Film Editing Schools

A beginner’s guide to video editing

2008-05-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

By: Kashish Mittal

Getting started with video editing is very simple you only need a few items and you can be producing quality movies at home that you will be able to enjoy for many years to come. Maybe even produce a hit Hollywood movie.

The basic items you need are a video capture card, the software to edit, your computer, storage space on your computer and a camcorder, VCR, or you can display your movie on your computer screen.

The process is effortless, all you do is capture the video to you computer using a capture card, then edit your video with video editing software and then download the video that you edited to either tape or burn it to a VCD, CD, or DVD.

Let’s look at your computer first. You will need a minimum of a Pentium II 300 or faster, a minimum of 256 Megs of RAM, but you will get better performance with 512 Megs. You will also desire to have a 30GB drive that is split into 2 separate partitions. This means that you will have a C: and a D:. The C: should be given 10GB and will have all of your software stored there and the D: will be where your audio, video and editing projects are stored. Your graphics card should be a 32 Meg AGP. You can have an 8 or 16 Meg but the quality will not be as good.

Storage is probably the most confusing thing about video editing. Video makers have many choices for storing their digital video files and this is why it can be so confusing.

If you desire creating your own DVD’s then you are going to need lot of storage. The most you can get out of a single sided 4.7 GB DVD is around 2 hours of video. If you are using DV footage you are going to need 13GB per hour of video, this means you will need 26GB of storage and remember you always have extra footage that you need to factor that in as well so you are now up to 39GB of storage space needed. If you are adding other options such as graphics, MPEG2 footage for the DVD and the folder to hold it all then you are now up to 50GB. So, for your 2 hour movie you will need 50GB of space at least.

So, when you begin be sure that you have enough storage on your computer for the type of video that you wish to store.

On to the video capture card and the video editing software. When you first visit the electronics store you will find many manufacturers that create video capture cards. The most popular include
Some of the reputable video capture card manufacturers are: Pinnacle, Matrox, Dazzle, ADS, Canopus, and Digital Origin.

What video capture cards do to put it in simple terms is that these cards use hardware or software compression to digitize your video onto the hard drive on your computer. This way you can edit your video and play it back onto tape or display your movie on your computer screen.

Some times, you can purchase the video capture cards along with the video editing software that you choose. Some of the most popular video capture cards that are packaged with video software include the Pinnacle Pro One which comes with the Adobe Premiere 6 full version, TitleDeko RT, DV Tools 2.0, Hollywood FX, and Impressions DVD. The Dazzle DV NOW AV can be purchased along with the Premiere 6 full version and the DVD it LE.

Having music along with your video can also be accomplished with a MP3 Converter that will allow you to convert your MP3 music into a wav file or the format in which you need for your video. You may also wish to purchase a MP3 Encoder which will allow you to Wav or other formats into a MP3. A CD ripper is another item that you may wish to purchase that will help with converting your CD’s to MP3, WAV, WMA type files.

One other software program that will make you life easier when you begin video editing is a MPEG Encoder which is a very easy to use program that will make converting several formats easy than you can imagine. Many of these MPEG converters will aid in converting DVD, VCD, AVI, MPEG, GIF, Flash, WMV, WMA, WAV, MP3, MP4, M4A, OGG, AAC, 3GP and even more/

So, now all you need to do is to find the best video editing software that you feel comfortable with and off you go. You can find several different video editing software companies that offer their software on a trial basis, this will let you try out the software so you can see if it is the perfect software for you. But, remember with the trial version you will be receiving the video capture card. You will have to purchase it separately.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to video editing, do please browse for more information at our websites. www.infozabout.com www.videoediting.infozabout.com

Learn About Video Editing

2008-04-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

By: Harsimrat Kaur Kahlon

Getting started with video editing is very simple you only need a few items and you can be producing quality movies at home, that you will be able to enjoy for many years to come. Maybe even produce a hit Hollywood movie.

The basic items you need are a video capture card, the software to edit, your computer, storage space on your computer and a camcorder, VCR, or you can display your movie on your computer screen.

The process is effortless, all you do is capture the video to you computer using a capture card, then edit your video with video editing software and then download the video that you edited to either tape or burn it to a VCD, CD, or DVD.

Let’s look at your computer first. You will need a minimum of a Pentium II 300 or faster, a minimum of 256 Megs of RAM, but you will get better performance with 512 Megs. You will also desire to have a 30GB drive that is split into 2 separate partitions. This means that you will have a C: and a D. The C: should be given 10GB and will have all of your software stored there and the D: will be where your audio, video and editing projects are stored. Your graphics card should be a 32 Meg AGP. You can have an 8 or 16 Meg but the quality will not be as good.

Storage is probably the most confusing thing about video editing. Video makers have many choices for storing their digital video files and this is why it can be so confusing.

If you desire creating your own DVD’s then you are going to need lot of storage. The most you can get out of a single sided 4.7 GB DVD is around 2 hours of video. If you are using DV footage you are going to need 13GB per hour of video, this means you will need 26GB of storage and remember you always have extra footage that you need to factor that in as well so you are now up to 39GB of storage space needed. If you are adding other options such as graphics, MPEG2 footage for the DVD and the folder to hold it all then you are now up to 50GB. Therefore, for your 2 hour movie you will need 50GB of space at least.

So, when you begin be sure that you have enough storage on your computer for the type of video that you wish to store.

On to the video capture card and the video editing software. When you first visit the electronics store, you will find many manufacturers that create video capture cards. The most popular include
Some of the reputable video capture card manufacturers are Pinnacle, Matrox, Dazzle, ADS, Canopus, and Digital Origin.

What video capture cards do to put it in simple terms is that these cards use hardware or software compression to digitize your video onto the hard drive on your computer. This way you can edit your video and play it back onto tape or display your movie on your computer screen.

Sometimes, you can purchase the video capture cards along with the video editing software that you choose. Some of the most popular video capture cards that are packaged with video software include the Pinnacle Pro One which comes with the Adobe Premiere 6 full version, TitleDeko RT, DV Tools 2.0, Hollywood FX, and Impressions DVD. The Dazzle DV NOW AV can be purchased along with the Premiere 6 full version and the DVDit LE.

Having music along with your video can also be accomplished with a MP3 Converter that will allow you to convert your MP3 music into a wav file or the format in which you need for your video. You may also wish to purchase a MP3 Encoder, which will allow you to Wav or other formats into a MP3. A CD ripper is another item that you may wish to purchase that would help with converting your CD’s to MP3, WAV, WMA type files.

One other software program that will make you life easier when you begin video editing is a MPEG Encoder, which is a very easy to use program that will make converting several formats easy than you can imagine. Many of these MPEG converters will aid in converting DVD, VCD, AVI, MPEG, GIF, Flash, WMV, WMA, WAV, MP3, MP4, M4A, OGG, AAC, 3GP and even more/

Therefore, now all you need to do is to find the best video editing software that you feel comfortable with and off you go. You can find several different video editing software companies that offer their software on a trial basis; this will let you try out the software so you can see if it is the perfect software for you. However, remember with the trial version you will be receiving the video capture card. You will have to purchase it separately.

Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips, hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to guides on software, advice and problems do please browse for more information at our websites. www.infozabout.com www.software.infozabout.com

Pennsylvania State University Film Program

2008-04-03T00:18:00.000-07:00

Instead of placing the greatest emphasis on liberal arts, as many other universities do, the film program at Pennsylvania State University places an emphasis on communications. Their communications program is the largest accredited communications program in the United States. This helps to provide their students with a strength in that field. The education that film students at Pennsylvania State receive is one where subjects in liberal arts will be explored; however, the majority of classes will give students a strong background in applied and conceptual communications theories.

Those who wish to pursue film as a major must apply for admittance into the program. Penn State only allows students into this program during the fall semester and only during their junior year. Thus, students will take the requisite liberal arts and communications preparatory classes during their first two years, then end their undergraduate experience with two years focused on film and video production. The application for the film school includes an essay and creative writing exercise--both of which will be judged by faculty members.

Once accepted into the film program, students have the flexibility to decide upon their specialization. The three fields offered are screenwriting, narrative fiction, and non-fiction production. Along with the classes which focus on their specialization, students will take classes which highlight the theoretical and aesthetic properties of film-making.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania State does not have a specialization dedicated to editing or post-production practices. An additional drawback to their program is that they do not have any classes specifically devoted to editing. This particular drawback can be rather disappointing for those who wish to pursue editing, but it is important to note that the vast majority of American universities which offer a major in film/video do not have a specialization in editing. While Penn State does not offer this particular specialization, they do cover aspects of editing in many of their film-making courses.

The first opportunity students will have to learn how to properly edit a film is in their introductory film-making class. This class will cover the basics in modern film-making, including lessons on editing. There are also more advanced classes which utilize editing as a component of the learning process. They offer a course in alternative and documentary film-making which explores the theoretical and practical methods used in these two art forms. Additional courses include an introduction to multimedia production and an intermediate course in film and production techniques.

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2008-04-03T00:06:00.000-07:00

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Temple Film School Review

2007-04-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

If you are in search of a university whose film department places an emphasis on applying theoretical concepts to actual film making, then Temple University might be a good choice for you.

The film program at Temple begins as most film curriculum's do; the beginning courses in this department include an introduction to the aesthetics and theoretical concepts of media arts. This would include film, video, and television. However, what sets Temple apart from other universities are the opportunities that upper level film students have the chance to experience.

In their senior year, many film students have the chance to participate in the creation of a senior project. Admittance into this program is highly selective. Students must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) and must submit a proposal of their planned creative output.

Once approved, the student will work with a professor to complete the production of a film and an accompanying production book. These senior films are presented annually at an end-of-the-year event.

This particular program is considered to be very intense. It will help hone the student’s pre-production, production, and post-production skills. The goal of this program is to further prepare students for the film industry via the creation of a film that is aesthetically pleasing and makes a social statement.

Additional unique programs found in the film department include learning opportunities in other locales. The Los Angeles Internship program is a favorite amongst the student body. In this program, students will experience various network opportunities in the heartland of the film industry.

Guest lecturers and industry professionals will advise students on the methods they used to achieve success in the industry and can advise students on their proposed plans. It is an excellent way for students to get a head start on their careers.

The Temple film curriculum also offers a seminar in London. In this program, students will study British film and theatre under the tutelage of an international faculty. There are a number of film, television, and theatre-related internships available with this program. This program lasts five weeks and takes place during the summer.

