This WAS a huge topic to try to cover, but who of us has time to read more that what you posted Ben!! It was a very good assessment and I wish I had used the term "maybe" more often. My answer is usually NO, Film School is not worth it. I recommend Business School because that puts the student in an very good position to understand the business elements of film making - the creative things CAN be learned on the job, while you are carrying coffee for the right person or persons. I know that the perfect job is not always available so you need to do ANYTHING you can - and try to evolve from there. But well worth the attempt. I went the business school route and ended up irreplaceable because I was surrounded by wonderful creatives, all of whom could be replaced by less experienced (read: cheaper, less combative) creatives. I was the only one who could do both creative and business - so ended up the "candy shop owner" who could not be replaced when my company was sold over and over and over to bigger and bigger and bigger entertainment companies. That is "my path" and I know there are many. But "film school" is not the only "school" that benefits those who want to create and learn. To the screenwriter teacher: YOU teach the key element of entertainment: writing down your idea!! I usually encourage potential film school students to learn to write!! Write, Write, Write. Unless you write, you will always be looking for a job - usually from someone who does write! If you write, you can create your own job! Sell your own project, instead of someone else's, Hire yourself. Control your future. That, to me, is the END game.
Unless I've read this wrong, there's ONE mention of screenwriting in this post. Great for me > that's what I teach. Screenwriting for multiple platforms and media: EVERY Screen.
Agree Fred. this was such a big subject to tackle that I focused less on screenwriting than I wanted to. Obviously it's vital and a part of the foundations IMO and can track through every kind of content as it evolves. I was a screenwriter before I was a producer and at helped not only with developing scripts, but any kind of communication, marketing, all of it.
This WAS a huge topic to try to cover, but who of us has time to read more that what you posted Ben!! It was a very good assessment and I wish I had used the term "maybe" more often. My answer is usually NO, Film School is not worth it. I recommend Business School because that puts the student in an very good position to understand the business elements of film making - the creative things CAN be learned on the job, while you are carrying coffee for the right person or persons. I know that the perfect job is not always available so you need to do ANYTHING you can - and try to evolve from there. But well worth the attempt. I went the business school route and ended up irreplaceable because I was surrounded by wonderful creatives, all of whom could be replaced by less experienced (read: cheaper, less combative) creatives. I was the only one who could do both creative and business - so ended up the "candy shop owner" who could not be replaced when my company was sold over and over and over to bigger and bigger and bigger entertainment companies. That is "my path" and I know there are many. But "film school" is not the only "school" that benefits those who want to create and learn. To the screenwriter teacher: YOU teach the key element of entertainment: writing down your idea!! I usually encourage potential film school students to learn to write!! Write, Write, Write. Unless you write, you will always be looking for a job - usually from someone who does write! If you write, you can create your own job! Sell your own project, instead of someone else's, Hire yourself. Control your future. That, to me, is the END game.
Great post Ben! i've pulled so many quotes for my personal 'when the going gets tough' book of quotes!
Ha. You were one of my inspirations in film school so quid pro quo MJ!
Unless I've read this wrong, there's ONE mention of screenwriting in this post. Great for me > that's what I teach. Screenwriting for multiple platforms and media: EVERY Screen.
Agree Fred. this was such a big subject to tackle that I focused less on screenwriting than I wanted to. Obviously it's vital and a part of the foundations IMO and can track through every kind of content as it evolves. I was a screenwriter before I was a producer and at helped not only with developing scripts, but any kind of communication, marketing, all of it.