Expert: Phil Nemy - 4/23/2003

Question
Hey.
I was wondering how one might get into the film industry. I am interested in the directing/producing/camera area of filmmaking but I would be more than happy to start at the bottom. I have made 2 short films already for 2 different school assignments. Both of which were reviewed in a national film magazine. (I live in New Zealand) I am currently directing/producing another short film which I plan on being television broadcast standard as I am using Final Cut Pro 4. What I am quite unsure about is the educational background required to get into the industry. I have read many conflicting testimonials from people that go to private film schools. One testimonial said that his training there scored him a job with a prestigious television company and that his training there is what got him the job. Another one I read was from a man that spent up to $100,000 at the New York Film Institute learning all about directing and the like and then spent 2 years without a job. He went doorknocking for ages until someone finally got him a token job at newline cinema and they didn't really care what qualifications he had. One scenario that I have been considering is with Film and TV Connection which gets you an apprenticeship with a company for 3 months or so. Then if the company likes you, they offer you a job. However this is only available in the United States, so I would have to move there.
As you can probably clearly see I am very confused about what I should do to enter this industry. Please help.

Richard.

Answer
Richard,

Thanks for writing. You ask an interesting and controversial question. Do you need an education in film in order to pursue a career in film. The answer is neither yes nor no. It's not about yes or no, rather about what's reality. The reality is that in our business, people can get hired for many of the wrong reasons: nepotism, they went to the same schools, the find the person attractive and want to sleep with them, and because they can do the job. But you only KEEP your job not because you went to a particular school but because you can do the job.

Can going to a film school be an asset? Yes. In my opinion, education is ALWAYS a plus. Going to film school WILL help give you a better knowledge about filmmaking, but it may not necessarily get you a job.

Starting out, you need to decide what career you really want: do you want to direct films, produce films or shoot films? You will not be hired to do all three starting out. You can, of course, continue to make your own films, find money to fund you from wherever you can, and call your own shots. But if you want to work in the world of studio films, you need to decide which career you seek and then prepare yourself the best you can for. Meaning, if your desire is to direct a studio financed feature film, then you need to have a director's reel that shows your work, and it better be damn good, so good that the studios will want to hire you.

The reality is that if you moved to Los Angeles, don't expect everyone to be knocking down your door to direct a film. You need to have talent, you need a screenplay that you are incredibly passionate about, and you need a director's reel that will knock the socks off of anyone who sees it. If you don't know much about making films, a film school will educate you in this area. But no film school will tell you how to get a job or have a career in film. That is unique to each individual and no person's point of view is right or wrong.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Phil