As for film editing, Temple does not offer a specialization in this field; however, they do offer classes singularly devoted to nonlinear editing. This includes advanced classes as well. Another helpful course is “Experimental Film” where students will explore alternative approaches to filmmaking; this includes experimental forms of editing.

film+students Temple+University film+editing+schools film+schools

UCLA Film School Review

2007-02-27T18:14:00.000-08:00

The most logical destination for many future filmmakers is Los Angeles. There are a number of excellent editing film schools in the area, but the school to receive the most acclaim for its film and video curriculum is the University of California, Los Angeles. The Princeton Review ranked UCLA’s school for Television, Film, and Television (TFT) in first place out of 500 national programs. If, for some reason you find the Princeton Review’s opinion to be questionable, then you might want to consider the US News and World Report’s analysis which has ranked UCLA’s film school/television program in the top three for the past few years.

Alumnae of this school have gone on to win Emmys, Oscars, and Tony’s. With that said, it is obvious that admittance into this editing film school is highly competitive. In 2003, they admitted 310 students out of 3,688 applicants. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants display an attitude towards academic excellence as well as an appreciation for the aesthetics of their proposed major.

One unparalleled aspect of their film program is that this program is combined with those on the television and theater tract. No other university in the United States combines the curriculum of live-action theatre, multimedia, and video in one school. The Theater, Film, and Television (TFT) school is integrated so that students with like-minded artistic goals have the opportunity to learn, and have experience in, similar fields. The ideal result of this experiment is that the students of this program will not become cookie-cutter graduates of a mundane film school; instead, UCLA strives to have film graduates who are artists with an eye towards aesthetic innovation in film and television.

In the TFT, it is important that students receive a historical, theoretical, and aesthetic appreciation for film. Thus, the UCLA Film and Television archive is available for students to explore the rich history of their field. Additional concerns of this school are that students remain well rounded by receiving a strong foundation in the liberal arts.

The film program offers concentrations in three areas: critical studies (criticism of film, television); production (pre- and post-production of film, animation, and multimedia); and film and television writing. This concentration will be pursued during a student’s final year, however the concentration must be chosen in the spring quarter of their junior year. Those interested in film editing will take classes that revolve around film production, a class on film post-production, and a technical lab.

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Film Program at University of Michigan

2007-01-29T17:23:00.000-08:00

The film program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is one which places a significant emphasis upon the theoretical aspects of the craft of film making. This approach is generally seen in national film programs at other universities, but it tends to wane as students progress in their studies. At the University of Michigan, this approach is maintained during a student’s full four years at the school.

For their introductory courses, students have a choice between the Art of Film and the Introduction to the Moving Image. Both classes will teach students to appreciate the aesthetics and theoretical concerns of historic film makers. Students will also gain an appreciation for the modern storytelling.

After this broad introduction, students will continue to study critically acclaimed films in courses which cover both American and International films. The final class in this cycle of criticism is Film Theory and Criticism. This class analyzes film criticism and the various approaches predecessors have taken towards this medium.

The hands-on portion of the curriculum begins with the Introduction to Film, Video, and Television. In this class, students gain experience with every level of production. Students are expected to utilize their critical studies background during this experience. Their critical background will help them to identify artistic methods and innovative expressions to make their films exciting.

Students who are enrolled in the program have access to resources which will help them along their journey to producing high quality 16mm films. At the Frieze Building, students can use the 30 X 45 sound stage, film editing suites, and audio production and mixing studio to complete the post-production on their films. These editing suites house multiple Avid machines.

To ensure that students have some grasp of the film world that is awaiting them, the University of Michigan initiated the James Gindin Visiting Artist Series. This program brings industry professionals to the campus to lecture students on their climb to the top of their field. With this series, these professionals will also work closely with students to give them feedback and pointers which the students can later use during the making of their films.

During the final weeks of the school year, there is a screening of the best student work produced that year. This screening is a major campus event which draws a diverse audience. Here, students are allowed to view and digest their peers opinions of their creative output.

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NYU Film School

2007-01-21T13:54:00.000-08:00

The film program at the famed Tisch school at New York University (NYU) is one of the most competitive programs of its kind in the nation. It is competitive for good reason. Their film-making facility is counted amongst the largest on the East coast. Running this enormous facility requires 11 staff members and over 50 assistants. With a film-making facility of that magnitude, it is only reasonable to assume that the film program in the Tisch school would be equally impressive when compared to other film schools.

The Todman Center for Film and Television houses a 2500 square foot film and television sound stage where students can rehearse and shoot their films and/or television programs. Rehearsal space at the Todman center is used well over 1000 times per year for student casting sessions. In separate facilities, you will find two teaching sound stages where students are trained to professionally film their scenes.

The Production Center might resemble heaven to those interested in editing. The main goal is for students to achieve a professional-looking film utilizing industry-standard equipment. This post-production area houses Steenbeck flat bed editing machines, Beta-cam SP, Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer, XPress, Xpress DV, and Symphony. The post production area is open for long hours from day to night, but the service hours stretch to 24-hours during especially hectic times of the school year.

The Tisch school also incorporates many editing classes into their curriculum. There is a post- production colloquium which focuses mainly upon the objectives of the editors. Students will learn about the editing process during class sessions in which they will deconstruct film clips with their peers. They will also learn to approach a the editing of a film from an aesthetic as well as a cost-effective point of view. This class is enhanced with guest speakers who will communicate their own challenges and successes in the editing room.

The first full-semester class which focuses on the art of editing is “Film Aesthetics: Editing”. In this class, students will explore the theoretical and aesthetic processes of film editing in classic and modern films. The course will also contrast common methods of editing used in narrative, experimental, and documentary films. This analyzation will help students to readily identify the ways in which editing can highlight or influence the viewer’s perspective on the subject matter. This class can be followed by more advanced classes in editing.

Technorati Tags: film schools, NYU, New York University, editing classes,students,education

Reviewing American University Film School

2007-01-13T10:44:00.000-08:00

Those searching for a university with a strong film department might want to check out American University. While their film department is not quite as old, their communications department has existed for over 40 years. Additionally, their film department boasts one of the most active and most expansive production markets for film as well as television.

The School of Communications at American University has a well-trained faculty who have experience in their field. Many of the professors have an Oscar, Sundance, or Emmy win to their credit. Those credentials can inspire the film students of the university as well as prepare them for the actual market with anecdotal information via their professor’s first-hand experience. On the academic side, roughly 96% of the faculty holds the highest degree possible in their respective fields.

The academic requirements to remain in good standing at American University tends to run along the average lines for any university. The film school demands an average grade point average (GPA) of a C or better from their students. Since these demands are not terribly strenuous, the communications program is not an incredibly competitive department. Other requirements for film students is that in addition to the number of classes they must take within the School of Communication, they must also take American History and Economics to broaden their education.

A unique requirement of this film school is that the communications degree demands that students take 3 credit hours of independent study or internship. This facet of the degree program sets them apart from other schools since most do not provide their students with ‘real world’ internships. The hands-on experience that students can glean from this process is invaluable.

However, there are drawbacks to this school for a student interested in film editing. Unlike a number of other schools, American University does not offer specializations within their film department. Thus the number of opportunities to improve upon this particular skill can be limiting. They do offer an introductory practicum in nonlinear editing; this particular course lasts about a week and covers nonlinear editing skills upon a Media 100 platform. They also have a class devoted to the use of Final Cut Pro systems.

Amongst their unique classes, they offer "Classroom in the wild: Florida". In this class, students will explore and film wildlife in its natural setting. This could mean snorkeling with manatees or filming alligators in the swamps of Florida. This one-of-a-kind workshop lasts one week.

Technorati Tags: film+school film+editing+schools film+students education American+University

Academy of Arts College- A Review

2006-12-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

It is well known that California is the hotbed of the film industry. Accordingly, the vast majority of universities in the state have excellent media arts programs; the Academy of Art College in San Francisco is no exception. Their proximity to Los Angeles gives them access to industry professionals from many well-renowned studios and companies such as PIXAR and Lucas Films. Their location has also helped to provide them with high quality professors to teach their various classes.

A rare treat of the film school is that they have a fully equipped movie studio setting to give students an authentic experience. The studio also helps students to actualize the theoretical lessons they have learned in their academic studies. Within this studio, as well as in other campus locales, students have access to a vast array of cameras packages. This includes Aari SR and Aaton packages, super-8, and 16 millimeter hand-cranked Bolex cameras.

Those interested in editing will find this school to be especially beneficial to their career plans. Within this specialization, students can learn nonlinear forms of editing. In fact, there is an entire room devoted to Final Cut systems. Additionally, companies such as LucasFilm, Pixar, and Industrial Light + Magic have provided the film school with the most recent state-of-the art equipment and alerts professors to the new developments in the film making process.

Online opportunities are another unique facet of this particular school. In 2006, the National Association of Schools Art and Design (NASAD) accredited their online program. The online program provides students with the same education that they would receive onsite, but with the convenience of being allowed to take their film classes from home.

Unfortunately, there are drawbacks to the university; the first of which is the actual price. The Academy of Art estimates that the cost for a full year’s expenses will amount to almost $16,000. This price includes tuition and other associated fees.

The other drawback to the school is their lax policy towards admissions. The standards for entering the school are low when compared to other film schools and their requirements for current students are equally below the norm. Students need only to maintain a 2.0 grade point average to remain in good standing. However, in such a noncompetitive environment, the drive to excel in film editing courses falls upon the individual’s shoulders. For those who are adamant on becoming professionals in their field, the Academy of Art will prove to be a good choice.

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Evaluating Emerson University Film Editing School

2006-12-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

For aspiring film makers, choosing the proper university for their chosen field can be overwhelming. This is especially true for those interested in film editing since many high profile universities either do not provide film editing as a major or do not provide extensive editing opportunities within their curriculum.

One choice that these students should consider is Emerson University in Boston, Massachusetts. Their film major provides students with a base in the fields of television, film, and video; in addition, this university provides their students with an excellent background in this field by allowing students to specialize in film editing.

The film major begins with introductory classes, which provides students with a foundation in the field of media arts. These classes focus on the history, aesthetics, and theories involved in the visual and media arts. The proceeding level of classes provides students with a basic understanding of their chosen discipline.

For film and television students, the second level of classes will provide students with a broad appreciation of their field. Some of the classes taken at this level might include television and film writing or introductory courses in production.

