Article: Film School
What is a film school?
A film school is an educational institution which teaches students the process of making a film. Each film school is different. Make sure you do your research to find the best film school for you, a school that teaches both a broad range of subjects, as well as some specialist courses.
At film school, you can learn all the aspects of film-making – from directing and producing to writing and acting for the big and small screen. Famous schools include the Los Angeles Film School and the Vancouver Film School. With star-studded faculties, students are immersed in the technical, theoretical and creative aspects of film making from the day of their enrolment
What do you learn at film school?
Film school courses offer a combination of technical, theoretical and creative training.
The process of film making is lengthy, sometimes taking up to several years to complete one movie:
- The film idea or concept is developed.
- A script is written and the outline of the film is created.
- In pre-production, the shoot is prepared. Locations are selected and sets are built. The cast and crew are hired.
- During production, the film is recorded.
- Post-production sees the editing of the film. Digital, sound and visual effects are added and the film is finished.
- Through sales and distribution, the film reaches its audience.
Film school can prepare you to undertake any number of jobs in the film industry, from technical positions in cameras and lighting, commercial jobs in sales or distribution.
Two famous film schools
The Los Angeles Film School in Hollywood specialises in the fundamentals of film production. Students can take courses in directing, cinematography, sound recording, editing and screen writing. Knowledge is cumulative, students demonstrating their skills through short, one-minute films to a full-length thesis film project. Students have access the best film equipment and can take advice from visitors who include Wes Craven, Faye Dunaway, Timothy Dalton and Billy Bob Thornton.
The Vancouver Film School is situated in Vancouver, Canada. The school offers a number of one-year programs which emphasise theory and practical experience. Students learn to make demo reels, animated and live action films. The school has over one million dollars in scholarships for its students.
In addition to the basics of film production and cinematography, the school teaches documentary film making, make up design, digital, game and interactive media. Tutored by star-studded faculty, graduates include Chad Moffit, the Oscar winning animator of ‘Lord of the Rings’.
Film school debate
There rages a debate over the importance of film school in allowing a young film maker to enter the film industry. With the popularity of online websites such as Youtube and the prestige of independent film festivals, any person with vision and talent can produce their own movie and manage their own sales and distribution.
Although many successful directors, such as George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, graduated from famous film schools, other popular directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez had no formal film training.
If you are creative and passionate, there is no disadvantage to attending film school. You’ll receive the technical and theoretical training required to understand the inner workings of film production.