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FILM SCHOOL IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Hands-on filmmaking courses teach how to operate equipment. For years, these courses relied on three staples: the Arri S camera, Nagra recorder, and Steenbeck editing machine. Although film is very much alive, the digital age has changed the way filmmaking is taught.

Classics

Arriflex stopped making the Arri S in the early 1970s. These classic cameras were built so ruggedly that they were used in schools and industry for almost 30 years after Arriflex ended production. Today, lenses and parts are scarce. Although these cameras are very "fixable," there are few technicians that still know how to do it.

 

Steenbecks were considered state-of-the-art editing machines until the late 1980s. They were the first to go when digital editing took the industry by storm. Now, virtually all professional movies are cut on computer based systems like Avid and Final Cut Pro.

 

For many years, Nagras were the industry standard for recording sound. They were gradually displaced by digital recorders. These came in the form of DAT (digital audio tape) recorders, followed by hard drive recorders, which are the standard today. Nagras were precision instruments and the hardest of all to let go.

 

Film Schools and Equipment

The expense of maintaining Arri S cameras was the deciding factor for most film schools to go digital in the late 1990s. NYU is one of the few schools in the world keeping the film experience alive (alongside digital production, of course) and maintains a large arsenal of these cameras for use on the fundamentals level. Students eventually move to Arri SR sync sound cameras and then 35mm.

Most universities today use DV (digital video) cameras. If film is an option, it is usually introduced later into the program when students are more experienced. It is used on a smaller scale than in years past since both film and film equipment are very expensive compared to DV.

Even digital equipment is not immune to change. Currently, HD (high-definition) equipment is displacing standard-definition, requiring another round of expensive upgrading. Top universities have formalized plans to deal with the shifting technology. Smaller institutes may not have the resources to do this. When considering a prospective film school research not only their curriculum but the equipment they use as well.

Alternatives For Hands-On Learning

There are other ways to gain hands-on experience. Budding directors often shoot and edit their own short movies for experience. Cheap rentals are a great way to do this. Another option is to buy your own gear. Years ago this was too expensive, but today, broadcast quality digital cameras and editing systems are very affordable.

Many aspiring directors and producers are not excited about equipment, so they may choose to forgo hands-on training altogether.  Keep in mind, however,  that such experience contributes to your ability to recognize creative opportunities and make economically sound decisions.  

If you intend to specialize in cinematography, sound, or editing, you must learn the equipment that industry professionals use. There are many inexpensive venues for this training. While some courses a priced as high as $6,000, others are surprisingly affordable and may even be sanctioned by the equipment manufacturer.

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