#19 Reason I Hate Film School . . . It's Not Really Updated!

Can you imagine? About fifteen years ago, most people were watching movies using VHS tapes, and didn't really think twice about it. And then, people we're using VCDs. Although I have to say, it didn't take long for DVDs to be the norm for watching movies at home. And now, Blu-Ray! I think I barely got over DVDs.

My point it, the technology used in this industry is always changing. What the average people know about are the DVDs and VCDs, but what about the equipment used behind the scenes? The camera? The lighting? The programs used for editing? A lot of these things are always changing, always being updated. And to be successful in this field, we need to keep up!

And to be honest, I don't think you can do much of keeping up when you're stuck in a classroom and not seeing how it is being done out there. What we need to see firsthand just how films are made and the technologies that are used to help someone take their image and share it with the rest of the world. Whatever it is you're learning in a classroom or from books, chances are, about half of it won't be applicable once you're out there in the world.

#18 Reason I Hate Film School . . . It Can Be a Waste of Time Sometimes

Think about it. We spend all these months in one semester learning about all these theories and techniques and approaches to different aspects in film-making. And not every aspect too, just the major ones. (But I’ve already said something about that.) After one semester, we get another one to look for internships where we can apply what we’ve learned.

That’s great. The opportunity to apply what we’ve learned in the actual setting is always one of the best ways to see just how much you’ve learn and just how well you will do once you’re on the job. But I feel like, in a way, a semester is also lost there.

Who’s to say we’re still going to remember everything we’ve learned from the past semesters? Who’s to say that what we learned from the previous semesters are actually relevant to the internship we’ve got. Wouldn’t it be great to be able to learn and apply at the same time? It’s a time-saver, for sure, plus we know exactly whether what we’re learning is relevant or not. And if it so happens that it’s not, we’re not waiting for a full semester to find out.

#17 Reason I Hate Film School . . . They Ignore the "Little" Details

There are many aspects that make up a successful film. The most obvious are the high-profile ones: the actors, director, screenwriters, producers, maybe even those who are in charge of musical scoring and cinematography. Thousands of dollars are spent in studying these different fields in making a film, that film school graduates become too proud of it, they forget the little details that make a film work.

These details may not be as big as coming up with the story, and of course, that is a hugely important part of the film-making process, but without these little bits, do you think the film will be just as successful? I don’t think so.

What about the production assistants? Those who do the beck and call of the directors and producers, things that these bigwigs think they’re too important to do. But this work, for me at least, makes me just as connected to the film. Just as if I was the lead star too. I wanna be able to be in a learning environment that encourages you to follow your dreams of becoming a part of the film-making industry, even if it’s not as well-known a position as the others.

For others, being part of the process is enough. Sure, you gotta be creative, but without the not-always-seen people working behind the scenes, trying their best to be able to transform the creative thoughts into something the audience can relate to, what’s the use of all that “nurturing of creativity” in film schools.

# 16 Reason I Hate Film School . . . Focuses Too Much on the "Creative" Aspect

The sad part about going to film school is that it focuses more on the more high-profile aspects of making a film, the screenwriter, the director, or the actors, to name a few. But as we all know, those are not the only components that make up a great film. There are other aspects too. What about the technical aspects? Like the lighting or make-up or wardrobe?

These are more technical than creative, and most of its creativity relies on the director and/or producer. But what if these are parts of the process that I want to be involved in. Not everyone who wants to be making a film want to be the actor or the director or the screenwriter. Sometimes, people are totally content on staying a bit more behind the scenes, and that's perfectly okay. But traditional film schools don't encourage that. We spend hours and hours studying films, trying to pick the greatness in the acting and the directing and the writing, but what about the rest?

The other aspects of film-making, though less known, as just as important. Without these "little" things that go on behind the scenes, how successful would the film be in telling its story? It's not just about the actors or the director or the writer or even the producer, everyone else involved is needed to make a film a success.

#15 Reason I Hate Film School . . . When I Graduate, I Won't Find The Kind of Work I Studied For Right Away

Yes, that is true. When I graduate from a traditional film school, I won't be able to find the kind of work that I studied for. Most industries in this field would rather that you've got some experience under your belt before you could start working for them. They're not gonna appreciate your film school diploma, no matter how expensive it is and how much time and money you've invested in them. Nope, the best way to get noticed by the head honchos of the film-making industry is if you've got some internship experience, something to show them that aside from studying film, you know what to do once you're in a film set.

