Is anyone going to the National Film and Television School?

2

I just got into the NFTS. I've read a bunch of things about it online, some people say it's really good and other people says it's terrible. When I went there, it seemed nice and the staff were friendly. I met one former student who is now working on a major Hollywood production. That's about all I know.

Does anyone go here/is anyone about to go here? What do you know about it if so? There isn't much information about it online, apart from its own website.

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 1

priyankachoudary

4

I started researching about Universities/colleges around the UK for about 4 months now. Every person I connected with talks about NFTS. The one good thing is you get to meet a lot of industry professionals(that's some great contacts you can make)and they are well equipped. I was too late by the time I could apply and hence missed my chance to that film school. However, I looked into other and am currently waiting to hear from them. Let me know which others you looked into!

Reply 2

SpacePatroFan189

19

Hate to dig up an old thread, but how are you getting on there OP? I'm only in my second year of uni, so have quite a way to go before I'm eligible but it's one option I'm keeping in mind...

Reply 3

sahilspatel9

1

Original post

by letsgotothehop

I just got into the NFTS. I've read a bunch of things about it online, some people say it's really good and other people says it's terrible. When I went there, it seemed nice and the staff were friendly. I met one former student who is now working on a major Hollywood production. That's about all I know.

Does anyone go here/is anyone about to go here? What do you know about it if so? There isn't much information about it online, apart from its own website.

Hi! Did you go to NFTS then?

I want to get into it but I don't know what kind of portfolio they expect. Can you fill me on that, please? What was on your portfolio and what do they expect from us?

Thank you. Cheers!

Reply 4

JCinema

1

Hello Rebecca,I went to the interview last year but I didn't get in, I think because of my English (I'm French), do you know how to have our chances to be selected?

Reply 5

JCinema

1

I had chosen the directing fiction course, I though 8 had a good portfolio..
I was 22 last year so I don’t if a question of age...

Reply 6

bplimley

Original post

by RebeccaMc3

Hi!
I have done one of the diploma programs at NFTS. The school is not without its faults and it does feel like some courses are the "favourites" (masters courses definitely) but as film schools goes it's pretty damn good. It's a good place to meet other people in the film industry who are serious about what they want to do, there are great guest speakers, the tutors have all worked or are still working in the industry. They have links with many of the London equipment rental companies, they're close to Pinewood Studios. My course was quite new and still working out some teething problems when I was there and all schools are going to have their own set of problems but as long as you go in with that in mind and understand that you get out what you put in, I'd recommend it as a school

Hey Rebecca, I've just been accepted onto the AD/FM Diploma at NFTS - I'm not so worried about the school and the course, but I was wondering what you can tell me about student life there? I'm assuming you were studying in Beaconsfield.

Reply 7

JonS79

1

It is not film school anymore. Jon Wardle turned it into woke temple. Tuition fees are enormous. Especially for very poor quality of workshops, lectures, tutors. I did MA course, hoping to be at least "in the club" but I was so wrong. The school cares only about the money. Nothing more. After you pay everything and graduate, they don't care. My friend won quite prestige award with the grad film and suddenly Jon became my friend's best mate for a while. NFTS put my friend's name on every folder, flyer, fb page, etc. But when the hype was gone, he couldn't be bothered to even answer emails.

Reply 8

jess_wat

1

Original post

by JonS79

It is not film school anymore. Jon Wardle turned it into woke temple. Tuition fees are enormous. Especially for very poor quality of workshops, lectures, tutors. I did MA course, hoping to be at least "in the club" but I was so wrong. The school cares only about the money. Nothing more. After you pay everything and graduate, they don't care. My friend won quite prestige award with the grad film and suddenly Jon became my friend's best mate for a while. NFTS put my friend's name on every folder, flyer, fb page, etc. But when the hype was gone, he couldn't be bothered to even answer emails.

Hey Jon, I'm keen to hear more of your POV on the school. I've just been offered a place on the Editing course and I'm trying to find out more from past students. Which course did you do? Did you get anything useful from the experience of the NFTS?

Reply 9

Bunnyslipper

4

Original post

by jess_wat

Hey Jon, I'm keen to hear more of your POV on the school. I've just been offered a place on the Editing course and I'm trying to find out more from past students. Which course did you do? Did you get anything useful from the experience of the NFTS?

I did a diploma course at NFTS last year (thankfully, it was free for me!). Just as others have said - the institution is a complete bastion of wokeness , but it's coming primarily from the students themselves. Majority of students come from Guardian-reading well-to-do middle class families, so don't expect to find any diversity of thought 🙄 if you're a working class kid, you will struggle with these crazies.

That said, lecturers are also selected for their political views. All male lecturers that I met are wet rags who are so easily offended by anything and everything they wouldn't last a day in the real industry.

As the commentator above has mentioned- once you graduate, nobody cares about you. There's no follow-up, not unless they want something from you.

They're fully aware that there are no jobs waiting for their graduates, especially now that film industry is in a state of complete collapse, but they keep pushing for more new courses and more students.

I have personally seen past NFTS students come back again and again to take up those new courses in hopes of getting a foot in the industry, but it's all in vein. More education won't help you get a job when there are no jobs to get!

Meanwhile, NFTS is laughing all the way to the bank as they continue to sell false dreams.

Is anyone going to the National Film and Television School?

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Articles for you

How The Student Room is moderated