Grimviewer

F**k me that was pretty good mate....what kit did you use?

Hello All, I stumbled upon this thread as I was researching Film-Connections and trying to determine whether they delivered the goods or not.I am based in the UK and I'll tell you this,it is virtually impossible to get into the film business if you aren't related to or know someone already in the business, especially if you are wanting to get into the technical grades.I have been looking to change career and work as a camera op for some time now but I come up against the brick wall of lacking in experience and lacking in contacts.I cannot afford to take time off from my day job to work for free on no/lo/deferred payment on productions of dubious merit just to build experience,those that can seem to have incredibly supportive parents with deep pockets or live in London or Glasgow with mum and dad. I have considered film school but it is expensive,London met film school charges £19200 for a 1 year diploma on cinematography!!!!!!!!!$27,000...the National film and television school is the best course in the country, and is cheaper @ £7800 per year for a 2 year course but entry requirements are very tough for their MA courses. An industry initiative to encourage new entrants into the UK film industry for the technical grades to counter the nepotism and closed shop attitude has recently ceased operating,but even this training scheme known as FT2 required some experience,in fact the Scottish version run by Scottish Screen,took on board people who already had extensive paid experience and contacts as well as graduates from film school, so much for the new entrants ethos..... I have also noticed that Film-Connections did have a UK presence a couple of years back,but they have since disappeared from this dull, stupid island,probably because they didn't succeed in hiring mentors,as I can't imagine any UK film industry practitioner would have signed up as this kind of thing would have undermined the current system of hiring the offspring of friends and relatives as well as appearing as not quite cricket if you get my drift. My conclusion is that what you are paying for is a foot in the door of a very competitive industry that receives more applications for jobs than are actually available..... the rest is up to you.