your living in this business.

"On a good gate, that's a wrap."

7000 pounds is about US$12,500.

That's a big pile of cash, especially for a student. Over the course of your career, however, it's really not all that much. If you can get it, you should spend it, either on the school or the projects, but spend it. Whether you end up making films or not, you'll have learned a lot about yourself either way. It might give you more direction at University.

"On a good gate, that's a wrap."

which course are you refering to that will cost You 7000 pounds sterling? and have You considered taking another course with the same school, ie a summer course in uk or mainland europe? ???

Ok, first of all...thanks for your replies..

The tuition itself costs about ?4,500...but the 7000 is with the accomedation, flight and spending money...(ish)

"...and that's how the cookie crumbles..."

Cheryll,

You might also want to check the FAQ under the Film Schools & Career section for some more guidance.

Ben C.

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