Making the Most of Film School

So you’ve decided to go to film school and don’t know where to go from there? Don’t worry! No matter what program and school you choose, there are so many ways to maximize your time in film school. While film school may not be necessary to get a job in the industry, it is one of the best ways for creative minds to try new things, gain industry insight, and become prepared to navigate the entertainment industry. Read on to find out how you can make the best of your time in film school.

5 Tips for Film School:

There are many different ways to make the most of college. In a career that involves so much creativity, remember to stay creative even when busy with your school assignments and activities. You can do this by working on passion projects, writing your own scripts and treatments, or simply finding opportunities to take out your camera. These don’t have to be for anyone specific– they can just be for you. If you continue to work on your own projects and stimulate your creativity outside of the classroom, it will not only give you more practice but also inspire more projects. 

Another important thing to keep in mind is to try new and different things. This might seem basic or unnecessary if you already know what you want to do post-school; however, even if you are adamant that you are going to be the next Martin Scorsese or Hoyte Van Hoytema, you should try roles in different departments of filmmaking. Being open-minded and trying new departments, new areas of work on set, or new filmmaking and photography techniques will help enhance your understanding of the department you want to work in or help you find new things you like to do. You could also try other types of art that are not necessarily related to filmmaking. Part of being creative is trying different forms of art. You can try painting, sculpture, sketching, or photography. You might just fall in love with other art forms that can teach you something that betters your work as a filmmaker, whether that be a better understanding of light and shadow or a new love of mixed media work. 

Make sure the projects or activities you participate in are diverse. Often without even noticing it happening, you can feel stuck in a bubble with a certain group of friends or people you always work with on projects. But there are more creatives to meet and more projects to work on. If you are actively trying to work on different projects with different people, you will get to meet more creative people to work with in the future. If you can handle it, work on multiple projects at once or be a part of a variety of organizations that focus on different areas of creating because that is one of the best ways to grow your creative mind. 

Remember that one of the biggest perks of film school is the opportunity to make friends and network. Everyone you are currently in school with will be your future collaborators and leaders in the industry, so get to know them now and help each other out. This industry might be known as cutthroat, but it is also one of the most collaborative. It is really important to know how to network in the film industry so learn how to collaborate with people now and meet as many people as possible. 

Finally, the most important thing is to keep hustling. Constantly be looking for what is next and how you can grow creatively. If making money is your goal, there are many ways a film student can make money. But even if that’s not the current goal, the money will come eventually if you keep hustling and working at it. 

The specifics: How you can make the most of film school

What are some of the ways that you can get involved at film school, diversify your interests, and keep hustling? Here is a list of some of the things you can do to get the most out of film school:

1. Write: Whether or not you plan on being a writer, writing is a crucial part of being a creative and can open more opportunities up for you. Even if you hate writing, putting your ideas down on paper lets you hash them out and figure out how you want to tell your stories. And if they’re good, you can even shoot them! You don’t have to be the one who writes the final draft but getting your ideas down on paper will help them come to fruition. 

2. Shoot as much as you can: Be on set as often as you can. This can be on your own projects, ones that your friends are working on, or ones that your classmates are working on. Regardless of your focus (directing, cinematography, producing, art, etc.), get to know the film scene at your school. The more you work on set and show that you can be an asset on set, the more people will continue to ask to work with you. With that, many schools give you access to the highest-end industry-standard equipment, so take advantage of that and use it while you have easy access. 

3. Go to all (or most) of your school’s events: Take every opportunity to learn at your school. Most will offer masterclasses and workshops, bring in speakers, or have alumni and professional mixers. These are great opportunities to pick the brains of professionals or learn something new about the industry. Plus, you are paying for them in your tuition so why not attend? 

4. Participate in on-campus competitions or grants: Many schools and organizations offer film competitions, grants for productions, or festivals. Participating in them gives you the opportunity to get recognized at your school, earn money for your projects, and see the work of your classmates. 

5. Watch films and go to screenings: It is easy to fall into a habit of not going to or paying attention in screenings or lecture history classes. Focus and attend these because learning the history and techniques used in films– even ones you have seen before– can add more tools to your filmmaking toolkit. 

Things to do Outside of Film School

Outside of your film school, there are also many great opportunities for students to gain more experience in the industry. 

1. Volunteer: There are many opportunities to volunteer in the industry, such as at film festivals, networking events, or panels. If you are in the LA area, you can reach out to the guilds and see if they are looking for volunteers. Many of them, like the Producers Guild of America (PGA), run events that need volunteers to help work the events. Students often work these and get a direct link into the industry. 

2. Interning: Not only can you get college credit for doing this, but you will also gain real, hands-on experience of what it is like to work in the industry. There are many internships that focus on different areas of work like production, development, talent management, and more. Interning can also give you an idea of what areas you want to work in. Handshake is a great place for students to look for internships. 

3. Watch Movies, TV, and Media: This might be an obvious one, but engage with the media you want to end up working on. To know what is working and what isn’t, you have to be watching what is current and taking note of what you like and what you don’t.

4. Keep up with the Trades: Read up on entertainment industry news and know what is going on. This will help you stay informed about what is happening in the industry so you know what you are talking about when opportunities arise or you are in situations that pertain. The leading entertainment trade publications are The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. 

Final Things to Remember

There are so many possibilities and paths you can take in college. Your college path will not be exactly what you planned, and that’s okay! You could end up loving something you didn’t think you would. You could pick up a new hobby. You could discover what you want to do for the rest of your life. As Catherina Mora writes in her retrospective about her experience in film school, “Avoid Tunnel Vision: Don’t Focus so Much on Your Original Goals.” Don’t let the plan you come into school with block you from doing more. Try things outside of your concentration, and you can find a balance between doing what you love and trying new things.  

Also, keep in mind that every college offers slightly different courses, resources, and experiences. A round table with directors from different film schools discusses how students can best succeed at their schools. Each school’s methodology is different so get to know what the experience is at your school and find what works best for you in that environment. 

Listen to your body both mentally and physically. Being a film student can be a lot if you are making the most out of your time. Make sure you are checking in with your body and mind. If you have been on set for the past few weekends and your body aches from it, you can take a weekend off. If you can only handle one project at a time, that’s okay. Do what will maximize your school experience in a good balance. 

Finally, enjoy time in school! You are chasing your dreams, and while that might be hard work, it should also be fun. Enjoy the college experience while you are working hard. Learn to balance work, school, and activities. The more fun you are having, the less strenuous everything will feel, and the more you will get out of your time in school.

Learn more about Auteurnet and how we can help you build your creative community here.