ProMoviemaker Magazine - Is film school worth it?

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CASE STUDY FURTHER EDUCATION

IS FURTHER EDUCATION A WAY IN?

IS FILM SCHOOL WORTH IT?

We asked some ex-students to share their experience of life after graduating to see if it really helped their careers. WORDS TERRY HOPE

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PRO MOVIEMAKER SUMMER 2017

FURTHER EDUCATION CASE STUDY

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ilmmaking has never been a more popular career choice, but there’s still great debate about the best way to break in. Many have gone down the time-honoured route of learning the business on the hoof and forcing a foot into the door through back-breaking hard work, networking and volunteering to take on every on-set job that might be going. Others have opted for the academic approach and have spent three years or more being tutored by seasoned professionals, and with opportunities available to take on projects in tandem with fellow students. This route has its detractors and there is the undeniable fact that you’ll come out of the process with a hefty student loan around your neck. But many of those who opt for this approach swear that it’s worth every penny. As we’re at the time of year when many are completing their studies, while others are contemplating taking on a course very shortly, we talked to some of those who have gone through the process and have had time to see whether their qualifications have delivered what they hoped for. One of the key advantages of the academic route is the chance to learn directly from working professionals and pick up first-hand tips and techniques that can enable you to take short cuts to

“I would always be as engaged as possible with them and get their business card” where you want to get to. You’re also free to gain experience and to make mistakes that won’t have catastrophic commercial consequences, but it’s important to have a clear focus regarding what you want to get out of your training from the outset. “I always had my eye on life after my degree,” says Robert Panners, a recent graduate from the Met Film School, “and, as such, I was always on the lookout for any opportunity that could potentially lead to employment down the line. “I was particularly alive to this on my chosen pathway – producing – and we would often have guest tutors come in, including drama producers, distributors, sales agents and so on. I would always make sure to be as engaged as possible with them and to get their business card, with a view for future networking opportunities.” A big break for Robert was the opportunity of a six-month internship

at Met Film Production, a sister company to the Met Film School, which gave him his first documentary feature film credit. “During that time I learned a lot about how an independent feature film company runs day-to-day,” he says, “and all the work that goes into developing and financing a feature film. I’ve now also got in-house production assistant experience that I can put down on my CV. In short, I would say that if any graduate from Met gets the opportunity to work for Met Film Production, they should jump at the chance, as it will be really worthwhile to their future career development.” One year on from graduating, and Robert has a paid position in TV production, plus a wide selection of credits and experiences in both film and TV. “Going forward, I hope to progress further, broaden my experience and, in a year or two, move one or two steps closer to realising my ambition of eventually becoming a television producer. I do have a plan mapped out as to how I would like to get there, but another thing that I have learned over the course of the last year is that circumstances can very easily dictate the direction you head in, and sometimes it is necessary to take opportunities as they find you. It is, however, also important to always remember your ultimate goals and to stay true to them.”

SUMMER 2017 PRO MOVIEMAKER

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