Higher Education and Storytellers
I dropped out of Calvin College in Grand Rapids then transferred to Compass College of cinematic arts where I finished with an associate degree. I was the kid in school that thought most of my classes were a waste of time. I disregarded all of the work I had to do that wasn't related to film making. Therefore I wasn't a good academic student.
Now, being a year out of school, I reflect on my higher education studies. This is it.
Trade schools and liberal arts.
Calvin College is a liberal arts school and Compass is a trade school, at least the program I was in. Looking back on the two I took for granted everything I could've learned in a liberal arts environment. I missed out on being able to really interact with lots of various disciplines. I missed out on connecting with different people and topics. I have learned that as a storyteller you need to be connected with so many other disciplines that aren't directly related to cinematography. I feel you can find inspiration and something to gain from almost everything in life. I have realized I want to learn about humans and how they work. I want to learn about science and phycology and sociology. All these various disciplines can help you become a better storyteller and cinematographer. They help you become a better person. As cinematographers, we must possess an open mind to our surroundings so we can be innovators and dreamers. Interacting with people and topics that you aren't used to will inevitably create growth.
So with that being said, the greatest storytellers push boundaries and are innovative. What better way grow that kind of a mind than exposing yourself to many different disciplines and individuals.
However, you cannot just rely on expanding the mind to create a better filmmaker. You need to be trained in the many technical components of the craft. That is where Compass College comes in. Compass is a trade school, for the most part, and allows you to get an associate in media production. All of the classes I took there were all directed towards the craft of film making. This allowed for a much more in-depth look into the art of storytelling. Shooting many films, hands-on with the RED, story meetings, script breakdowns, and lighting demonstrations all contributed to this environment.
These two schools of thought need to be taken together. You shouldn't have one without the other. You need to have both an open mind and a desire to learn, but also the technical skills and know-how. Calvin College taught me the importance of life-long learning and Compass gave me a confidence in my skill set. You're probably thinking that all of this is information, you can learn everything you would ever want to know on the internet. Why would I spend that kind of money? You're right in thinking that. If you have the motivation and the drive you can learn about anything you'd want online. However, the key thing to being in an environment like Compass or Calvin are the connections and relationships you build. Those peers are the people who help you get work and that you can lean upon. You have a special bond between the people you learn and live with. It is the interactions with like-minded and not so like-minded individuals that create a space for growth.
Higher education is not an end-all-be-all as a storyteller, but it can be a stepping stone into the mindset of a great innovator and dreamer. Please leave me a comment below to tell me your thoughts. Happy shooting!