Film school is always a good place to start if you’re interested in pursuing a career in video production. After all, you’re going to be in an environment that is specifically designed to help you learn as much as you can from the production industry.
You’ll be learning from teachers who have devoted their lives to teaching this material, and you’re surrounded by peers who share the same aspirations and goals as you do to make your mark in the video industry.
However, while there certainly is no denying the merits of going to film school to boost to kickstart your video production career, you will soon learn that there are just some things that you will have to learn firsthand that you will never be able to learn unless you actually go through the experience.
Film school is a good start, but it will never beat actual industry experience. Here are some things that the film school will never prepare you for about the production industry.
Working with others on a project
When you go to film school, there is no doubt that you’re going to gain a lot of knowledge on how to work on film projects and operate all types of equipment and software. You’re probably also going to learn a lot about how to coordinate with different individuals on projects.
However, what you don’t learn until you’re working in the industry is how exactly to work with others in a professional setting. In school, everyone is obligated to show up for a grade, but in the professional world, you’re going to have to learn how to work with people who don’t have a good idea of strict time management.
In addition to that, you’re going to have to learn how to set the same standards for yourself in order to guarantee a project’s completion. You’re also going to have to learn how to work with different departments and professionals to get the output that you need for the project to meet the vision you all have for it.
How to handle casting
Another thing that film school doesn’t really prepare you for when it comes to the video production industry is how to handle casting.
It’s one thing to send a call out for auditions for a role in a film school production, but it is a whole other thing when you’re looking for the right kind of talent for your professional video.
You’re going to have to learn how to collaborate with other professionals to find the best look and talent to bring your video’s vision to life. There is much more at stake than a grade if you end up choosing the wrong talent.
How to juggle the actual environment and work on the spot
When you go to film school, it’s easy enough to devote enough time to your projects and everything else, it’s a controlled environment. In the video production industry, you have to learn how to develop your own work ethic to make sure your video is a success.
The industry doesn’t care if you’re having difficulty juggling everything, they only care about the final product. You’re going to have to learn how to develop a work ethic quickly if you want to survive in this industry.