Friday, October 24, 2008

Film Schools - How to Choose a Winner

By Nathan James

Acting seems to be one of the things many people would like to do. It can certainly be rewarding, but it's probably one of the hardest areas of the film industry to break into.

If you're hoping to work in film or television, there are plenty of other areas to consider. For example, you might think about producing, directing or script writing. Choosing the right film school is one of the key decisions you'll make.

The first step in getting into the film industry is determining what type of career you're interested in. Just about any job in the film industry pays very well, so you should be ready for plenty of competition. You should also be aware that you'll need to start at the bottom, often as a production assistant (answering phones, getting coffee, etc) before any hopes of working in the field you were trained in.

Also know that you'll need to move to where the work is. If you're planning on working in film this often means working on location for weeks, sometimes months at a time.

Finding the Right Film School

If your passion is acting, don't choose a film school whose strength is directing. You'll need to get a feel for all areas of film production, but you need to choose a school that is strong in the particular area you're pursuing.

Look for a school that will let you take specific classes towards your degree instead of giving you a preset course list.

With the popularity of film related jobs, there are film schools popping up all over the place. This means you'll need to do your research to ensure you're not paying thousands of dollars to get a degree or diploma that is considered a joke.

Make sure the school has been around for quite a while and check their credentials. Many major universities also offer top notch film degrees which are well regarded in the industry. - 15615

About the Author: