Independent Filmmaker Contracts for Film Producers, Directors, Actors, Investors and Writers

From script to sales the Investor/Producer/Writer must protect her/his film, documentary, music video, stage Project investment from concept to distribution with IndependentFilmmakerContracts.com

  • Investors Deal
  • Producers Deal
  • Directors Deal
  • Actors Deal
  • Crew Deal
  • Contact Us
  • My Account
  • Contract Categories


Home » Blog » Filmmaking Courses: The TRUE Cost Involved In Your Film Education

Filmmaking Courses: The TRUE Cost Involved In Your Film Education

Article by Tom Burnham

Parents of budding film makers cringe at their child’s choice of career for a number of reasons. First, they are concerned that the child will end up flipping burgers in a fast food joint for the rest of their lives. After all, for every Quentin Tarantino there are twenty five Andy Shaffers who are just not going to make it. Most parents encourage their children’s dreams as much as possible, but after they start investigating the cost of Film College, they may start thinking it would be cheaper just to fund the filmmaking directly without bothering with the film courses at all. It is just not the cost of the filmmaking itself that has to be investigated and invested in; there are additional costs as well.

Film College is expensive and there are several options to consider. There is film education that is the major course of study in the overall, general college experience. While this is a well rounded education, it is not only expensive but can be very trying for the student, especially if they are not one for conventional school and classes. In addition to the cost of the tuition though, there will be the costs of books and other learning materials to consider. If the school is not local there is the cost of travel to and from as well as the cost of living at the school, including meals and lodging.

In addition to these costs for film education, there are also costs for the equipment that the student will need. While enrolled in film college, students can usually utilize cameras, lights and other equipment in the school although many will prefer their own set ups. Even used equipment can be very expensive, and can sometimes be harder to find, especially in smaller areas.

Film education can also be expensive because it is so exclusive and difficult to get in. The aspiring film student might need to apply several years in a row trying to get in to the film college in the first place. To apply, most schools require an admission fee as well as a short film clip or other example of their work, meaning there is a need for film equipment before the education even starts. Even renting or borrowing these items can be very costly; especially if the short film is going to take a long time to actually be shot.

No Budget Film Making is one of the only low cost alternatives to the various types of film school or film making education. Film education is very expensive and can be very heart breaking as well. Not everyone is going to make a blockbuster movie, but everyone should get the chance to try. If the cost of film school is stopping your visions from coming to life, there are cheaper alternatives available that will help develop your movie training without breaking the bank.

About the Author

Tom Burnham provides information and resources for movie training to give first time filmmakers a head start without breaking the bank.

Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines
whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.

Tom Burnham provides information and resources for movie training to give first time filmmakers a head start without breaking the bank.












Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines

whereby the original author’s information and copyright must be included.

Low budget filmmaking tip on using a small Gorillapod and a cheap Point and Shoot on Movie Mode as a second camera a reference camera or behind then scenes camera. Video Tech Camera: Kodak zi8 Mode: 720p Audio: Onboard Mic Upload: Direct from Camera via USB Edit: NONE twitter.com
Video Rating: 2 / 5

Question by Ordinary Eyes: Indie filmmaking and making short films. Are there any good resources on the internet?
I’m interested in everything to do with independent film-making on low/no budget. Equipment, techniques, scriptwriting, advice, forums, etc and details of competitions that allow UK entries.

thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by Kim D
Go to Youtube.com and search indymogul. I’m also into film making hopefully one day we can collaborate 🙂

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

[wpramazon asin=”0786405171″]

Filed Under: Filmmaker News Tagged With: Cost, Courses, Education, Film, Filmmaking, involved, True

Cart

  • ACTOR & ARTIST FORMS
    • Actor & Artist Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 15 Agreements
    • Actor Release
    • Actor’s Deal Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 20 Contracts
    • Audience Release
    • Confidentiality Agreement
    • Extra Release
    • Extra Release for Pay
    • Group Participant Release
    • Instant Dismissal from the Set
    • Minor Actor/Model Release
    • Minor Actor/Model Release for Pay
    • Minor Actor/Model Release Independant Minor Actor Guardian Signature
    • Model Release
    • Model Release for Pay
    • Nudity Rider
    • Stunt Performer (Insurance carried by Stunt Performer)
    • Stunt Performer (Producer Insurance)
  • Crew Forms
    • Art Director Agreement
    • Assistant Art Director Agreement
    • Boom Operator Agreement
    • Casting Director Agreement
    • Construction Coordinator Agreement
    • Costume Designer Agreement
    • Crew Deal Memo
    • Crew Forms Save 66% on 15 Agreements
    • Editor Agreement
    • Gaffer Agreement
    • Grip Agreement
    • Hair Stylist Agreement
    • Make-up and Special Effects Agreement
    • Post Production Supervisor
    • Production Design Agreement
    • Property Master Agreement
    • Script Supervisor Agreement
    • Sound Mixer Agreement
    • Wrangler Agreement
  • Depiction & Copyright Forms
    • Artist/Artwork Release
    • Assignments of Rights Agreements
    • Copyright Assignment
    • Depiction & Copyright Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 10 Agreements
    • Depiction Release Contract
    • Film Clip
    • Film Clip Release
    • Still Photo Release
    • Use Of Literary Material
    • Use of Name/Likeness Release
    • Use of Name/Likeness Release for Pay
    • Use of Trade Mark or Logo Contract
  • Director Forms
    • Assistant Director Contract
    • Director Agreement
    • Director Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 4 Agreements
    • Director of Photography
    • Director’s Deal Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 43 Contracts
    • Producer Agreement
  • Distribution Forms
    • Distribution Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
    • Security Agreement (Long Form)
    • Security Agreement (Short Form)
    • Security on the Set & on Location
    • TV Distribution Agreement
    • TV Distribution Agreement (projects)
  • Merchandise Forms
    • Material Release Form
    • Material Release Form for Pay
    • Merchandise Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
    • Merchandising (Character/Logo) Contract
    • Product Placement Release (short form)
  • Music Forms
    • Artist Music Release
    • Music Composer Agreement
    • Music Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 6 Agreements
    • Soundtrack Recording Agreement
    • Synchronization/Performing/Master Use & Mechanical License
    • T.V. Music Rights License
  • Partnership & Financing Forms
    • Assignment of Interest and Release (Partner Expelled from Agreement)
    • Co-production Contract
    • Finders Fee
    • Finders Fee Exclusive
    • Finders Fee Non-Exclusive
    • General Partnership
    • General Partnership Dissolution Agreement
    • Guarantee
    • Joint Venture Agreement
    • Joint Venture Dissolution Agreement
    • Partnership & Financing Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 11 Agreements
    • Promissory Note
    • Promissory Note with Guarantee
  • Production Forms
    • Location Release
    • Location Release For Pay
    • Producer’s Deal on 57 Contracts
    • Production Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
  • Professional Advisors Forms
    • Accountant-Client Retainer Contract
    • Lawyer-Client Retainer Contract
    • Notarization of Document
    • Professional Advisors Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 2 Agreements
  • Work-For-Hire-Forms
    • Graphic Design Work-for-Hire
    • Illustrator Work-for-Hire
    • Video Director Director-for-Hire Agreement
    • Web Designer Work-for-Hire Agreement
    • Work-For-Hire-Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 3 Agreements
  • Writer Forms
    • Certificate of Authorship
    • Certificate of Origin
    • Writer Collaboration Agreement
    • Writer Employment Agreement
    • Writer Forms Save 70% Discount ($30 per contract) on 4 Agreements

Copyright © 2025 Independent Filmmaker Contracts · custom WP Theme by John Overall.com