The third and final level of classes will enhance the production skills learned in the second level. At the third level, students will select their preferred field of specialization; it is here that students are afforded the opportunity to further examine the field of post production techniques.

In film and video editing classes, students receive hands-on training as they work on their own editing assignments. They gain the ability to work with medium- to long-format editing processes. Additionally, students will meticulously examine completed motion pictures to understand the artistic choices of professional editors.

To aid in the editing process, Emerson has provided students with the excellent facilities for post production. The campus is home to flatbed Steenbecks for analog editing and Avid platforms for non-linear digital editing.

Their digital film lab includes the latest software and equipment for film editing, including: five Avid Xpress Pro suites, Final Cut Pro, three Magnasync dubbers, and a dailies screening facility.

While Emerson does not provide internship opportunities for credit, there are biannual career fairs that provide extra-curricular internship opportunities.

Since the campus is in Boston, there are usually a few film or television shoots occurring on a daily basis. Many alumnae recruit students for help on nearby shoots and local production companies employ students every semester.

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Florida State University Film School Review

2006-11-30T16:33:00.000-08:00

There are many elite universities in the United States for film editing, but the school that seems to be on the rise is Florida State University. Florida State recently received accolades from the Directors Guild of America and boasts many top industry professionals amongst their alumnae. Their demands upon applicants to their film school are rather rigorous. FSU encourages academic excellence in their student body, thus their minimum expectation is that applicants will possess at least a 3.0 grade point average and a 1200 on their Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).

Of the hundreds of applicants they receive each year, only thirty are admitted into their prestigious film school. This enrollment number is significantly lower than most American universities which enhances the competitive nature of the program. One of the bonuses to having such a small student body is that professors can focus on the individual student instead of instructing a large lecture hall. This individual attention also helps to maintain FSU’s expectation of academic excellence.

Florida State is also unique in that it is the only university in the United States which provides students with film stock and covers all student film production costs. This is advantageous to the shallow pockets of the average college student, but the school’s financial assistance does not stop there. Florida State boasts one of the lowest tuitions in the nation and there are a plethora of scholarships for those in need.

Their film program operates similarly to other film programs in the nation with introductory classes to explore the theories involved in the media arts with a gradual progression towards classes which focus on more individual aspects of film making. For those interested in film editing, there are intermediate and advanced courses available. In these classes, students will edit films in a non-linear digital post-production facility and analyze the edits made on completed films.

During their matriculation, students will individually write, produce, and edit three films. In their final year, students work on a thesis film--which can be a highly competitive process. Every student proposes a thesis idea, but only five of these films will be produced. Those students whose ideas were rejected must aid their fellow students on the chosen projects. Those students who must support another’s artistic output are assigned to focus on one aspect of film-making. Those who are interested in film editing could use this opportunity to gain valuable experience.

Technorati Tags: FSU, film school, FSU education, Florida State University, students, editing schools

American Film Schools

2006-11-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

American film schools have a rich history dating back to the 1970s, when there was little chance to get film education. The only option to gain knowledge was to go to Hollywood at a young age and work along with people in the industry. By the 1970s, many major universities began to offer classes in film technology. Over the years, many film schools have opened with numerous educational programs that provide actual industry experience along with education.

American film schools are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). The schools are commonly departments of universities, divisions of colleges or separate schools. There are some privately owned film schools as well that are not connected to American universities. Most of the schools provide undergraduate and graduate degree programs and some have graduate programs only. Various techniques involved in movie making, including film production, film theory and screen writing are taught. Hands-on practical knowledge and intern programs are included as part of studies.

Some schools are considered top in the nation. New York Film Academy, Los Angeles Film School, USA Film School, San Francisco School of Digital Filmmaking, and FSU Film School are among them. These schools are located in prime areas of cities including New York and Los Angeles, and provide better education and have good infrastructure. But studying in these schools is quite expensive.

Founded in 1929, The University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television is the oldest film school in the nation. Some other good schools are the American Film Institute (AFI), California Institute of the Arts, Columbia University School of the Arts, The North Carolina School of the Arts, and the schools at New York University (NYU), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and University of Texas at Austin.

By: Marcus Peterson
New York Film Schools provides detailed information on Film Schools, New York Film Schools, Top Film Schools, American Film Schools and more.
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Scorsese frustrated with Hollywood?

2006-10-16T03:18:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting story on yahoo about how director Martin Scorsese is going to take a "break" from Hollywood. The story goes on to basically say that the bigger the budget, the less creative freedom the directors have over the film production.

If you try to read between the lines, you might see that it suggests that those with the money to finance the film productions (the studios) are dictating the kinds of movie that can be made and how they are made.

So, if you are in film school now and hoping to have a good deal of creative control over films when you get to be a big time film maker, think again. Perhaps independent films are the way to go?

You can read the whole story here.

Technorati Tags: Martin+Scorsese Hollywood director education

Can an aspiring film editor learn from Googles purchase of YouTube?

2006-10-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

In case you have not heard, last week Google purchased the extremely popular www.YouTube.com for an astounding $1.6 Billion dollars. No, that is not a typo, I said BBBBillion!!!!!!!!!

The young co-founders of YouTube have made out like bandits on this deal, and so have their 67 employees. This is a truly great story since YouTube was in debt prior to their purchase. You can read the story here.

Now the question is, can up and coming film makers and those considering attending film editing schools take advantage of the extra exposure that Google will give to YouTube?

Some of my thoughts are that a film editing student could upload a short video and get feedback from fellow film editing school students, perhaps even email a professional in the film making business to ask for a critique, or simply post your short film and see what the general audience thinks of it.

The difficult thing about film editing is that everyone will have opinions on how YOU could have done a better job on your film. But, some of this feedback can be very helpful to those who are just starting out too.

As a film editor, you will need to be "thick skinned" since not everyone will like your work. If you are open-minded, and can handle constructive criticism, then I would recommend asking other students for feedback about your latest short.

Feel free to use the comments section of this post as a place to post links to your short film and to ask for feedback from other film editing school students.

Technorati Tags: Google+YouTube film+students film+editing+schools education students evaluation

What Do I Do After Film School?

2006-10-06T05:11:00.000-07:00

Copyright © 2006, Paul Kyriazi

I get this question a lot and have a serious opinion about it:

The most important thing is to always keep your shingle hanging
out, saying "I am a freelance director." Never say, "Ah I gave
that up." Even if you have other jobs, never tear up your
business card.

Keep contact with all active filmmakers from college. Work on
their films. It's a business of showing up. Show up to shoots, in
any capacity. Show up enough and do a good job, and be an
ambassador of good will, and you have a good chance on being
invited to work on other films. And remember, be courteous and
respectful to everyone. The extra or stunt man of today's shoot
could be the producer of tomorrow's shoot. It happened to me.

One of my swords women fighters from "Weapons of Death" hired me to
do a travelogue in Phuket, Thailand. And actress Barbara Leigh
just hired me to direct her new audio-book "The King, McQueen,
and the Love Machine", and play the part of Elvis.

My life changed when I realized that I was not only in the
feature film business, but in the COMUNICATION business. Just
like the the USA train companys that thought they were only in
the train business and didn't invest in trucks and airplanes in
the 40's and '50s. They were left behind.

So be a sound man, an extra, an actor, a novelist, a speaker, a
film teacher,(but don't get stuck in a dead end job). Be those
as a freelance. But not a stunt man. It's too dangerous.

Yes, you will direct, but be in the communication business. Also
you must start to develop your own projects that you feel
passionate about. You never know when someone with money will
ask you if you have a project. You should be able to instantly give
him or her a script and budget and location plan and schedule.

Keep watching you favorite films over on DVD. Keep reading
books by directors and watching DVD bonus programs and listening to
commentary tracks. This is an incredible teaching device that
will help program your subconscious to keep you on the right
track.

Most important, to repeat, work on everyone's film. Yes, some
will not appreciate your help, some will not pay you what they
promised, but others will.

You must have some kind of short film or video to show someone
when you get an opportunity.

I've directed six features (did post on many more) and still want
to do more. That's why I did "Hard Rock Lovers" as an audio-book
with famous actors. That's why I have it on ebay listed under
those actors. Maybe a producer who is a fan of those actors will
see it, buy it or request it from me, love the story and ask for
a script, which I have waiting. But more than that, I'm still
talking action on it, by getting it to producers via my agent.

Beware, age 26. That's when all my movie friends gave up. Four
years after college. Their wives, girlfriends, or even parents
said, "Well, you gave it a shot, now you have to get a real job."
Yes, get freelance jobs. I always worked and at night I screened
my first feature to buyers and future investors. Always work, but
work freelance to be available for other film jobs.

Most of all, repeating, stay in touch with every active
filmmaker, and make a contribution, whether it's passing on
your used DVDs, helping to write a project, or whatever. You
have to ask, ask the right people, have something to give, and keep
asking other people.

If your interested in directing for the creative expression and
lifestyle, or to do that one great story you have in your heart,
you'll stay in it. However if you only have the dream of fame
fortune and money, it's hard to stay motivated and will seek
other paths for that.

And the best part is that you can't even imagine the surprises
that come when you follow your dreams. I have too many
personal examples to list here, but it's amazing what comes and how it
comes.

Writer's Resource Box:
Paul Kyriazi - Feature Film Director
http://www.xanga.com/featurefilmdirector

Technorati Tags: film+schools film+editing+schools education students directing advice

It Takes an Iron Resolve to Make an Independent Film Production Happen

2006-09-26T04:42:00.000-07:00

By: mconnell61

Commitment is an independent filmmaker’s most valuable resource. Without a lot of money to grease the wheels of production, a low budget film producer must rely on creativity and determination to get their films made. If a person wants to get their film made badly enough, there is not much in this world that can stop it from happening.

Making a film on your own with your own money is a very daunting task. It can also be very rewarding. When you decide to take on the awesome responsibility of writing, directing, and producing your own independent film, you better know what you are getting into beforehand. Once you set the ball in motion, there is no going back. You either succeed and your film makes to the film festival circuit (which is a major accomplishment in and of itself), or you crash and burn halfway through the film production process and your film vision never sees the light of day.

The next time you watch a movie I suggest that you pay particular attention to the credits at the end of the film. Take a look at how many names scroll across the screen and this will give you an idea of how much work goes into the making of a motion picture. Then take away all of the names on the screen and picture your name in front of every credit for every job and this will give you an idea of much work YOU will have to do to make your own movie.

