AboutTroy Smith Expertise I can answer questions on professional or amateur filmmaking and questions on Final Cut Pro, video cameras, lighting, sound recording, scriptwriting, storytelling, directing, producing, editing, multi-camera productions, shooting sports, picture to video, using DTE hard drives, using video cameras and editing in a very creative way and some 16mm filmmaking. I can't answer too many questions on 35mm filmmaking.
Experience I have been a professional filmmaker since 1995 and a film teacher since 2000. I am publishing a textbook for beginning filmmakers called "the New Filmmaker's Adventure". I have experience in the area of low-budget feature filmmaking, Iam the co-owner of the production company called Imminent Entertainment LLC, I have worked on hundreds of videos, TV shows, multi-camera events and low budget, professional productions, corporate and consumer videos, Final Cut Pro, scriptwriting, directing, videography and cinematography, sound, lighting, editing, and producing.
Organizations Independent Feature Project - Chicago
Education/Credentials Western Michigan University '95 BS in film production Magna cum Laude
Maine Media Workshops '02-07
Expert: Troy Smith Date: 7/1/2008 Subject: advise for son
Question QUESTION: Hi Troy,
My son is moving to LA in August and wants to get involved in the film industry.Could you give me some advise for him. We looked into the LA film school but it is very expensive and I don't know if he would be able to afford this at this time. Is there any other way to get involved without going to film school? That you could think of? He has always had a passion for movies.And I would love to him some advise before he leaves.
I would appreciate any help you could give me. Thank you , Barb
ANSWER: I would definitely recommend that he get with (or create) a group of people and make some of his own videos. Watch some great movies, dissect them and then try some scenes out for himself with a group (or his own scenes). Always listen to the director commentaries afterwards. Film school can be very good but very expensive. There are many good books and websites dedicated to good filmmaking (note: Youtube is NOT one of them). I am in the process of finishing a beginning filmmakers handbook in the next few weeks that details everything a starting filmmaker needs to know to make his own independent feature (I'm a film teacher). The best way to learn is by working with someone who knows what they are doing or by experimenting on your own. Going to LA to work in the film industry without experience is like taking sand to the beach, so to speak, so it would be best for him to have a plan. In LA EVERYONE makes movies and it is very cut-throat. He may end up working on something but odds are he will have a hard time "moving up the ladder" because that is what everyone is out there trying to do. I'm not trying to be discouraging, I'm just trying to be honest. I always preferred the do-it-yourself way. My partner and I just finished our first feature film for less than $2000 and it looks great. Now we have something that didn't cost too much to sell and show around with our name attached to it. This is much cheaper, much more fun and much more educational than some most schools and you could make money off it in the end! (I know, I went to film school). If you are interested in the book, which can help tremendously, let me know. Hope this helps.
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QUESTION: I would love to have the name of your book for him. What is it like in LA as far as finding work? Not necessary in film making but working within the industry? Do you have to go to film school to work with sound, lighting ect? Thank you for your comments.I know its going to be hard for him but with all information that we get it will give him a heads up for whats ahead. Thank you, Barbara
Answer Sorry about the delayed answer, some major stuff went on here...
Anyway, my book is called "The New Filmmaker's Adventure" and it goes into details on basic and advanced skills of producing, editing, cinematography, directing and writing. I have taught a year-long filmmaking class to high school students for eight years with all professional equipment (like a college film school) and have been a professional filmmaker since 1995. My company just finished a feature length film this summer and also will be finishing a 30 minute short. The book is close to being finished, so I can e-mail a copy when it's done if you are interested for $15. my e-mail is film.dude@yahoo.com.
I have never tried to get work in LA but my friends have. They all have found lots of stuff to work on without pay (but told that it will get them somewhere... someday...). A few have found a little pay work. The thing they all tell me is that everyone there is trying to make it, so it's very cut-throat. One of my friends felt very alone out there because he found no "real friends" and that was important to him. That's just a few opinions, though. You would definitely need more opinions than what I'm giving you, because I am sure there is some good stuff out there.
When it comes to lighting or sound, they are very good to learn from professionals as an intern or assistant, or books and workshops, such as the "Maine Media Workshops" which are excellent. You don't need film school, but it can teach a lot, depending on where you go. My book is basically a film school for an independent filmmaker who has very little money or people. It has produced excellent results and i have had dozens of students go into film school or start their own business after my classes.
