How to Survive & Thrive in Film School

As a service to the young filmmakers who submit films to the YoungCuts Film Festival, we will be featuring weekly filmmaking tips from YoungCuts Alumni, Partners and Friends.

Over the years I’ve spoken to many media students from a variety of schools, backgrounds and career paths. Most have the same complaints about film school, examples of ‘I wish I knew then what I know now’ and advice they pass on to younger film students. Here is a not-so-short list of tips that are relevant to any media student no matter what school you attend.

#1. Take Notes

• #1 For a Reason
• Never know when you will need the information you are given
• Good note taking skills will help you in ANY entry level position you get after graduation

#2. Set Your Own Goals

Getting good grades and completing course goals is great, but...

• You need to have your own ambitions, especially when you set out to shoot a project.
• What will make this shoot different?
• What do YOU want to learn or achieve while filming?

#3. Make Your Education Your Own

• Don't have to wait for your film program
• Dive deeper into your own interests
• Find things out for yourself

#4. Have Post Mortems

• Post mortem is a meeting you have after any stage of production to talk about how things went.
• Chance to air grievances, weigh your goals and decide what is working and what isn’t 
• Reflecting on your work and goals is the best way to avoid repeating mistakes

#5. Temper Ambition with Realism

• Film school is where you should be making your mistakes
• Dream big and take risks, but don’t get in over your head
• Maybe make one big but manageable risk per project

#6. Nothing is Guaranteed

• So don’t assume anything, hotshot.

#7. Develop Relationships with Your Teachers

• This ain’t high school anymore
• Your teachers have their own connections and experiences that you could benefit from
• You will be treated like a professional if you act like a professional

#8. Have a Hobby

• Need to have some conversations about something other than making films
• Need something other than films to help you unwind
• A good hobby is a stress reliever

#9. Round Out Your Career Path

You may not always get the crew position or class you want, but you can find ways to compliment and broaden your horizons...

• All directors should train as Assistant Director (AD)
• A classical mythology class will help writers
• Editors who know about colour or special effects will always find work

#10. Make a Kit

• Compile all those little things you always need on set
• Keep them with you.
• Having things like Sharpies, AA batteries, Post-It Notes, dry-erase markers, string, measuring tape, quarters, masking tape, a mini stapler or Kleenex will make you a lot of friends

#11. Eat Healthy and Stay in Shape

• Filmmaking is an endurance test every step of the way
• You have to lug everything out after wrap that you brought in during set up
• If you can’t make it through your first 18-hour call you’ll be useless by day four

#12. Know Your Production Inside and Out

• You can only be an effective crew member if you understand the production.
• True for both Producer and Production Assistant (PA) and everyone in between
• Read and understand production material: director’s vision, shot list, call sheet, etc

#13. Know What You Want from Your Crew

• Be sure you can tell every member of your crew EXACTLY what they will need to do
• Have goals they will have to live up to
• They are your crew first, friends second

#14. Feed Your Crew

• Pizza and Red Bull don’t count as craft services!
• Make sure your crew has healthy options when they break
• Fruit, granola bars, bagels, juice, sandwiches, etc. can be found for cheap
• Not only will your crew love you, they’ll be able to work effectively

#15. Respect the Hierarchy

There is a chain of command on set; on set we each have our role. Those roles are more important on set than your friends or roommates...

• Not meant to belittle anyone or their role; meant to maintain an efficient set
• AD is in charge because they are AD
• Director gets final say on the shot list because they are Director
• KNOW YOUR SETIQUETTE!

#16. Have an AD and a Call Sheet

• AD last crew position people learn about and work into their sets, but absolutely critical.
• AD runs the set; important to have one and know what they do.
• Make sure the role is filled effectively even on a small crew

#17. Block. Light. Rehearse. Shoot.

In production, every scene you shoot should follow this formula:

• First BLOCK with your actors while the crew watches
• Then crew can set everything up and LIGHT the scene
• Bring actors back out and REHEARSE while making any technical tweaks you need ’til the action is perfect
• Only then are you ready to SHOOT.

#18. Prepare for Entry-Level Jobs

No matter how great you are at what you do in school, your career will most likely begin at an entry-level job when you graduate...

• The better prepared you are to PA or become an office manager the quicker you will move up.
• Know how to be the best camera trainee or second camera assist you can be 
• Smile, take notes, be early and know how to work a variety of coffee makers

#19. Consider Commercials

Many film schools don’t teach you too much about the commercial world even though it is a great industry to find paid work even for students and recent grads... 

• PAs are well-paid and can gain experience and contacts in a short amount of time
• Look into local commercial production companies and production managers
• Learn more about how commercial sets function

#20. We’re All in This Together

Every one of us wants the same thing and we can all reach our goals faster if we help each other out...

• Don't compete with classmates; compete against other schools
• Everyone helps wrap equipment
• Karma is instant in a world as small as film school

Keep calm and shoot on.

James Vorstenbosch is a Toronto filmmaker and Founder/Executive Director of Film Army. His film Straight and Narrow was one of our Top 100 International Short Films for 2010. Follow James on Twitter: @filmarmy

This post is based on one originally presented by Film Army.

Agree with James? Disagree? Have your own filmmaker tips, best practices or mistakes to avoid that you would like to share? Get in touch! E-Mail the YoungCuts Film Festival Director: festivaldirector@YoungCuts.com