Getting started in filmmaking

[Young-and-angry]

I'm still at school, but would really liek to get into filmmaking (i.e writing and directing) but I don't really know what steps to take, could anyone tell me sone info or have experience in that line of work?

Also, would making leftist films be a problem for film companies?

[Pirate turtle the 11th]

is there a local collage or somewhere that does courses in it?

[Young-and-angry]

No , I have looked about and there don't seem to be any local ones.

[Dóchas]

i dont see why left wing films would be un attractive to film companies. there has been a few eg. V for vendetta and the matrix triolgy has left wing connotations.

is there any film workshops in your area or centres that give small introductory courses? if not buy a decent camera and just start filming short sketches with your friends just to get the feel of using a camera and working with actors (they dont even have to be good)

[neilhere]

The troma label have a guide to low budget style film making available on dvd. Seen it on ebay or the troma site a while back. Best way would be to do a film studies course!

[berlitz23]

Well this might sound a bit impractical and quixotic for a starter, but be a militant and gurreila filmmaker, entailing YOU to start shooting whatever your project is on any location. It doesn't necessarily have to have plot in fact I advise against the plot because it is another tool that the capitalist utilize wear down our capacity to think, but perhaps do something non-narrative, fragmented, disjointed, ramshackle in every manner you can make anything. I don't know if you have a program yet, but you can get After Effects for thirty day trial, and there is a way to keep repeating that trial. However, don't be idle be active I know you are looking for advice but the best way to understand cinema and film is by creating.