4 answers
Samantha
Student
Clinton, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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What sort of advice could you give to someone who just switched their major to Film/Video studies?
I was just wondering if there were any film or video production people out there who want to lend a hand?
I just switched my major to Film/Video Production in the middle of this past spring semester since I've always been interested in learning more about this, especially video editing. So, because I just switched somewhat recently, I've only taken a couple summer courses to catch up, meaning that I'm pretty new to a lot of things.
So, is there any advice, tips, or general help that anyone can give me?
I know one thing; I need to make stuff and keep making stuff. But what do I even make? I guess I'm stuck in that way, but I also want to do and learn whatever I can!
Thanks.
#film #video #film-production #video-production #video-editing
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4 answers
Milton Puma
Assistant Producer and Video Editor
17
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Milton’s Answer
Take as many production courses as theory courses. It’s important to know both. The theory will help you how to shape a story and the production class will help you how to actually go about creating it.
Mark Wagner
screenwriter
86
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Samantha,
Consider business, marketing, accounting for the budget. Then take a look at producing, directing and editing. Short video films appear to be very popular now. Especially because of the successes on Netflix. Now, the technology of the smartphones have been used more and more to film the family dramas. Also, horror films will always have fans. Consider your future audiences, and plan according to their desires for films. Many insights can be offered online by Studio 32, LinkedIn, Deadline, Twitter and Instagram. Good luck.
Consider business, marketing, accounting for the budget. Then take a look at producing, directing and editing. Short video films appear to be very popular now. Especially because of the successes on Netflix. Now, the technology of the smartphones have been used more and more to film the family dramas. Also, horror films will always have fans. Consider your future audiences, and plan according to their desires for films. Many insights can be offered online by Studio 32, LinkedIn, Deadline, Twitter and Instagram. Good luck.
Hank Isaac
Writer/Director
36
Answers
Ocean Shores, Washington
Updated
Hank’s Answer
Samantha,
First, if you've read any of my advice to others on here and about this topic, you know I'm not a fan of film schools and film programs -- even though I used to teach in one.
Why?
Filmmaking is one of the many endeavors which began really as an apprenticeship but has evolved into an academic one, likely because several enterprising colleges, etc. figured it was a great way to sell courses.
Also, the only thing you MIGHT get from film school are contacts. Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker met in film school and have worked together for over 40 years now. But you can't guarantee that will happen.
I'm also interested in how you expressed your plan: "...I've always been interested in learning more about this..." Not "doing," but rather "learning about." I may seem picky here, but filmmaking (which includes video, of course) is all about the doing. It's never really been an academic subject, despite colleges' efforts to make it so.
If editing is your passion, I would boldly suggest you consider finding a way to attach yourself to an editor you admire. Do the grunt work. Watch and learn. Make yourself a valuable asset. If you ultimately find yourself being paid as an editor, then you have a career! No one will ever ask for your academic credentials because your work will speak for itself.
Attend college to make yourself a well-rounded person, not to learn filmmaking. You can do that better in the actual world of filmmaking.
Hank
First, if you've read any of my advice to others on here and about this topic, you know I'm not a fan of film schools and film programs -- even though I used to teach in one.
Why?
Filmmaking is one of the many endeavors which began really as an apprenticeship but has evolved into an academic one, likely because several enterprising colleges, etc. figured it was a great way to sell courses.
Also, the only thing you MIGHT get from film school are contacts. Martin Scorsese and Thelma Schoonmaker met in film school and have worked together for over 40 years now. But you can't guarantee that will happen.
I'm also interested in how you expressed your plan: "...I've always been interested in learning more about this..." Not "doing," but rather "learning about." I may seem picky here, but filmmaking (which includes video, of course) is all about the doing. It's never really been an academic subject, despite colleges' efforts to make it so.
If editing is your passion, I would boldly suggest you consider finding a way to attach yourself to an editor you admire. Do the grunt work. Watch and learn. Make yourself a valuable asset. If you ultimately find yourself being paid as an editor, then you have a career! No one will ever ask for your academic credentials because your work will speak for itself.
Attend college to make yourself a well-rounded person, not to learn filmmaking. You can do that better in the actual world of filmmaking.
Hank
Charlie Forbes
Broadcast and video production professional
99
Answers
Southfield, Michigan
Updated
Charlie’s Answer
First of minor in video production. Learn marketing, business, journalism, etc. my advice to everyone is think 10-20 years from now. What do you see yourself doing? Movies? Commercials, Advertising? 10-20 years from now you may have mastered the production craft, but when it comes to story telling or selling a product thats when the degree may help you. Especially if you want to be in a role of someone who makes decisions.
As far as starting out in production. Learn these things:
Have a good over view of jobs people have.
Learn aspects of working in a studio. Lighting, camera, audio, technical directing, etc.
Take a still photography class. Many places will teach you how to shoot, but a photography class teaches you the basics of how a camera works and artistic aspects of shot composition. On the video side the artistic aspect, and how to apply the technical aspects is sometimes missed.
Learn the craft of editing. Knowing Premiere Pro or Avid MC is expected to be able to edit anything. But the craft comes in being able to tell a story, knowing shot pacing, shot selection, emotion, etc.
Learn how to produce and make the following types of videos. It will give you practical employable skills.
A how to video, a news story, a story about a person or organization (again find the story in this), a commercial that sells a product or service that's exactly :30 long, a music video, and finally shoot and edit a piece that tells a story about an event in sound and images only. No standups, limited interviews. The goal is to tell a story by visual means only with natural sound.
I suggest you also learn After Effects for creating motion graphics and to composite shots.
As far as starting out in production. Learn these things:
Have a good over view of jobs people have.
Learn aspects of working in a studio. Lighting, camera, audio, technical directing, etc.
Take a still photography class. Many places will teach you how to shoot, but a photography class teaches you the basics of how a camera works and artistic aspects of shot composition. On the video side the artistic aspect, and how to apply the technical aspects is sometimes missed.
Learn the craft of editing. Knowing Premiere Pro or Avid MC is expected to be able to edit anything. But the craft comes in being able to tell a story, knowing shot pacing, shot selection, emotion, etc.
Learn how to produce and make the following types of videos. It will give you practical employable skills.
A how to video, a news story, a story about a person or organization (again find the story in this), a commercial that sells a product or service that's exactly :30 long, a music video, and finally shoot and edit a piece that tells a story about an event in sound and images only. No standups, limited interviews. The goal is to tell a story by visual means only with natural sound.
I suggest you also learn After Effects for creating motion graphics and to composite shots.