Basic Tips For Student Filmmakers

By Eliza Mendoza


People who study film are usually passionate about it. They want to know about the process, both in theory and in practise. However when it comes to breaking into the film industry passion is not enough. With a few simple tips it is possible for student filmmakers to build up experience and to give themselves the best chance of making it in the film industry.

The good thing is that the tools needed to make films are now much less expensive and far more accessible than in recent years. Whereas people would previously have to buy a lot of expensive film and rent unwieldy video cameras nowadays people can use relatively cheap cameras and shoot digitally. Furthermore it is a lot easier to view and watch footage so you can avoid wasting time reshooting scenes that do not need to be reshot.

Whether you are an actor, a scriptwriter, a director or all of the above making your own passion project it is vital that you watch films. It may sound obvious but you need to look at how a scene is effective or why an actor, director or writer makes certain choices. There is often the theory that this leads to people becoming disillusioned as bad films make would be filmmakers despair due to their existence while the good ones make them think they could never produce anything as good.

The truth is that the best directors are often passionate about film themselves. A good example was the French New Wave of the Sixties. Influential directors such as Jean Luc Goddard learned their craft by studying and critiquing other filmmakers before then using that knowledge to apply it to their own movies to create a distinct visual language that took those influences and created something new.

Another good way to develop as a student filmmaker is to look beyond your course. Going on work experience at film magazines, doing extra work or being a runner on a set can allow you to get more of an idea of how the business works. Furthermore it is often an effective way of making connections that can often be useful for later projects.

This is why making a short film is often a good first step for students wanting to learn. It gives you the chance to experiment and develop a style. Inevitably at first people tend to base their style on their favourite filmmakers before gradually learning their own individual work.

While the theory is important practise is vital too. As well as making your own work during a course it helps to get work experience as well. Whether it is other student productions or a professional film set you can learn more about the craft of making a film. Furthermore it is a good way to establish connections that are often useful when it comes to making your own productions.

In simple terms being student filmmakers does not begin and end with the course you work on. It is worth looking online to find various accredited local courses as well as more information about who runs them and how much is theory and practise. This will allow you to find the ideal school to help you develop your skills and prepare you when it comes to creating your own masterpieces.




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