Anyone seeking an education in the finer points of movie making will be deciding between film schools. No two movie centric institutions are the same. Before a student begins the selection process they should first decide on what kind of degree they desire.
Movie making is the study and understanding of how a movie is created. The key concept any student will have to master is to be able to read a film. Reading a movie is understanding the shots used to tell the stories and understanding why those shots were used.
The study of movies is also understanding the importance of where the camera is and what it is looking at between frames. The position of camera to the subject being recorded is vital to understanding the proper elements of a successful movie. Watching the successful movies and breaking them down is no different then understanding the individual brush strokes of any great painting. Camera placement is not the only part of a successful movie.
Lighting plays a crucial role in movie production. Not only does it illuminate the subject but also can be used to cast shadows or eliminate them as the filmmaker sees fit. Proper use of lights can make an actor appear visually striking, or scary or even sad. When the right combination of light and camera placement are balanced the movie seems to jump off the screen and grab the viewer.
When deciding between different schools one can choose to go to a University or to a more focused filmmaking school. Deciding on a film school means the student will be given the chance to understand theory behind movie making. They will also learn to use the tools afforded to any modern filmmaker. All film schools offer one final thesis the student must accomplish before graduation, the creation and presentation of a completed student film.
Choosing a university to pursue your film studies means a four year commitment to graduation. Four year schools are heavy on theory and less so on the actual production of a movie. The final student film is usually saved for the end of a students studies and is shot and produced during their senior year. The goal is to have the student leave with a full understanding of all aspects of the movie making process.
When one has decided on a University education they should not assume that they are all the same. Some schools have a better and richer filmmaking criteria then others. These are the colleges that offer the student superior and modern equipment and facilities. These schools are not cheap so during the comparison one should use all of the factors for their final decision. The correct choice for the student will be the one school that blends cost, theory, hands on production as well as equipment.
Besides universities many can choose to go to a school specifically designed for filmmaking. These schools are shorter in term usually 2 years at most and are less about theory and more about hands on production. Students will learn to read a film and immediately take their knowledge and begin working hands on. When choosing this kind of institution one should remember that location, cost, equipment and class size are key factors to consider. A smaller class size means more singular attention between student and teacher. Institutions located in major cities offer the filmmaker a diverse range of locations to choose from.
Choosing among the different film schools in Canada can be difficult but no more difficult then choosing among any number of institutions. Filmmaking schools will focus on practical learning compared to a university which will provide more theory with a blend of practical learning mixed in. Understand the kind of student you are and the kind of education you are seeking in order to make the right choice easier.
Think you got what it takes to become the next creative leader? Visit some fashion schools, and enroll in some event planning courses in one of Canada’s premier animation college.








