Film Education

If you are interested in filmmaking, then you probably already know that the amount of money you can invest in filmmaking is endless. But if you are just starting out, you’re not going to have a Hollywood budget. This article will give you ways you can make your films cheap. These are the same things taught in Film College, film training courses and at film education sites.

1. Make Sure You Have a Story Worth Telling.

Simply put, in filmmaking you are telling a story. Make sure your plot is exciting and will capture the interest of your audience. Be realistic here. Think big, but you’re no Hollywood just yet okay? Make sure you have your script written or typed out before you begin production.

2. Use Equipment You Own

You don’t have to buy big fancy equipment. If you have a simple hand held camera, good. Use it. At best, you can rent some good equipment. A cheap microphone, a cheap camera, cheap editing software, cheap lights and a well written script will go a long way in filmmaking.

3. Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan

After your script is written, you’ll need to plan out how you are going to shoot each scene. Your script should already be broken up into scenes. Now it’s time to write out how each scene is going to be shot. What angle are you going to shoot from? Is it a wide shot or close up? Make a list of what props to bring and how the actors are going to be standing. Leave no detail open for chance.

The reason for all this planning is, you may have to rent a place to shoot your movie. You’re not going to want to figure this stuff out off the cuff. One of the biggest mistakes new film makers make is they fail to plan. So plan your work and work your plan. Read the rest of this entry »

If you want to attend Film College but are afraid you can’t afford it, don’t talk yourself out of it just yet. Let’s face it; millions of people want to attend Film College every year. However, most never make it there because they let the cost of the film education scare them away. Don’t let that happen to you. This article will give you some tips on how you’ll be able to afford Film College.

Are You Sure You Want To Do This?

First of all, you have to ask yourself if you’ve got what it takes to be a successful filmmaker. Is it even for you? The cost of Film College is around $15,000 a year for in state tuition. Before you jump into it, take a career aptitude test online. You can find them easily and they are free. This aptitude test will help you determine if your abilities and desires are a match for one another.

Pick an Accredited School

If you go to 20 Film College website, all 20 will say they are the best. Don’t let that fool you. That’s like asking two brothers which one is better looking. They both have the same answer. A Film University is no different. So don’t look at the biggest school with the highest priced tuition. A lot of community colleges offer a good film education program. You can learn the exact same thing there that you’ll learn in an expensive college.

Let’s face it; movie training 101 is movie training 101. Just make sure the film schools you are looking at offer some kind of financial assistance. The biggest thing to look for in the film college is are they accredited. That way you’ll be able to get financial aid.

Get Financial Aid

After you have picked out the accredited school that will be best for you, your first stop will be the financial aid office. It’s easy, just time consuming. You’ll need to fill out the FAFSA form. A good rule of thumb is if you earn less than $40,000 a year, odds are you can get financial aid. So go ahead and apply. Even if you make more than $40,000 a year you can still receive some help. The best part is this is money that you don’t have to pay back. It’s not a loan, it’s a grant. So look into it. Read the rest of this entry »