Expert: Phil Nemy - 7/20/2007

Question
QUESTION: I am a high school student (Junior) and I always wanted to pursue in a big screen as a Director. I did some research on how to become one and find a good school but I still need a lot more information about it. I really want to pursue as a Director and when I researched, I read quite some things. Like start small first, like a movie producer and acting on the side before coming a Director. That way, you can relate to the cast and such from what I've read. Which quite does make some sense.

What are the best schools for this to become a Director? How do I start off first? Go to acting classes and audition? Be a producer in films? And later become a Director? I live in San Jose, California and the closest would be Academy of the Arts in San Francisco. Is that a good school because I saw a major in motion pictures and filming? What other schools in are great to do this in California? What kind of degree's and majors do I need to do so?

Also, when I thought about this, most likely, I would have to move down to LA to do this. The problem is, money can be an issue. Thank you.


ANSWER: Sang,

Thanks for writing. There is no definitive path to becoming a working feature film director, or a TV director for that matter. But you're thinking is correct - you must FIRST learn the craft of directing and develop your skills.

The best training programs in California for a film directing career are at the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Both will offer you a BFA Degree in Directing. You may also wish to explore the American Film Institute (AFI). AFI will only offer you a Certificate in Directing, not an actual degree, but it is still an excellent training program.

If money is a factor and you want a less expensive education, then consider either the Los Angeles Film School or the New York Film School, both of which are in Los Angeles. Neither will offer you a degree, but it will give you extensive training. But remember, you get what you pay for, so if you enroll in a much less expensive program, the chances are your education in that program may not be as good as in a BFA degree program at a major university.

I have heard of the Academy of Arts in SF, but I don't know anything about the quality of their training and education.

Start by getting an education in film directing, then begin making your own short films. If you want to be a director, you need to spend as much time working with actors and directing films. Taking an acting class will certainly help you better understand the difficulties actors face and how better to communicate with them.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh wow. That helps a lot! So as for being a director of a movie or a TV show, I will need a BFA Degree? Which is Bachelors of Fine Arts I presume?

Yeah, money is a factor in my case. It's just traveling down to LA and find a good place to settle in plus the school's tuition. I guess I have to start saving up since I come from an mid-class family.

How about Producing? What do they REALLY do and what degree's are needed. As well as what good schools are for producing?

I hope you don't mind but I'm curious. I watched this movie called "The Holiday". Cameron Diaz who plays a role in there, she creates Movie Trailers/commercials. What do you call that? And what education/degree/etc do I need for that? Movie trailer editing?

I just want to know quite some things in the filming industry because I either want to be one of them one day. Espicially a really good Director as my dream job. I always wanted to go to those Film Festivals.

I noticed a lot of directors are in the mid 30's and above. It takes that long to be a director or some other profession in the filming industry?

Thank you. (=

Answer
Sang,

Don't misunderstand me. You do not need a BFA degree to pursue ANY career in the field of entertainment. But if you were to try and find employment without the proper training, your chances diminish dramatically. So, it is in your best interest to get the best training possible.

Creative Producing is the art of finding material that would make a good film and convincing either a studio or a group of investors to put up the money to make the film. Again, no degree is needed, but a degree is helpful because it makes you better prepared. The best "Creative Producing" degree program can be found at University of Southern California.

Trailers are promotional advertsing spots that appear on television to promote a film. Commercials are also selling tools that appear on television. They are usually associated with a product for sale, like soap, a car, etc.

Film editing is the art of taking existing scenes already shot on film, and putting them together in an exciting, enticing, and interesting fashion to tell your story and entertain an audience.

Being the best you can be at any one of these professions takes time and commitment. It doesn't happen over night. You will spend your entire career working to be better and better at your craft. For some people, they are fortunate to reach success as a director at a young age. For others it takes longer.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Phil