InFocus Film School Blog

Want to be a screenwriter? Check out these five things to consider when picking which screenwriting school is best for you.

By Kennedy Randall

Say you have a passion for writing or a natural way with words. Maybe you are a film buff and want to see your imagination play out from the page to the screen. Choosing the right screenwriting school may not only help you tune up your writing skills, but teach you a handful of other skills that can aid your professional growth. 

During screenwriting school, you will develop your storytelling skills, understand the inner workings of the film industry, and make connections that will help your personal and professional goals. Here are five things to consider when choosing what screenwriting school will be the best fit for you. 

Instruction During Screenwriting School

One of the most important things about any education is your instructors’ ability to make a creative impact on you. There are some online, prerecorded screenwriting workshops you could check out if you wanted to dip your feet in. 

Having the opportunity to learn storytelling skills directly from an industry professional in screenwriting school is invaluable. You will learn how to screen write side by side with your teacher. This teaches the accountability needed to create great first drafts on time. With face to face instruction, you get carefully crafted workshops and exercises, as well as always having a professional to turn to with questions or ask for creative advice. 

You can always look up the teachers on IMDB or Linkedin while researching programs. Researching to see if they have industry connections and experience that will help you with your goals is always a good idea. Having an experienced instructor give you feedback and constructive criticism will undoubtably make you a better writer. 

Variety of Skills Learned

Who you are learning from matters. Your instructors are the ones who know the field, therefore, they know what makes a successful portfolio or pitch. When picking your screenwriting school, make sure that you will learn a variety of skills. Some basic online screenwriting programs may only teach you writing, only one out of many important aspects of becoming a professional screenwriter.

For example, learning how to pitch your idea is a valuable skill that may not be found on an online screen-writing school. Your ability to pitch your great idea is what is going to bring home the money in the long run.

In screenwriting school, you also get the opportunity to network with other top industry screenwriters. Teachers often bring guest lectures from their professional network to chat with students. Meeting more professional screenwriters means learning more skills from talented individuals. In an online program, you miss this opportunity to network and learn from various people in the field. 

 

Connecting With Peers

During screenwriting school, your peers become your team and your instructors are your mentors. With an online program, you may not even get to meet anyone. This may be good if you are an introvert and enjoy working by yourself. 

Working with your peers is an important aspect of developing your talent. Your peers in screenwriting school allow you to grow as an artist. Sharing your work with each other and providing feedback is great way to learn more. This peer editing process gives you a unique opportunity to meet students that you could befriend. They could even become future co-workers or business partners! 

When choosing your program, look for team based exercises, as they allow you to connect with your peers. These kinds of exercises are seen throughout in-person screenwriting school, giving you an opportunity to connect with students throughout the writing process. These relationships you build will help propel you into strong creative and professional relationships. 

 

Building Your Portfolio

Having a portfolio to show future business ventures after you finish your program is essential. Some programs will focus solely on getting one script written from start to finish. This can result in a very strong end product that you can take to a producer. This is fast and efficient, but in reality, screenwriting does not finish on the last page of the script. 

Some screenwriting schools however, will leave you with a diverse portfolio containing many different projects including TV pilots, feature screenplays, and short film scripts. Learning the fundamentals of all aspects screenwriting prepares you to work in many different companies and jobs. 

Though you don’t need film school to get your script picked up, having a variety within your writing samples is useful. As well, learning how to multitask by writing multiple scripts at once is a great skill to have later on in your career. Ending your screenwriting course with a diverse body of work opens up your career to multiple opportunities.

 

Career Paths

If you already have a passion for writing, you may be surprised about the paths you can take within screenwriting. In any screenwriting school, you will be learning the most fundamental skill of all, storytelling. This not only opens up your writing opportunities in the film industry, but the skills you learn can be applied to other industries like journalism, advertising, and literary writing. By learning professional screenwriting skills your ability to tell a captivating story will set yourself up for success.

Networking is also a great way to see what opportunities are out there. You can always do this through platforms like Linkedin, but your teachers are a great resource for networking. They can share opportunities they may have heard about from their professional circle or even pass along your name to other industries. As well, a good tip would be looking at the ‘student success’ page on film school’s websites. You can often see what films or companies their students worked on after graduating from school. This can give you an idea of where your career and education take you. 

 

Kennedy Randall is a Content Writer for InFocus Film School

 

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Looking for a job in the film industry? Here is how to launch your film career

By Sophia Lin

Once hailed as one of the most notoriously difficult industries out there, finding a job in the film industry is now easier than ever. With the influx of content thanks to streaming services, job opportunities in film and TV are undoubtedly on the rise. But sometimes, starting out — that first leap of faith — might just be the hardest. Especially for those without prior film experience or contacts in the industry, it may seem all the more daunting. But with the proper preparation, it can certainly be done — and perhaps even without a hitch. From examining newer strategies like joining Facebook groups to outlining well-known ones like networking, this list will arm you with the information needed to get your foot in the door.

 

Even if your ambitions seem out of reach, rest assured that there are many paths to your final destination. And should one route not work out, there are always many, many others. So, with that in mind, here are 9 tried and true strategies to get a job in the film industry.

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Can’t decide if film school is right for you? Here are 8 great filmmakers who went to film school!

