This is a collaborative post: Working in the film or TV industries is the dream job for thousands of people, and there’s no doubt it’s a competitive sphere. Research and analysis have, however, revealed a growing shortage of skilled film crews, so if you’re considering applying to film school, your timing is good.
Regardless of where you are in life today, be it still in school/Uni or wanting to expand your career options, here are some good tips for getting into film school passed on by The London Film School.
Start Making Movies
Your chosen film school will probably want to see your portfolio as part of your application, so it’s never too early to start shooting your own short films.
Five or ten minutes of footage is all you need to tell a story, although you may find it even more challenging to go short rather than long. That’s what makes it a good storytelling exercise.
You don’t need professional grade equipment as you’ll be taught how to use high level gear during your course. If you’ve got a mobile phone in your pocket or a DSLR camera knocking about, you have all you need to get going.
On top of that, you’ll need some editing software. If you’re an absolute beginner, look online for free software you can download to practice with. Chances are, you already have something you can use on your computer or there’s a programme recommended by your operating system if you’re on Windows.
Know the Entry Requirements
Different courses demand different qualifications or academic achievements, but if you’ve already completed formal education before you decide on a film career, all is not lost.
Ideally, you’ll have a Bachelor’s degree with Honours (or the equivalent if you’re an international student), a relevant professional qualification or professional experience in an area related to film.
That said, even if you have none of the above but feel you still have what it takes to successfully complete a filmmaking course, you can still apply. At the outset you have nothing to lose, with your level of passion and commitment, along with your portfolio, playing an important role.
Research Study Options
From short courses and workshops to MA Filmmaking post-graduate study, there is a world of choice when it comes to choosing and getting into film school. An intensive two-year programme such as this will give you a solid all-round grounding, including cinematography, directing, producing, production design, sound, and editing.
You might also decide your interests lie in scriptwriting, and there are screenwriting courses too. An MA screenwriting course will support you through all aspects of developing your future screenplay.
As well as investigating what different film schools offer in the way of study options and degree programmes, look at the faculty.
Are the instructors, tutors and professors professional industry experts? Have they worked at the coal face, as it were, being involved in film production or screenwriting?
While being a good teacher doesn’t necessarily hinge on having industry experience, those that do offer something extra to students.
Broaden Your View
Watch all the films you can but watch them with a critical eye. Get used to assessing movies not just on their entertainment value (although that’s important) but also for the scenery, script, special effects, sounds and acting – in fact every aspect of the film. Remember, nothing is there by accident. If you see or hear it on the screen it’s because someone decided it needed to be there.
As you go about daily life, notice everything around you. Pay attention to the natural world and the man made. Notice colours, object placements in shops or supermarkets, how parks are laid out or city centre squares.
Everyday scenes and how people interact with them can help when it comes to visualising film scenes, positioning your actors, or framing your shots.
Research Funding
Knowing how you’ll finance your studies is as important as choosing the right course, so make this part of your initial research. There are lots of funding help options to look into if you need some assistance with this aspect of getting into film school.
From special funds to help women graduates, to charity funds and scholarship programmes or postgraduate master’s loans, which you qualify for depends on your individual circumstances.
There is lots of help out there to help you get into film school, not least from recruitment and admissions teams. So as a final suggestion, don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you could use some personalised advice and guidance on the best way forward.
Getting into film school and studying the industry from within, as it were, is a solid way to build your network and realise your dreams. If this describes your ambition, now is an excellent time to start opening a few doors.