Anybody in a film production course?

Elessar

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone on boards is doing a film production/audio-video course at all and what they think about it. I'm starting a fp course in September but I'm not entirely sure what to expect. For those who are doing one, how difficult is it, generally speaking?

I'd love to get people's opinions on this. Do you like it, why etc?

Jim

I did one in Film Base (not really the same thing if your doing one in college).

For me my course was pretty much all common sense. Just told us all the basics of Film Production, from camera operation, editing, to scripts. Some of it can be pretty boring, but from my experience the course was fairly simple.

Lump

I did media Production. It might be simple to grasp. But it's damn hard to excell in any field, camera, sound editing, directing, script writing. Obviously the idea of pointing a camera and pressing the BIG RED button is easy enough to understand. But what about flowing camera work, getting interesting shots of boring subject matter, creating mood with lighting etc etc. If you;re interested in how films are put together and all the hard hard work that goes on behind the scenes then you'll love it. If, however you;re looking for an easy ride, you'll more then likely get kicked off the course before you know it.


John

BlitzKrieg

i do film studies in apu cambridge which has a huge practical element. Its great cause it covers a diverse range of media from animation to 16mm to typical digital editing.

My advice is to see if your course covers 16mm filmwork as well as digital because the majority of large scale film production is done in 32mm so digital work while usefull is not as impressive (or useful) as knowing how to properly edit and use a *real* camera (where the little red button is the last thing you press after fiddling with a hunderd or so knobs and dials)

Trip Hazard

I finished a Coarse in creative audio visual it was a plc that got me a good enough portfolio to get excepted to a film production coarse in september. Elesser where are you doing it in september?

Elessar

Trip Hazard, I'm going to Dhulaigh in coolock for the 2 year film production course You?

Trip Hazard

I'm doing it in Ballyfermot College, its the same as yours but i hear ballyfermot has a better reputation, well good luck with it anyway.

Owenw

I'm planning to change careers and break into tv or film production.

I did an 8 week DV production (C+G cert) evening course at NMTC earlier in the year which was OK, pretty obvious and straightforward stuff for the most part. I was hoping for more hands-on camera and editing technique rather than the basics.

As the next step, I'm thinking of applying to Ballyfermot as a mature student next year.
What sort of past experience do they look for?
What level of video work do they expect at the interview?
Is the course as good as you hoped? Better?

cheers,
Owen

mycroft

Owenw wrote:

I'm planning to change careers and break into tv or film production.

I did an 8 week DV production (C+G cert) evening course at NMTC earlier in the year which was OK, pretty obvious and straightforward stuff for the most part. I was hoping for more hands-on camera and editing technique rather than the basics.

As the next step, I'm thinking of applying to Ballyfermot as a mature student next year.
What sort of past experience do they look for?
What level of video work do they expect at the interview?
Is the course as good as you hoped? Better?

cheers,
Owen

Okay firstly good luck.

Secondly are you applying for the film or TV course? Or both, is there a particular field you're interested in?

The TV course is extremely well regarded in the industry, and from first hand experience a large portion of the film course graduates that I'm still in contact with have had success in their chosen field.

The good news is ballyfermot is a VTEC course which means you can apply for the VTEC allowance (the dole plus rent allowance, travel and lunch expenses and course expenses) And from the time I was there a sizeable chunk of the classes were mature students.

I came straight from school, so as you can see prior experience isn't necessary.

What do you mean by "video work at the interview" There isn't a pratical exam.

What you will need is a porfollio. What I'd recommend is, if you haven't done so already, make a few short films. You'll need a script, some pillable friends a computer to edit on and a camera.

Your portfolio should show a variety of work, some scripts, some writing, some photographer, and short(s).

Two things to do. Call the course head, go in met them, and ask them about what level they'd expect in a portfolio. Also go in on the open day.

The course is hands on, and the experience is different for everyone, the more you put in the more you'll recieve, it's also a colaberative process so you'll be

lodgepole

If you are looking to go to Ballyfermot for either TV or Film, the man you want to talk to is John Moriarty. You could do worse than complimenting the new building in the interview... It's pretty much his baby, and if you can find something out about it and talk to him, with some knowledge, about the new facilities it'll go a long way. He's the course head of both the Film and Television departments.

Owenw

Thanks for the replies Lodgepole and mycroft.

Yes, by 'video work' I meant my portfolio. Sorry, my brains' a bit fried today.
Would a music video also be suitable as part of a portfolio? I've been working out some ideas for a video for my brothers band.

After seeing promos from the likes of Rushes and work by Chris Cunningham and Michel Gondry I've probably aquired an unrealistic impression of how polished a portfolio should be!

I would like to get into editing, post-production and or camera operation. I have been leaning towards TV production but haven't ruled out film and will probably apply for both.

Can I ask, are you both working in the film / TV industry now?

lodgepole

Owenw wrote:

Can I ask, are you both working in the film / TV industry now?

I only graduated this year from the TV course and am emigrating to Canada in October for (television) work. Don't let that put you off though, there's plenty of TV work in this country for anyone with talent and who'll work hard. Again, Ballyfermot has that field covered because it's a very hands on course. You'll do a three week stint in Whealans in Dublin filming gigs that emulates real life work as well as you can. The college also has a good working relationship with TV3, where you'll no doubt do some (ridiculously early in the morning...) work experience.

Anyone from the class who I expected to be working in the industry is now doing so. A large amount turned down lucrative jobs to continue on to degree level also.

Not to mention the new building I already mentioned, it's a bastion of the most modern television equipment available. While there were moments during my two years there where I was sceptical as to how good the course was (organisation is poor to say the least), overall I would recomend it. It was only after I left that I realised how much I had learnt there.

Elessar

The ballyfermot course sounds pretty good, I hope we get some work experience in dhulaigh! Mycroft, can you tell me about this VTEC allowance? Are the any websites about it? I could check if my course is a vtec...

I know i've heard it mentioned before but don't know anything about it.

mycroft

Mycroft, can you tell me about this VTEC allowance? Are the any websites about it? I could check if my course is a vtec...

It's a back to education allowance for people who are unemployed Elessar if you're coming straight from school you're not eligible.