by Hunter Byrd
Most filmmakers at some point in their lives will debate on whether or not film school is right for them. For some people it is, for others not so much. I'm glad I chose to return to film school after getting my first degree in Environmental Science. It has taught me more than I had remembered when I just obtained a film minor. Granted the Bachelor's has only required five more classes, but they all are helping solidify my knowledge in this peculiar industry.
I've found there are two different types of film schools: narrative and documentary. Fortunately there are many similarities, but they have their differences too. The one I'm currently attending is a narrative school, though documentaries are what I prefer working on. Whether you're working on narratives or documentaries, to me the most important aspect of filmmaking is being able to visually tell a story. What is it you want to say? Why is it important? How is it going to change the way people think? How is it going to peek their interests? For me, the most compelling is, how is it going to bring out emotion?
The past couple of days, I watched the movies Mulan and Mulan II. I know, they're Disney movies for kids, but growing up I loved those stories. They bring about emotion and teach the underlying message that you are special and can accomplish great things as long as you don't give up. That is what made Disney movies from my generation so successful and inspiring, they brought out those feel-good, believe-in-yourself feelings.
It has also taught me much about framing and technique. You would be surprised how a few simple shots can change or alter your perception of a character. Lighting can also do the same. It allows you to create a specific mood or emotion towards a particular subject thus helping the audience to either relate or possibly resent that character or characters.
Film school generally offers great networking opportunities, depending on how pro-active you are. I made many friends when I first started film school, but a lot of them have since moved on now that I have returned. Currently, I'm starting over making contacts, but it's nice meeting new people and learning what interests them about this field. You never know who you will meet or be calling down the road asking for help, whether it be an open crew position or a donation to support your project.
A major factor I believe film schools should focus on more heavily is fundraising and business. The senior film I'm producing will need no less than $6K for it to be made. With that said, I have no choice but to raise it. Fortunately, my director is paying for a third of it out of his own pocket and I have a great crew helping us put some events together. Plus the fact my roommate has worked on many political campaigns helps out significantly. My point with it is, making films isn't cheap. Sometimes it is, but it depends on the story you're trying to tell too.
In the end, it all depends on you and your drive to succeed in this unique and creative industry. There have been many great directors, actors, and producers in motion pictures who have no academic background, but excel at their profession. Film school can offer you the tools and resources to learn how films operate more easily. The best advice I ever got from film school was this, "Make films, then make more films, and then make more films". That's what filmmakers do. So if you're not sure if you want to be a filmmaker, get out there and try it. You'll find out pretty quickly whether or not it's right for you.
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