Trust me, they're not going to waste time teaching a complete newbie how to work around a set when they could find someone else with more experience and give the work to them. It's going to be hard to gain their trust with just a diploma and enthusiasm. So it's pretty frustrating to have spent all that time and money and still have to contend with the fact that after graduation, despite all the hard work I've done, I'm not that much closer to fulfilling my dreams.

#14 Reason I Hate Film School . . . It Costs An Arm And A Leg!

Most traditional film schools expect their students to come from the old filmmaking families. Coppolas, Scotts, Donners, and Nolans - you name them, and they and their uncles have probably gone to film school.

Naturally, this means that they've got money to burn. And because they've got money to burn, it also means that these traditional film schools charge and arm and a leg. The sad part is that they charge such exorbitant tuitions to EVERYBODY. Nobody's spared - not you, not me, not your neighbor's nephew.

So what options do the rest of us mere mortals have? Well, there's always Film Connections. The tuition is reasonable. It won't send you or your parents to the poorhouse. Best of all, however, you actually learn something because it's not just for show. You're trained in a real set with real film crews as mentors. That's some value right there!

#13 Reason I Hate Film School . . . I Don't Even Get to See a Film Set!

As a film student in a traditional film schools, we get the opportunity to study the works of masters and learn from them. Be able to nourish our creativity by observing them. And yet, there's only so much we can learn in a classroom . . . and so much more when we're in the set of an actual production.

Once we're done with film school and armed with our diplomas and the knowledge we've accumulated, we're off to find work. And yet it's not going to be a pretty sight when we're on the set and are completely clueless about how things are done there. Among the rather amusing scenarios would be bumping into the huge camera or tripping over the wire. But then, we'll stick out like a sore thumb. It's going to look like we have no idea what to do there. And that's because we don't. We don't get to be in an actual set while we were still students, still learning. And our potential employers? They're not going to appreciate it. They won't appreciate having to teach the fresh graduates what they would consider the basics.

So no thanks. I want to be able to see an actual film set even when I'm still studying. We're aiming to impress when we're looking for a job. Looking lost on the first day of our job might be expected but it's not going to be very impressive.

#12 Reason I Hate Film School . . . What's Next After Graduation?

I'm sure there's a lot to learn in film school, but you've got admit, we come to school to look for a job, right? And knowing all that we could in school would not be enough. The filming industry is not like any other industry. A lot of what you need to learn to be able to make it big, you will learn on the job. I mean really, what's the point of going to school then other than learning the basics.

Other than that, it helps to know someone in the industry to open doors for you. To show you the ropes of making it work. It would be nice for film schools to give us that push toward the right door. I don't feel like graduating and starting from scratch, because wouldn't the producers and directors rather hire someone who's actually been in an actual movie set than having been stuck in a classroom for years? I'm sure they would rather have someone who knows how to work from experience rather than from books. Nothing beats hands-on learning.

That's right, film school can only take you so far, but to be able to work in the industry that we love, we've got to be able to experience it while we're learning it. To do both at the same time, learning about film and working in film, would just be great.

#11 Reason I Hate Film School . . . I'm Not Even Sure I'm Learning Enough

Imagine this, a huge classroom, a small blackboard, sixty other students trying to catch the attention of your teacher. And this teacher? I doubt he's even made a film in the last five years. I don't really want to learn how to make a film that would have been a hit if it was still 2004.

In this fast-pacing industry, who even remembers what was big in 2004?

My point exactly.

And I'm dreaming big, I'm not holding myself back; I want to really make it in this industry. And I want to be able to make the best use of the person who's teaching me. One who wouldn't be too distracted from the other students who are also doing their best to do the same thing. And I want to be taught by someone who's done something in this field, someone who's been in it for a while and is still in it. He knows exactly what the current audience needs so our films can reach out and touch as many people as we can. Film is a great way to say something, and we need to know that we can get people to listen.

And how can we do that if we don't even know how to make them listen now?

# 10 Reason I Hate Film School . . . I Spend So Much Time in a Classroom!

I know that film-making is not just about lifting a camera and making sure the record button was pressed On, though that is still very important. But I don't think that Steven Spielberg won all those Oscars because he spent all his time in classrooms, trying to stay awake along with his classmates, copying information written in a blackboard that's already in a book.

To be better, even the best, at this, we need to be out there and experience it ourselves. There's only so much we can do inside the four walls of a classroom, watching films and trying to figure out what makes it the best. I mean, of course I love watching films and finding out what makes them tick. True, it's my favorite thing with studying film, but I'm studying to make films, not just watch them.

