Film School Confidential: Ryan Brown
A profile of #stantonfilm alum and FSU Film School BFA student Ryan Brown.
JA: What Happens In Film School?
RB: You make films. That sounds trite, but really, that’s all you do. There’s some introductory classes on theory and such and you spend more of your first year in a classroom than you do on a set, but really the main thrust of film school comes in production cycles where you spend 13 hours a day, six days a week on set for months, making movies.
You’re given the basics and then you run with it, and you learn and grow on the job, so to speak. I know that’s now how it is at all film schools, but that’s how it is here, and I think its hands down the best way to do it.
JA: How would you describe your program’s strengths?
RB: Basically the above. A lot of programs are a lot of talk and not a lot of do, but our program is small enough to be pretty much all do.
The only one you’re gonna learn and get better is to make stuff as frequently as possible, and that’s what this program offers — while simultaneously slowly upgrading the fancy movie toys you get to play with.
Also, the small class size means you (should) get close with everyone in the school, which is invaluable networking for after you graduate (note to prospective students: the amount of people you know and are friendly with leaving school is as important if not more important than the skills and films you leave with.)
JA: What advice would you give potential applicants?
RB: The process has changed a lot since I got intitally got in, but I’d assume the bottom line is the same: find a way to communicate meaningfully.
Writing a great entry essay is no different than making a great film, and will require the same inherent skills from you. Read some essays online written by the pros (check out Dave Eggers) and see what makes their writing feel resonant. Write something resonant.
Don’t feel the pressure to make it feel like anything in particular — just write something you’re proud of, that you think is cool. And you’ll probably get an interview.
JA: Can you talk about one of the projects you made?
RB: I made “Reckless” after hearing about the true story version of events from a friend. It spoke a lot to I think the restlessness of young adults everywhere, and it was a fun and I think relatable story to tell in the amount of time we were given. I was also watching a lot of Altman and early Spielberg at the time and it let me try out the “characters-talk-over-each-other” alot method of writing which was a lot of fun.
JA: What’s next?
RB: NYC, hopefully. NYC, LA, and Atlanta are the three big places to move, each with a huge list of pros and cons.
Strategy for how you want to advance in this industry depends and varies completely on the individual — I’m hoping to keep producing short content on my own until someone will pay me to make their short content for them, and then hopefully from there someone will get on board with me making some longer content (like a movie!)
It’s gonna be an adventure.
