triglyph

I've owned an Arri BL for almost 20 years, it has certainly paid for itself but doesn't work as much as it used to. Independent features now go HD so often, they don't shoot on 35mm as much as they used to.

With your experience, you have two choices: AFI or LA Film School. AFI is the best film school, but very hard to get into. Very competitive. LA Film School is the same type of program but easier to get into. I know several people from Spain who went to LAFS. They have great teachers and lots of equipment: 35mm cameras, 16mm, HD and tons of lighting, grip and audio equipment. I don't think AFI has much in the way of equipment and studios. I know people who come out of LA Film School with reels that have 35mm, 16mm and HD stuff to show.

Full Sail is OK; friend of mine went there, but it is no comparison to LA Film School which is same type of program (private, one year) but way better. First of all, it's right in Hollywood. Full Sail is in Orlando -- like where??? Both have lots of equipment but LA Film School has plenty of cameras, lighting, grip, etc. They just got two more Sony HD 900 cameras so they have four true HD rigs (not the little HDV things, real pro cameras like used on Sin City, Star Wars, etc). I've worked with lots of LAFS grads and they all were happy with what they learned and they seemed to know their stuff.