When I first graduated from film school I hit the ground running. I landed a decent job as the Director and Animator on an independent film that had Pat Boone’s name attached to it. I was hired to film clay animation stories about The Bible. I worked on that job for about four months and was paid fairly well for my efforts. I decided that the best thing I could do with the money I saved was to make another film. I would take the knowledge and money I gained and use it for my own benefit. I decided to make my own movie with the idea in mind that I would enter it in on the film festival circuit and hopefully win some awards. If that happened it would almost certainly be a boost for my fledgling film career.

I wrote a script for a short film that involved a combination of clay animation and live action, and I was ready to make a film. My plan was to use all of my knowledge and talent and do almost all the work. For the parts that I could not do myself I would hire friends and business associates at a substantially discounted rate. These people agreed to work for cheap in return for a little creative control, a credit for their demo reel, and possibly exposure if the film does well at any major film festivals. I only had to hire them for the filming of the live action scenes and for some of the post production work (like sound design, mixing, foley sound effects, etc…). The animation I would do entirely on my own.

I contacted a couple of friends of mine that managed camera and sound equipment rental houses. They set me up with a 16mm camera package and a DAT (digital audio tape) package to rent at discounted prices. I rented these packages on a weekend (to get the extra 2 days for free) and I started filming the live action part of my film right away.

I worked extremely hard that first weekend. I basically filmed most of the time with only about two to three hours of sleep each day. When I was not filming/acting/directing, I was setting up lights, moving furniture, making meals for everyone, setting up props, distributing and apply makeup, rehearsing with actors, fixing costumes, and performing script rewrites on the set, to name only a few things. By the time Monday morning rolled around, I was mentally and physically exhausted, but I still had to bring back the camera and sound equipment packages by 10:00 am or I would be charged for another day of rental. You do not have that luxury to just sleep in and not worry about it when you are making an independent film on a shoestring budget. There is no rest for the weary when you are making your own movie. Time is money, and you do not have a lot of either one of these resources.

I returned the camera and sound equipment packages just in time on Monday morning. Then I went straight to the film lab and dropped off my film. I then made an appointment for the following week (the soonest date I could get) to see my dailies (developed film), and counted the days until the day of my appointment arrived.

I arrived at the film lab a half hour early for my appointment to see my dailies. As I sat in the lobby waiting for my big moment, I began to get very nervous. Unnerving thoughts began to fill my head. What if one of the rolls of film somehow got damaged in the lab? Maybe the machine that develops the film broke when my film was running through it and all of my film rolls are scratched? What if the cameraman I hired was not as good as his demo reel implied and all my rolls are under or over exposed? What if the guy who took my film at the front desk of the film lab is a disgruntled filmmaker who only took that job so he can ruin other people’s film when they hand it over to him? What if there was a mishap in the film vault involving fire sprinklers and all my rolls of film got ruined? Of course, all of these are irrational thoughts, but nonetheless they are the kind of thoughts that go through the mind of an independent filmmaker as they are quietly waiting in the lobby of a film lab facility prior to their appointment to see the fruits of their efforts.

As it turned out, everything was fine. My dailies looked great and that only inspired me to keep the ball rolling with my film project. I put every ounce of effort that my body and soul possessed into that project, and it paid off. That film (Mike And The Magic Lamp) won several awards at several film contests that year (1998) including a Silver Award at the Houston Worldfest in the same category that had seen past winners with such names as Steven Spielberg, Oliver Stone, and Quentin Tarantino. It was a perfect springboard for my film career. I have made several films since then and all of them have led to bigger and better projects. My latest film is a ninety minute science fiction love story. I already have a couple of distribution offers for this film, and I have yet to enter it in a single film festival. I should be able to make a very decent profit if it does well on the film festival circuit, and I owe it all to my iron resolve to make my film career dream a reality. Where my budget was lacking, my determination picked up the slack.

Copyright 2006. Michael P. Connelly
Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
Michael P. Connelly is an Author, Artist, and filmmaker who has traveled the world in search of adventures and enriching exeriences that provide a great deal of good writing material. For more author and book info visit: www.makealowbudgetmovie.com

Technorati Tags: film+editing+school, film+school, education, students, movies

University of Southern California film school gets $175 million from George Lucas

2006-09-20T19:38:00.000-07:00

In an astonishing show of generosity Star Wars creator George Lucas announced that he will give the University of Southern California a whopping $175 million to fund a new facility for the University's film school.

This is the largest donation ever made to USC. The new film school facility will be 137,000 square feet and will bring in the most up to date film equipment. As an alum, George Lucas appears to carry many fond memories and a great deal of respect for the University of Southern California film school.

In one news story George Lucas went on to say how important he feels an education is for young people who want to get into the entertainment industry.

For those of you thinking that a film editing school or film school education is not important, think again. When someone with the credentials that George Lucas has talks about the need for an education perspective film makers should listen.

The film schools name will be changed from USC School of Cinema-Television to the School of Cinematic Arts in the near future.

If you have been considering attending a film school or looking for film editing schools, then you may want to consider USC since they will likely have some of the very best facilities and equipment in the country.

Technorati Tags:
University+of+Southern+California film+school film+students education George+Lucas

Film Schools

2006-09-09T16:20:00.000-07:00

By: Marcus Peterson

Film Schools are educational institutions that impart teaching that is necessary for entering the film industry. The schooling provided is sometimes referred to as ‘the artist’s MBA,’ as they encourage the creativity of the students and skillfully it. With its beginnings in the early 1970s, film schools have now grown to a great extent with an increasing number of schools as well as courses.

The schools provide bachelor, doctoral degree and certificate programs, along with hands-on practical knowledge. Professional film making and production techniques are included in the curriculum. The areas of specialization includes producing, directing, sound and production design, cinematography, screenwriting, editing, acting for film and filmmaking. These schools are the best options for those who wish to start a career in the film industry.

Traditionally, film schools are classified into three types -- independent, industry and experimental. The independent schools provide better choices for those students who want to raise funds independent of the Hollywood system. Here, students are taught to focus on the fundamentals of filmmaking. In the industry type, training helps the students cope with the standards and structure of the Hollywood film industry. The final type concentrates on teaching the art of filmmaking, and goes on to encourage students to explore their individual creativity and experimental potential in order to produce unique representations.

Film schools vary from university departments to degree specific schools and online programs. Schools can either be private or public. The government does not usually offer any loans and grants for the students. As a result, studying cost is high in private institutions. Some of the prominent schools in the nation are American Film Institute (AFI), California Institute of the Arts, Columbia University School of the Arts, The North Carolina School of the Arts, and the schools at New York University (NYU), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Southern California (USC), and University of Texas at Austin.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
New York Film Schools provides detailed information on Film Schools, New York Film Schools, Top Film Schools, American Film Schools and more. New York Film Schools is affiliated with Italian Cooking Schools.

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film editing schools, education, students, schools

Film Schools - How to Choose a Winner

2006-08-28T00:17:00.000-07:00

By Nathan James

It seems like everyone today want to be an actor. While acting can certainly be a very rewarding profession, in both monetary and fulfilling terms, it’s probably one of the most difficult areas of film to break in to. If film and television is your passion, there is a whole host of other jobs that will get you into this sometimes glamorous, always competitive industry. Whether you’re interest lies in directing, producing, or even script-writing, choosing the right school is the most important decision you’ll making.

The first step in getting into the film industry is determining what type of career you’re interested in. Just about any job in the film industry pays very well, so you should be ready for plenty of competition.

You should also be aware that you’ll need to start at the bottom, often as a production assistant (answering phones, getting coffee, etc) before any hopes of working in the field you were trained in. Also know that you’ll need to move to where the work is. If you’re planning on working in film this often means working on location for weeks, sometimes months at a time.

Choose the Film School that Meets your Criteria

If your passion is continuity, don’t go to one of the film schools that focuses on directing. While it is typically important to get a feel for all areas of film production, you’ll want to spend the most time focusing on your own career goals. Look for film schools that allow you to take specific classes in your film degree rather than a set course load.

With the popularity of film related jobs, there are film schools popping up all over the place. This means you’ll need to do your research to ensure you’re not paying thousands of dollars to get a degree or diploma that is considered a joke. Make sure the school has been around for quite a while and check their credentials. Many major universities also offer top notch film degrees which are well regarded in the industry.

About The Author
Nathan James offers information and advice about film schools at the Top Film Schools website. Visit http://www.topfilmschools.info for more information about getting into the film business.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_James

Technorati Tags:
film+editing+schools, film+schools, schools, education

Does Film School Kill Talent?

2006-08-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

Copyright © 2005, Che Robinson

Tom Stoppard once said that he thought Film school was a complete
waste of time.

Tom Stoppard is the Oscar winning writer of such films as
Shakespeare in love and the acclaimed play Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern are dead that was recently turned into a motion
picture starring Gary Oldman and Tim Roth.

Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg, Milos Forman and Woody Allen
never went to Film school to learn the film craft. Many of them
have even been quoted to say that film school numbs the wits and
it places restrictions on creativity. "In film school, they teach
you to write like everyone else... they tell you to create a
meeting on page 10, get them into a car accident on page 25, and
make the character kiss on page 55 - or better known as the mid-
point," says Frederick Constanza, a film student in Los Angeles.

Billy Bob Thornton never went to school to learn his craft and
he's one of the most prolific and popular actors/filmmakers in
the business.

Then again, there are the ones who did attend film school and
have become some of the most successful filmmakers in the
industry. George Lucas used to share a room with Francis Ford
Coppola and while one of them created the Star Wars franchise
with most recently Revenge of the Sith, the other made the
Godfather - believed by many to be one of the top three best
films ever made. Ron Howard (Cinderella man, Da Vinci Code),
Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids), Shervin Youssefian
(Machiavelli Hangman) are also byproducts of the film
school system.

So where do you draw the line? Is it a particular film school
like USC that shapes winners in the film industry? I guess you
can't. It really falls on the individual and how talented and
determined she is. What film school does is only polish the rough
ends and prepare the person for the real world.

"Film school simply helps polish a natural gift that our students
bring in from their own backgrounds. We have kids who are
naturally better than others when it comes to dialogue. They have
an amazing ear for it, and others come in with artistic
backgrounds. Some of them have numerous drawing and painting
awards and that fuels their understanding of lighting and camera
angles," says Professor Klint of Artin School of Art and Design.

