Anonymous asked: did you go to film school? do you have any advice for someone who is considering going?
Sort of. My freshman year I was involved with the film program. By the second year I had moved, and my new college didn’t have a great program, so I switched to a music major. When I started touring regularly, I put college on the back burner. During time off between tours, I’d work as a PA on various sets, so I learned much of what I would have during film school that way.
If you decide to go, take advantage of every opportunity available to you. There are some terrific connections you can make through mentor and intern programs coordinated through film schools, especially the schools in the LA area. If the school will let you use their equipment after you’re finished with assigned projects, create your own and upload them to YouTube. Build a body of work so when you graduate, you have a resume or reel all ready to go. And most importantly, as with every industry: network, network, network.
Going to film school isn’t a requirement to work in film. Just like majoring in music business isn’t a requirement to tour. Many people have succeeded with a four-year degree, many people have succeeded without going to college at all. If you work your bum off, network, and show your ambition and drive, you can ‘make it’ regardless of traditional educational background.
