The Criterion Collection

[madmojo]

Originally Posted by stobbart

Sounds like people here that took film classes in college had some pretty pathetic professors.

I had some pretty awesome film professors, but I majored in film studies, so I got to take lots of different film courses. Had professors of all different opinions. One that saw phallic symbols and Oedipal Complexes in everything... One that thought that sorta stuff was crap (that was the head of the Film dept. by the way)... and everywhere in between.

My film major was how I got exposed to Sanjuro (but never Yojimbo oddly enough), Sansho The Bailiff, Breathless, Knife In the Water. But also newer films I'd never have gone after myself that I ended up loving like The Taste of Tea, Happiness of The Katakuris, and even popular ones like Grindhouse and The Departed.

So yeah, I can't complain. I went in wanting to direct horror films and left writing screenplays for numerous genres. (Not that I've gotten any looked at yet.)

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by rock, stone

I personally would rate taking a film class higher than spending the same amount of energy tut-tut'ing and misquoting strangers on the internet, but then I never took a dedicated film class.

Do you know anybody that finished a film course? I would be glad to talk film with them.

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by madmojo

I had some pretty awesome film professors, but I majored in film studies, so I got to take lots of different film courses. Had professors of all different opinions. One that saw phallic symbols and Oedipal Complexes in everything... One that thought that sorta stuff was crap (that was the head of the Film dept. by the way)... and everywhere in between.

My film major was how I got exposed to Sanjuro (but never Yojimbo oddly enough), Sansho The Bailiff, Breathless, Knife In the Water. But also newer films I'd never have gone after myself that I ended up loving like The Taste of Tea, Happiness of The Katakuris, and even popular ones like Grindhouse and The Departed.

So yeah, I can't complain. I went in wanting to direct horror films and left writing screenplays for numerous genres. (Not that I've gotten any looked at yet.)

You've had better ones than I have. Yeah, I've gained great experience, but that's of course not what we're talking about. (wait...did you study filmmaking or film studies? Those two sound like completely different things). I haven't been introduced to any films that inspire or impress me myself. Most of the films you mention/we talk about here for example, I already know from seeing them personally because of my own interest, but haven't seen anything half as interesting to me for my film classes. In my experience, all my professors have the attitude of wanting your work to be as conventional as possible. And the students are fine with that because, again, all they watch is also as conventional as possible

[madmojo]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

You've had better ones than I have. Yeah, I've gained great experience, but that's of course not what we're talking about. (wait...did you study filmmaking or film studies? Those two sound like completely different things). I haven't been introduced to any films that inspire or impress me myself. Most of the films you mention/we talk about here for example, I already know from seeing them personally because of my own interest, but haven't seen anything half as interesting to me for my film classes. In my experience, all my professors have the attitude of wanting your work to be as conventional as possible. And the students are fine with that because, again, all they watch is also as conventional as possible

I went to a college where the Film Studies program had concentrations in both filmmaking and studies. I started in film-making and ended up in studies. I got tired of the favoritism of professors, the laziness and short-sightedness of the people I'd be teamed up with and the way the people with connections in the field got sucked up to. I know that's how you get into the film business, but it really disheartened me. Besides, we had a fantastic Screenwriting teacher (took all 3 of his classes) and the Studies started to interest me more, so I switched concentrations. Decided directing was never going to happen for me and that creating scripts and discovering films like the ones in the Criterion collection (which my school library had an almost complete set of), was more in my line.

I'd not change a thing, but I would suggest anyone who wants to make movies to just watch a lot of movies and use the money that would be for college to make a well-done short piece & get on the festival circuit. Film school won't teach you anything you can't learn by trial and error.

[retablo]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Do you know anybody that finished a film course? I would be glad to talk film with them.

I did. And I just sold 2 scripts in Hollywood. I'd talk film with you, but I'm afraid I'm not elitist enough.

Then again, talking film and actually applying it in a working aspect are two totally different things. Typically, those who can't do, talk (or teach).

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by madmojo

I'd not change a thing, but I would suggest anyone who wants to make movies to just watch a lot of movies and use the money that would be for college to make a well-done short piece & get on the festival circuit. Film school won't teach you anything you can't learn by trial and error.

Bingo.

How how many film school students know anything outside of the same ol' Bergman, Godard (just Breathless), Kurosawa, Kubrick, Welles crap? For example, did anybody that went to film school learned about animation from the likes of Jan Lenica? Or early Russian silents that had nothing to do with Eisenstein like Yevgeni Bauer? Or South American films that wasn't made in the last 10 years? Any of them know any Frans Zwartjes films?

For anyone to believe going to school to watch Citizen Kane for the 1,000th time would be better time used than what I experience and learn freely, well that would just be their opinion.

[madmojo]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

Or South American films that wasn't made in the last 10 years?

Well, I did see Black Orpheus for the first time there, but I digress.

I went to school in Wilmington, NC. The film dept. was partially run by Frank Capra Jr. who also ran the nearby studio. It's kinda cool to learn from the son of Capra, but at the same time the guy gave us shlock like the last few Planet of the Apes sequels and Firestarter.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by retablo

And I just sold 2 scripts in Hollywood.

congrats.