While Machiavelli Hangman and Memento may not have the standard
screenplay structure taught in film school, writing professors
stand by their word that brilliant Hollywood scripts like these
two have definitely developed out of the three-act structure.

Again, film school is not there to teach but to develop,
discipline and polish an already existing talent.

Writer's Resource Box:
Che Robinson is a movie reviewer. Machiavelli Hangman http://www.hangmanmovie.com

Technorati Tags:
film editing schools, school, students, education

Film and Photography Vocational Schools

2006-08-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

by Michael Bustamante

Film and Photography Vocational Schools prepare professionals for careers in photography, photography assistance, filmmaking, cinematography, videography, video production, journalism, graphic arts, printing, television production, and many more. An education from an accredited Film and Photography Trade School helps both the amateur and the professional photographer to secure desirable employment and to increase their earning potential.

If you are seeking a degree, look for a Film and Photography Vocational School that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). A thorough Film School curriculum will cover subjects that include scriptwriting, budgeting, pre-production, camerawork, videography, lighting, sound, directing, producing, and editing. Photography School subjects include the history of photography, camerawork, creative expression, film developing, and contemporary issues in image making. In addition to these traditional subjects, a modern Film and Photography Trade School should also cover the art of digital photography.

For those with an artistic eye and a creative side, Film and Photography Vocational School can open a wide vista of employment possibilities. Film and Photography occupations are as artistically rewarding as they are lucrative; professionals can earn more than $40,000 annually.
If you are interested in learning more about Film and Photography Vocational Schools, please search our site for more in-depth information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com
Copyright 2006 - All Rights Reserved Michael Bustamante, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc. for SchoolsGalore.com

About the Author
M. Bustamante is a staff writer for Media Positive Communications, Inc. in association with SchoolsGalore.com. Find Film and Photography Vocational Schools at SchoolsGalore.com; meeting your needs as your educational resource to locate schools.

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Tags: film schools, film editing, film editing schools,

Film Editing Schools Critique-Chapman University

2006-07-28T00:46:00.000-07:00

Chapman University offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in film study. They are as follows:

B.A., Film Studies, Public Relations and Advertising, Screenwriting
B.F.A., Film Production, Television and Broadcast Journalism
M.A., Film Studies
M.F.A., Screenwriting, Film and Television Producing, Film Production (with specializations in directing, editing, cinematography, production design and sound design)

Chapman is located in Orange, CA, just south of L.A. They boast of a new film studio to open in the fall of 2006 equipped with the latest technology.

Perhaps a downside to this film editing school is that they are extremely selective of applicants and claim to only select 1 in 4 students. Always keep in mind though, that film editing schools, and all colleges and universities for that matter, are businesses and those businesses do not make money without students enrolled and paying tuition.

A positive for this school is that they offer quality internships. Internships are highly valued while attending any film editing school. Internships offer you the chance to make contacts and to make a good impression on people that may be able to hire you once you graduate from film editing school.

A new student can expect to pay about $14,900 for 12-18 credit hours in a single semester. Do not forget that many film editing schools often add on "fees" such as lab fees, application fees, orientation fees, etc.

Check out Chapman for yourself and see if you think this film school would be a good match for you and your situation. Do keep in mind that they are very proud of their new studio that will open this coming fall.

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Tags: film editing schools, film school review, education

Film School: 6 Reasons to Get That Degree

2006-07-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

by Andrew R. Hamilton

1. Direction - Pursuing SOMETHING that you are deeply interested in, is better than pursuing nothing at all.

A parked car cannot be steered. Think about it, the worst thing that could happen is, you realize half way into your degree that you don't want to be a filmmaker. So you take your 2 years partial education and you change your major to your newly discovered passion: Underwater Elizabethan Poetry. But at least now the ball is rolling in your life. Its better than wasting 2 years at a burger joint while you 'wait for the PERFECT direction'. Alternatively, the BEST thing that could happen is you actually land a job doing what you love and your actually getting PAID for it! Somebody call the cops! My advice: Get out there and put yourself in a position where you at least are on the path to realizing your dream of writing, directing, shooting, or editing movies!

2. Education - bypass the 'tech' schools that only offer to hold your hand while you meet technical deadlines. Instead opt for the degree at a University.

With an education of the world around you, you'll be better equipped to tell a story that people in that world can relate to. Too much of what we see in theaters is based on situations that are clearly unrealistic, uneducated, and shallow. History, English, Sciences will deepen your story telling abilities just ask Scorcese, Lucas, and to an extent Spielberg.

3. Equipped - You'll get the tools that will enable your talents to be productively utilized for your life. The adage of EVERY film professor should be, "If God didn't give it to you, you aint gonna get it here". Point being, YOU bring the talent, they simply show you how to use it! It's naive to think ANY institution or ANY field of study leads to instant employment. You only go to school to get equipped to pursue the work of your choice. So have an exit plan from school and and an entrance plan to the real world of work.

4. Investment - school is NOT an expense so forget about that mentality, its an investment!

Get a school loan if you don't have the cash. At the end of your 4 year educational journey, you will emerge with a degree that can't be taken away. Never mind the nay sayers creed, "A film degree is useless" often times that statement comes from someone who has either never pursued a degree or is frustrated over settling for less after graduating. Get your degree in film and if you change your mind later, big deal! Simply get your MASTERS in underwater Elizabethan Poetry or something else, and make a movie about it while you do it! It is worthwhile to note here that I am not advocating "career film academia" but rather, a logical pursuit of a worthwhile goal. My Bachelors is in film and I don't intend on pursuing a Masters in the same subject. There are those at USC who have their undergrad in other subjects: accounting, business, etc and have entered USC's graduate program in film. Diversity leads to versatility and versatility to endless possibility.

5. Clarity - Going to film school, particularly at a University, should offer you the opportunity to experience EVERY facet of filmmaking so that you can gravitate to what you do best.

For me, I started like most film students: I wanted to be a director. Now, I'm a Cinematographer and Videographer. I gravitated toward making things look beautiful, my colleagues and professors picked up on that, and the rest is history. You may find you are an excellent editor and only a mediocre writer. It doesn't matter. As long as your getting the opportunity to try it all!

6. CONTACTS CONTACTS CONTACTS - The main reason that film schools not only exist but THRIVE today!

Like many industries, film is about WHO you know more than WHAT you know. Does this negate my previous point? Not at all. The method for getting IN the door is often times based on your contacts. But I don't care if you are best buds with Stevie Spielberg. If you get in the door and don't know jack squat about anything, chances are, you won't be through that door for long. So WHAT you know, the depth of your experience at life, the clarity of knowing what your good at, and the education/knowledge of how to do that thing that you are gifted for are the elements that will KEEP you in the industry. (It still can't hurt to be good buds with Stevie Spielberg though)

In summary, film school? If you have a heart for film. Learn all you can about it and make it worth your while: get an education in the process. It beats selling insurance amidst the haunting demons of "could/should/would have".

About the Author
Andrew Hamilton is a writer and director for his production company: Hamilton International Productions. He regularly submits content to film and video websites to provide information for beginning film students and videographers new to the trade. He currently resides in Las Vegas, which he has called home for 38 years.

Tips On Selecting A Film School

2006-07-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

By: Linda Emerson -

Filmmaking is not only an interesting, enjoyable and fulfilling career but very lucrative as well. Unfortunately, realizing the big Hollywood dream entails hard work, commitment and great amount of skill, right attitude, guts and some luck, too. While it is true that you’re not in full control of your fate, the initial steps toward being a successful filmmaker depend on you. Choosing the right or the best film school where you would hone your talents, develop more interest and learn more knowledge in filmmaking is your first step. Your decision to choose a particular film school is very crucial to your success as a filmmaker since that film school shall equip you with or shall help you gain more knowledge, skills, techniques and experiences, which are essential to a filmmaker. Those are his tools in filmmaking that cannot be bought but are earned and cultivated through time.

1. Know What You Want

First of all, you have to know what you want. Ask yourself what realm of filmmaking do you want to venture in or what kind of films do you want to work on in the future? Do you want to be an independent filmmaker or a simple film artist? There are so many film schools in the country as well as in other parts of the globe and each has its own expertise. Knowing what you want in the first place would allow you to focus your research and thus refine your choices for good film schools. Also, this would help you save time and effort in searching for schools as you have already eliminated those that may not fit your interest and criteria.

2. What Are Your Considerations?

After deciding on what area you want to concentrate, you should also identify your major considerations in choosing a particular film school.

- the affordability of film courses
- the facilities of the film school
- the accessibility and proximity of the school
- the film school’s reputation and quality of education

3. Don't Skimp On Your Education

Remember that a good film education is really expensive so do not just choose a film school that offers the cheapest film courses. It is important to consider the quality of education and the reputation of the school above all else. Remember that with that school, you are building a career that is supposed to be a life-long profession. Short-term film courses, say a 2-yr filmmaking course may be a lot cheaper than a 4-yr course and is quite helpful as most provide hands on training and a lot of project work. If you want to really excel in this field, however, you might opt for a longer course as it is more comprehensive.

3. Identify Where You Want To Study

Knowing where you want to cultivate your skills and intensify your interest in filmmaking is essential in selecting the right film school for you. This would refine your search as well since you would have to concentrate in looking for film schools only in one particular area or locality. New York is one of the best places to study film. It has the most developed art scenes for film and a number of reputable film schools. If affordability of the film course is one of your major considerations, you can choose a film school in Chicago and Milwaukee, which are known for having the most affordable film schools in the country. If you want to make it to Hollywood, better start your search for the best film school there in Los Angeles and nearby cities. There are lots of renowned film schools there that offer short and long term film courses.

4. Explore Colleges and Universities

Now that you have refined your criteria: the area in filmmaking you want to concentrate in, your major considerations such as the affordability of the courses, the school’s reputation and the place, you can now do some research. As you explore your options, consider the things you have identified earlier. It would be better if you list down every film school’s advantages and disadvantages so you can easily compare and contrast them. Also, as you examine the school’s film courses and their special attributes, you can add some more considerations to your list and see which of the film schools you have considered meet the most of your requirements.

