Straight Outta Film School — PT2

So, to summarise my previous article:

• It was a hilly journey.
• I went through a major emotional overhaul of my life.
• Film school had many challenges that left me feeling unconfident in my skills but then helped me regrow my roots and also as a filmmaker.
• Film school had missed many marks that my colleagues and I discovered too late and entered our final semester feeling unprepared.
• Film school was preparing us for a Hollywood-esque happy ending that wasn’t necessarily relevant to all of us.
• I found what I wanted to do with my degree which was to help small businesses with video marketing
• Got my diploma in marketing
• I don’t regret film school. The experience wasn’t perfect but I still loved it.

This article will mostly focus on the wisdom I picked up during my time at film school and even afterwards, things that some of my mentors shared with me and now I will be sharing with you.

So let’s get into it!

1. Be certain of what you want

I saw many people coming in and out of my degree and uni who didn’t fully know what they wanted. Some of them wanted to be famous and make a lot of money. Some wanted to bludge. Some wanted to know more about what they could achieve creatively.

But I found those who were sure (or even became sure during their time studying) cruised through their degree or at least had it easier than others. Plenty of people changed majors during their degree which happens. And you know what? They were happier.

2. Don’t go to film school if you want to be rich and famous

Filmmaking shouldn’t be about wanting to make money. Just like any creative industry or skill, you do it because you absolutely love it.

Does it give you a rush thinking about it? If you answered yes then you probably found what you want to be doing.

Don’t do it because you feel pressure from others. Choose a degree that you know will feed your soul. Opportunities to do what you love and make money will come, but the only way you will make money is if you take the opportunities and learn to make you own opportunities.

Studying film wasn’t easy. It was difficult, aggravating, hair-pulling frustrating. But it was rewarding, exhilarating, and humbling. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing your ideas, once envisioned in your mind, to then become a reality. It brings a smile to my face just writing about it.

For your own well being, do this for you. Do this because you can feel your mind and heart agreeing, which leads to my next point.

3. Let your heart and head come together to make decisions

I was originally studying to be an archaeologist back in 2016. I didn’t finish that degree because I found my mental health was taking a huge beating from the pressure of doing what was expected of me. I wanted to be an archaeologist for many many years before I graduated high school. I had decided that “yup, this is what I want to do”. I had moulded my life entirely around what I THOUGHT I wanted from it.

I covered my walls in pictures from archaeological digs, ancient paintings, I had a page at the beginning of each notebook dedicated to quotes from people I’d looked up to.

And that’s when the awful mental tug-of-war started and it nearly ripped me apart. I was battling between the woman I wanted to be and the girl everyone had expected me to be.

3 years. That’s how long it took for me to acknowledge what my soul was craving. Thankfully, I had had enough and decided to make a change. I ignored the pressure from family and friends and did what my heart needed. I know it’s completely cliche to say something like that but hear me out.

Filmmaking is synonymous with problem-solving. Constantly you're doing mental arithmetic to solve issues to produce your vision. This means you work the analytical side of your brain quite a bit. However, filmmaking is creative and so your artistic side of your brain is worked as well.

Intuition and practical thinking collide. So when I say let your heart and head come together, I mean allow yourself to make decisions from both an emotional and analytical standpoint because when you make your film that’s when you see the full potential of your story.

4. Take every opportunity presented to you

This is my one regret from film school. I didn’t say yes enough. And this did impact me, especially towards the end. There were events I had been invited to and I simply said no. I did become more aware of my boundaries during this time and I had learnt to turn things down. The simple fact for me is that I’m an ambivert with a more pronounced introvertedness (is that a word?) and social gatherings EXHAUST me.

But I had said no too many times. I missed master talks by really accomplished people, women-specific events, excursions, film screenings, open days. I just never felt like wanting to be around people. I wanted to go home and watch films. I regret that.

I saw how the people who had gone were making connections, getting internships, even jobs. If I could go back and redo anything it would be those moments where I would just say yes.

If you don’t get anything else out of this article then at least take this away. Any opportunity for you to be involved in films, or events, or just be there to support your colleagues/friends… do it. You won’t regret it.

5. Build your portfolio as you go

We all know how important portfolios are to getting a job in the creative industry. Therefore it is super important that you keep yours up to date. Add EVERYTHING you do and EVERYTHING you’re proud of during your studies.

Also, get out and join sets from other film schools. This is how you expand your network and get outside knowledge. Look on Facebook groups and join communities that are crew specific, revolve around your focus, or for filmmaking in general. People post ads for crew and cast all the time. As long as you’re brave, you will find something.

Building your portfolio is all about being resourceful. Create projects that aren’t assignment based and by that I mean create projects outside of school. This shows you have initiative and that you’re serious about what you’re doing.

6. You’re not a failure if you don’t find a job right after graduating

This is a big one and one I feel heaps of people forget when they get closer to graduating. Either that or it dawns on you not long before graduating that you may find it difficult to find work after.

This doesn’t apply to everyone of course. Some people are lucky enough to find work after graduating almost straight away. Some people find work during their degree. But it’s unfair to have the belief that everyone will find work soon after.

It’s a lot of effort. A lot of rejection, a lot of ghosted recruiters, a lot of searching and emailing. It’s exhausting and a topic for another article.

Despite all those things, however, it’s important to remember to not fall into the “I’m a failure” rabbit-hole. We’ve all done it. It’s emotional and degrading when you’re constantly told you’re not good enough.

The truth is, they’re wrong. You are good enough but you aren’t what they need at that time. And that may change as you develop and gain experience. Or when they have a different role that fits your skillset.

It’s important to remember: You’re not a failure. You’re a success in the making. Rejection and resilience make you more knowledgeable and experienced. Not to mention, it’s a build-up to something great. Just you wait and see.

7. Learn some of the skills before getting into your degree

Ok, this was my best tip during my degree. I’m lucky enough to come from a media family so I was exposed to film most of my life. This means equipment and software that is typically used in the industry I had become familiar with. So I had practice and exposure and let me tell you, that all came in handy.

I learnt about editing and photo manipulation before I got into my degree. I had already written a film script which I directed. I had been a camerawoman and photographer on at least two feature documentaries. I had the experience.

When it came to film school, the fact that I had these already under my belt meant that I absorbed information better and I worked more efficiently. Most others who I had gone to school with had also pre-existing experience and it was incredible watching them grow.

Film school allowed me to evolve and develop exponentially which may have taken longer had I done it all on my own. I had more available to me to learn with and I had experts who directly mentored me. These were the main benefits of attending.

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So, concluding this story, I picked up on a few things which I am now passing on to you dear reader. If you ever have the chance or option to follow your dreams, remember to absorb anything and everything. We become knowledgeable in order to pass our wisdom on. Learn, experience, and grow. Be shameless of your talents and skills because that is your superpower.

Film school had been a varied experience for me and I am often asked if it was worth it. Just like anything you get involved in, whether that be a degree or some other qualification, there are good moments and moments which could have been improved. It wasn’t perfect, I can’t lie and say it was. I can say that there are areas in which there must be a change, but that won’t diminish the positive influences it had.

I will do some more tips in the future so stay tuned!