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AFS is completely unique, and there is no other film school quite like it.
Here are the ground rules all students must agree to before being accepted into the course:
* SCRIPT LENGTH: No scripts longer than three pages (four MAX). Script should not include any wild special effects or difficult locations. The purpose of AFS is to teach you how to use STORY and CHARACTER first and foremost in your films; special FX and expensive cameras are nice, but not the focus of our curriculum. Further, we want every student to leave with an acting reel of substance and that will only happen if the films are focused on story, character, and dialogue first and foremost.
* SCRIPT STRUCTURE: Each script must be story based, with a beginning, middle, and end, written in standard screenplay format (and you will be taught this during the course). Each script must cast for reality, i.e. a young woman will not be allowed to play a role that would be better played by an older woman; all roles must be written for realistic portrayal value. Bottom line, no 'experimental' films with non-sensical story elements--the aim is to create a short film in the tried-and-true style of a standard Hollywood feature film, so that when people watch it, they say, "Hey, that was good!"
* ACTORS: You must write the script for the students in your class section (i.e., don't start writing the script until you meet your fellow classmates) and no other actors may appear in your film. You must act in your own film, and preferably in a starring role. You cannot be 'just a writer/director'--if you're a part of Actors Film School, then you need to, um, what's the word? ACT!
* CREW: Your fellow students are your crew. Treat them nicely. :)
* EQUIPMENT: You must use the cameras and equipment provided in class. If you want to use additional equipment, that is fine, but you must use what we have as a minimum. Remember, the purpose of AFS is to teach you how to use STORY and CHARACTER first and foremost in your films. Also, we want prospective students to watch the films knowing that they can do something similar with the very same equipment provided in class. Finally, and most importantly, in order to get four films shot in less than two months, it requires organization and knowledge of the equipment--by introducing new equipment, it will potentially slow down the shoots.
* CREDITS: You must agree to a minimum end credit list: a) the first credit must read, "Written, Produced, Directed, and Edited by YOUR NAME; b) the second credit must read, "Supervising Producer - Monroe Mann"; c) if Monroe helps you extensively with your editing, then you both will share an editing credit, with your name coming first; d) all fellow students must be listed as associate producers, and crew members; e) the words, "Produced in association with Loco Dawn Films, Unstoppable Artists, and Actors Film School (www.ActorsFilmSchool.com)" must be listed in the end credits in a size comparable to all else.
* COMPLETION: You must agree to FINISH YOUR FILM. This does not mean finish the script. This does not mean finish the shooting. It does not mean finish the editing. It means ALL OF THE ABOVE. No student may enroll unless he or she [he] agrees to attend all classes, not miss any of the scheduled shoot dates, finish shooting the film, finish editing the film, and create a final quicktime file of the film--ready for uploading to the screening room, to other film websites, and for submission to film festivals and elsewhere. Do we help you with all this? Of course, but you need to make a pact before you even set foot in the classroom that you are not going to let your fellow students down---they are going to work hard acting, crewing, and producing your film; the least you can do is finish it. Heck, the least you can do is try to make the most of the tuition you paid as well! You owe it as much to yourself as you do your classmates to finish your film, 'cause that's what a Hollywood producer would do.
* STAMINA: The shooting days of the program are long and rigorous, often starting as early as 8AM and going until 10PM or later, i.e 14 hours, with only a 30 minute break for lunch, and a 30 minute break for dinner. Do not enroll in the course if you cannot handle this. The environment is not stressful (like Army basic training!), but the shooting days are long long long and may involve a lot of moving from location to location, and certainly a lot of carrying (mostly light to medium-weight stuff) because you are part of the crew. Inevitably this is difficult. Please enroll knowing this up front. Shooting a film and editing it to completion in only 7 weeks is not easy, but it certainly is tons of fun and worth every moment! Just come into the program knowing that it certainly does require some sacrifice and stamina---we wanted you to know this up front.
* PROMOTION: You must agree to allow AFS to post your film in the screening room, on YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, at various public theatres, and/or at any other public screening areas, and to use your name and/or likeness in any and all promotion of AFS. You agree to provide AFS a testimonial at the end of the course along with a photo to post on the website and to use in other promotional materials for AFS, Unstoppable Artists, and Loco Dawn Films.
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