5. Narrow Your List

After going through several colleges and universities, narrow now your list by eliminating those that do not meet your criteria. With your short but well researched list of the best film schools, you can be more confident now of making a right decision. But before you finally select the film school, seek for other people’s advice and recommendations, especially those who are well familiar with filmmaking.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
For more great Film Schools related articles and resources check out www.onlyfilmschools.com

Yahoo.com Video contest- Make your own film

2006-07-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

I found these news stories related to a new video contest that Yahoo.com is promoting.

In case you didn't know, Yahoo has a brand new home page design (still in beta)....Apparently it has not gone over so well (because in my opinion it looks terrible) and they want YOU to make 12 second video advertisement for it. Worst case scenario is that you get some further practice making films and editing them, not to mention a bit of possible publicity.

Note that on each video you can see which of the film editing shools the video makers are associated with (if they are). I watched all the videos that are up at the time of this posting.

Here are some links for you if you are interested:

Yahoo's information/rules about the contest- here

News story from USA today-located here

News story from Webpronews-here

To see videos that have been entered go here-videos

Evaluating another film editing school

2006-07-16T17:28:00.000-07:00

Columbia College Chicago-

They offer an interesting program that allows you to choose a concentration in film editing.

They boast of a "20, 000 square foot post-production facility" where you can learn all that you need to know about film editing. This film editing school also states that you can choose from "a large array of courses and possible areas of specialization in Narrative Editing, Documentary Editing, Digital Optical Effects and Sound Editing."

You can choose from both an undergraduate or graduate program. It appears to be a quite an extensive and thorough program.

The downside of this film editing school is the price.....One year of undergraduate tuition is listed at $16,328.00. Check them out more on your own and see if you think it is the right film editing school for you.

Los Angeles Film School

2006-07-10T07:22:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Film School was founded by Hollywood professionals who recognized the need for a new kind of film school, one that balanced the practical with the academic.

The LAFS is located on Sunset Blvd. near Vine Street in Hollywood, California, and offers a one year, "hands on", immersion program, educating students in the science, craft and theory of filmmaking (including film editing).

The school stresses practical learning, giving video cameras to students the first week of the program, with which they create their first short film: a single set-up, minute long story.

Students continue to produce increasingly more involved short film exercises, culminating in a thesis film project. Any student who wishes to make a short film as writer and or director will have this opportunity at the LAFS and every effort is made to give producers, editors, cinematographers, sound and production designers an opportunity to practice their craft on a student film production.

The school stresses technical education and is equipped with 35 and 16mm film cameras, digital and High Definition digital Cameras, multiple AVID editing bays and advanced sound recording and mixing systems. The school is known in particular for its avocation of the High Definition digital format and its commitment to educating future cinematographers in the art and science of lighting for and using HD Digital Cameras. Students have 24 hour access to all post production facilities. The school has a 4,000 square foot digital soundstage, equipped with cutting-edge Sony High Definition cameras and one of the largest hard cycloramas for creating virtual sets.

Student films are screened in a 340-seat, stadium style, THX certified, Dolby Digital Surround EX, wide-screen motion picture theater equipped with both film and digital projection. Editing students utilize a dozen Avid Media Composer 1000 non-linear editing systems while sound design students use four Digidesign Pro Tools Mix workstations and finish on a 96-input Solid State Logic Axiom digital re-recording console (a first in the academic world). There is also a well-stocked equipment room of traditional filmmaking essentials-lights, dolly's, C-stands and much more. Students build sets on the sound stages and film on location around Los Angeles.

Classes begin every two months and will begin starting monthly in the near future. Class size ranges from 30 to 60 students. The school faculty is comprised of working filmmakers who take time between projects to teach at the school.

The school teaches Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Editing, Production Design, Sound Recording and Design and Screenwriting.

LAFS is recognized as one of the top film editing schools in the country.

The need for a broad education

2006-07-05T15:57:00.000-07:00

When considering a film editing school you need to not only look at the technical courses that they offer, but also whether or not the film editing schools offer courses on theory and the history of film making.

These types of courses will set you apart from the crowd when looking to get a job as a film editor because not all schools stress the importance of theory and history.

Basically all film editing schools will provide you exposure to the technical aspects of film editing, but that should only constitute one part of your education. Knowing how to run software like avid and final cut pro can be learned through a variety of means, but gaining a broad overview of cinema film making will give you unique skills that other would be film editors often do not possess.

What Can You Learn By Attending Film School?

2006-07-01T16:33:00.000-07:00

By Charlotte Alice

There are advantages and disadvantages to attending conventional university film school programs. Some students claim that traditional film school courses focus almost entirely on filmmaking theory whereas many of the more contemporary film schools pay more attention on actually practicing the various skills of filmmaking.

Also, many of the newer film schools offer condensed courses on fundamental filmmaking processes and procedures such as screenwriting basics and post-production fundamentals. Many film school students prefer these eclectic filmmaking programs because of the greater diversity of information that is presented, as well as the more flexible schedules typically offered by these non-traditional film schools.

There are even several reputable online film schools that make learning and attendance even more convenient. With these internet-based film schools students can pick and choose which topics to focus on, thus customizing their own curriculum to meet their individual goals.

Film school curriculum varies from school to school, so it is worth doing a little comparative research in order to determine what all is offered. Below, we’ll discuss some of the various topics and areas of study that are available.

By attending film school you can familiarize yourself with international cinema and learn about acclaimed filmmakers from around the world. By adding study of international filmmaking, you can expand upon other film theory classes. After all, the best way to build a foundation from which to explore your own creativity is to study the methods and techniques of the filmmakers that came before you.

And of course, any good film school will acquaint you with the basics of shooting and lighting techniques and theory. Even a cursory glance at descriptions of how commonly used effects are achieved can bring whole new depths and flair to your own approach to filmmaking.

If you want to learn a full spectrum of filmmaking fundamentals in as little time as possible so that you can get right down to making and producing your own films, then it would be in your best interest to attend a film school that covers the planning, budgeting and production processes of filmmaking.

Many film schools also offer post-production courses that are most appropriate for anyone interested in producing their own films. Especially if you plan to work with digital media, you should take advantage of courses offering tutorials on using computer applications that allow you to edit and mix sound and video. Since the innovation of digital video cameras, filmmaking and post-production work has become affordable for everyone. Before digital video, every fade in or out, every effect that could be applied to a film necessarily involved the duplication of the film material itself, such that production often involves working with hundreds of strips of film that must be carefully organized and tracked.

Even if you’re more interested in becoming part of Hollywood caliber filmmaking, in terms of budget and star power, you shouldn’t necessarily overlook the smaller film schools. While a degree from a known traditional university will get you in many doors, your own merit and achievements are what will determine your success. For this reason it is most important to choose a school that fits your individual needs and learning style.

For more information and tips about different film schools or advice about acting, please visit http://www.my-filmschool.info Charlotte Alice advices http://www.ukdropshippingguide.co.uk and http://www.onlinewebpublisher.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlotte_Alice

The Technical Terms in Motion Capture

2006-06-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

by Yit-Hoong Lee

"The Technical Terms in Motion Capture"

(Pre - Production, Production, Post Production, Motion Capture, New Media) __________________________________________

A) Pre - Production

Scene : A scene or script is a numbered part of a film script, which may be broken down into parts in longshot, medium-shot, close-up, etc by the director when shooting. A master scene is a fairly long length of the script, all under one number, which the director will certainly break down later. He or she may, however, take the whole of a master scene first, then shoot closeups of the various characters to cut in with this later. In animation the basic unit of continuous action, usually shot on one background, from which a film is built up.

Script : The detailed scene-by-scene instructions for a film or television production, including description of setting and action with dialogue and camera directions. When the script also has full details of visuals it is termed a 'storyboard'.

Storyboard : A form of shooting script common for animated films for many years and now usually used for commercials, even live-action ones. It consists of a series of sketches showing key positions for every scene, with dialogue and descriptive notes below. Still used in animation.

==========================================
B) Production

2D Animation : The creation of moving pictures in a two-dimensional environment, such as through "traditional" cel animation or in computerized animation software. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or "frames", that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps. The eye can be "fooled" into perceiving motion when these consecutive images are shown at a rate of 24 frames per second or faster. 3D

Animation : The creation of moving pictures in a three-dimensional digital environment. This is done by sequencing consecutive images, or "frames", that simulate motion by each image showing the next in a gradual progression of steps, filmed by a virtual "camera" and then output to video by a rendering engine. The eye can be "fooled" into perceiving motion when these consecutive images are shown at a rate of 24 frames per second or faster.

Character animation : The art of making an animated figure move like a unique individual; sometimes described as acting through drawings. The animator must "understand how the character's personality and body structure will be reflected in its movements.

Character model : A sheet of drawings defining the proportions, shape, clothing etc. of a character for the guidance of animators.

Computer animation : The technique of using computers to generate moving pictures. Some systems can achieve this in real-time (25 frames per second-or in the USA 30fps), but the majority of animation is created one frame at a time and then edited into a continuous sequence. Very sophisticated programs are required to perform the tasks of movement, fairing, perspective, hidden-surface removal, colouring, shading and illumination, and as the trend increases towards more realistic images, faster computers are needed to process the millions of computations required for each frame. The term "computer animation" covers a broad range of subjects, but overall can be defined as the creation of moving images through the use of computers. These images can be created in either a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space, and can be applied to web design, user interface design, application development, video games, movies, special effects, cartooning, and many others.

Computer graphics : Charts, diagrams, drawings and other pictorial representations that are computer generated.

Effects animation : The animation of non-character movements such as rain, smoke, lightning, water, etc.

Go-Motion : Similar to 'Stop-Motion', but the animation is produced by rods attached to the pupet/creature, which can be programmed by a computer to perform the required movement. The advantage over stop-motion is that a lot more realistic movement can be created, because the puppet/creature blurs slightly between each frame. The disadvantage is that the rods attached to the creature need to be hidden from view (e.g. using the blue-screen process)

In Between : The paper drawing of a figure that lies in sequence between two key positions drawn by an animator.

Key frame animation : The animator 'draws' directly onto the CRT display and produces a basic picture or cell. A number of these drawings can then be superimposed on one another to form a composite cell or key frame. Many of these key frames can be made up and stored in the computer to be called up and used as required. The action of the film can be created by stringing together the series of key frames, and introducing the desired movements between one frame and the next. Each key frame can be used over and over again by simply calling it repeatedly from the computer score.

Stop-Motion Animation : Moving a special effects puppet or model/creature a small amount and recording a single frame (or small number of frames) so that when the film is played back at a normal speed it appears to move. The disadvantage with this form of animation is that it can sometimes appear to 'strobe', partly due to the lack of blur between the frames.