[italy12]

Originally Posted by madmojo

Well, I did see Black Orpheus for the first time there, but I digress.

I went to school in Wilmington, NC. The film dept. was partially run by Frank Capra Jr. who also ran the nearby studio. It's kinda cool to learn from the son of Capra, but at the same time the guy gave us shlock like the last few Planet of the Apes sequels and Firestarter.

Which school in Wilmington...UNC? Our HS sends kids there all the time!

On another totally unrelated note, but totally related to Criterion: Criterion forum has pics of the Dazed & Confused DIGIPAK!

...for those that care...

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by SpiderBaby

How how many film school students know anything outside of the same ol' Bergman, Godard (just Breathless), Kurosawa, Kubrick, Welles crap?

Me! But I'm the only one I know of, and actually I think the above is a bit too generous even, when applied to many students.

[madmojo]

Originally Posted by italy12

Which school in Wilmington...UNC? Our HS sends kids there all the time!

Yep. UNCW.


Anyone seen Life During Wartime, by the way? I've seen it getting mixed reviews. I watched Happiness once. Loved it, but it made me feel like I needed a long shower afterwards. I'm interested to see what happened to the characters. Anyone recommend it?

[surfdude12]

WOw, I forgot how good Christmas Tale is! My third viewing and it was just as enjoyable as the first!

[madmojo]

Originally Posted by CoopFilm

Me! But I'm the only one I know of, and actually I think the above is a bit too generous even, when applied to many students.

Yeah, most of my fellow film students basically thought film began and ended with Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Steven Soderbergh. Needless to say I was in a different clique. Those are great directors, but not the be all and end all.

[Darkcritic]

To be completely honest, I am surprised by this late on-going dicussion. Currently going through high school but plan entering film school next year. Can't speak about other countries but, in Mexico, you can't just start working for yourself and hope to achieve success by being really good (I know, it is sad but that an unfortunate truth ). I am planning to enter a public film school which is said to be one of the best ones in the country (Plus it is free!!!) but the hard part is that the number of students is REALLY limited. I am in pre-production to make my first independient short film (A small project, nothing too fancy, as there aren't many mediums to make it done. Have been tinkering with "experimental" film for a while but never a solid short film) with the hopes to take it into competition. What I didn't know is that many students at film school weren't aknowledgeable in film . I mean, being the only person interested in film at my school (And one of three persons I have personally met that like film in a serious way), I pictured my possible future classmates just as me. Hunting down obsucre films, trying to get as most from the art as possible and never setting barriers between me and a potential gem. For most part of what I have been reading, it doesn't sounds like it .

[Hawkguy]

Originally Posted by madmojo

Yeah, most of my fellow film students basically thought film began and ended with Tarantino, Wes Anderson, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Steven Soderbergh. Needless to say I was in a different clique. Those are great directors, but not the be all and end all.

That's my experience as well....and also, rarely anyone ackowledging foreign film. I've even had a film professor say they don't like foreign films! (By the way, madmojo, I sent you a message through here....I don't know how we're notified when we get messages so I thought I'd mention it)

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by Darkcritic

I pictured my possible future classmates just as me. Hunting down obsucre films, trying to get as most from the art as possible and never setting barriers between me and a potential gem. For most part of what I have been reading, it doesn't sounds like it

Well a good side of the internet, you get to meet people that have the same interests. It sounds like you really want to freely explore and learn more, and that is wonderful. I "hunt" and keep "hunting" just because I love everything about filmmaking, not to be a filmmaker or anything.

Off-topic to film schools, but here is a site if you want that has many avant-garde and experimental films from some of the best around the world. One of my fav sites to be honest:

http://www.ubu.com/film/index.html

[drbikeshorts]

Originally Posted by coopfilm

i blind-bought too, but i was already a godard fan. So, i'll add to that and say i also can't recommend it to someone who doesn't know what to expect.

+1

[trombone dixie]

The Fugitive Kind was released when CC was releasing blu-ray's right? I wonder why it wasn't released on blu-ray from the get-go.

[SpiderBaby]

Originally Posted by trombone dixie

The Fugitive Kind was released when CC was releasing blu-ray's right? I wonder why it wasn't released on blu-ray from the get-go.

Yes, it was released DVD-only because around that time they decided on what was going to be on blu and what wouldn't (guessing on sale numbers I take it). Some could say they just got the DVD rights from MGM and not blu, but ever since going blu on every release, all the other MGM releases have had blu releases obviously.

Just the way it is I guess, and doubt they will re-release anything from the past year or 2 anytime soon. DVD isn't that bad, I still buy more DVDs than blu-rays actually this year alone.

[rock, stone]

Originally Posted by madmojo

Yep. UNCW.


Anyone seen Life During Wartime, by the way? I've seen it getting mixed reviews. I watched Happiness once. Loved it, but it made me feel like I needed a long shower afterwards. I'm interested to see what happened to the characters. Anyone recommend it?

I love Happiness, and I would recommend seeing Life During Wartime so you can appreciate it for the failed experiment that it is. It is probably TS's least successful film and I would definitely not recommend a blind buy based on how much you like Happiness.