Film schools/universities?

A quick google search told me:
http://www.aftrs.edu.au/
http://www.internationalfilmcollege.com/
http://www.qsft.qld.edu.au/
http://www.apa.edu.au/
http://www.bond.edu.au/
http://www.fti.asn.au/
http://www.nida.edu.au/

other than the ones you already mentioned. I don't know anything about them so I can't comment which ones are great.

In the USA, the most famous and respectable (opinion), film schools seem to be USC, NYU, and UCLA.

Note: I am going to be a freshmen at college in the fall, and was seriously considering being a film major, but decided against it. Remember, you don't need a degree to be a filmmaker, and techniques and editing can be learned independently.

May i just ask what kind of film school are you looking for?

Like, do you want to learn about film, media and television, and what goes on in the background as well as how they've come to be so? Or do you want to learn how to make film and get your hands dirty?

Of course, you can't really do one without the other, but it's a difference in focus.

And it's as much a question i'm asking you as one you should be asking yourself.

Hi Josh.

I've worked with several directors that came out of the Melbourne VCA and they are all making good inroads into the industry and doing great work. Seems like a good place to me.

Synia said:

May i just ask what kind of film school are you looking for?

Like, do you want to learn about film, media and television, and what goes on in the background as well as how they've come to be so? Or do you want to learn how to make film and get your hands dirty?

Of course, you can't really do one without the other, but it's a difference in focus.

And it's as much a question i'm asking you as one you should be asking yourself.

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Hey guys, I'm kind of looking at in between. More looking at a course that focuses on actor direction and screenwriting, rather than the cinematography side if that helps at all. I've looked at 2 in the states which are Columbia College Hollywood & Full Sail University, both which look amazing.
VCA is my first choice, but seeing as it's a 16 person course, I need to keep my options wide open.
I know I don't need a degree to get into the industry (look at Leigh Whannel & James Wan who both did the RMIT diploma course), but I feel I need to do something to increase my knowledge base of both how the industry works, how a film set works and also just the techniques involved in creating a film.

I feel I need to do something to increase my knowledge base of both how the industry works, how a film set works and also just the techniques involved in creating a film.

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4 years is overkill to learn filmmaking. That's about as meaningful as a degree in Art History. If I were you I'd save my money and time, and go to school for one semester (or read a few books) then try to start working. Beware that you are entering a very tough field. There's a ton of people trying to get very few well paying film / TV jobs. Anything "indie" is losing money. Work on an indie film and you are being paid in peanuts.

There's a lot of talk these days about how so many college degrees only put you in debt. Check out YouTube for "College Conspiracy" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E13Yi7N-4I&feature=related. There's a 1 hour video that is very informative. I think this thinking couldn't be more spot on when it comes to getting a degree in film.

I agree with Blade Jones.

From my limited experience from one single university (the University of Auckland) It seems that when they give you a bachelors degree, there would be a lot of theoretical stuff. Such as, history of filmmaking, rules in cinematography, Scripting, Directing.

You learn about the wonderful stuff such as in LOTR, Frodo and Sam is ALWAYS moving from left of the screen to the right ( or is it right to left? i can't remember) And how in Pan's Labyrinth, when the main character is showing her evil-er side, her face is lit from one side, while other times her face is lit from the other. You learn about playing with dimensions in film, and the effect of different types of transition on the audience. You learn about iconography and themes in a film.

There's RED's avaliable for student use and computer labs loaded with FCP and Adobe Master collection. But it's more learning ABOUT how to do those things, than DOING those things. It's a great course don't get me wrong. But It's all theory. And no, i don't mean theories are useless as Blade_Jones MIGHT have implied. I think they can be very helpful to ones film-making, but they are probably not what you have in mind.

Instead, from what i can see, the diploma courses around seems to be more hands on. They would of course, also include the theory things as a degree would include the practical things, but just not as much.

I majored in a useless 4-year degree called "Broadcasting"... well I went to college mainly to party so it wasn't a total waste. I took away very little from it all.

For filmmaking you'd be way better off just reading some books, maybe taking a class or two, then start working on indie films. 4 years would be much better spent working as a PA, production manager, 2nd AC, etc. I've definitely met plenty of people in various walks of the film business in Hollywood who never had any formal training. It's MORE about being a driven person, willing to work ridiculous hours without complaining, and being easy to work with as a person. Some people are just not cut out for it. If eventually they don't become a union crew person or get hired by a major production studio then they usually do get burnt out.

@ Blade Jones: Yeah, i totally know what you mean.

Though one advantage of going to some sort of diploma or certificate is that you get to meet people. And knowing people is always helpful in this industry.

I definitely follow you Blade, I met a scenarist in Hong Kong who had actually left everything behind him in England to go to the Philippines, cause he had heard about great opportunities over there.
Came with a few friends and quickly found a company that would employ him.

He was really having a great time, just saying his boss he had to look for new ideas in foreign country and he could travel all over Asia.

So don't focus on your studies, Harvard or nothing, the middle is bullshit