London Film School

Daniel Barker Current Student, 14-May-2010
I have just called the Film School and spoke to most pompous arrogant man I have ever encountered. I had two questions I needed answering, one on cinematography and the other on fees. He went on this rambling explanation of how this school was global and taught a global film making course. If this is an example of the people involved in this school I would stay well away!

Class162 Current Student, 07-Apr-2009
A horrible experience!!!! If you want to learn about narrative in cinema please do not waste money at this "school". The staff is full of bitter and petty "teachers" who are only there for their own ego. The school is poorly run and has been riding its reputation for far to long.

Mischa Jakupcak Former Student, 19-Nov-2007
Attending the London Film School was the best educational experience I could imagine. It helped develop me as an artist, crafts person and citizen of the world. The creative environment, studio-like structure and hands-on experience working in every aspect of filmmaking, from editing to producing, writing and directing (Super 16 & 35mm) has given me invaluable insight that I have used in every job since graduation. LFS has given me the skills and knowledge that have formed me as a person, as well as helped me launch an active career in film. Life altering and well worth the expensive tuition.

KINOWORDS Former Student, 07-May-2007
A few points to be clarified. The curriculum is a tested system based on developmental learning - from b/w silent (Ist term), colour post-synch sound (2nd term), b/w sound Docu (3rd term) and the full works - 35mm, bw, post/synch sound in the fourth term. By the fifth term students are fully aware of the demans of making a drama project in synch, colour. Students arrange there own groups and, yes, the focus is on filmmaking, not getting the ear of 'master' teachers. As for digital, the choice is yours. Working with actual film, however, provides the necessary discipline - and respect for production values - that comes with digital filmmaking when it is supposed to be faster and cheaper. In reflection, I agree with the comment that this isn't for the feint-hearted. It's an intense firestorm of learning that is never forgotten by those who commit in to get something out.

Nosa Obayiuwana Current Student, 18-Aug-2005
The London Film School is not for the faint-hearted. It is not for the student who wants to be spoon fed and hand-held as he completes a master's degree. If you require excessive supervision and need a tutor to watch over you every day you come into class, screaming and demanding you do your work I suggest you go to a more traditional university. This school is designed to show you the way. As a graduate of the Surrey Institute of Art and Design and the London School of Media (the University of the Arts) I think I can authoritatively say that the London Film School is very VERY good. Now there are problems: competition between students to get their films made, a schedule that is as tight as a horse's ass and the extremely high fees with little or no assistance for UK students. However, if you are determined and can stay focused these problems are surmountable. After all, if you want to become a filmmaker you will find the real world a lot more cut-throat than film school. The genius of the London Film School system is in the way they change your understanding of film and instil in you the fundamentals of the craft without making it seem tedious and uninteresting. Now I have read (and heard) the critics of the school bemoan the place but I can honestly say it is probably the best film school anywhere. I have spoken to film students from the AFI Conservatory - and they complain their school only lets the three or four students lead the film projects... at NYU its that there are too many students, not enough one to ones, and additional costs for materials and equipment. It's more or less the same thing at the UCLA. So if you want to go to film school realise one thing... you will have to study and study hard not because you are will have an exam at the end of term and you want to pass but because you need to dedicate yourself to the craft and learn all you can about film. At the end of the day nobody can teach you how to make a good film, film school can only give you the tools. So to the other two reviewers who wrote the school is useless, I have only one thing to say: our faults lie not in the stars, but in ourselves.

Camilla Stroem Henriksen Former Student, 15-Nov-2004
The masters course in filmmaking is a great preparation for my career as a filmmaker. In the two year course, I gained an insight to the technical, aesthetic and creative fields of the craft. It also gave me space to investigate my own path as a storyteller. I encountered inspirational and supportive tutors, who I consider vital for my developement. I would highly recommend this school to anyone who is focused and knows why they want to be a filmmaker: the school will provide the necessary tools.

