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Movie Mogul.co.uk For the Love of Film Blog

E-mail interview with: Nik Powell  

Director The National Film &Television School (NFTS) Beaconsfield & Independent Producer.

 INTERVIEW:

1. Briefly, if possible, how broad is the scope of the available courses for filmmakers at the NFTS?

The NFTS runs the widest range of film and television MA courses of any school in Europe and indeed in the world. We run 4 MA directing courses alone (Fiction, Animation, Documentary and TV entertainment); one of the best Cinematography courses in the world (our graduates have shot everything from Coen Brothers and Tarantino pictures to Star Wars and James Bond!). Of the top worldwide box office grossing movies of 2009,,the number one was directed by a NFTS graduate; the number 7 top grossing film was  edited by a NFTS graduate and the number 17 film executive produced by a graduate of the NFTS. The three films together grossed just short of two billion $’s at the worldwide Box Office! We run the only MA course in the world that combines VFX with SFX. We also run more than 70 short courses each year mostly for people already in the industry. You can see the courses on our website www.nfts.co.uk.

2. How does that compare with what other specialised film schools have to offer?

As I mentioned above, we run many courses that are simply not run elsewhere at all. Even where other people do run courses with the same titles, they are often not at the MA level; where they are MA’s ,they are one year MA’s not two year MA’s. All our MA courses are 2 years and validated by the Royal College of Art one the most respected MA’s in the world.

3. How are candidate applications considered, on a purely academic basis, or will previous film work the student has done be helpful to their consideration?

We chose applicants based primarily on their actual work rather than academic achievement. You do not need a degree to come to NFTS but if you don’t have a degree, you must have had equivalent experience in the industry or related industries. However in order to come to the NFTS they must be post graduate age (early 20’s plus)

4. Once a student has chosen the NFTS how simple is it to switch between the courses on offer if a different aptitude or preference takes precedence?

It is not possible at all. No one switches courses at NFTS. When you make a decision to come to the NFTS, you are also making a decision as to what you want to do in the film, television, audio visual industries. You are making a lifetime decision to master one of the crafts of filmmaking! I don’t want to sound arrogant but we don’t want dilettantes.

5. What are the most likely identifiable career entry points and levels, for a graduate of the NFTS?

According to surveys done in 2010 60% of the graduates find work immediately on leaving with a further 20% within 3 months. 77% will work in film. 62% will find work in TV. Many as you can see from those figures in both. 64% of our alumni work at senior levels in the industry and a further 22% at mid level. Those that are independent minded should know that 71% of recent (i.e. in the last 10 years) graduates are their own bosses-either running their own companies- or independent freelancers. The NFTS is not for the faint hearted!

6. In your experience is there a typical time frame after the course ends before graduate film makers can expect to get paid for their work?

As I said above over 60% will find paid work in the industry immediately on leaving and 85% within a year.

7. Is a Forum like MovieMogul.co.uk 'Very Useful,' 'Quite Useful' or 'Not Useful at all' in helping to get emerging film makers work recognised?

It can be very useful     

8. You are also associated with several professional bodies in The UK, Europe and the US, how important is it for emerging film makers to join these organisations like BAFTA or PACT and also approach Regional Film Commissions to get their work recognised and funded?

That is two questions. I don’t think it’s a priority or even a possibility for emerging filmmakers to join Bafta as there are strict criteria and its unlikely at the very beginning of their career they will meet them. However they should absolutely submit their work for the Bafta awards to gain recognition. Pact is of course for producers. Once a young producer has established a company which is active in production they should certainly join PACT. The Regional Screen Agencies have been a very important source of both expertise and cash for emerging filmmakers and hopefully despite the current changes will remain so.

9. If you were in charge of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) would you consider introducing an apprenticeship scheme to the film business, or something else altogether, to help create an entry point?

Skillset already have apprentice schemes mainly in the crafts. I am sure they would like to broaden them if the cash is available

10. If you had only one chance to impart some words of wisdom to an aspiring film maker, which would you choose to give?

MASTER YOUR CRAFT SO THAT YOU MIGHT BECOME A GREAT STORYTELLER

Thank you very much Nik from all of us at MM. 

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