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    21st Century Film Student Primer: Everything You Need to Know and Do Before You Go to Film School
    21st Century Film Student Primer: Everything You Need to Know and Do Before You Go to Film School
    21st Century Film Student Primer: Everything You Need to Know and Do Before You Go to Film School
    Ebook212 pages1 hour

    21st Century Film Student Primer: Everything You Need to Know and Do Before You Go to Film School

    By John Pozer

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    About this ebook

    What if there was an easy-to-follow roadmap for beginner filmmakers to realize their best film school experience? 21st Century Film Student PRIMER is thoughtfully geared towards helping students ensure that their investment in post-secondary film education delivers the maximum possible return. Cinema, media, and visual arts programs want successful students, and PRIMER lays out a practical approach for scholastic achievement.
    Award-winning filmmaker and educator, John Pozer, draws on thirty-five years of experience to inspire and empower the up-and-coming filmmakers of tomorrow. A straight-forward, entertaining and comprehensive guide filled with proven strategies, helpful tips, and creative exercises used by writers, directors, and filmmakers around the world.
    No matter which school you want to attend, or what kind of films you want to make, you'll find time-tested advice on how to build your voice, accomplish your best work, and make the most out of your creative time and efforts. PRIMER is the first book film schools want students to read. It is the must-have companion for anyone setting out to study filmmaking.
    "Every film student should be hanging onto this book from the day they first consider film school to the day they graduate." - Sebastien de Castell, Former Director of Program Development, Vancouver Film School.
    "Simple, insightful, and to-the-point. Nobody can tell you if film school is right for you, but Pozer's insight can guide you to the right place to make that call." - Tony Zhou, Co-Writer/Director/Editor, Every Frame a Painting.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTellwell Talent
    Release dateNov 29, 2018
    ISBN9780228802327
    21st Century Film Student Primer: Everything You Need to Know and Do Before You Go to Film School

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      Book preview

      21st Century Film Student Primer - John Pozer

      21ST CENTURY FILM STUDENT

      PRIMER

      EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO BEFORE YOU GO TO FILM SCHOOL

      JOHN POZER

      21st Century Film Student PRIMER

      Copyright © 2018 by John Pozer

      Cover Design: Matthew Gagnon

      www.matthewgagnon.ca

      Editors: Justin Gagnon & Matthew Gagnon

      Executive Editor: Oscar Pietri

      Available at special discounts when purchased in bulk for educational use. For inquiries, please visit www.pozervision.com, or send an email to 21stcenturyfilmstudent@gmail.com

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

      Tellwell Talent

      www.tellwell.ca

      ISBN

      978-0-2288-0231-0 (Paperback)

      978-0-2288-0232-7 (eBook)

      PRIMER

      READER REVIEWS

      John Pozer’s book PRIMER is critical reading for anyone considering attending a film school. As a film teacher in a public high school, I have seen too many students commit to a very expensive education without fully preparing to make the most of it. PRIMER breaks down every possible aspect of attending film school and provides valuable insights in how to squeeze the most out of an intensive and competitive educational process. This book is the best money any future film student (or parent of a film student!) could possibly spend. Rarely do post-secondary students enter their programs fully prepared to get their full money’s worth. This rare book allows film students — any student really — to do just that. There are numerous suggestions and exercises specifically designed to ensure the student understands what they can do to be ready to go on Day 1 of their film school career. I can only beg parents and future film students to get this book as early as possible — grade 10 even — and dig in right away — it will make a huge difference. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

      - Robert French, Film Teacher, Brookswood Secondary School/Producer: The Hamster Cage,

      See Grace Fly; Screenwriter: Noroc

      If you are a prospective film student, or the parent of one, you both want to read this book. I wish I had.

      - Oscar Pietri, Vancouver Film School, Film Production Alumni 2012, Producer/Executive Editor

      This is the book every aspiring film student should read, a true eye-opener about what to expect when going to film school and the nature of the industry they’re hoping to become a part of. Also a great read for recent graduates or filmmakers already on their path to professional success, this book will help you re-evaluate what you’ve learned and motivate you to create.

      - Olga Maldonado, Voice Actor.

      A must-read for both students of film and amateur filmmakers. The insightful tips and practical examples given will help filmmakers make informed decisions in both their careers and artistic endeavors.

      - Christopher Cowden, Filmmaker & Educator

      John Pozer taught me much of what I know about film, and reading PRIMER is like taking his class all over again. It’s simple, insightful, and to-the-point. It offers good advice without being needlessly prescriptive. Best of all, it gives you the chance to reflect before you take the plunge. Nobody can tell you if film school is right for you, but Pozer’s insight can guide you to the right place to make that call.

      - Tony Zhou, Co-Writer/Director/Editor:

      Every Frame a Painting

      In loving memory of my parents, Doris & Bill Pozer.

      And to my lovely wife, Lorraine. Thank you for sowing seeds of wonder.

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      READER REVIEWS

      INTRODUCTION

      PART I FIRST THOUGHTS

      Is This Book for You?

      How to Use This Book

      Three Tricks for Film School

      The Major Dramatic Question

      CREATIVE BINDER: FIRST DAY

      PART II STARTING OUT

      FILM SCHOOL FORMULA

      Talent

      CREATIVE BINDER: TALENTS & INTERESTS

      Goals

      CREATIVE BINDER: SMART GOALS

      Effort

      Outcomes

      THREE BIG QUESTIONS

      Do I Need to go to Film School?

