Film School or Self-Taught: the Filmmaking Learning Dilemma

Filmmaking is a very diverse form of creativity and for the most part, creativity has no limitations other than what the mind can imagine. Some people have a natural ability to tell a story through any medium, but being able to master the art of filmmaking to express ones vision takes time, knowledge and planning to achieve success; no matter where your inspiration comes from. The journey to mastering the art of storytelling can cause a debate amongst seasoned filmmakers down to the newest YouTuber looking to produce a viral video to make a “name” for themselves. One could say, “what difference does it make if I went to film school or not”, while others would argue that a formal education in any field would be highly recommended in helping to achieve success. Both paths have merit, and the choice that you ultimately will make depends upon you. What are your goals? What are your resources at the time? How do you like to learn? Specifically meaning, some people are visual, while some others prefer reading a book. Lets’ look at some of the Pros & Cons of a formal film education versus obtaining knowledge via the self-taught route, in the world of filmmaking education. We will start with investigating what the “Formal Film School Student” approach looks like to an interested potential freshman. No matter what your natural level of storytelling expertise has to offer, or any other talent for that matter, it would never be a bad idea to take that natural interest or ability and expand your knowledge base by going to school to learn more about your subject of interest. In general, most would not argue against this form of learning. Let’s look at some of the benefits of what a formal film school education can offer.

Filmmaking is a very diverse form of creativity and for the most part, creativity has no limitations other than what the mind can imagine. Some people have a natural ability to tell a story through any medium, but being able to master the art of filmmaking to express ones vision takes time, knowledge and planning to achieve success; no matter where your inspiration comes from. The journey to mastering the art of storytelling can cause a debate amongst seasoned filmmakers down to the newest YouTuber looking to produce a viral video to make a “name” for themselves. One could say, “what difference does it make if I went to film school or not”, while others would argue that a formal education in any field would be highly recommended in helping to achieve success. Both paths have merit, and the choice that you ultimately will make depends upon you. What are your goals? What are your resources at the time? How do you like to learn? Specifically meaning, some people are visual, while some others prefer reading a book. Lets’ look at some of the Pros & Cons of a formal film education versus obtaining knowledge via the self-taught route, in the world of filmmaking education. We will start with investigating what the “Formal Film School Student” approach looks like to an interested potential freshman. No matter what your natural level of storytelling expertise has to offer, or any other talent for that matter, it would never be a bad idea to take that natural interest or ability and expand your knowledge base by going to school to learn more about your subject of interest. In general, most would not argue against this form of learning. Let’s look at some of the benefits of what a formal film school education can offer. Formal Film School 1. Structured Learning & Curriculum A film school atmosphere will provide you with a structured environment where you can come through the front door, have no prior experience in the field, and leave with skills to enhance your journey. The plan for your success is in the form of a syllabus, which is a step-by-step guideline, followed by the film school instructor to provide you with a hands-on trip through all the aspects of filmmaking. You’ll go from how to formulate an idea for filming, to screenwriting, to editing the final project, and all the other details in between are covered. This comprehensive style approach, provided you seriously apply yourself to studying, will ensure a well-rounded experience and filmmaking education. This style of learning will allow you to build a solid foundation of the knowledge of filmmaking, which is essential if you wish to break away from the standard norms, to express the message of your ideas. One must learn the filmmaking rules before they can break them! 2. Access to Professional Equipment Accredited universities, specialty film schools and even unaccredited schools quite often provide their students with the latest technology that the filmmaking community has to offer. Being able to work with the latest in industry-standard gear, ranging from cameras to lighting and editing software, will surely give one the knowledge needed to perform the same tasks that film industry professionals are doing every day in their work environment. Learning with these tools prepares a student for real-world scenarios that would be encountered, giving them the confidence to perform those tasks accurately & professionally. It is also recommended to take advantage of obtaining equipment and software at this early stage in your learning journey, because you will need it before and after graduation, either way. Most, if not all, software publishers & hardware manufacturers give hefty discounts to valid students looking to purchase whatever may be needed, while at the same time spreading their brand name for your future equipment purchase needs. 3. Networking Opportunities You may have heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. That phrase is certainly fitting for the entertainment industry, no matter whether the genre of entertainment being discussed is music, plays, films or other available mediums. Being able to get ahead in any industry requires an ability to get to know those within your specific industry, because without it, you’d be denying yourself a potential advantage. Everyone from the actor to the tech person is looking for that “big break.” Be honest, don’t you hook up your friends when you can help them in various scenarios? Well film school interaction relationships foster connections with like-minded peers, professors and the well-sought after industry professionals needed for career placing references. These types of relationships can be invaluable when seeking collaborators or job opportunities. You will learn that trying to make films is not impossible, but difficult, even with a whole crew of people, so having friends in your entertainment career is just as great as having them in your personal relationships! 4. Mentorship This category can also be looked at as a networking opportunity, but with much more of a personal quality connection can be achieved between the mentor and the mentee. For example, many faculty members are often experienced filmmakers themselves. So being able to communicate with them on a regular basis will offer mentorship and personalized feedback for you that can greatly accelerate your skill development. Imagine a kid going to their first professional game to see their favorite player and that player becomes the reason they wanted to pursue the sport. Years later that kid gets on a team where that favorite player is now a mentor for the whole team, and now you have access to them all the time. It would be the same type of experience, in your chosen field of filmmaking, if you got the awesome opportunity to have Quentin Tarantino working with you during your development. You’d be stoked, and don’t act like you would not ask for a favor to help you get a leg up! It would be fine to ask for that favor, especially if you’ve made an impression that ends up being hard to ignore. You’d be surprised at how far someone will go for you when they sense your raw talent and passion. 