Daneeta Loretta Saft Former Student, 01-Nov-2004
I graduated from the London Film School (as it has recently been renamed) in September 2003. When I started at the school it was in transition. A young new director, Ben Gibson formerly of the BFI, had been hired to modernize the school and implement a comprehensive plan to restructure the curriculum. After an initial period of readjustment, the LFS grew from a 2 year diploma course to a 2 year MA course in the Art and Technique of Filmmaking. My experience at the school was intense and exciting. I was one of the students whose background was not in filmmaking but in writing. When I arrived at the school, I found that there were others in my term who knew a great deal about filmmaking and those of us who had experience in other artistic fields. The mixture was perfect as I learned quite a lot from not only the tutors but also from my fellow students. The tutors engaged and challenged me, pushing me to achieve to a very high standard. In the fifth term, I was confident enough to write and direct a 15 minute short drama shot on 35mm. I never would have imagined that my skill would be at that level by the 5th term. The LFS is the oldest and most prestigious film school in Europe, and I think it lives up to the reputation. It is quite a different experience from other film schools in that all of the films are shot on film with two exercises done on 35mm, students learn all aspects of filmmaking, and there are over 150 films made at the school per year. It also prepares you for independent filmmaking…how to get the film you want to make made. It’s a hands-on practical course where films are made in a work shop atmosphere. Another thing that Ben Gibson instituted in the beginning of his tenure was an extensive influx of visiting tutors and master classes with the likes of Mike Leigh, Tak Fujimoto and Steven Frears. These classes are also available to alumni, and they provide additional tutelage as well as direct contact with working industry professionals. The outreach program for graduating students is also a new development. Tutors put graduates in touch with working professionals who are excelling within the field that the graduate wants to pursue. And the international network of alumni is unbeatable. LFS graduates are working all over the globe, and the relationship among alumni is quite tight. They tend to work together after graduating and offer advice for newly graduating students. On a personal level, I've worked with many LFS graduates on my post graduate projects as well as the projects of others. These projects include features, documentaries, commercials, music videos and short films. These experiences have been rewarding and a continuing learning experience. Compared to other schools, the LFS might seem expensive, however, all expenses are covered. That means that all costs related to each units' film are covered by tuition. There is no additional cost for making your films. Completing the course is hard work. You must have stamina, dedication and talent. The LFS is not for the fainthearted. It is for people who are serious about working in film. The school provides students with the skills necessary for a career in filmmaking. As an alumna, I would highly recommend the LFS. Daneeta Loretta Saft

Doesn't Matter Former Student, 26-Aug-2003
I only went through half way before I had the courage telling my parents that they have spent £20,000 for nothing. I have left this school for the mere reason that its not a school. Don't fool yourself with names - they don't mean a thing. Just because some great person has been in some kind of an environment means nothing. This "school" is a production company that works against you - I'm not joking. Also its a social death to you since the low amount of students and no connection to the outside world. You have no time to work and meet people out of your circle. Most of the guys there come with very fat pockets and no art sensitivity. The teachers are all retired or a very minor ex-professionals. Its expansive, you can't work and that's a burden if you live in London. The way this school works is all wrong - the students choose the films not the tutors so if you have a common idea or some money that you are willing to invest - you will probably find yourself making a film. Everybody is welcome to direct in the final 6th term - even if you haven't directed. What a joke. There is no continuity to this film school - they simply don't give a damn. I would suggest you get yourself into another place.

Ben Gibson, Director Faculty Member, 29-Apr-2003
The London Film School has been comprehensively transformed in the last three years. If offers a two-year MA Filmmaking Degree incorporating six films (one in each 12 week term), with two on 35mm involving studio shooring and built sets. All budgets (including £2,300 towards your graduation film) are incorporated into the fees (£5,500 a term), making LFS, which is an educational charity, the cheapest completely professional level film school in the world. Graduates include Mike Leigh, Tak Fujimoto, Michael Mann, Anne Hui, many others.

Anna Current Student, 01-Sep-2002
4 terms of Steenbeck????????? And there is no use of Digital Cameras as they say.

Pepita Current Student, 12-Mar-2002
It's shit and expensive, and doesn't allow normal people to afford it. I really regret having wasted my money there.