Three-dimensional modeling : Geometrical descriptions of an object using polygons or solids in three dimensions (x,y,z coordinates) for the purpose of creating the illusion of height, width and depth.

==========================================

C) Post Production

Edit : The process of assembling video clips, audio tracks, graphics and other source marerial into a presentable package.

Off-Line Edit : A "draft" edit, usually prepared in an off-line edit suite (at a lower cost), then taken to an on-line facility to make the final cut.

On-Line Edit : The final version of an edit, prepared in a professional edit facility.

Non-linear editing : An approach to video editing made possible by digital video recordings. As in word processing, video segments can be inserted between two existing segments without erasing either. Unlike the approach required when editing analog video , segments do not need to "laid down" in the sequence in which they will later be shown.

Off-line editing : The steps during the edit process when a preliminary selection of usable shots and scenes is made, and the tentative sequence of these elements is decided. This process is typically done with lower cost, simpler editing equipment than is found in a professional edit suite (where on-line editing is done). Using off-line editing can significantly reduce the total cost of a producation.

On-line editing : The steps during the edit process when the compilation of final program is done. When affordable, this is done in a professional edit suite with high quality equipment. If off-line editing had been done, the edit decision list from that phase guides the on-line edit process, typically minimizing the time and cost in the professional edit suite.

Post Production : The phases of production that occur after the recording, filming, or taping. This includes editing, mixing, effects, dubbing, compression, mastering, etc.

Render Farm : A group of computers which work together to perform the computation-intensive tasks of 3-D rendering.

==========================================

D) Motion Capture

Mocap : The process of recording the data from human movement so that it can be used for 3D characters created on a computer. Mocap can be used for 3D animations for film, TV and games, and for special effects work. There are wireless, magnetic motion capture systems, and optical systems, which track markers attached to the animator.

Performance Capture : The recording of a performance, either human or animal, using a Motion Capture system (or similar technology) - difference being that you can motion capture a table, but it is cannot give a performance. Special Effects Blue (or Green)

Screen : A system that replaces a specified colour (blue in this case) with images from another source. This can either be done optically (eg. using film) or electronically (eg. in video, also known as Chroma-Key in video). Some computer systems look at pixel in the scene and determine whether to replace that pixel with the other video source. Better computer systems allow 'some' of the colour of the pixel from 1 image and 'some' from another image. The better systems could be take transparent objects (eg. bottles) or smoke and combine these with the images from another source.

Chroma-Key : Keying out parts of an image which contain a particular colour (or colours). Eg. replacing a blue or green background with images from another source.

Composite : To combine two or more individual images onto one piece of film by photographic or digital means. Early compositing was accomplished in the camera by masking part of the scene when filming, rewinding the film and removing the matte and shooting again to expose the previously masked portion. Digital compositing is commonplace, in which multiple film images are scanned into the computer, combined digitally, and output to a single piece of film.

Motion Control : Controling the motion of a camera or special effects object (eg. model space ship etc), using commands from a computer, so that the exact moves can be repeated as many times. This makes it easy to composite it (ie.combine it with another shot).

Rotoscoping : Drawing around something in the frame so that an effect can be applied to that part of the film. If an animated creature has to go behind something in the live action piece of film, that object can be drawn around so a matte can be created, so that the createure will not show over the top of that object. If the camera is moving, then each frame of film would have to be rotoscoped. If the camera is still, then the same matte can probably be used for all frames in that shot. Rotoscoping was first used by the Fleischers for making cartoons. The Fleischers invented the Rotoscope, which is a device for projecting live-action film on to paper frame by frame, so that the outline could be traced and used as a guide for the animation. The Rotoscope consists of an animation camera and a light source (usually using a prism behind the movement and the lamp house attached to the camera's open door) that projects a print through the camera's lense and the projected image is then traced to create a matte. The lamp house is then removed and the raw stock placed in the camera and the drawings are filmed through the same lense that projected the image. The resulting image will then fit the original image if the two strips of film are run bi-packed in the same projector movment (using an optical printer). In digital film effects work, rotoscoping refers to any drawn matte, as both images can be seen compisited while the matte is being drawn, so good results can be achieved.

Virtual Sets : Sets which are generated (at least partially) from data within a computer. Mostly used for TV work, these systems replace the real set (eg. an empty studio) with a computer generated set, allowing the actor/presenter to move in the foreground. eg. the background is 'keyed out' and replaced with the set which has been created in a 3D package (eg. Softimage or 3D Studio Max), and any camera movements will be duplicated by the 'virtual camera'. This will require a powerful computer, especially if it is to be done in real-time, for example a Silicon Graphics machine. The method of keeping track of the camera movement (so that it can be duplicated in the 3D computer set) is different for the various sytems. Some systems use a blue grid painted on the back wall of a studio of a known size. A red LED is projected onto the cameras and the actor/presenter so that they too can be tracked throughout the set.

Visual effects (also called optical or photographic effects) : Special effects achieved with the aid of photographic or digital technology, occurring after the principal photography, or main shooting, of a film. Includes miniatures, optical and digital effects, matte paintings, stop-motion animation, and computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Wire Removal : Removal of unwanted wires, rods, etc. from a piece of film by replacing them with what would have been seen if they weren't there (eg. the background). This can be done by replacing them with the same area from another frame in which the wires/rods were not visible, or by averaging the colours on either side of the wire and replacing it with the average.

==========================================

E) New Media

A generic term for the many different forms of electronic communication that are made possible through the use of computer technology. The term is in relation to "old" media forms, such as print newspapers and magazines, that are static representations of text and graphics. New media includes:

* Web sites * streaming audio and video * chat rooms * e-mail * online communities * Web advertising * DVD and CD-ROM media * virtual reality environments * integration of digital data with the telephone, such as Internet telephony * digital cameras * mobile computing

Use of the term new media implies that the data communication is happening between desktop and laptop computers and handhelds , such as PDAs , and the media they take data from, such as compact discs.
__________________________________________
For more Information please visit http://www.motioncapturestudios.com/
About the Author
Motion Capture Assistant of Inner Esteem Motion Capture Studios.

Film Editing Schools Accreditation

2006-06-15T23:45:00.000-07:00

When you are seeking out film editing schools you should consider the source of accreditation as a vital factor in your choice.

If you attend a traditional 4 year college for your film editing course of study, it is likely that the school will be appropriately accredited. But, if you attend a film editing school that only offers film editing courses, then you want to make sure that it is accredited by National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD).

According to the NASAD website "NASAD is an association of approximately 248 schools of art and design, primarily at the collegiate level, but also including precollegiate and community schools for the visual arts disciplines.

It is the national accrediting agency for art and design and art and design-related disciplines.

The Association also provides information to the public. It produces statistical research, provides professional development for leaders of art and design schools, and engages in policy analysis. "

The bottom line is that the film editing schools that are accredited by NASAD are of the highest quality and provide the best educational opportunity for you. There are short "courses" that you can take, but many of these lack the credentials and accreditation.

When trying to get an actual job after you graduate from film editing school, you will have a much better chance of getting hired if you did in fact attend one of the appropriately accredited film editing schools.

New Film Contest Announced

2006-06-15T00:44:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a way to pay for attending one of the film editing schools, the following news excerpt might be helpful. You can enter this contest and if you win, you can spend your winning on attending on of the film editing schools of your choice.

Here is the article........

Current TV wants to get a message out about tolerance and appreciation of diversity and it's asking viewers to help.

The channel, in partnership with the nonprofit, New York-based Third Millennium Foundation, said Wednesday it is sponsoring a summer video contest, "Seeds of Tolerance," aimed at promoting understanding and with a $100,000 prize for the top film.

Judges include Paul Haggis, Edward Norton, Melissa Etheridge and Margaret Cho.

"Having personally experienced the sting of being labeled `different', I appreciate Current TV's effort to teach tolerance or, more accurately, to encourage their viewers to teach their peers," Etheridge, who is gay, said in a statement released by the channel.

"I commend Current TV for recognizing that it is our differences that make us stronger and for encouraging young people to embrace the spirit of tolerance," Haggis said in a statement.

Current TV, which already makes viewer videos a significant part of its programming, said the contest is open to filmmakers 18 and older and of all levels of experience. Films can be up to 10 minutes long and be accompanied by comments on how a project can inspire change.

Other requirements are posted on the Current Web site http://www.current.tv/tolerance. Films can be submitted to the site and will be accepted through Aug. 15.

The judges will choose five semifinalists, whose work will be shown on Current TV. In September, viewers will choose the grand-prize winner and two finalists who will each receive $10,000.

The top winner will also get $15,000 to give to the charity of his or her choice. The prizes are being funded by the Third Millennium Foundation, founded in 2000 to counter intolerance through childhood education and other programs.

Former Vice President Al Gore is chairman of Current TV, which he co-founded with Joel Hyatt, the chief executive officer.

..........end of article

Why not try your hand at this; if you were to win the contest it would certainly help your resumes and your film editing schools applications. The money sure would not hurt either.

Shooting for the Stars

2006-06-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

by Karen Thurm Safran

7th Grade Filmmaker from the Bay Area Inspires Other Kids to Pursue Dreams

The magic of the camera in the hands of great directors makes kids all over the world dream of stardom. However, the world of cinematography is notoriously difficult to break into, but young, aspiring filmmakers take heart! The Windy Hill Kids Film Festival, debuting this spring, is on a slightly smaller scale than the larger festivals in New York and Hollywood...for now. Opening in Menlo Park on April 9th, Windy Hill will showcase films by young film producers in 4th grade through high school. The festival organizers are expecting several films this year throughout the South Bay Area. And with inspirational leaders like its young founder, Shelby Rachleff, the sky's the limit. Better watch out, Hollywood - this kid is dreaming big.

A 7th grader from Menlo School, Shelby has taken on no small challenge. Brought on by her love of the cinema, Shelby's film festival will be the first of its kind in the greater Palo Alto San Mateo area. The festival will encourage dialogue between filmmakers and community members in a supportive setting.

Shelby first decided to organize a film festival after attending the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado. "This summer, I went to see the Telluride Film Festival with my parents and was inspired to try to emulate what I saw," said Shelby. "I thought there are so many of my friends who like to play around with Apple's easy-to-use iMovie and digital cameras - if they could share their movies with other kids, it might inspire them while also being tons of fun!"

