The Meaning of this Blog

The way I am writing this blog is not as someone who has "made it," but rather as someone who is simply on a journey. I'm not going to pretend I know everything, because honestly, there is probably very little I truly know. What I am doing, however, is constantly learning. Everything I do, whether it is a success or failure, is a step to understanding just a little bit more about how this industry works. I will give my opinions and advice on things as I experience them, but they will all be things that I experience. It is not the same for everyone, so I encourage anyone who is interested in films to simply start creating work NOW. I made "movies" when I was 11 years old with my toys, whether it be Lego's, Star Wars action figures, or green and tan army men. These movies are all pretty terrible, and I rarely show them to anyone, but they were a great learning process because I was constantly making things. Even work I have done recently I don't think is that great, but I don't let it bother me because I take what I've learned from it and hopefully my next project will be just a little bit better.

So, the main point of this short blog is this; keep making SOMETHING. Whether it be writing, taking pictures, making terrible short films with your friends, whatever, always do something, because that's honestly the only way you will get better at it.

For those of you who are curious, here is the first film I ever made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgTsvhYUNfk

Enjoy.

Film School eh?

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Taylor Olson, and I recently graduated from Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida, with a Bachelors Degree in Film. If you've heard of this school, great, if not, I'll explain how it worked; basically, over a period of 20 months, you get a Bachelors degree. You take two classes a month (for the most part, sometimes there is only one) and you don't really get breaks longer than two weeks, so it's pretty much non stop.

What I want to address in this first blog is mainly for those who are thinking about attending Full Sail, or another film school, and aren't sure if it's worth it or not. If you found this blog through my YouTube channel, (www.youtube.com/phylofilms), then thanks for checking this out. If not, but still are thinking about film school, feel free to keep reading for my thoughts.

First, before you do anything, make sure it's what you love to do. DO NOT think that it will be easy, and that life will be some huge party because you work in movies. My first month of Full Sail, at least 1/4th of the students in my class were stoners who watched a little too much Entourage. Real life is not like that for most people, so expect to work hard. "Work hard, play hard" is one thing they told us at Full Sail, which I really liked. It is not "Play hard, play hard." The work comes first.

Now, if you decided film is not for you, then fine...if it is, then here is my personal opinions on how to survive Full Sail (or other film schools) and make it worth it. Most likely you'll find terrible things about Full Sail online, saying that it's all about getting people's money. Things like that were written by those "Entourage stoners" who did not have the work ethic to succeed. If you want to succeed in film, don't just do what the school offers. Do more, do way more. As much as you can, keep making films. I wish I did more of this at Full Sail, but I did do it some. I made films outside of class with friends, we would just make up something quick and write it, film it, sometimes act in it ourselves, and edit it. This was a great way to learn what we loved to do, what we were best at, and what needed improvement. I plan to do more of this when I move to L.A. next week.

I could write a lot more, but I think this is a good place to stop for now. If you have any questions regarding Full Sail, film, who the frak I am, whatever, just feel free to ask.

Also, Entourage is a great show, in no way was I insulting it.

Have a good day!