The Film School in Seattle was started in 2004 by Seattle film veterans who wanted to improve the quality of scripts. The hope was that Seattle would become a place for filmmakers to help with the creation of low budget films. As of 2010, the film instructors had made films like "Top Gun" and "Rebel Without a Cause." The instructors focus on their own methods and the craft of storytelling. The Film School provides programs like a three-week intensive for screenwriting and directing, director priorities, sales, speaker series, screenplay readings, Tuesday gatherings, film camp and other programs.
The Seattle Film Institute was founded in 1994 and is the largest full-time film program offered in the Pacific Northwest. The institute has a large inventory of equipment for students to access while attending the Seattle Film Institute. The Seattle Film Institute offers two certificate programs, including the Professional Certificate in Producing for Film, which is a 40-week program, and The Total Immersion Filmmaking Program, which involves four 10-week quarters when taken full time or eight 10-week quarters at half-time. The Seattle Film Institute provides two Masters programs, including the Masters of Arts in Producing for Film and a Master of Fine Arts in Filmmaking.
When choosing a film school, a potential student should consider what kind of industry exposure they will have and whether they will be able to make contacts and network with others in the field.
Consider the experience that the faculty has by doing online searches or a search on websites like IMDB to see what movies they have produced, written, assisted in developing or directed.
Film schools often give students the opportunity to participate in an internship in order to be immersed in the movie industry. Seeing what internships are available can help students take the right path for their filmmaking career.
The Film School provides partial scholarships to students, but other payments can be made by PayPal, personal check, cashier's check or money order. The complete tuition is due prior to the start date. The Seattle Film Institute tuition may be paid through educational loans or a monthly tuition payment plan.