How Did top Tier Directors Do It + Free Resources
Is film school really necessary? Let me preface this question with a statement. It would depend on the kind of learner you are. If you prefer being mentored and like things laid out for you, the answer is yes. If you are a self-starter with some knowledge and are ready to jump in with both feet to get hands-on, you may decide another route.
To the following directors; Quentin Tarantino, Chris Nolan, James Cameron, Steven Spielberg, Akira Kurosawa, Stanley Kubrick, Wes Anderson, Roberto Rodriguez, and the Wachowskis, the answer would be no. So how did these people mentioned do it? They got behind a camera and worked hard at it until they got better, learning from their mistakes along the way. Also, being able to dissect and analyze an existing piece of work with a supercritical eye is another key to success.
“Trying
to make a film yourself with no money is the best film school you can
do.”
Quentin
Tarantino
"You’re
never going to learn something as profoundly as when it’s purely
out of curiosity" Chris
Nolan
“The
best thing that young filmmakers can do is to get a camera and make a
movie of any kind”
Stanley
Kubrick
“All you have to do is pick up a camera and start shooting with the intention of making a film, and your a filmmaker" James Cameron
Not to knock film school too harshly; there are some advantages. You get to work with good equipment and receive mentoring from experienced people. If your instructors have contacts/leads in the industry, that could be an industry entry point, if you prove yourself. But hey, film school is not cheap. The cost you would spend could pay for your own sweet gear or would cover your budget for your first 2 low budget movies.
So what are some options? Masterclass, Udemy, Skillshare, Indie Film Hustle.com, Lynda.com / LinkedIn Learning and others are a much cheaper alternative to the traditional film school method, but the better option may be to create your own custom learning program at no cost. How would you do this?
The best approach would be to get a
listing of curriculum/content covered by accredited top tier schools such as USC, UCLA, NYU, or Cal Arts, and use that as your personal learning guide. With this list assembled, get your own resources from the internet. There are plenty of solid YouTube videos on techniques and equipment, as well as resources like videomaker.com, and creativecow.com.
Check out 7 more educational resources (see the free PDF below).
Vet your resources carefully and note in your search if the person has actual experience, for how long, what they have done, and if their work is pro quality. If using YouTube as a resource, also check the number of views, reviews, and the likes to dislike ratio too.
Another thing to try would be to research top directors, cinematographers, lighting, audio, and other technical film people in the industry, to see if they have any interviews, tips, tricks, or tutorials where they discuss their craft. You would be amazed at some of the stuff that is out there.
Equipment / Software
Obviously, if you can afford top of the line gear and software, then the sky is the limit. However, if you are on a shoestring, you will need to watch that budget. Most vendors usually carry new and used equipment. Compare prices to see who has the most bang for the buck and compare that with the prices for renting. Do you really need that big state-of-the-art camera or will a simple DSLR do the trick? Don’t forget eBay and Craigslist as well but make sure to vet these folks as well by checking ratings and positive/negative reviews. If possible, borrow from a good friend if they have suitable gear. Also, note that the video quality from cell phones are quite good these days too.
If Avid, Adobe Premiere or Final Cut is cost-prohibitive check out the 4 of the free open source editing programs (see the free PDF below).
All that is required is a decent PC or Mac and some well-composed cinematography.
For creative inspiration I highly recommend these 5 books as well (see the free PDF below).
Hopefully, with your newfound knowledge and gear, you can put your skills to the test and create something truly wonderful. The important thing is to keep filming, practicing learning as you go, and getting better. Soak in as many aspects as you can of the filmmaking process and don't forget to analyze really good films to see what makes them tick.
Click here for your free PDF on Film School Alternate Resources to get you up to speed.
Check out this article with even more resources:
So You're Thinking about Filmmaking?
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