Learning FilmMaking: Self-Education vs. Formal Education vs. Fast Education
I found this site a long time ago and was somewhat impressed by the content of what they were teaching…
Apparently, the 4-day Travel Channel Academy teaches you how to shoot travel videos so that you can become a professional videographer for the travel genre of filmmaking.
I was at one time considering this indulgent program because at the time I was doing so much traveling and still photography that it seemed like the obvious next step.
But after thinking about it I recognized that 4 days was a bit short to get one’s career rolling.
Additionally, I am now in a program (at Northern Arizona University) that costs about the same (for one, 4 month semester) but is infinitely longer, more thorough and will teach me more and leave me with a much better reel.
And it’s accredited, so I’m getting a legit degree as well.
On a website/blog like this that encourages you to go out and just start shooting, would say that there are three steps to getting good at all this.
The first is to go out and do it and learn as much as you can on your own.
The second is to get a mentor and around people so that you can watch and pick up their better habits and techniques. (actually, the best thing would be to combine the first and second steps)
The third is formal education, but only if you’re still getting to work hands-on and only it is an excellent program.
Don’t do 4 day programs that promise you a career. It’s a good place to start for some people I suppose. It’s a FUN place to start for a lot of people, which I think it what initially drew me in.
I would love to get some feedback on this… Anyone take this course or one like it? Any thoughts on this subject?
