Is Film School Worth It? Advice from Andrew Laszlo, ASC

[Jon Amerikaner]

Mr. Laszlo,
Thanks in advance for your time and generosity. I've been offered a place at Chapman U. to study graduate cinematography with Bill Dill ASC this fall. I was wondering what your thoughts are on film school? Do you have any experience with Mr. Dill or Chapman? If you were just starting your career today would you go to film school? Any suggestions/advice on how to best prepare myself for school? Thanks again.


All the best,
Jon Amerikaner

 

[Jon Amerikaner]

Mr. Mullen,
Thanks in advance for your time and generosity. I've been offered a place at Chapman U. to study graduate cinematography with Bill Dill ASC this fall. I was wondering what your thoughts are on film school? Do you have any experience with Mr. Dill or Chapman? If you were just starting your career today would you go to film school? Any suggestions/advice on how to best prepare myself for school? Thanks again.


All the best,
Jon Amerikaner

 

[David Mullen ASC]

Bill Dill is an excellent professor of cinematography as well as a talented DP -- and I'm sure he's setting up a great program over there as he did at AFI.

Yes, I'd go to film school if I could afford it, although perhaps not a really expensive one. I still think that most of what you learn has to be self-taught and you have to motivate yourself, but what film school gives you is a chance to work with other students as opposed to being out on your own. Some of these students may someday be hiring you on your first jobs, so it's also a chance to network.

Like I said, the best way to prepare is to teach yourself as much as you can before you go and not wait for film school to give you the basics in cinematography.

 

[Jon Amerikaner]

David,
Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post. I agree that many of the things I must learn should be self-taught and self motivated. I've already started such a practice, first as an amateur photographer and sports videographer and most recently as a video-journalist and student DP. And of course by watching films and reading all I can. But I feel like I've reached a peak to what I can learn on my own. Although I've had plenty of practice, I've lacked the structure and inspiration that I hope film school can provide. It’s a gamble for sure. I definitely can't afford to go to any school; I will be relying completely on financial aid. Even though I am looking at a future with substantial debt, I feel confident that if I work my tail off and improve my craft, film school will pay for itself. Thanks once again. This is a tremendous resource and I will be using it for a long time.

All The Best,
Jon Amerikaner

 

[LaszloASC]

Dear Jon:

I visited Chapman several times during the past number of years in connection with a seminar series sponsored by Kodak. The film school at Chapman is an outstanding place for film studies. Dean Bob Basset has done an outstanding job building the Chapman program, and one of my all time favorite film professors is Mark Parry. He is a very talented cinematographer and a great teacher. The program is excellent and an opportunity to work with Bill Dill will make it all worthwhile. Making a commitment to film studies and a future in film production is enough preparation at this stage.

Best of luck. Please say hello to all.

Andy Laszlo

 

[Jon Amerikaner]

Dear Mr. Laszlo,
Thank you for your time and response. It warms my heart to hear such great things about Chapman and Professor Dill. I am confident that it is right for me. I truly hope you will again honor Chapman with your presence during the forthcoming academic years. Until then, I enthusiastically look forward to all future correspondence. Thanks again.

All the best,
Jon Amerikaner