3 answers
dylan
Student
Tallahassee, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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how do I stand out if I want to go to film school?
hi I'm a freshman in high school and when I'm older r I want to be a director.what should I do to help me become prepared and to stand out to the film school I want to go to, and how do I find out if this is really what I want to do.
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3 answers
Marshall Main
Director, Manager, Videographer
75
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Marshall’s Answer
Dylan-
Most students will have a basic understanding of what the Film Industry is, but they are going school to learn. The more you know in advance will help you have a leg up in school.
Study up on your film and theater history. If you want to specifically pursue the Director track, then know about past and present directors, know names, projects they have done. Study their work, read interviews and watch lots of film/projects/production. Directors need to understand every aspect of the filmmaking/production machine, so also learn about other departments, who works there and what they would need from you as a director. The Director is responsible for helming the project, making the majority of the creative decisions and communicating to their other team leads and departments what vision they have and how they can help them accomplish it.
If you have a drama or film club/class in your school I would also be sure to join there. There also may be other communities that you can get involved in outside of school, I would do a google search and look around on the social platforms to see if something is in your area. Getting involved with other filmmakers or theater groups in your area can be a big leg up as well. You can work on projects with others, talk shop and possible find a local mentor to help you in your study of the craft. If your school has a short play or opportunity to direct school plays/performances, do that. Working with talent is what a director will do in both mediums, and you will learn a lot about how a production, live or staged for film, works.
You can also do your own shorts, creating a reel for yourself. Some schools want you to have some sort of portfolio to apply, not all require this, so knowing what school(s) you want to attend will help with that. But building a reel is part of the industry and expected as you work toward future projects (you will have to apply like you do a job). The more practice you can get in before school is just that, more practice. You will make mistakes and your stuff will not be oscar winning to start, but it will get better. It will also help you to find your "voice" style of doing things. As you develop this it will then lead you to specialize in that kind of work moving forward. Youtube is free to host and you can apply for a filmmakers channel, which allows content over 15 minutes.
Watch lots of Movies and Behind the scenes information and read books on film theories, storytelling and working with people, leading teams and managing creative projects. All of this will help you have a better leg up when you get to film school.
Most students will have a basic understanding of what the Film Industry is, but they are going school to learn. The more you know in advance will help you have a leg up in school.
Study up on your film and theater history. If you want to specifically pursue the Director track, then know about past and present directors, know names, projects they have done. Study their work, read interviews and watch lots of film/projects/production. Directors need to understand every aspect of the filmmaking/production machine, so also learn about other departments, who works there and what they would need from you as a director. The Director is responsible for helming the project, making the majority of the creative decisions and communicating to their other team leads and departments what vision they have and how they can help them accomplish it.
If you have a drama or film club/class in your school I would also be sure to join there. There also may be other communities that you can get involved in outside of school, I would do a google search and look around on the social platforms to see if something is in your area. Getting involved with other filmmakers or theater groups in your area can be a big leg up as well. You can work on projects with others, talk shop and possible find a local mentor to help you in your study of the craft. If your school has a short play or opportunity to direct school plays/performances, do that. Working with talent is what a director will do in both mediums, and you will learn a lot about how a production, live or staged for film, works.
You can also do your own shorts, creating a reel for yourself. Some schools want you to have some sort of portfolio to apply, not all require this, so knowing what school(s) you want to attend will help with that. But building a reel is part of the industry and expected as you work toward future projects (you will have to apply like you do a job). The more practice you can get in before school is just that, more practice. You will make mistakes and your stuff will not be oscar winning to start, but it will get better. It will also help you to find your "voice" style of doing things. As you develop this it will then lead you to specialize in that kind of work moving forward. Youtube is free to host and you can apply for a filmmakers channel, which allows content over 15 minutes.
Watch lots of Movies and Behind the scenes information and read books on film theories, storytelling and working with people, leading teams and managing creative projects. All of this will help you have a better leg up when you get to film school.
