I never went, but when I started in the biz I lived in LA.

I personally don't think it's necessary to go to film school to be filmmaker or to work in the industry. But I ain't mad at anyone who goes.

There's lots of other ways to learn the stuff you need to know, plenty of ways to get the connections you need to work. And certainly plenty of other ways to spend your money, though LA CC isn't that expensive.

I would question going from NY to LA just to go to LA CC, unless you're doing it just to be in LA. There's a lot of schools in NY, lots of production, and perhaps a greater sense of cooperation within that community. You can learn and get experience out there without having ot be in the hell that is LA.

I started as a writer. When I made up my mind to be a filmmaker, I started with a short film. That, in essence, was my film school. The best film schools are the ones that combine hands-on experience with knowledgeable instruction. I networked and found some good, experienced people who were willing to help me out and show me the ropes.

Film and art theory is a critical next step, but many schools, particulary the smaller ones, neglect that. Then again, some of the bigger ones, rely too heavily on classroom instruction, and offer limited opportunity to actually make a film. You have to find the right balance for you. It's a good idea to develop a critical eye, but nothing beats just working on a set for learning how to do this stuff.

The thing is, as with most formal education, the information is out there for you to soak up even if you never go to school. It comes down to how much of a go-getter you are. Filmmaking is still a field where you can be an apprentice, volunteer your time, and pick up real knowledge.

Good luck.

RED

"Sounds like Zen," I said. "Interesting
enough in itself as a system of
thought, but not much
good for explaining anything."
© Haruki Murakami, The Wind-Up
Bird Chronicle.

RED
http://arrena.blogspot.com