FILM SCHOOL DIRECTORY

Contrary to the common Hollywood wisdom, you need not attend one of the celebrated dozen or so film schools which comprise the "cream of the crop" in order to get a terrific education in movie craft. If you consult a film school directory, you’ll no doubt come across dozens of institutions – hundreds if you count schools overseas – which can provide sound basics in everything from technical camera work to story structure for screenwriters to entertainment copyright law. Your film school directory should also turn up solid info on super-specialty schools – institutions that instead of offering a smorgasbord of generalized film knowledge instead cater to a very special entertainment industry niche. For instance, the film school directory may list special schools for lighting, colleges which offer advanced coursework in film theory, and trade schools for individuals interested in so-called "below the line" set work.

With so many educational choices offered by your film school directory, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information about the industry that you don’t yet know. The good news is that, while academic instruction in the film industry can definitely help your career, you can also get solid "life education" by getting a job in the industry itself. Entry level jobs in Hollywood can be both physically tough and emotionally taxing, but just because you get a film school degree doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to skip this apprenticeship step down the line.

Once you enter the Hollywood work force – either as a film school grad or as a neophyte – bear these tips in mind. First, as early as possible, figure out your subspecialty in the Hollywood food chain. Working towards a concrete goal will make your life infinitely easier. Second, expect to eat crow for at least 2-3 years; good Hollywood jobs are incredibly competitive to land. Finally, remember that your industry education should never end: read the industry trades (The Hollywood Reporter and Daily Variety) every day, and network as much as possible. Keep your mind open, and prepare to work your tailfeathers off!