Posted by mediagrizz@gmail.com on 08/27/07 15:51

On Aug 25, 4:17 pm, "shoemaker...@yahoo.com" <shoemaker...@yahoo.com>
wrote:
> Hello,
>
> My kids (ages 12-17) are interested in making movies and videos.
> Where should they start? (They already know they need to go to
> college. Other than that.)
>
> All serious suggestions will be appreciated.
>
> Ted Shoemaker

Hey Ted,

First: Get them involved in any productions possible. Check in to
school/community college/cable access ect.

Second: Contact your state film commission and get on their mailing
list. This will give you notice of what is being shot in you local
area. Contact the production company and volunteer as a unpaid
production assistant aka PA. One can usually get a end credit at least
to start or add to a resume.

Third: College is always great but film school is a huge wast of lots
of money and time. 99% of the crew on any film have never been to any
type of film school. Well over half have never been in any college
class. In film production experience counts more than any formal
education.

Forth: Lifestyle. Filmmakers are nomads. You can expect to work on any
project from a few weeks to several months. The ring trilogy took 5
years. It is not practical for most people to maintain a house or apt.
during the time they are gone on a film shoot and so the live a mobile
RV lifestyle. Others marry someone with a good enough job to support
their mates film making addiction.

Last: Do something else. Film making is very hard work with very long
hours. Crew will work no less than 12-16 hours a day six days in a row
then one day off and start over again. Half the time you will work
during the night.

I don't know where you are but my wife and I work on
Indies( Independent Films) all over the US south and southwest. If you
are anywhere close contact me off list and I will discuss in more
detail.

Grizz

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