      CREATIVE BINDER: SCHOOL CRITERIA

      Do I Need to go to a Particular Film School?

      CREATIVE BINDER: SCHOOL SELECTION

      Do I Need to go to a ParticularFilm School Now?

      YOUR FILM SCHOOL BUDGET

      Big Investments

      CREATIVE BINDER: FINANCING & COSTS

      Costly Mistakes

      Faster, Better, Cheaper

      PART III GETTING AHEAD

      ADVANCE SCHEDULE

      CREATIVE BINDER: ADVANCE CALENDAR

      Books to Read

      CREATIVE BINDER: ‘MUST READ’ BOOKS

      Screenplays to Study

      CREATIVE BINDER: FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN

      Films to Know

      CREATIVE BINDER: YOUR TOP FILMS LIST

      CREATIVE BINDER: FILM STUDIES

      EXPERIENCE

      Teamwork

      Pitching

      CREATIVE BINDER: LEARN TO PITCH

      Public Speaking

      SKILLS

      Storytelling

      CREATIVE BINDER: PECHAKUCHA

      Photography

      CREATIVE BINDER: 24 FRAMES

      Drawing

      Sketching

      Storyboarding

      CREATIVE BINDER: STORYBOARDS

      Drafting

      PART IV STAYING AHEAD

      Creative Assets

      Ideas

      CREATIVE BINDER: STORY IDEA GENERATOR

      Scene Outlines

      CREATIVE BINDER: SCENE OUTLINES

      Scripts

      CREATIVE BINDER: 30-MINUTE STORY DRILL

      CREATIVE BINDER: SHORT SCRIPTS

      Portfolio

      CREATIVE BINDER: PERSONAL STATEMENT

      Creative Work

      Demo Reel

      Writing Sample

      Brand

      Written Communications

      Personal Meetings

      Professionalism

      PART V FINAL NOTES

      Do It Right the First Time

      Creative Binder Checklist

      Select Links

      Select Bibliography

      Glossary of Academic Terms

      Glossary of Screenwriting Terms

      Glossary of Filmmaking Terms

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      MEET THE AUTHOR

      There are three things that matter

      in film school: ideas, ideas, ideas.

      JOHN POZER

      INTRODUCTION

      One hundred years ago, people were lining up to enroll in the first-ever film school. The teachers were pioneering filmmakers and avant-garde theorists whose ideas influenced cinema enthusiasts around the world. The original prototype for formal film education was founded at the state-run Moscow Film School. The model quickly spread to neighbouring countries and training the new generation of filmmakers became a priority for the development of national identities.

      One hundred years later, through many changes and challenges, film education has flourished. World-class programs are a magnet for creativity, attracting some of the most renowned artists of modern times. But film schools are more than gathering places for collaborative talents: they are vital to the advancement of the art form, cinematic movements and cultural revolutions.

      Cinema has captivated the world’s imagination for over a century. It has secured a global audience across many generations, and opportunities in the motion picture industry have never been greater. Film schools, however, have seen the cost of education and the competition for enrolment result in larger classes, shorter programs, and fewer full-time instructors. While these changes benefit the bottom line of school budgets, they also threaten to erode the transfer of knowledge and the serious study of cinema.

      The 21st century film student should not be deterred. All of the information and everything you need to know in order to make a great movie is readily available. There has never been a more dynamic time to be in film school.

      If you plan on pursuing a post-secondary film production education, I hope this book is the first step toward your best possible outcomes. If you’re starting a program, or already in one, I hope to inspire you to make your best films. Whatever your situation, with this book in hand, I guarantee that you’ll advance toward your cinematic ambitions more prepared, more confident, and more focused.

      This book is a collection of ideas and strategies for re-thinking film education from the student perspective. It’s about creativity, voice, storytelling, and how to get the most out of film school based on my years of experience as a filmmaker, film educator and film student. More importantly, this book is about you, your goals and your stories. The world is waiting for you to make your films. My hope is that you make them the best they can be.

      John Pozer

      2018

      The film industry is demanding and competitive. You need to know what you’re getting into—and you need to be ready for it.

      I’m a believer in both instinct and preparation. I think you have to go in prepared and then you have to be able to throw away your preparation if something better occurs. But if you go in just with the vague hope that something brilliant will happen on the spot, you could be in a lot of trouble.

      ROGER CORMAN

      IS THIS BOOK FOR YOU?

      This book is for readers of all ages who are curious to know more about film education; are enrolling in a film program; or have a loved one or friend who is.

      This is the book I wish I had read before I went to film school.

      The ideas here may have a broader appeal to readers interested in media, animation, game design or studio arts, but the content is geared toward those adventurous souls planning to explore the world of filmmaking through formal post-secondary education.

      There are a few assumptions I’m going to make for anyone venturing further:

      1.You are considering or already attending a film production program or want to know more about it;

      2.You are interested in a degree, diploma or certificate as part of your career development;

      3.You hope to establish relationships and career opportunities in film school;

      4.You know that a career in film is challenging and competitive.

      If you’re looking ahead and wondering what you could learn or what training you could pursue that would lead to a job that is creative, rewarding and give you a sense of autonomy, then something in the film industry might be an appealing choice at first glance. However, careers in the film and television industries vary widely.

      If you are already in the workforce, perhaps in a job or profession that hasn’t brought happiness or satisfaction, filmmaking might seem like an exciting, social and lucrative alternative. Working your way up to a key position can

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