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Film Schools: An Alternative Way to Pay Your Dues

By Michele Meek

Published in The Independent Film / Video Monthly July/August 2002 (PRINT ONLY)

Let’s face it: four years and six figures for a film degree is not for everyone. So, is there a faster, cheaper, (better?) way to break into the film industry? Well, unless you’ve been blessed with Hollywood star parents, you’re going to have to pay your dues – and I mean that literally. Although you may not opt for the full-out expense of a degree, you might consider taking a few workshops to help you build the experience and connections you’ll need for the ‘real world.’ As the sage Sir Claus Moser once said, "Education costs money, but then so does ignorance." As opposed to the academic approach of some universities, film schools and individual workshops tend to be career-focused – the place you can learn the tools and skills to launch your own film career or land you that industry job. Programs range from comprehensive, 1-year programs (costing around $20,000) in which you learn how to write, direct and edit and actually produce your own film to individual classes (ranging from $35-$3,500) where you can learn or hone a specific skill. The subject of workshops range from technical know-how such as film and video production, editing, screenwriting, sound, lighting, to more intangible concepts such as directing actors, finding a job, and marketing films.

Here, we’ve compiled this list of some of the best film schools and workshops around the country, but there are many more. To find the best in your area, try looking them up on the web in Yahoo’s or Google’s directory for film schools or flip through film school reference books at the library.

Boston Film Video Foundation

In the intimate and supportive environment of BF/VF, students learn from New England’s top talents including Laurel Chiten (The Jew in the Lotus) and Jay Craven (A Stranger in the Kingdom). Courses cover technical skills (16mm film, Final Cut Pro, Avid), as well as directing, writing, lighting, and can be taken individually or for credit through their partnership with Northeastern University. As well, BF/VF’s JOB series gives practical advice and a networking opportunity for those aspiring to be anything from an Assistant Director to a Location Manager. As part of this series, BF/VF has wisely joined forces with local PBS affiliate WGBH to offer a workshop designed to match each student’s skills to jobs in broadcast production and help them prepare for an actual interview at the station. It doesn’t guarantee you a job, but it’s an unusually good start.

More info at www.bfvf.org or (617) 536-1540.

Film Arts Foundation

Rooted in a 25-year tradition, FAF in San Francisco provides both a training ground and link to the community for new filmmakers. Their seminars are divided into different tracks – Production, Post-Production, Screenwriting, Producing, Documentary, Experimental and Masters Classes For Experienced Makers. In addition to the customary workshops (16mm, Final Cut Pro, screenwriting), they offer some unique programs such as Evening with the Sundance Institute and Public Television Funding Panel. Discounts are available for members who also gain access to low cost equipment rental, informational resources, technical assistance, and fiscal sponsorship opportunities. If you happen to be a flat broke wannabe filmmaker, you might consider becoming a Film Arts Foundation volunteer which enables you to take classes for free.

More info at www.filmarts.org/seminars/ or (415) 552-8760

Film & TV Connection

All film workshops will teach you the tools of the trade, but not many can boast the actual connections to land you a job in your new career. The Film & TV Connection places each student in a movie studio, television station, editing facility, camera house, or commercial production company where he or she learns from working professionals. The difference is rather than getting paid—you pay to learn. The program has an extremely high-rate of job placement, since participants are already in the field (think résumé-builder) and making contacts. Applicants must be interviewed and prove their level of commitment.

More info at www.film-tv-connection.com or 1-800-755-7597

The International Film and Television Workshops

At the Workshops, students choose from 150 one and two-week workshops and master classes; bundle classes for a 4-week or one-year filmmaking program; or earn an Associate of Arts or Master of Fine Arts degree through Rockport College. Since most students live on campus in Maine, the Workshops tend to foster the total-immersion feel that intensifies learning and builds camaraderie among students and teachers. The courses tend to be pricier than some, but the level of experience matches – for example, you can train on 35mm cameras. Scholarships and extended payment plans are available.

More info at www.theworkshops.com/filmworkshops/ or 1-877-577-7700

The Los Angeles Film School

Since 1999 when Oliver Stone spoke at the school’s opening, the L.A. Film School has continued to make the most of its location, providing workshops led by Hollywood industry veterans and including visits to major studios. Students may opt for either a one-year full-time Immersion Filmmaking Program or individual courses through a partnership with UCLA's Extension's Entertainment Studies. One of their more original programs is the hands-on 6-week Digital Filmmaking Program. Students create a series of short digital films, as they learn all facets of professional production and post-production techniques—a great way to build a demo reel.

More info at www.lafilm.com or (323) 860-0789

Motion Picture Institute of Michigan

To prepare students for careers in the motion picture industry, the MPI of Michigan provides a one-year evening program concentrating on all aspects of independent and commercial film production. Divided into three semesters and a summer session, the coursework covers screenwriting, cinematography, directing, and editing. Students graduate with completed projects in their hands and receive job placement assistance from the administration.

More info at www.mpifilm.com or (248) 723-5735

New York Film Academy

Despite its name, NYFA hosts workshops in locations well beyond its Union Square, New York location by partnering with educational institutions in Paris, London, Tokyo, and Los Angeles. Classes range from four weeks to one year in length, and for the most part NYFA specializes in focused, hands-on learning in directing, editing, acting, and writing. NYFA states that students should expect to be busy six days a week; class days are 9-6 and production days are typically 10 hours. It’s definitely a commitment, but the long hours provide a crash course in living like a filmmaker.

More info at www.nyfa.com or (212) 674-4300.

Northwest Film Center School of Film

Located in Portland, Oregon, the Northwest Film Center School of Film serves emerging and professional film and video makers with a variety of evening and weekend workshops. Enrollment in the optional Certificate Program in Film enables students to complete a tailored sequence of courses within the curriculum. Created in 1973 as an organization to support the community, the Center also provides membership, screenings and film festivals. The Center continues to maintain a strong commitment to media in education shown through two of their most unique programs – a Media Arts Academy for Teachers to learn to use media arts in the classroom and the Filmmakers-in-the-Schools Outreach Program, a series of workshops for young people and teens.

More info at www.nwfilm.org or (503) 221-1156

Robert Flaherty Film Seminar

An annual week-long retreat, the Robert Flaherty Film Seminar brings together about 100 filmmakers, scholars, and students who watch and analyze films in an intimate setting. Built around seven days of morning-to-night screenings, the Seminar provides an unusual opportunity to study film in an intensive yet non-academic environment. Past guests have included Mira Nair, Frederick Wiseman, Susan Sontag, among others.

The 2002 incarnation addressed the transformation of cinema in the digital age and was programmed by Ed Halter, the Director of the NY Underground Film Festival.

More info at www.flahertyseminar.org or (212) 608.3224

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