Specialize in post production or not ?

T

tdemiris

Ok , here is the thing. I have a 5 year diploma in Chemical Engineering ( MSc ) but my passion has always being in directing movies. For the past 2 years I have written and directed an award winning short http://vimeo.com/15153578 and 2 music videos while doing all the post myself ( including the editing and all the vfx) http://vimeo.com/theodemiris/videos I've also worked as an editor and a cinematographer in several student projects. Currently I am 25 years old and doing my obligatory army service while trying to decide about my future ( I'm from Greece and while the country is falling apart we are still obliged to a nine months service before or after our degree)

While I consider myself to be a filmmaker even though I haven't attended a related school , I think it would offer me a lot and would be a wiser choice to specialize in the area of post production. Maybe then I could land a permanent job in the field while pursuing my directing dream . My problem is that apart from the internet community and exactly because I haven't attended a film school , I have none to consult and talk about such a subject. Therefore I am looking forward to your comments and thoughts on my situation.

I thank you all in advance .
Theo Demiris
 
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hey, we re in the same boat. i got degree in physics, and work in aviation field.. made some shorts, got an award for one of them.. Im 26.. want to figure out wether i should stay in aviation field, and make money, or pursue a dream job in filmmaking..

my plan is to do filmmaking on the side, dont have other life, and look for a steady income from films. until then - keep my current job.
 
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It all depends on who you are.

Whats important to you?
Do you have a family to support?
Can you live on the barest necessities?
Can you get a day job that keeps your education fresh, but lets you work part time?

Some thoughts:
The internet community is the community that counts. Its new media and your in the thick of it. In 10 years the "other people" will be kicking them selves in the back side for not jumping now.

You've worked lots of projects, certainly you can call in some favors, so your not alone.

To do INTERESTING things money is very helpful. A day job with a decent income can really help you get the gear and toys you think you need, at the cost of not having time to use them, finding balance here is hard.
 
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Well, let me look closer to your question:
you have a degree, but your passion is directing.
Now you want 'a degree' in post production, but your passion is directing.

It's not wrong to enter the market in post-production to pursue directing, but make sure you are passionate about post-production as well.
There is a chance you'll never be a director, so if you're not passionate about post-production you might as well become a scientist ;)

Or you can invent something the world wants and you can make in Greece.
Let's face it: Greece needs more than olives, tourists and sheep to recover ;)


Anyway: welcome!
 
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Well I do , I am passionate about every aspect of the post production workflow and when I say specialize I obviously mean in a specific part of the hole process. I guess my question here is whether such studies will help me and if such a choice is wiser than going to a casual film school while already having some experience of my own .
I keep thinking that no one can actually "teach" you how to direct. Yes the can teach you the "language" of film and the technics ( nothing that a good book can't ) but the directing presses is something personal that you have to go through with some hands on experience and experimenting with personal projects . On the other hand , post production knowledge could actually get me closer to the industry while giving me the tools an the know how to reduce the budget of my personal projects..
What do you think ?
 
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One thing's for sure, I will always keep working on personal film directing projects weather I end up a chemical engineer or a VFX artist . Having an Indie-DIY filmmaking background though and being used (even obliged) to work on every aspect of creating a movie , ( from script writing to pre production to post- in shorts and music videos )I keep feeling that there is a lot for me in the VFX field. For example, I'm in the process of penning my first feature film and I think that this project in particular and my craft as a filmmaker in general have a lot to gain from such a knowledge. On the other hand I know that this is not how the industry works and that no one is looking to hire an all around guy ... I'm way over my head on this.
 
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In my opinion you can learn directing on a proper filmschool in way a book can't.
Why?
Different teachers with real experience will have their own signature and can give you feedback no book can give you, because a book is a monologue and not a dialogue. They can probably help you find your style of directing because you work on projects and you'll get theory and workshops.
You can discuss the problems you ran into during shooting your projects, etc...

On your own you can also read theory and do your own projects, but then you'll have to find people who can give you proper feedback.
(It's always up to you what you do with feedback. You have the right to disagree ;) )

But other people will tell you you don't need filmschool.
I guess both opinions are true; you just need to work hard, learn theory, do stuff and find people who can give good advice.
 
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