filminternships

Let's examine what's needed to get a job for film internships.

1. Determination and Drive. Would you be okay to work 18 hours per day? Flakes are not tolerated on the production side of things. If you are a flake and want to work in film, try acting.

2. Creativity. Do you have a unique theme in mind? Would people care about your subject matter? Can you visualize your film in your mind's eye? Do you obsess or dream about your story?

3. Do you adjust well to pressure? Do you love defying Murphy's Law? Do you know make the most out of your limitations?

You seem to have what it takes to be successful in the film industry if you have responded affirmatively to the three questions above. However, drive and determination, creativity and thriving under pressure aren't sufficient. Obviously, you need to have above-average technical skills. And you certainly need contacts, connections, hookup and referrals. Let's tackle these issues.

Learning job skills are pretty self-explanatory and for the most part is. Any good mentor can pretty much teach you how to turn on and point a camera, to set lights and to work an editing bay, among others. Another important thing to consider if you're serious about learning the basics in the film industry is your learning environment. In traditional schools, the practical applications are taught in a very structured environment. This year's class carries out the same shoots and projects as last year's class and the one before that, and so on. The alternative film school's approach prefers a more hands-on, learn by doing method that thrusts the student into real-world shoots where everything is being done for the first, and only, time. In essence, traditional film schools are where you practice while alternative film institutes (such as Film Connection), are where you experience the real deal.

Who you know may be the most essential piece of all. In the film business, this is how people get hired. A vacancy opens at a film company...someone resigns for a better job elsewhere, leaves to get married, moves out of state, retires, etc. and suddenly there is a job opening. When this happens, the person in-charge of recruitment won't gloss over resumes and start calling candidates. Rather, they're going to pick up the phone and call someone in the industry they have on speed dial to check if they know of anyone who's available. This scenario clearly demonstrates the importance of connections, or networks, in this kind of business. The more working professionals in the film industry you know, the higher are your chances of getting the job. The fact is, it's not enough to simply have the talent. But talent, combined with a recommendation from somebody in the business, is an unbeatable mixture.

The final consideration is financial. Traditional film schools can leave you up to $100,000 in debt and the fact is, the majority of film school graduates don't earn this kind of money for several years. Do you really want your film career to start in debt? Or would you rather use that money to produce your own movie?

All this and more are the reasons why the Film Connection Film School Alternative was started. It seeks to provide you with the best of all worlds, and not just both worlds. You learn job skills from a working professional who serves as your personal mentor or trainer. As you will be working on real film projects, you are learning from the best possible environment. You work on a variety of projects so you get a variety of real world experiences. The school's structured curriculum will teach you both the traditional (theory and history; equipment and production techniques) as well as business (fund-raising, distribution, permits, contracts, talent releases) aspects of filmmaking.

Every film shoot you go to is an opportunity to get new film industry contacts. Bear in mind that everyone who works in the film industry knows one or more people in the same field - as a result, you will have access to people who can help you out. The Film Connection film internships give you that chance. Six months is all you need to finish the course - just the length of time you need to be comfortable with everything that you have learned. Lastly, the cost of the Film Connection Film School Alternative program is only $7,750. The institute believes that anyone who hopes to be in the film business need not spend $100,000, not even $25,000.