Film making

If you want to make films. What would be your advice? I hear that going to film school is kind of for rich kids and I hear that most good film makers didn't even go to film school, dunno what's people's ideas. I love music and I would love to make films and chose the music.

How old are you? Are you still at school?

If you're still at school you could take a Film or Media Studies course.

Or, you could just buy a video camera and make your own short films. You can edit your videos using computer software.

I’m currently taking a Film Production degree at the Screen and Film School in Brighton and I’m in my second year I personally found studying film/media at college and then going on to study film production at uni was the best path for me. The film school costs the same amount of most unis per year and works the same way as universities financially too, eg student loans, paying course fees back once you earn a certain amount per year etc. However, along with studying film, i also did and do and lot of filming in my spare time as it’s something I’m passionate about and apply the skills that I’m learning on the course both then in my free time and in class. Film is something you want to get hands on experience with, and whether that’s going to film school or trying to work and be a runner on sets instead thats up to you. What I will say though is, when studying film production, you learn vital information that you need for when you’re working on sets in real life such as set etiquette and sooooooooo much more. My outlook on the film industry and how to work in it has changed so much! Also, not to mention that it’s possible to be working on sets and also be studying! That’s what I’ve done and it’s great to add to portfolios and stuff Follow your passion and do what feels right for you as everyone’s journey in filmmaking is different

Out of curiosity, how has your experience been affected by the whole coronavirus and lockdown situation?

It definitely changed things initially, getting used to working on zoom and not working practically, etc. However, when things eased up a bit (out of lockdown), I was able to go back in and work practically on our set with equipment wearing masks due to our small class size. It felt a bit different because of social distancing and sanitising measures however I felt so lucky to be able to go and work with equipment again. I'm actually able to go back in next week for my practical classes which I'm super excited about. Also, we have still been able to book out equipment from the film school to work on projects out of uni which shows they care about us still working practically and getting that experience despite lockdown. They've handled the situation really well compared to other unis when speaking to friends, not at the film school, so I feel really lucky. My producing specialism and our research for practice module are still over zoom, however as I said, my camera and lighting module is starting on site again and was previously at the end of last year

It’s around 2/3 days a week, with some of them half days so you have a lot of time to do the masterclasses and extra workshops! The summer of second year we have official work placements however work opportunities can come up whenever and I’ve managed to get a couple opportunities just by other students working on projects, or production companies some lecturers have worked with!