Introduction to Fiction Production

A: Sorry, no. In the past when we have allowed students to take upper division courses without taking this introductory class, they have been lost. Although this course is designed for filmmakers with little or no experience, in it we provide professional fundamentals and terminology that amateurs never encounter regardless of how much shooting experience they have.

We have had filmmakers with considerable experience as well as PhDs take our introductory classes and all have gained from it. This course will provide a solid foundation on which to build.

If you still feel that you are overqualified for this course and believe that this pre-requisite should be waived, please contact a site administrator and we would be happy to discuss your individual qualifications.

A: Everyone who wants to make professional quality motion picture productions. If you do not have experience executing your own professional productions, this course will set you on that path to creating professional quality movies.

A: The emphasis of the Northwest Film School is on creative storytelling. Although we do offer classes on cinematography, editing, sound and lighting, our focus is on the above-the-line talent: Producer, Screenwriter, Director and Actor. We will provide you with professional fundamentals, teach you the process of visualization and how to develop your talent and hands-on application of theory. We firmly believe that "talent shines through" and that creativity is the only limit on the storyteller.

A: The certificate signifies that you have completed a comprehensive program and have a certain level of knowledge. There is a broad gulf that separates job applicants who "have taken some film classes" and ones who are certificate or degree holders. Although this will make a difference in a job interview, we feel the importance to earning a certificate is much more important because it gives you access to a worldwide network of contacts through our alumni and faculty. We have an excellent track record of placing our alumni in positions.

A: Students taking classes as part of the certificate program at Western Washington University will be provided equipment as part of their enrollment fees. We provide standard definition video cameras, boom microphone kits, tripods and we have a lab of Final Cut Pro editing machines on campus.

A: No, you do not. We have our own application guidelines and admission requirements.

A: The simple answer is "Yes". However, defining that more specifically depends on what you want to do with your knowledge and talent as a filmmaker. Everyone has different goals for what they want to accomplish but generally speaking, students generally have three different routes to choose from.

The first is the pursuit of a job in way most people think of a traditional job with an employer/employee relationship. The film industry is not traditional in the sense that you will go to an interview with a resume and be offered a salary and a 9-to-5 position. There are some of these kind of positions available with television, commercial, corporate/industrial and broadcasting but these kinds of positions are not the norm.

The second route is that of an independent contractor. This is much more common since this industry is project oriented. A filmmaker might bid on a project based on day or hourly rate, work a certain number of days/hours and then be left to find another project (or contract). This is how nearly all positions in production work. Securing work is mainly a function of reputation, recommendations and networking. Compensation of experienced, skilled professionals can be excellent.

The third route is entrepreneurial. An independent producer identifies a market demand and then raises money to produce a movie to meet that market demand. This is highly speculative and risky. It can also yield the highest return. A successful producer that can sell a TV pilot, or create an independent film that finds an audience or a documentary that is sold to a cable network reaps enormous dividends. Royalty payments are the moviemaker's retirement plan. One cannot access this kind of ongoing revenue stream without owning the fruits of your labor. This is generally the domain of the producer, writer, actor and director.

Everyone has to start somewhere and there is no shame in going with the first route to gain experience and make contacts in the industry. However, most of the jobs available in this industry on a 9-to-5 basis are at the lower rungs of quality and talent. It is also very easy to get stuck in this kind of position without much opportunity for advancement. Although we provide the kind of knowledge and skills to land this type of job, we prepare our students for much more than this.

Working as an independent contractor offers a much faster paced working environment, is more demanding work and also provides a great deal more opportunity to network. If you work on a project for a few weeks or months and then jump to another project, you will be making connections with an entirely new group of people. With a little experience, you can start being more selective about the projects you accept and climb a quality ladder. Most of these jobs are still below-the-line (technical) in nature but they provide the kind of experience necessary to understand the industry and make connections. Again, although we provide our students with the knowledge and skills to successful transition into these jobs it is not what we ultimately prepare our students for.

We strongly encourage our students to accept the challenge of producing, directing and writing. These are the positions on a film production that will be the most challenging, competitive, creatively fulfilling and rewarding. It is not realistic to expect that one will leave film school and be able to have creative control over a high level project. However, this is the ultimate aspiration we instill in our students and we provide the knowledge and tools to accomplish that.

Whether or not our students choose to be industry professionals or wish to pursue film as a journey of self-realization and discovery, our goal is to provide them with the education and opportunity to create their own original works.

A: Maybe. It really depends on what you want to do.

If you want to work on big studio pictures then the answer is yes. If you live in the United States and you want regular work in production, it would be a wise idea. New York City has enough work in film and television to support regular work but it doesn't even come close to comparing to what is available in Los Angeles. It's not even in the same league.

Many recent film school graduates go to large cities in pursuit of work. This is a poor idea for the most part. Cities like Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, San Diego, Denver, Chicago, Miami, Austin have small, boutique film scenes but really nothing to speak of aside from the usual corporate/industrial and commercial work you will find anywhere.

That being said, many film school graduates flock to Los Angeles. The city is full of opportunity if you wish to work in film. If you know what you want and pursue it with single minded determination you will do fine. However, it is a highly competitive place for the above-the-line positions and rife with insecurity and cut throat personalities. If you want to work with the best professionals in the business, go to Los Angeles.

If you want to create your own movies then you might be best staying far away from the overpowering herd mentality of Hollywood. The internet is really facilitating the success of filmmakers who wish to operate outside of Los Angeles. If you are a director, writer or producer and feel confident using the Internet to your advantage then Los Angeles is not the inescapable vortex that it once was.

A: Credit classes have graded assignments. Students will interact with the instructor, who will give personalized critical feedback. You must take a class for credit in order to be eligible for the certificate program.

A: Audit classes provide access to all class materials and downloads. Audit classes are not graded, do not include personalized feedback and do not include interaction with an instructor. Audit classes are not eligible for the certificate program.

A: There are no sequential film programs in the states of Washington, Oregon or Idaho which makes it extremely difficult for local filmmakers to get an education in the art and craft of filmmaking. Aside from the geographic appeal of the region, Bellingham is also the midpoint between two major urban areas: Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) and Seattle, Washington. The proximity to Vancouver (less than an hour by car) and the film community there makes Bellingham an ideal place to develop the creative talents of regional filmmakers.