This future producer caught the bug for filmmaking at a young age. Even as a little kid, she would think of ways to translate her favorite books into screenplays.

"I'm a pretty voracious reader," said Shelby. "I would make notes on which of the books I read might make great movies. I'd ask my parents how I could make a career out of that when I was older."

In pursuit of this dream, Shelby attended iD Tech Camps, a weeklong summer technology program for students ages seven to 17 at Stanford University and other prestigious universities nationwide. At camp, Shelby took Web Design and Digital Video & Movie Production courses.

"At camp, I worked in a group to produce a movie. We edited it with help from our instructor," said Shelby. "It was really exciting using professional products like Canon digital cameras, Adobe After Effects for special effects and Apple Final Cut Pro for professional movie editing. We had a blast , learned so much and were definitely inspired to produce more films. It was a great experience to get us started."

Shelby's exposure to cutting-edge movie software and hardware helped focus her interest in movie making and raised the bar of her expectations. After attending camp at Stanford University, she became inspired to try new things in her movies.

"Going to iD Tech Camps made me want to use Final Cut Pro to incorporate more awesome stuff into my movies to make them more sophisticated," said Shelby. "It was my first real introduction to using specific techniques, such as imported sounds, different logos, and experiments with lighting. It has definitely spurred my interest in filmmaking."

"But Shelby soon learned that running a film festival is more than just producing great films. As April approaches, she is busy calling schools to confirm their participation, sending emails about the festival, checking the sound system and viewing the entries. She is also preparing her welcome speech and her introductions of the various films. The guest speaker at the festival will be Gardner Loulan, a Portola Valley native and VJ for MTV's mtvU show.

"Gardner is really cool and will be inspiring to kids," said Shelby. "We wanted to make this festival really non-threatening for kids - even though there's a judge, it will be really non-threatening and a supportive environment for kids of ALL levels to show their entries. The idea is to get everyone involved and hopefully build up momentum so we can follow up with this festival in years to come."

The Windy Hill Kids Film Festival is off to a roaring start. And with up and rising film producers like Shelby leading the way, who knows? One of today's entrants could be inspired to be tomorrow's big star.

About the Author

Karen Thurm Safran writes for iD Tech Camps which is the nation's leading and most recommended summer technology camp. They offer day and overnight camps in weekly and multi-week sessions for kids and teens ages 7-17. They are hosted at premiere universities including Stanford, Princeton and MIT and include video game creation, digital video, programming, robotics, Flash® animation and more. iD Tech Camps website is http://www.internalDrive.com

What Does A Film Editor Do?

2006-06-08T23:56:00.000-07:00

By Janelle Ashley Nielson

How many times have you been in a movie theater and when the title "film editor" came up, you had no clue what that meant? In the old days, film editors were rarely given solo main title credit and most people thought they were more of a pair of hands that pieced the film together. As the decades have passed, the role of film editor has become increasingly more publicized and with the invention of computers and digital editing, more and more of the general public is aware of what it takes to edit a movie.

Film editors are the people who take the raw footage shot on a movie set, and select which shots, angles, performances and more to use, and then cut them together to form a cohesive and interesting story. The key to film editing is that there are a million choices of how to cut a scene, but a good editor will have a strong feel for pacing, rhythm, and storytelling. Editors also add music, visual effects, and sound effects to their cut sequences to add even more depth to a scene. Usually an editor will work closely with directors, writers, producers, and composers to finish a film to perfection.

Film editing is not something that can be automated and done completely by computers. Many people assume that if they purchase an editing software program that they will become an expert in film editing. Similar to how a word processing program will not make someone a best-selling author, digital editing programs like Avid or Final Cut Pro take not only technical skill but creative talent. While learning the technical part of the software will help you to cut a project, there is also valuable knowledge that comes only with experience and practice.

If you are thinking about a career in film editing, I would suggest finding a school or university that offers both theory classes AND hands on production, with editing equipment available to learn on, free if you are a student. I have found that having a technical background, in addition to being educated about the classic forms of cinema, where the rules of film language were born, and the history of film, has always given me an extra advantage that a lot of people don't have. I have several friends who have attended film programs at Columbia, UCLA, USC, NYU, and more, and all have loved their schools.

If you are not sure which area of production that you would like to go into, you might consider getting a very broad education in film and then if you decide to specialize in film editing, you can supplement your knowledge later with continuing education or Avid training camps or Final Cut Pro courses. Digital editing has become the norm for cutting films, and there are many programs available to practice with right at home on your own computer. You can purchase Final Cut Pro, Avid Express, and more simple programs like iMovie and others to get started on your editing career.

If you don't want to spend 4 years in a university or college setting, there are specialized film editing schools that you can attend through various editorial companies and training camps. These programs can be costly, so if you can manage the tuition, you can usually get a very quick hands-on training in a short amount of time. The downside to these types of training "camps" is that they teach a lot of technical basics that can't compensate for the actual reality of how a cutting room is operated. Sometimes, there is no comparison to cutting room experience! If you do decide to be a film editor, ask to sit in with professional editors to get an idea of how films are cut!

Janelle Ashley Nielson is a Film Editor in the Television and Motion Picture Film Industry. Her experience is in editing feature films, cable movies, television series, reality television, and animatics. To visit her website and view her editor credits and editor's reel, go to TheFilmEditor.com - http://www.thefilmeditor.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Janelle_Ashley_Nielson

Choosing The Right Film Editing Schools

2006-05-30T19:07:00.000-07:00

Film editing schools come in many different forms and choosing the right one for you can be difficult. Film editing schools vary anywhere from 6 week courses to a 4 year Bachelors degree program.

The intensity of training that you receive and the amount of experience that you get from each of the different film editing schools and their programs varies widely. The choice of which of the film editing schools that you choose depends greatly on a few factors.

One of these factors in choosing which of the film editing schools that you attend is price. Of course the film editing schools that offer longer programs and Bachelor degrees will be more expensive than the 6 week long courses. The cost of attending film editing schools can be as high as $40,000 plus.

Another factor in choosing which of the many film editing schools is right for you is the location. Most film editing schools are located in Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver area. If you want to be close to home, or near Hollywood then you will have to consider location when choosing one of the film editing schools.

Another, possibly more important, factor in picking from film editing schools is the level of technological training that you will receive. Some of the film editing schools can afford to teach you editing on the latest software programs while others are still using old technology. You can rest assured that when you get a job as an editor that you will be using the most up to date technology, so choose your film editing schools wisely.

A final factor in picking from film editing schools is the alumni program. If one of the film editing schools offers a strong alumni program that will allow you to complete internships and/or fellowships with experienced editors, then those film editing schools certainly offer an asset that the other film editing schools do not.

In the end, your choice of film editing schools is very important. Choosing one of the film editing schools that meets all of your needs, and your budget, will help put you on a path to success.

Film Editing Schools Lead to Great Careers

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides some great information about the importance of attending film editing schools. This department indicates that studying computer courses at film editing schools is critical, since the film industry is becoming more and more reliant upon technology.

Film and video editors often begin as camera operators or editing room assistants, cinematographers usually start as assistant camera operators, and sound recordists often start as boom operators and gradually progress to become sound engineers. Computer courses in digital sound and electronic mixing often are important for upward mobility.

Opportunities will be better in some occupations than in others. Computer specialists, multimedia artists and animators, film and video editors, and others skilled in digital filming, editing, and computer-generated imaging should have the best job prospects. There also will be opportunities for broadcast and sound engineering technicians and other specialists, such as gaffers and set construction workers.

In contrast, keen competition can be expected for the more glamorous high-paying jobs in the industry—writers, actors, producers, and directors—as many more people seek a lesser number of these jobs. Small or independent filmmakers may provide the best job prospects because they are likely to grow more quickly as digital technology cuts production costs.

Attending one of the film editing schools can help you obtain a job as a film editor after attending film editing schools. Participating in internships while in one of the film editing schools would also help promote your career after completing your education in one of the film editing schools. Film editing schools that have a strong alumni involvement will help you get these internship opportunities and give you real world experience that you can use after you graduate from film editing schools.

Getting Started As A Film Editor

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Film editing schools will help you to get started on a professional path towards your career as a film editor.

Below is some useful information that I found about getting started in the industry. It also illustrates the importance of attending one of the film editing schools and the importance of an education.

Postproduction occupations. One of the most important tasks in filmmaking and television production is editing. After a film is shot and processed, film and video editors study footage, select the best shots, and assemble them in the most effective way. Their goal is to create dramatic continuity and the right pace for the desired mood. Editors first organize the footage and then structure the sequence of the film by splicing and resplicing the best shots. They must have a good eye and understand the subject of the film and the director’s intentions. The ability to work with digital media also is becoming increasingly important. Strong computer skills are mandatory for most jobs. However, few industry wide standards exist, so companies often look for people with skills in the hardware or software they are currently using.

Assistant editors or dubbing editors select the soundtrack and special sound effects to produce the final combination of sight and sound as it appears on the screen. Editing room assistants help with splicing, patching, rewinding, coding, and storing film. Some television networks have film librarians, who are responsible for organizing, filing, cataloging, and selecting footage for the film editors. There is no one way of entering the occupation of editor; but experience as a film librarian, camera operator, sound editor, or assistant editor—plus talent and perseverance—usually help.

Sound effects editors or audio recording engineers perform one of the final jobs in postproduction: Adding prerecorded and live sound effects and background music by manipulating various elements of music, dialogue, and background sound to fit the picture. Their work is becoming increasingly computer driven as electronic equipment replaces conventional tape-recording devices. The best way to gain experience in sound editing is through work in radio stations, with music groups, in music videos, or by adding audio to Internet sites.

As you can see, there are many ways to get into the business, but attending one of the film editing schools offer you your best chance of success.

Film Editing Schools

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Film editing schools are becoming more and more popular as people see the wonderful career opportunities that can come from film editing schools. Being a film editor in today's Hollywood is a great opportunity that offers many benefits.

This blog will be dedicated to educating visitors about the different film editing schools around the country. I by no means encourage you to choose one over another, I do not have any incentive for you to choose one of the film editing schools over another.

I will simply list some of the pros and cons that all of the film editing schools have so that you can choose the right film editing school for you.

If you have a love for film making, but do not feel that acting is your passion, then you may want to consider the important and rewarding job of editing and attending one of the film editing schools.