Need Uni Advice..

[acccc]

I've left college this year with a BTEC National Diploma in Moving Image (equivalent To 3 A-levels): Double Distinction, Merit (DDM) + AS Film Studies. Throughout the year ive been doing work here and there as a freelance Video editor working on and off with small projects like music videos, short films etc. mainly for friends/friends of friends.

I'm interested in taking this to the next level, eventually to the point where i can hopefully work on feature films. I don't wanna seem all cocky like I'm the best but im pretty good seen as im self taught and know a fair amount about video editing, using different software packages (Avid/Premiere/AfterEffects/FCP) and some knowledge in amateur CGI/3DSMax..

Could anybody help suggest in what i can do in getting more knowledge or a suggestion in University's that teach this, as i wanna be learning CGI and improving my skills within post production.

I'm aware that it is a competitive industry with thousands looking to do the same thing, but i am totally stumped in what i need to do to get to where i wanna be. I come from a very poor background so i wasn't able to afford to go Uni this year, so I'm basically working full time now tryna get money for if i do decide to go Uni this following year, but at the same time i dont wanna go if it isnt gonna help me that much as i really wanna just specialize in Post-production only.

Would anybody suggest i should work as a post production runner (the ones in Soho) or would this just be a waste of time, im aware runners come and go but i don't wanna make cups of coffee and do errands if it isnt gonna get me anywhere as i wanna be learning advanced techniques/CGI which im sure takes years to master aswell as a good teacher. So if anybody is working within the post production industry please shed some light on what i can do and how you broke in.

 

[acccc]

 

[Noni Juice]

Hi there,

First of all, congrat's, you seem to be working your way into Uni and thats very hard to do and I respect you for that.

Perhaps though, the best place for you to ask this quesiton is on another forum that specialises in this topic.

My mate dose animation at Hertfordshire and knows quite abit, if you want, drop me an email (in my trust) and Ill forward you his email if you have any questions.

Thanks

 

[iraiguana]

Best in the country for CGI in films and general animation I have heard is teeside which seems a bit random but a mate graduated from there 2 years ago and highly rated it. The problem is you need to do the courses to get notice (or become a runner) and then you will still really struggle to get anywhere. Very few jobs and lots of people trying for it.

Talk to some of the post processing companies in london and see if you can do some work exp days. See what it is really like.

and good luck!

 

[singist]

Find a local TV/Film company and get an "in" in whatever you can ...... then try to move to where your interest/qualifications are.

Good luck.

 

[spm_uk]

im currently doing a MA (Masters) Media Production and want to get into film/tv not sure what role tho at the moment enjoy them all, maybe indie film is the way to go

 

[Scam]

Would anybody suggest i should work as a post production runner (the ones in Soho) or would this just be a waste of time, im aware runners come and go but i don't wanna make cups of coffee and do errands if it isnt gonna get me anywhere as i wanna be learning advanced techniques/CGI which im sure takes years to master aswell as a good teacher. So if anybody is working within the post production industry please shed some light on what i can do and how you broke in.

Firstly, get it into your head that going to Uni will not allow you to skip having to be a runner. If you want to be an Editor you are definitely going to have to run, and if you want to do 3D it's likely too, unless you're seriously good, and seriously lucky. You need to decide whether or not you want to be an Editor, or do 3D. They're totally different skills and turning up at a post facility saying you want to do either is a bit like turning up at a job interview saying "Well, i quite fancy becoming a software designer, but then again i quite fancy playing for Man Utd." You wont do yourself any favours. You need to be clear about what your aims are.

Seriously think about whether or not you want to go to Uni to gain an advantage in your career (for 3D maybe yes.. for Editing, no), or whether or not you want to go for the experience. I went for the experience and dont regret it. I knew i'd have to go into running when i finished, and i have. On the other side, i know a lot of people that come out of Uni and are surprised when they have to go to a facility and make tea for clients.

The thing with running is that you're in the industry. It sounds like a cliché but you've got your foot in the door. To be blunt, the industry is not well managed. It's not professional. That's a good thing but that's also a bad thing. If a position comes up for a junior animator they're not likely to advertise it.. most companies will just look at their runners and see who they like. So if you're running it's all about networking, talking to the heads of department and training/learning within your own time. But do this at work where they can see you're putting in the effort. There's no point spending 4hrs a day teaching yourself Maya if you're locked away at home, because nobody will ever see it. You need to impose yourself on people (in a nice way!) and keep pestering them for help.

I ran for 6 months, and have been in our Library dept for 3 months. I do a 9hr day, and train for a couple of hours after work most days of the week. It's tough, but hopefully will be worth it in the long run. I'm looking to get into Telecine/Colour Grading which is super-hard to get into. My next promotion would be to a VT Op. These are all steps you'll have to go through if you're thinking of becoming an Editor. You can't just rock up with a bit of knowledge in Premiere or FCP and expect to be fast-tracked. You'll need to learn a million tape formats, VT decks, data stuff, almost all the engineering side of things.

Sooo, hmn, long post. Just decide what you want to do first. Decide if you're interested in going to Uni for the life experience or whether or not you just want to get into work. Uni is a great stepping stone for learning how to live on your own etc. and i personally wouldnt have skipped that, but a lot of people would.

Hope that helps.

 

[Gustov]

I do Film and Television at Herts and went on a shoot with Tommy Walsh in Crete last year due to being on the course

In post production we each have 2X24 inch moniters running Final Cut Pro (latest version)

I study at Hertfordshire university if that helps, we are marked on pre production, production and post production as well as having to write the occasional essay

We use JVC HD cameras and sennhesier sound kits as well as Dado and Diva Kino Flow lighting kits

Pretty swish

 

[=Mac=]

If you've already got a qualification in it you should try and find work and move your way up the ladder. There are enough people around with generic media degrees from tinpot universities, you shouldn't become another one.

 

[alexakasloth]

Bournemouth uni has an animation course, it's also known as the NCCA:

http://ncca.bournemouth.ac.uk/

The TV production course at BU (that i'm taking) also has post production, though i'm not sure if it goes as far as animation. However if you're intersted in studio's we have a Sony HD TV studio (the same as used by the BBC and the best in Europe )

 

[gareth.e]

If you've already got a qualification in it you should try and find work and move your way up the ladder. There are enough people around with generic media degrees from tinpot universities, you shouldn't become another one.

this. IMO