Film making for beginners?

[Stephen C]

I know its a bit off topic for this forum, but I don't know where else to turn!

My girlfriend really wants to get started in film-making... She'd really like to make documentaries. Does anyone know of any sources of information?

We went to an open day for Sydney Film School, and the teachers seemed very passionate... Though to them the sound side of things was definately an afterthought of making a film, which didnt win my heart over at all... but then again its not about me, its about what my gf will get out of it.

We know there are Tafe courses and commercial courses... but then again a piece of paper in the sound game means little, so I expect its not much in the film-making arena either?

Should she hook up with some amateur film makers and try to get some work experience?

Whats the best way to get into film-making?

Anyone care to point us in the right direction?

Thanks!

[ChrisW]

What about buying a cheap DV camera and using some cheap software to edit?
A lot of documentaries are made with cheap equipment and edited on small systems, often at home.
It's the story and the way it's put together that counts.
I worked with a photographer in the UK that did just that.
He started shooting material on his video camera, edited it on his Mac. I wrote him some music and he took a rough cut to Channel 4 (UK) and they eventually showed the finished thing.

[musikwerks]

Don't be too discouraged... sound is usually quite low on most doco producer's list of concerns. Until they get to the edit that is and one crucial piece of the story is out of mic-shot and they look at you incredulously when you tell them you can't "fix" it.

[wez]

to them the sound side of things was definately an afterthought of making a film

you're often lucky if they give it any thought at all! sound usually rates somewhere below catering and maybe slightly above best boy. and then there's music...

[Jason Dirckze]

Re: Sound - it depends on the crew you're working with. Some directors/field producers and cam ops make sure that the sound dept. are happy before shooting. Also depends on the project. With doco's and reality there is no show without the sound. There is no ADR. Different story with film, but I'm sure the sound editors/mixers for film appreciate it when good clean dialogue is captured on set.

Upsot and talent/expert interviews drive doco's and reality (as well as VO).

Again, it all depends on what project you are working on and the crew you are working with, and how well you get along with the people you are working with.

[jkhuri44]

the best thing you get from film colleges is the contacts you make....

in my case...coz i did sound, those contacts meant sfa to me...

however, my friends that were in editing, cine, directing, all bummchummed with each other and started a production company.

my advice is to post an add and stick it on all film colleges, just advertising that your girlfriend is interested in volunteering her help, either as camera assist, directors assistant, etc. There is a lot of students out there, and alot of indie films being made, and depending on her luck, she will meet a group of go getters that she gets along with and can offer something to, and a long term reliationship is born from there.

She should post up eveywhere, but try and focus on the private colleges with bigger equipment budgets, as getting experience on the most relevant gear, is probably going to help her, even if she's not touching it, at least being around it!

Best way to learn is on set...! if she's quick witted, and a fast learner, she will get the most invaluable experiences from this, coz i can tell you for a fact, NOTHING teaches you how to deal with the politics, BS, drama, and technical nightmares of film production, as well as the brief moments of goodness than actually doin the shit for real!