One education better than the other?

David Calson · August 29, 2004

Hey,

Recently I've been troubled as to what the best/neccassary education is to becoming a succesful or just plain working DP at all. I'm an undergrad film major but have noticed only a few courses being offered actually have to do with practice (filmmaking I, lighting design) while grad's get to tinker with more up to date classes (Digital Cinematography, filmmaking II, digital editing). Is this lack of deeper and more custom expertise hurting my chances that much or are undergrads/grads relatively equal in getting their foot in the door?

Just Curious,

Blade

David Mullen ASC · August 29, 2004

Not to be too cynical, but the formal education you get is such a small part of the equation -- SELF-education is more important. In other words, you can probably make up the difference yourself in film school in terms of learning what these courses you can't take are teaching people. Film school is more important in terms of getting you in touch with fellow students who may go out into the workplace and give you clues as to jobs (my first two features were due to CalArts contacts); and for giving you a chance to shoot, which you should do as often as possible. The coursework itself may not be as big a factor as you think as long as you have the ability to teach yourself (i.e. the school has a good film library, etc.)

Greg Gross · August 29, 2004

Everyday I watch a good film and try to interpet the camera and the

lighting. Once or twice a week I study some principal,technique of

photography. This week It was Kodak Vision 2 500T 7218,studied

curves,darkroom technique(I do a lot of darkroom but not movie

film,obviously). I 'm always reading something about photography

on a daily basis. My photographic education is continual and really

never stops. I shoot stills several times a week and at least once a

week take on a difficult subject and work out a plan to photograph it.

I know that every photographer has his own ways,ideas but a lot can

be learned from shooting stills(a story can be told). I shoot mini-dv

3 to 4 times a week( a project for me,studying ways to improve it).

I hope I will never stop learning photography. I am so glad that we

have so many people here on the forum that share their knowledge

in their posts. Here is a question for all(I know the answer). Is it

possible to hand hold a 4X5 camera and shoot(not a speed graphic!)?

Just sort of a trivia question.

David Calson · August 30, 2004

Self teaching you say, this I like, this I can handle. As far as combating this lack of knowledge I've recently signed on for internship at Crawford Communications as well as kept up with readings from Blain Brown and Scott Billups (the list will grow). As far as film school is concerned, I guess its one of those things I'm really going to strive to find a way to get into. Thanks David, very insightful.

Blade

harryprayiv · August 30, 2004

Not to be too cynical, but the formal education you get is such a small part of the equation -- SELF-education is more important. In other words, you can probably make up the difference yourself in film school in terms of learning what these courses you can't take are teaching people. Film school is more important in terms of getting you in touch with fellow students who may go out into the workplace and give you clues as to jobs (my first two features were due to CalArts contacts); and for giving you a chance to shoot, which you should do as often as possible. The coursework itself may not be as big a factor as you think as long as you have the ability to teach yourself (i.e. the school has a good film library, etc.)

As the saying goes. You get from something what you put into it. Hard work and study will be rewarded with an all-encompassing knowledge of your medium.