FILM:career ready for the future

BY: Christen Torres 12E4

TASK:Life Orientation Term 1 Formal Written Assignment

GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THIS JOB OR FUTHER STUDY OPPURTUINTY:

“The term "filmmaker" typically refers to the director or producer of a movie. Specific job duties might vary from film to film, and filmmakers might choose to delegate tasks in a variety of ways. But ultimately they are responsible for taking the film from the development stage to the finished product. Filmmakers typically need a bachelor's degree and a variety of related experience. Work hours can be long, hectic and inconsistent.”

A filmmaker or film director is someone who is in charge of the artistic vision/creation of the film. He/she will have the responsibility of using the script (and of course the actors and crew members) to make the story come to life by having a set interpretation of the storyline , and then instructing the actors and crew members to act accordingly to what he/she has visualised in her/his head . Basically the director is someone who is in charge of making the story come to life ( by giving directions in certain areas ) as well as in charge of the technical aspects of the actual film making (example; lighting, cameras etc..)

INDICATE HOW YOU MADE THIS CAREER DECISION. MOTIVATE WHY YOU THINK IT IS THE BEST DECISION FOR YOU

For quite some time I have been very interested in making films. Then I heard about the Ubuntu teen film festival (in 2013) so me and a bunch of friends made a film to enter it. We got in and won a prize after that I started going to regular film classes ( at voice in action film and drama academy) and because of how much I am interested and enjoy it, have decided that I would like to study film.

I have also done some research and have found that the film field is vast with many opportunities. There are jobs in all kinds of strange fields of work AND there is a need for specifically, woman! (Because in the past woman did not have much of a role in the actual making of films. That is fast changing with a need for woman filmmakers growing rapidly) there is quite a good job market/ starting opportunities for young female filmmakers.

South Africa also has a fairly new/’starting out’ film industry. Unlike places like Hollywood, film has only recently started to expand here in the last ten years! We still have a lot of to work for and to achieve so the potential is vast.

I think Film is a good option for me because it is something that I enjoy doing (enormously ) and there is a need for it , which makes me hopeful that one day I will be able to get a job in this career of work so that I am able to make a living for myself.

WORK OUT A BUDGET, INCLUDING YOU STUDY FEE, ACCOMADTAION, FOOD, TRANSPORT, FESS FOR BOOKS ANF STUDY MATERIALS, CLOTHES AND RECREATION FOR THE YEAR. INDICATE YOUR STUDY FEES OVER THREE YEARS.

BUDGETStudy fees R120 000 ( 3 YEARS )Accommodation R 40 000 per yearFood Included in accommodationTransport Included in school feesBook fees R 5 000

Study materials R 4000Clothes R 10 000Recreation R 10 000TOTAL R 189 000

INDICATE WHERE YOU WILL GET YOUR FUNDS. IF YOU ARE APPLYING FOR A BURSARY, INCLUDE A COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR,. INDICATE AT LEAST THREE ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPTIONS, INCLUDING PART-TIME WORK.

I plan to get a bursary. However if that does not work out I will most probably apply for financial at UCT (which should be granted). Another method of payment could be taking a student loan out by the bank ( and hopefully paying it off when I am out of school ) or I could get a part time job as a music teacher for beginners ( I pay the violin and have enough qualifications that will allow me to teach beginners ) another option as a job would be a waiter or I could try and start working at a film company ( maybe start low down and work my way up .. ) this would also help me gain experience which would be very valuable for when I actually work one day . Luckily for me I have options.

LIST FIVE POSSIBLE SOURCES WHERE YOU CAN OBTAIN INFORMATION ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORK OPPURTUNITIES. INCLUDE EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE CONSULTED THESE SOURCES.

New York university (website) : https://www.tisch.nyu.edu/

UC Berkeley University (website): http://www.berkeley.edu/index.html

University of Cape Town (website): http://www.uct.ac.za/

New Film Academy (website): http://www.nyfa.edu/g-landing/filmmaking.php?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&Keyword=new%20york%20filming%20academy&Ad=25834684684&utm_content=type&Campaign=FilmSchool(World)-NewYorkFilmSchool&gclid=CMzI1vTB27wCFWfLtAoduR4ADA

AFDA: http://filmtv.tisch.nyu.edu/page/home.html

SUNBMIT A SHORTLIST OF THREE POSSIBLE PLASCES OF STUDY OR WORK. MOTIVATE THE REASON FOR EACH CHOICE.

University of Cape Town: Has an excellent film program. It offers a degree in Film and media (unlike Stellenbosch where you first have to get a degree- exp: in drama- and then if you’re interested in film you can take it after your third year). It also doesn’t only limit you to film studies. Media is also included in the degree which opens your job market a significant amount (the amount of jobs that you’d be able to do with the degree would expand)

University of California Berkeley: is located in America. They have an amazing film school (called cinematic arts) here they offer you bachelor degrees in filmmaking, producing, script writing etc… it’s also in America ( one of the places I am hoping to be able to work in one day ) so this would give me a head start in trying to find a job there after I graduate.

New York University: is one of the most famous film schools in the world. They have their own separate Arts/films school called TISCH. Here you get degrees in film for directing, producing,

writing… much of Americas famous (alumni) directors and producers who have won Oscars (and many other prizes) have COME FROM THIS SCHOOL. It has a spectacular reputation. And as with California, it is in America which would be ideal after I graduate (as I would like to work there one day as a filmmaker)

IDENTIFY THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF EACH INSTITUTION OR ACCEPTANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR EAVH PLACE OF WORK. INCLUDE THE DATES BY WHICH YOU SHOULD SUBMIT APPLICATION FORMS.

University of Cape Town: application forms must be submitted for the undergraduate program for BA film by 30 September 2014. I need a matric certificate (with a bachelors pass). I also need a portfolio made up of a minimum of two films I have done (over the last few years) to apply with.

University of California Berkeley: applications close 30 November 2014. REQUIREMENTS: pass matric with a Bachelors pass. I also need to write the standard American exams (the SAT’s).There is an essay that I have to write with my application (with a topic that they provide). I also need a portfolio of my work that I have done (over the last few years) to apply with (minimum of two)

New York University: applications close for early decision by the 1 November 2014. I need to have passed with a Bachelor pass in my matric year. I also have to write Americas standized tests (SAT’s) and have submit a portfolio of my work. I need to write an essay (with a topic that they provide) that I need to submit with my application.

CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS AS A PLAN B , INCASE YOU DON’T IMMEDIATELY GO TO VASRSITY

- VOLUNTEERING: I would volunteer at any film company or film production studio. ( just to gain some experience and see what life would be like if I actually did this job as my career)

- PART-TIME JOBS: I would most probably also try to get an intern job and a film company. Its good because you can gain experience. Another way of getting in the film industry is by working your way from the “bottom” to the top. By working at a film company I could try and do this ( work my way up)

- Community Work: I would try and do outreach programs/community work with my film if I was not studying ‘immediately’ after high school. Film is a great way to uplift communities and people so this would be a great way to get involved in the community as well as doing some good. I would also most probably learn a lot!

- ENTREPENEURSHIP: - INFORMAL JOBS: if all else fails and I am not able to making a living/or learn something

about my preferred career choice, I would have to make money somehow. So I would look for a steady job ( that I could do for a while ) like getting a job at a shop or waitressing in the evenings (just to make some form of income while I’m not studying)