Film making by the Strategic Artist

When you look at Spielberg, Fincher, David Lynch, Ken Loach, Kubrick, Kaufmann, Coppola - you're looking at filmmakers as artists. Bresson, Ozu, Robert Altman, Kiarostami, the Coen Brothers -- the same thing too. Quentin Tarantino, Ridley Scott, Woody Allen, Gus Van Sant, Sergio Leone.  The list goes on...  

And in all these cases you're also looking at the filmmaker as pragmatist, entrepreneur and inspired individualist.We believe the only way a great writer, director or producer is going to succeed is through their own unique brilliance.

You cannot teach filmmakers with a one-course-fits-all approach to training. You have to expose filmmakers to a multitude of voices. You have to teach filmmaking in a way that's tailored to each individual's understanding.

Distinctive voice

We believe that the only way to compete in the tough world of filmmaking is with your own unique creativity.  A distinctive voice and vision.

It's now not who you know, it's who you are that counts. But first you have to be thoroughly trained to be a great filmmaker. Immersive filmmaking is not enough. You will only succeed with the fundamental skills if you are pushed to the point of being a truly exceptional cinematic artist.We therefore challenge you, support you, nurture you, stretch you -- collaborate with you to find your unique qualities and passion to create something vibrant and distinctive, that reaches towards the future.

Anyone can learn the skills of filmmaking. But you will never be employed because of your skills. A thriving career is based on who you are: your unique vision, your distinctive storytelling voice, your defining sensibilities. Your unique story insights.

Beyond that, it's only those filmmakers whose work thoroughly connects with its intended audience on an emotional, visceral, experiential level who will consistently gain the grace to make yet another film.

Instincts and inspiration

We believe that making films is an act of artistry and pragmatism, inventiveness and inspiration, and that none of these qualities are remote and out of reach.

They can and must be taught, they can and must be nurtured in practicing filmmakers, they can and must be ignited through structured provocation.

We believe our learning program to be one of the most effective in the world for instilling in our filmmakers a tangible knowledge of how to deliver persistent excellence.

You will be taught by people with a proven understanding of how to take filmmakers to a heightened level of professional and enduring creative expertise. 

Determination

Film school isn't cheap. It requires long hours and hard work. And the choice you've made, the sacrifices you've taken to get this far, warrant our deepest care about how we push you towards your greatest potential, and skill you up for a viable and robust career in film.

If you haven't been pushed to be ground-breakingly inventive, delicately subtle, substantial, meaningful, significant, entertaining, exhilarating, engaging, compelling, resourceful, versatile, unique -- you aren't going anywhere in this industry, nor are you taking your audience anywhere fresh and meaningful, nor are you deriving the food necessary to push yourself ever onwards and upwards.

We believe that if we fail to ignite you, we will have neglected our moral obligation to each emerging filmmaker who has entrusted us with their training.

Substance

We believe films should be worthwhile.  Audeinces demand substance and brilliance. So, a film should say something, mean something, entertain, resonate and touch an audience.

We believe that films should be an act of excellence, an inspired creation, something that elevates its audience through an emotionally meaningful, unique and authentic, humane and elated experience.

Pragmatism

You cannot live a dream. You can be ambitious but you must be real, aware of the stakes and armed accordingly in order to excel. You have to be exceptional, and plugged into a real world understanding and strategic knowledge of the global independent film economy.

Luminosity

We want you to be highly accomplished filmmakers by the time you leave the school. Not a few years afterwards. And so we push each student's work to the highest possible level.

But in all of this, there is something we demand. We demand that our students are involved, professional and open.

The students most suited to our training program typically have three shining qualities: humanity, daring and intelligence. However that may manifest itself.

We don't just teach skills, we develop versatile, creative individuals with the necessary insights to consistently succeed in the international arena of independent film.