Film school

A Film school is a generic term for any educational institution dedicated to teaching moviemaking, including, but not limited to, film production, theory, and writing for the screen. Usually hands on technical training is incorporated as part of the curriculum, such as learning how to use cameras, light meters and other equipment. Most schools are tied to existing colleges and universities, often in art or communication departments. Some are privately owned and not tied to universities, such as technical schools offering associate degrees.

Related Topics:
Moviemaking - Theory - Writing for the screen

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Various debates have raged over the years on the importance of film school in allowing one to enter the film industry. Of course, examples can be offered from both sides, as directors George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola graduated from prestigious film schools, whereas Quentin Tarantino had no formal film training. The rapid rise of independent filmmaking and digital video have changed this debate somewhat, as anyone with a few thousand dollars can shoot their own film (and some have done so quite successfully) with little formal knowledge of the industry. Thus, it can be argued that the cost of attending a film school can now be better spent on making a film. Others argue that film school is important because it allows students to network and connect with others interested in filmmaking, as well as with those who may eventually offer them careers in the industry.

Related Topics:
Film industry - George Lucas - Francis Ford Coppola - Quentin Tarantino - Independent filmmaking - Digital video

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