Ranelle Golden
Screenwriter, Director and Producer
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Ranelle’s Answer
Hi Dylan ,
It's awesome that you are thinking ahead! This is already a step towards helping to make you a standout! A few things come to mind. You are in Florida - we have great film groups and communities all over the state on an indie level. So the first thing I would do, is to find those and get on a film set. Volunteer as a PA or Production Assistant. Films always need those. In that capacity you can learn the ropes from the ground up. PAs on the indie level move from PA roles to the others as they learn and gain the trust of the Team. So you can potentially learn grip/gaffing/sound/set and more in a hands-on setting. It won't be everything but you will have a good understanding of what goes into a film. when you apply for college. This will help reaffirm you desire to be a film director. Take the time to speak with Director's and find out what they might have to share from the skill set you need to what actually happens on set. As you move through high school connect with local high school students or even a group in your school that want to make movies. Make movies!!! Through all your work, make sure you are credited and that your participation is listed on IMDB.com for whatever role you are placed in. This will give you verifiable credentials when presenting yourself to colleges. Making your own film will give you footage for a demo reel. If you work your way up to Directing your own films while in high school, that will be a bonus. There is a lot to learn in the film industry to treat it like a business and be successful. From contracts, call sheets, shot lists and more, the list is long. As long as your DREAM IN ACTION - you can have a great future!
It's awesome that you are thinking ahead! This is already a step towards helping to make you a standout! A few things come to mind. You are in Florida - we have great film groups and communities all over the state on an indie level. So the first thing I would do, is to find those and get on a film set. Volunteer as a PA or Production Assistant. Films always need those. In that capacity you can learn the ropes from the ground up. PAs on the indie level move from PA roles to the others as they learn and gain the trust of the Team. So you can potentially learn grip/gaffing/sound/set and more in a hands-on setting. It won't be everything but you will have a good understanding of what goes into a film. when you apply for college. This will help reaffirm you desire to be a film director. Take the time to speak with Director's and find out what they might have to share from the skill set you need to what actually happens on set. As you move through high school connect with local high school students or even a group in your school that want to make movies. Make movies!!! Through all your work, make sure you are credited and that your participation is listed on IMDB.com for whatever role you are placed in. This will give you verifiable credentials when presenting yourself to colleges. Making your own film will give you footage for a demo reel. If you work your way up to Directing your own films while in high school, that will be a bonus. There is a lot to learn in the film industry to treat it like a business and be successful. From contracts, call sheets, shot lists and more, the list is long. As long as your DREAM IN ACTION - you can have a great future!
Michelle Marotta
Certified Life Coach
540
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Dylan !
Film school is very selective and an opinion based field of work so there's no way to tell how to stand out, there are no guarantees. You must put your best work forth. I can, however, give you some advice that may help you. First and foremost - start producing work now.
You may feel overwhelmed by this but start creating films now. Obtain or write a script with a very good, realistic, universal story that most people would be able to relate to. You will have to find actors, too. The hard part is buying the equipment. You can use low tech, of course, but it is very good to start building up a collection of your work so you can have something to show film schools when you apply. But there's also a lot to learn, too. That is why it is a smart idea to go to college or a film school after high school.
You will need to learn directing, a bit of cinematography, acting/character development. Most likely they do not have these courses at your school, but if they have any TV/Film courses or clubs in your high school, take or join them till you graduate. You can also watch many videos about directing on the internet. Try to make a lot of character-centered projects with good scripts at first and than you can experiment with off-beat or unusual genres later on. Having quality content in your work to show schools will help you stand out, but the process is very selective.
The only way that you will find out if you want to dedicate your time and career to this is by actually doing it. At one point you will believe film directing is for you or not for you but it is worth trying otherwise you'd never know. Measure your passion for film as you go along and if it grows, than it is for you.
I hope this gives you some things to consider about being a film director.
Film school is very selective and an opinion based field of work so there's no way to tell how to stand out, there are no guarantees. You must put your best work forth. I can, however, give you some advice that may help you. First and foremost - start producing work now.
You may feel overwhelmed by this but start creating films now. Obtain or write a script with a very good, realistic, universal story that most people would be able to relate to. You will have to find actors, too. The hard part is buying the equipment. You can use low tech, of course, but it is very good to start building up a collection of your work so you can have something to show film schools when you apply. But there's also a lot to learn, too. That is why it is a smart idea to go to college or a film school after high school.
You will need to learn directing, a bit of cinematography, acting/character development. Most likely they do not have these courses at your school, but if they have any TV/Film courses or clubs in your high school, take or join them till you graduate. You can also watch many videos about directing on the internet. Try to make a lot of character-centered projects with good scripts at first and than you can experiment with off-beat or unusual genres later on. Having quality content in your work to show schools will help you stand out, but the process is very selective.
The only way that you will find out if you want to dedicate your time and career to this is by actually doing it. At one point you will believe film directing is for you or not for you but it is worth trying otherwise you'd never know. Measure your passion for film as you go along and if it grows, than it is for you.
I hope this gives you some things to consider about being a film director.