So LA Film School really isn't considered one of the better schools? That despite its high tuition fees lol...

But surely a more or less renowned school such as the LAFS has bonds with a number of employers and whatnot for the students to get started with right away?

Besides, isn't a 1-year school a good cross-over between going to a film school and not going to a film school? ?:D?
I mean, on one side you're attending a film school, but on the other hand, it's not a full-fledged education, so you get the raw (yet somehow refined) skills that you need in the field, but not all the other stuff that make you a "rounded" filmmaker 🙂

Then there's still my other question about actually finding a place to gather experience from.

I live five blocks from LA Film School. They aren't a very good school from what I can tell.

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Originally posted by Jericho

Now this brings me back to something that's been disputed for a while on this forum, as I've read: The actual necessity of a film school education. Is it worth going to filmschool at all?

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The answer is different for each person. Sorry, again, to keep answering the same way, but there is no, one answer to questions like this. Since you have read the other comments on these boards about film school you have seen that in general, people who went to films school learned a lot and would say yes, it's worth it.

Those of us who didn't go to film school will say, no, it's not worth it.

Both are equally correct. Not much help am I?

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We've already discussed the fact that your future employers will be much more interested in your raw talent and skill than a sheet of paper. However, you do need to learn the skills somewhere, right?

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Right. Before film schools every filmmaker learned their skills from other filmmakers. In my opinion working professionals are the best teachers.

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You can't just expect to learn everything about directing, lighting, photography etc. just by hanging around at a set for a while?

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Put it that way; you?re right. But you can't just expect to learn everything about directing, lighting, photography etc. just by going to film school for four years.

I learned everything I know now by making my own movies and by watching professionals working and I?m no where near knowing everything about directing, lighting, photography etc.

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So here's my dilemma. If I go to this filmschool, I might end up jobless afterall with nothing but an abundance of knowledge about film. If I don't follow filmschool, I'll have to gather experience along the way as I learn everything from scratch "on the set". And then there's the issue of actually finding a place to gather that kind of experience. Do filmmakers regularly post stuff like that in newspaper ads? Once again, I'm clueless

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Here in Los Angeles and in other big cities in the States (New York, Chicago, Austin and Pittsburgh to name a few) filmmakers do post crew notices in newspapers.

It might not be the same in the Netherlands. You might have to go looking for internships and work experience. Look at this:
?url? http://www.corrino.com/pages/framed_pages/xframe.html?/url?
They even have an on line intern application - what could be easier?

But the personal approach is always best. It?s true what they say: ?It?s who you know.? I have gotten all my jobs from personal contacts rather than from a resume. And when I?m making a movie I prefer to hire people I know personally.

Here are some places you can check. I found these from all they way across the world - imagine what you can find when you start looking.

Bonanza Films is specialized in the making of music videos, commercials and documentaries.
Tel:?+31.(0)20.6263801 or?+31.6.53207211
Sumatrakade 691, 1019 PV, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Danger Cat Productions specializing in high action projects. Low to no-budget productions not a problem. Commercial directors with an attitude are encouraged to fly.
Tel:?+1 250 551 2366 or?+1 250 355-2975

Expert production of international commercials, music videos, indie films and sports segments. Extensive commercial, television, documentary and music video production for over 15 years.

?url? http://www.stormchasers.nl/index.html?/url?
?url? http://www.bashafilm.com/?/url?
?url? http://www.hollandfilmproduction.com/?/url?

Let us know what happens after you contact these local companies, okay?

Good job on choosing to move ahead with filmmaking. As someone who has only wished to make money as a filmmaker and only made shorts as a hobby, I can tell you that it's important to hang onto your goal and not let the years slip by while you earn a steady paycheck in a job you dislike (which is what I've done). Art -vs- Commerce has been an issue for most celebrated artists for ages and filmmakers have to deal with this too.
Happily, times are great for would-be-filmmakers no matter where you live. Equipment is easier to get your hands on and films can be made anywhere (and as a previous poster mentioned, you can take advantage of your "exotic" locale). In fact, there's no reason that a film community can't spring up anywhere in the world (do I hear "Hollandwood"?).
So much of what seems to showcase indy filmmakers who later become successful Hollywood directors is their ability to create engaging stories with whatever they have to work with: Robert Rodriguez in Texas/Mexico, Kevin Smith in New Jersey, etc. Why not you in your hometown?
It's fortunate that you have a film program in your hometown if it means that it will be more accessible or cost effective. I agree with other posters that school will teach the nuts and bolts while giving an opportunity to meet collabortators. You could also gain experience volunteering for other student projects (perhaps without even being enrolled in the program). This would let you test the waters.
In any case, go for it!
Regards and best of luck.