subject: Do You Need A Filmmaking School? [print this page] The only possible reason for people not to consider a filmmaking school is when they treat the craft merely as past-time. The truth is that making a movie is not anywhere near a hobby you can do on your free time. It demands more than just fleeting interests; it seeks perfection as any other profession does. Thus, it is important that these schools operate for these individuals with talent in filmmaking to have venues for training and development. After all, movie making is not only just an art. After close to a century of evolution, it has achieved the status of being a science.
Unlike the impression that the academe has though, a filmmaking school is less formal and is often more enjoyable and fun to do. Usually the academic institution would require that a student should absorb not only principles but also other pertinent information that relates to his course. A school in film creation doesn't have this character. Instead of feeding a lot of information and lots of theories on the student, it merely whets his interest for knowledge on the craft and instead draws out more of his imagination. Therefore these schools encourage students to come out with more creative ideas instead of merely just absorbing more information.
It is for this reason that instructors in film schools must not only spoon-feed their students with ideas. Instead they must be able to encourage their students to be unique with their imagination. In fact, they make sure that the concepts that students produced are not confined with the usual or mainstream cinema, knowing that the evolution of filmmaking relies not on what is in existence but on the innovative and unique imaginations of future filmmakers. They are often not only teachers but also coaches and counselors who motivate students instead of restricting them.
If you are keen in enhancing your film-making skills, you are certainly having advantages by enrolling in a film-making school. Luckily, you really don't have to go to a real campus and spend many hours inside the confines of a boring classroom. The Internet has made it possible for you to complete a full course in film creation right at the comforts of your own home.
Of course this does not translate to being less serious in studying the course. If you're truly interested in the art, you will discipline yourself to follow schedules and comply with the curriculum requirements. This would not be too hard for someone who loves making films. You may not even think of the sessions as routines you cannot escape from but as fun learning moments. You may also consider the films you are required to make as opportunities to hone your craft.
