Here’s a concise 8‑point run‑through of Luc Forsyth’s “How I’d Get a Film Education if I Was 18 Again” (19 min):
Skip the Ivory Tower
Film school can be pricey, slow, and often teaches outdated gear—so Luc argues you can get a richer education on your own.Build a Self‑Directed Curriculum
Film Canon: Watch a curated list of classics and modern landmarks across genres.
Theory & Craft: Read a handful of core texts (think art‑of‑editing, mise‑en‑scène, documentary storytelling).
Learn by Doing
Monthly Projects: Commit to shooting and finishing a short film or scene every month—experiment with narrative, doc, and hybrid forms.
Rotate Roles: Work as director, DP, sound recordist, editor—so you understand each department’s language and challenges.
Leverage Free & Cheap Resources
YouTube & Podcasts: Follow channels like Every Frame a Painting, Film Riot and Luc’s own tutorials.
Online Courses & Masterclasses: Pick one or two paid courses for deep dives (lighting, sound, editing), but don’t get bogged down.
Reverse‑Engineer Your Favorites
Break down films you love—shot for shot. Recreate scenes to understand camera movement, lighting ratios, pacing, and performance direction.Find Mentors & Crew
Set Experience: Volunteer as a production assistant or grip to soak up real‑world workflows.
Peer Network: Join local film clubs, Reddit communities or university workshops—your fellow filmmakers are your first collaborators and critics.
Assemble & Iterate Your Reel
Quality over Quantity: Only showcase your best two or three shorts.
Festivals & Feedback: Submit to micro‑festivals, screen for friends and mentors, then hone your next project based on their notes.
Treat It Like a Career, Not a Hobby
Daily Discipline: Block out “office hours” for watching, reading, writing, shooting and editing.
Long‑Term Vision: Map out where you want to be in one, three and five years—then reverse‑plan the skills and projects that’ll get you there.
By combining structured study, relentless hands‑on practice, community feedback, and real‑world set experience, you’ll cover in a few years what a traditional film degree might stretch over four—and you’ll own every lesson along the way.
