Thank god i found this site while surfing the internet. Im a 22 years old Malaysian guy, stuck with a Multimedia Degree (ugh!!). I want to take up filmmaking at first, which is my dream since i first laid eyes on Jurassic Park, but since my parents are too cheap to pay for film school, i went to a computing school (parents will never understand you, do they?). Anyway, now im thinking about continuing my masters in filmmaking. i have noted a few unis in the States and also Canada. I would like to consider GB too, but the exchange rate is killer. I have a few screenplays lying around that i have written for the past couple of years, but i dont a film. now im thinking bout shooting shorts so that it can be used for my portfolio. being in a 3rd world country with crappy cinema industry doesnt help, and all i have is a DV camera. do you think its enough shooting shorts on DV?

Welcome, to the forums, and the beginning of your filmmaking addiction

In answer to your last question - yes! You can definitely make short movies with a DV camera, and use them for your portfolio. This is what schools typically expect.

In the US you have great masters programs at NYU and USC, and at numerous smaller film schools as well.

Great Britain doesn't have much of a film school thing going on, from what my british friends say.

Canada has a couple of schools, but I hear mixed reviews about them.

Other places to consider are Prague, and Australia, both of which have at least one fantastic school.

Have a look through the film school forum here, and you'll get an idea of what it takes to get into film school. Of course, the masters programs are much harder to get into, and typically only accept a handful of students every year.

Good luck!

Welcome to the community. Filmschools don`t look at the quality of your camera equipment, your screenplay, story-telling and other creative variables mean them more.

Thanx for the replies guys.

Ive checked informations a few school in Prague. FAMU seems like a good choice. I was eyeing PCFE actually for a while, and thanx to this site, i can cut it out from my "potential" list. Theres one in Australia which supposedly is very good, but they only accept Australian or Australia PR only. Foreiners can only join their workshop.

Anyway, will start shooting soon, on DV . Right now going to start a short screenplay. Oh, one more thing, what is the best software to edit my film? Ive been using Windows Movie Maker, but the quality of the finished product is very sub-par.

It depends, if you have windows you can use Adobe Premiere Pro or Avid. If you have a Mac you can use Final Cut Pro. Those are the big three really for editing. There are other programs out there like Velocity do a search and see what you can come up with. I guess it also depends on your budget also.

quote:

Originally posted by mikester191:
If you have a Mac you can use Final Cut Pro.

...or Avid.

cough*vegas*cough

While nothing beats Final Cut Pro on a Mac, depending your budget as you said you only have DV camera, iMovie 6 HD is a good beginners tool, and they've added some stuff to kind of make it for shorts, etc. Not too familiar with the PC ones, I head Avid, or Adobe are the best bets, but never used them. I have found on a PC WMM is also a good beginners tool, but I just felt is was lacking something...can't really place what, but just felt that way.

im dont see why somany people like vegas i think that it sux personally but hey thats just me right?