Film students are one of the most determined people on the planet Earth. Filmmaking is something that you need to have in your blood. It takes curiosity, passion, and a ton of hard work to reach the top. It requires you to have a sharp eye and a good start.
Many people can argue that you don’t need to have a higher education to make it in indie production or even Hollywood. But the truth is, climbing to success is a lot easier when you have good advice from your supervisors and materials to learn the craft. In the world of art, it’s always a matter of luck and the right time to snatch your trophy. Getting into a top-notch university is beneficial for your career as it prepares you for the right moment.
Like any other program, filmmaking is not child’s play. You would have a fast-pacing and demanding workload. Without a doubt, getting through it would be much easier with reliable thesis writing service by WritePaper than facing the challenges alone. If you feel less stressed, you can focus on important aspects of your vision.
Being prepared for future challenges is only one aspect of getting into film school. You have to know exactly what you want and stay organized. The true talent is always in the making, so be easy on yourself too and remember to take care while you get ready for your program.
Do your research
Research is essential. Google all the programs and schools you want to attend and clarify all questions beforehand.
At the same time, look for feedback and reviews of the school. The advertisements and promises of recruiters can create a false image. Many popular and hyped film schools may not be what they seem, and you need to know that. Sometimes, graduates share the insights you should pay attention to, so you should do an extended search on social media.
Ask your friends and graduates about their experiences. Then select the top list of universities that align with your values and budget.
It is also important to look for national and local scholarship programs. Some universities offer tuition waiver fees. You should look for every piece of information before you get into higher education.
Get your applications ready
Don’t wait till the last moment; instead, start your preparation in advance. Filmmaking is all about respecting the deadlines and knowing how to improvise if something goes wrong.
We all want to get into that one university and no other option is acceptable. The truth is, it is better to prepare several applications and send them into different universities. On the bright side, you never know whether enrolling in a university which wasn’t your first choice can be life-changing for you.
Prepare your recommendations
Any person who worked with you or had an academic relationship with you can be your trusted person. Don’t ask your friends or family to pretend to be your supervisors and fail with writing the letter. The recommendation letter should be specific and describe your skills and achievements, it should provide the committee with a proof you deserve a spot in the university.
Ask your advisors or managers beforehand about the opportunity to get a high-quality letter.
Know how to present and pitch your ideas
Whether you are a freshman at high school or a college graduate, it’s time to polish your writing skills. You have to provide sufficient proof you know why you enrolled in the program and what you expect to achieve. Take extra time to develop your cover letter and prepare all documents to get into the university.
Here are some common aspects of film school application:
- Personal statement;
- Creative portfolio list;
- Letters of recommendation;
At the same time, if presentations aren’t exactly your forte, you have to overcome the fear of speaking. Most likely, you will have an interview with a committee (depending on the university), and the bar would be high. You don’t have to be an ancient Greek philosopher, but you have to be easy to follow and radiate confidence.
Even after you get past the enrollment process, you still need to show excellent communication skills. Many of your courses would require writing and pitching ideas. And further in your filmmaking career, you would collaborate with many departments. So it is a matter of developing a habit: clear and healthy communication would ensure half of your success in the industry.
Practice your craft
Raw talent is perfect, but it’s not enough. You have to practice and develop your voice. Your first works would always resemble someone or something that impacted you as a creator. It is a normal process of discovering your style, but you can’t always rely on other directors’ or writers’ techniques.
Even if you have only several works to present, get them into your portfolio. You don’t have to show your first works unless you want to show your progress. But practice is important, whether you want to become a screenwriter, actor, or cinematographer.
If you are scared you need a hundred of thousands of budget to develop a project, rest assured you can do everything with your iPhone and some editing magic. You don’t even need the latest version of Apple’s smartphone to get high quality. Some people can’t achieve anything even with the most expensive gear, so it’s not about tech.
The best examples of movies shot on phone, to name a few:
- Tangerine by Sean Baker;
- I Play With the Phrase Each Other by Jay Alvarrez;
- Night Fishing by Park Chan-Wook;
Don’t be afraid to experiment with the medium. You can try different old cameras, phones, anything that works properly. The rest is work.
Get real-world experience
Before working on your piece of art, you have to see how things are working in the real world. Of course, the production process would be different for TV and film, and commercials. Yet, any hands-on job or volunteering is a plus to your future resume.
Sometimes seeing the backstage can be disillusioning. You dream of a parallel universe, while it’s nothing but chaos where people shout and follow orders of others. But sometimes the reality check can only ignite more fire in you and encourage you to work harder in achieving your dreams.
Respect the theory
Learn some history and theory before submitting your application and waiting for a call-back.you Showing that you are competent and passionate about the cinema can be a plus for you.
Even if you enroll in a specific program, it is beneficial to know other areas of filmmaking. You don’t have to have profound knowledge, but the entry level understanding is a must. Most likely you will learn the basics during your first year and having an upper-hand is always an advantage.
Treat theory and practice with equal respect. There’s not a single discipline in the world that relies only on theory or practice. Be ready to be judged in both of these areas.
Summing Up
Getting into higher education can be stressful. Maybe, enrolling into the program is the most anxious part of it.
However, the best strategy you can use is to prepare everything in time and have confidence in your talent and craft. If you want to be a filmmaker, you have an understanding of what is ahead of you.
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