The Best Ideas Are Close To Home

When Mike Mills was looking for an idea for his latest film he didn’t need to look any farther than his own life. Seems his father had a dark secret that didn’t come out until his father was old and dying. The film “Beginners” does nothing more than tell the story of Mike Mills family but because it is an honest and interesting story it is getting rave reviews.

If you are looking or a great screenplay idea don’t sign up for another filmmaking course. Check out this blog post on the story.

Looking For A Screenplay Idea?

The new film getting 5-star reviews has no explosions, car chases or science fiction gimmicks. I’m talking about Mike Mills’ film “Beginners” that simply tells the story of his family and especially his father’s dark secret.

Audiences love real stories they can relate to and learn from. Don’t sign up for another film making course. If you’re looking for a screenplay idea try looking at your own life. Your most emotional experiences will be your best ideas.

Top Film Schools Lists Are A Joke

The movie industry consists of thousands of jobs, each requiring such different skills, that any top film schools list that you might find is clearly a joke. The sad fact is that most film schools, even the one’s commonly considered the best film schools, are overpriced trade schools teaching the skills required for the lowest paid and least glamorous jobs in Hollywood.

Before you pick your school talk to people in the film industry. Ask them how they got started. How did they get their training? Are they happy with their work? What does their daily work consist of?

Don’t know anyone in the film industry? Search on the web for people doing the work you imagine you would enjoy. They probably have a web site or some other place you can find their email. Send enough emails to enough people and you will get the answers you need. You might even find a mentor who can save you a lot of time and money finding your dream job.

Top Film Schools – Does It Really Matter

Top film schools discussions are always sure to lead to heated exchanges. Students are quick to defend their schools but I was glad to receive a comment from a visitor who asked: does it really matter whether or not you go to one of the top film schools so long as you learn the skills you need?

This visitor was asking an excellent question. Where you learn doesn’t matter as long as you get what you need.

But there are two other important questions that need to be asked before you can chart your course for your educational journey.

The first question has to do with whether the school you are considering is going to cost a reasonable amount compared with what you will get out of the training. All of the schools claiming to be among the top film schools have very high tuition rates leading to enourmous school loans that you will never be able to pay off at the typical salaries film school graduates earn.

The second, and far more basic question, is about how much the student actually knows about the demands of professional filmmaking and if they are psychologically suited to the hard work required. If they will be able to muster the hustle and self-drive needed to succeed.

I think very few top film school students have ever actually spent much time talking to real filmmakers or any people who work in the film industry. They’re imagining that after graduation they will be able to find work that doesn’t exist.