5. Portfolio Development Most professionals in all industries normally have some way of keeping a log of their previous projects to give to potential clients as a reference for what they’re capable of. The filmmaking industry is no different. By attending a formal film school, most programs require that the student complete a thesis film prior to graduating. Many times, that project can become a significant percentage of your grade point for graduation. Other than a thesis film, there are normally many, many other projects that can be used to assist in building a work portfolio during your learning journey. Building a portfolio/resume in the film industry can be presented to potential clients, employers or to an angel investor that might be interested enough in your vision to finance future projects you have in the works. Self-Taught Film School As you just read, there are many advantages to taking the “Formal Film School Student” route to get the desired level of knowledge needed to pursue a filmmaking career. However, there is another alternative to getting the information needed to become successful in the art of filmmaking. As mentioned prior, there are different factors for a person to look at when deciding on exactly how they will obtain information. Personal goals, financial resources, style of learning, current responsibilities and your available free time are all factors in making an educated decision on how to pursue your filmmaking career goals. Now, let’s look at what the “Self-Taught Film School Student” must work with for success. For the most part, all self-taught filmmakers rely on a combination of learning aids to achieve the knowledge required to operate on an industry professional level. Everything from books, online tutorials, free resources and hands-on experimentation are used to gain knowledge in the quest. Again, let’s mention Quentin Tarantino’s name because it is often brought up a lot when the debate of film school vs self-taught is discussed. Keep in mind, Tarantino used passion to initially create his future visions. He watched many films, and you should do the same to learn various styles. However, being realistically honest, without proper discipline, motivation and accurate resources on the part of the student, there is a good opportunity to not receive as much as what could be received in a formal education world. However, if you do honestly plan to commit to the required disciplines required to succeed, then this method has many, many advantages. 1. Cost-Effective Probably one of the biggest advantages of obtaining filmmaking knowledge via the self-taught route would be the amount of money saved, if you’re in a stricter financial situation. Many film schools can be prohibitively expensive, so self-teaching can greatly eliminate financial barriers, which allows filmmakers to invest in their own equipment or projects. Again, keep in mind that the proper research must be done when purchasing educational materials or equipment to ensure that your money is not being wasted on the wrong resources. It’s called show BUSINESS for a reason, so when you have your own company, thinking about cost-effective ideas will be essential. As you may already know, filmmaking in general is not cheap, but your ideas can be pulled off successfully with some brainwork. Investigate some of the things that Shaw Brothers Studios did back in the day to conquer needs versus budget. The show has got to go on! Even if the money is low. 2. Flexibility Learning on an independent level allows individuals to set their own pace and the ability to focus on specific areas of interest that might not be directly covered in a formal program, such as cinematography or directing. You may be in a position whereby managing your time is crucial, for instance taking care of a child or family member, so being able to have more flexibility with your time may make the difference in getting your education or not. Once you decide to get started, do yourself a favor and make sure you have a plan to manage anything in your life that could hinder your advancement. There is no need to bring added pressure to your studies! 3. Real-World Experience Many self-taught filmmakers can jump straight into creating and gaining practical experience that can be equally as valuable as a formal education. One thing to pay attention to, in this area, is that you may need to make being independent your main business focus, because not all of what you have educated yourself on may translate into how the filmmaking industry works internally, and how you could provide what they may need from you. Again, researching for the proper information and equipment is essential for success here. 4. Personal Unique Perspective Without being confined to traditional techniques, self-taught individuals often develop distinctive styles that stand out in the industry. So, if you do plan on making sure you’re disciplined on all learning angles, as well as equipment & software acquirement, then you have a great opportunity to carve your way in the industry with new fresh perspectives. However, as mentioned prior, you need to learn the rules first before you proceed to break them! Formal and self-taught methods have been mentioned in detail, but there is also another thing to keep in mind, Unaccredited Film Schools. When considering specifically formal education avenues, then these schools will also and often be considered and chosen. The biggest difference between a traditional university and an unaccredited film school is that the degrees from accredited institutions hold more weight in the job market. Especially if you plan to get into teaching filmmaking or for obtaining corporate roles within the TV/Film industry. However, an unaccredited school can have a highly focused curriculum tailored specifically to filmmaking. The time spent in these schools is normally much shorter and more intensive. These courses are also taught often by industry professionals with current insight into the industry. They also have an advantage of normally being much cheaper than traditional universities and specialty film school routes. In conclusion, both formal film school education programs, self-teaching avenues and even unaccredited choices offer pathways to success. But the right choice depends on your goals, your resources, and your preferred learning style. Traditional universities provide a well-rounded education and a recognized degree, while unaccredited film schools focus on specialized, hands-on training. Self-taught filmmakers have the freedom to carve out their own path but must be prepared to overcome challenges independently. Maybe the best path is a combination of some initial self-teaching, which leads to developing more passion to take things to another level via university or specialized accredited film schools. The choice is yours! No matter which routes you choose, success in filmmaking ultimately hinges on your creativity, dedication, and passion for storytelling.