Written by Sophia Lin

 

For aspiring filmmakers, arguably one of the most hotly debated decisions is whether or not to attend film school. While some directors have made it big without ever stepping into a classroom, film school can afford certain opportunities to develop your style, hone your craft, and break into the film industry. It offers a structured time and a constructive environment for students to practice the art form, doing away with the pressures that come with being a working filmmaker. Along with that, it affords a creative freedom that filmmakers may take years to find out in the industry. The most undisputed benefit of all, though, is the professional network you build by attending film school. It’s how lifetime collaborators first met, how directors met their muses, and how some household names got the big breaks that forever changed their lives. 

 

Take it from these 8 iconic filmmakers who went to film school — and haven’t looked back ever since.

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Curating the perfect graphic design portfolio is critical for designers everywhere. Regardless of whether you work freelance or full-time, a sleek graphic design portfolio is important! It’s important to show off your skills and objectives as a designer in your portfolio. You may have many designs to share with potential clients, so it’s key you carefully select which ones to include in your portfolio. You want to showcase the cream of the crop and display diversity in your work. The necessary contents in them have remained a popular subject of discourse in the graphic design community. Remember to understand your specialties in order to convey your shining strengths through your portfolio! Above all, it’s vital your portfolio showcases your ability and evolution as a designer.  To ignite your creative spark and jumpstart your career as a graphic designer we’ve compiled a list of 5 key graphic design projects for your portfolio (with examples!). 

 

Click here to learn more about InFocus Film School’s Graphic Design Program

1. BUSINESS BRANDING ESSENTIALS 

 

If you’re interested in working in the business brand design industry, showcasing your ultimate branding designs are primitive! They’re an important marketing tool for the vast majority of businesses that shouldn’t be overlooked. Therefore, ensure your concepts use quality images and designs that have an impact on the target audience. Remember that the concepts you choose can range anywhere from brochures and business cards to stationary and stickers. Keep in mind these essentials play a pivotal role in increasing a brand’s visibility – therefore all your designs should hold a high degree of professionalism and relevancy. 

2. WEB DESIGN

 

Website making consists of two extremely important factors – coding and design. Graphic design serves as a supplemental aid into improving user experience through the use of fonts, imagery, colours, and more. Moreover, your concept should incorporate all of these features into a functional and visually-appealing mix. Always make sure your design fits with the brand’s identity! This means diligently selecting appropriate colour schemes, font selections, images, graphics, and more. Web design is an excellent asset to your portfolio – especially if you’re interested in showcasing your technical and artistic side!

 

 

3. ENTERTAINMENT

 

Have a book you adore whose cover you’ve always wanted to redesign? Or a movie poster you wanted to refurbish? Perhaps you’ve thought of some new DVD covers for your favourite show? If so, this project is most definitely a must-have for you! Brownie points if your cover is even better than the original. Most importantly, showcasing your innovative skills as a graphic designer is pertinent here. You’ll be asking important questions – such as the director’s objectives for the content, it’s genre, where it’ll be sold, it’s target audience, and more. Lastly, this project is perfect for bookworm and movie and TV fanatic graphic designers who aim to highlight their innovative work!

 

Design Rationale

The book’s title refers to the piles of bodies left behind for the crows to feast on after a battle, but it also hints at the big forces behind those conflicts, who, from the safety of their castles, can now reap the benefits from the aftermath of the bloodshed, unaffected by its cruelties.

 

4. PRODUCT PACKAGING 

 

Product packaging goes far beyond just designing the exterior of a product. Great product packaging goes a long way! You’ll be telling a story, incorporating the brand’s narrative, and implementing your own aesthetics. Moreover, this project is great for a chance to truly showcase your unique side. Try redesigning a pre-existing brand with an innovative twist, or even creating your own from scratch! Your designs are entirely up to you. Pick your favourite brand and give them a makeover, or bring your imaginary brand to life! Last but not least, ensure your design is both practical and sleek.

 

Design Rationale 

This is a series of herbal teas inspired by three most well-known ancient Egyptian gods: Anubis, Ra and Sekhmet. The herbal selection includes cinnamon, licorice and hibiscus roots, which are commonly used ingredients in Egyptian drinks and food.

The tagline of each flavour is inspired by the special powers and characteristics of the specific god. The Art Deco style of brand artwork is inspired by the Egyptian pyramids. The starry sky symbolizes the considerable role of astronomy with ancient Egyptians.

 

5. ADVERTISING 

 

This project is most definitely a fun one! You’ll be implementing the principles of design – establishing purpose, balance, hierarchy, and readability all in one. Additionally, you’ll be exploring ways to make prints stand out in the crowd. Typography here is an asset – it plays a crucial role in editorial design. Lastly, the best part about print design is its versatile nature – make sure to have some fun with different layout templates, designs, and more! You can design magazine covers, brochures, newsletters, the list is endless.  

Design Rationale 

Pipeline is a modern take of surf magazine design with a palette inspired by the waves.

Related Links 

7 Types of High Paying Graphic Design Jobs 

How to Become a Graphic Designer 

InFocus Film School Graphic Design Program 

 

By Tajmee Ali

Contrary to what most may think, graphic design is a vast field with innumerable job opportunities for you to choose from. Neither are jobs in graphic design difficult to come by. This feat is a spectacular combination of art, technology, and communication – enabling you to specialize in different industries around the globe. These opportunities include publishing, marketing and advertising, packaging, healthcare, video game design, and more!

No matter which specialty you choose to explore, a flexible professional schedule overflowing with creativity is nearly always guaranteed. While the list of creative endeavours in graphic design are endless, you can be rest assured knowing a career in this field is immensely rewarding. If you’re seeking a career opportunity to put your art and technical skills to good use on a daily basis, this blog is for you! Read more to learn about some high paying graphic design jobs. 

 

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