And in a classroom, there's just too many of us in a room. I think it would be better if I was being taught by someone who wouldn't be distracted by too many people vying for his attention, trying to get them to answer their question. Knowing that the person teaching me has less distraction to deal with makes me more confident in our lessons.

# 9 Reason Why I Hate Film School . . . They hinder my creative juices from flowing!

Seriously? I hate film school. It's like overly priced tuition fees and a lot of "theory" and less practice. Film studies offered in universities are probably the most boring studies ever. Students are probably learning more theories behind film making than actual film making experience themselves.

I mean, I've been there and done that. And the only thing I really enjoy about film studies in a university setting are the classes wherein you are supposed to watch one film after the other and try to dissect them. Seriously, that's a lot of fun because you're combining two things that you like: watching all the movies that you want and learning about films at the same time. The only other thing about film studies in the university that I like is the fact that we are given the opportunity to play with different kinds of music in order to find that auditive, radio connection that we find in most film soundtracks.

Think about it in this way. If there was only some way, some practical means, a more hands-on kind of film school out there, studying films and film making would probably be as much fun as it really is... It would probably be as interesting as it really is...

# 8 Reason Why I Hate Film School...They do not encourage creativity!

They are extremely formulaic in their approach to film making and anything that falls outside the norms is not considered to be worthy. I know that schools teach you logic and want you to be very left brained. Don't question anything and if you don't follow their rules and guidelines you will be reprimanded. I wanted to go to Film School because I thought it was going to encourage my creativity and to think outside of the box but I was completely wrong! I can't wait until I'm finished with Film School so I can start working on my ideas and not have such strict guidelines. I suppose I am learning my lesson and my advice to other people considering Film School is don't waste your time or money! A mentorship, apprenticeship type program would be ideal if you want to break into the film industry.

# 7 Reason Why I Hate Film School...They softball everything!

When I say softball everything I mean that they do not prepare you for the endless 16 hr days, the incredibly hard work, the amount of dedication it takes, or the amount of grief you will receive from your superiors. I have friends who currently work in the film industry and I know how hard they work and how much dedication it takes. When I talk to them about the real world and what I'm doing in Film School it is a joke. They laugh and tell me how it really is. It seems like regardless if it's film school or any other school they never teach you the realities of business and the working world. The only knowledge I have of the real world is through my friends and peers which I am thankful for so that when I'm finished with school I have some idea of what to expect.

#6 Reason Why I Hate Film School...They teach you too much!

They tend to try to teach you too much. Instead of focusing your efforts on a specialty they try to teach you a little bit of everything. This industry is very specialized and people can, and are, offended when you try to do their job for them. They need to teach people to do a job and do it well. I know sometimes it's good to know a little about everything but when it comes to this industry it definitely isn't very helpful. I think it's better to learn a skill and be a pro at it instead being a jack of all trades type of person.

#5 Reason Why I Hate Film School...They Don't Teach You How A Real Set Works

They don't actually teach you how a real set works. You might be on a student set, but the realities of a working, professional set are vastly different. They don't teach you how to focus on your job and do your job only. There is a lot of multitasking going on with student sets which doesn't translate into the professional world because people's toes get stepped on...

#4 Reason Why I Hate Film School....I am not a director!

I'm a producer and in film school they teach you to be a director. You can't teach talent and so much time is spent on making everyone a director. They don't help you find out what you are good at and cultivate it as a one on one mentor/apprentice relationship does. If they spent more time in specializing students, students would have a better chance of getting a job in their specialty. Why should I take advanced directing classes when I have no interest in directing at all?It's a waste of time and energy when you are learning something you don't have any passion for! 

#3 Reason Why I Hate Film School...No real world production experience

The #3 reason why I hate Film School is they don't teach you real world production. One can't simply walk down to the camera room and pick up a camera. In the real world, you have to go out and rent one or buy one, for example and they did not teach us the steps or process for these things. The lack of real world experience is inhibiting and frustrating. I have a degree from a Film School and lack the knowledge of the most simple things that should have been taught.

#2 Reason Why I Hate Film School....big class size = no one on one time

The #2 reason why I hate Film School is there is no one on one time and the class size is too large. I was in a class with over 40 people and there was no personal one on one time. I had to schedule a meeting if I needed help with something and they had to be schedule a week or sometimes two weeks in advance and other students were included in the meeting. I did not have any one on one time with professors and could not get any in depth help. Classroom settings for teaching film does NOT work! You can't learn film by lectures and from books.