If your passion for film goes beyond the excitement of watching them and you want to be involved in film production, attending film school is a great way to get experience, knowledge and connections in the industry. This page is a guide on how to choose a film school.

(Creative Commons photo by Simon Davison)

• Film school is a great way to learn more about the movie industry if you want to work in film production or post-production, such as directing or editing movies or creating animations or special effects.

• There are many different film schools in all areas of the nation. Some film schools offer a broad spectrum of education in many different aspects of film production. Others are specialized in specific areas. Moreover, some schools only teach specific fields of the movie industry. Screenwriting and acting are two areas of the movie industry often taught separately. It's always useful, however, to get exposure to different areas of movie production.

• When deciding which film school to attend, take this things into consideration.

1. Where is the film school located? While Los Angeles is the capital of the movie industry, you can get a good education anywhere. If you want to work in independent movies, seek out a city with an arena for independent movie productions. A location with close ties to the film industry can provide you with connections and exposure to the industry during your education.
2. The faculty of the school. They should have some experience in working in the industry. You don't want the people who never made it to teach you how to succeed in the business. Don't expect to be taught by Hollywood's biggest stars, however. There are many well-made independent movies made every year.
3. The facilities and equipment. This will be especially important if you plan a career in cinematography, sound editing, animation or other technical aspects of production or post-production. However, it's always helpful to learn about different aspects of film making.
4. How long is the program? Some film school are short-term crash courses in the industry, while others are several years long.
5. Are internships part of the program? While you can find an internship on your own, it will be easier to balance it with school if it's part of the curriculum. The school might also have connections in the industry that will help you to find a good internship.
6. What is the school's reputation? While smaller and less known film schools can offer a great education, a school with a good reputation will look better on your resume.

• When choosing a film school, take into account the location, facilities, equipment, length of program and several other factors.

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