Concerning the choice of camera, any of those listed should work well as a teaching device. My personal choice is the EOS Digital Rebel, which I use as a back-up for my EOS 20D. The advantage is the interchangeability of lenses. You should consider this when you want to upgrade to a more professional-level camera, because good lenses ain't cheap.

As for choosing a school, Rockport College or another local institution may be your best choice, given the lower tuition and availability of instructors. Another possibility is a distance-learning course, such as the Digital Photography course availbable from the New York Institute of Photography. They have a professional photography course as well. Check out them out at nyip.com.

(Brooks Institute wants $100K? What are they offering, a masters degree?)

Ditto NYIP! I am a graduate and heartily reccommend them.
I am a dedicated OLympus E-1 guy; I totally bought into the dedicated digital lenses and have not regretted it. The original 2.8 glass is excellent and IMHO the faster glass is neccessary for dof effects in cfamera.

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(Brooks Institute wants $100K? What are they offering, a masters degree?)

They do have a masters, but basically they are offering a 3 year degree in a pretty location in Santa Barbara for a lot of money. The first year is primarily technical training and the next two years are focused more on developing a portfolio. I realize that a portfolio is a critical part of finding work, but I already have accrued college debt from my first time around through school, I don't need to rack up that much on top of what I already owe. I think you can go for a masters at Brooks after your first three years.

I attended Brooks (class of '57) when Ernie Brooks Sr. was still running the school. Then it was a two year non-degree professional program with a strong, comprehensive curriculum. A few years ago the school was sold by Ernie Jr. to a large corporation with a very questionable reputation. I would agree not to consider it.

I worked in Hollywood for about 30 years and in the early years did still photography for a number of independent movie productions. Major studio films are made using union crews exclusively including the still photographers. Unless you have a way to get into the union, a relative or sponsor, it is pretty hard to get a union card.

Regardless, the limited experience I had doing independent film production coverage was probably the most boring and least challenging photographic work I have done in a long and diverse career. However I did a lot of independent freelance work that was involved in the entertainment industry, mostly publicity and PR, which was often fun, challenging and reasonably lucrative. But, today there are just too many photographers and too little work so it is ultra-competitive. I'm glad to be semi-retired and now just write about photography based on over 50 years making a living in the profession if you can call it that<S>.

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Unless you have a way to get into the union, a relative or sponsor, it is pretty hard to get a union card.

I thought as long as a person had the amount of required hours at the required pay and the $6000 to fork over (or however much they require now) a person could get into the union without much problem. (is that an incorrect assumption?)

Since I have posting on some other lists about on set work I have had the few people who have done it tell me the same thing - that it is to a formula and essentially uncreative.

I have always loved theater and film, though, and since I can't see myself acting, directing, or producing, still photography came to mind. If I end up going to the school in Maine they also have a film editing degree that I would like to pick up as a second major. If I could end up working in either photography or editing I would be happy. Either way, I would like to do some free-lance photography on the side, so a good camera and the schooling are still an interest for me.

One of the primary functions of a still photographer on a movie or TV set is to do record shots of the set. This provides the set dressers with a continuity record so when the scenes are spliced together items on the set remains constant. That is boring. But what is more boring is sitting on your butt for long hours on end while the real action takes place (when the film/video cameras are rolling), waiting until you are needed again.

The photographers who do creative and profitable work related to the entertainment industry are indepoendents who are sometimes hired by the studios to do special publicity shots, as well as do assignments for major publications. I've known many of these individuals, partly due to my years as a board member and a stint as president of the LA chapter of ASMP to begin with. One current photographer-star known in Hollywood for this kind of independent photography is Greg Gorman. Success like Greg's is achieved by unusual photographic skill and talent, but as much by being very effective in personal relations with industry people and being able to sell yourself.

I also ditto NYIP, and am a current student. The course material is somewhat dated, but then the basics of photography haven't changed all that much.

As to a camera, I use the EOS-10D for digital work, and suggest you might check out the used market. Also, think about whether you really want to go digital or not while you are a student -- one of the things NYI harped on was not to buy a whole lot of stuff while you were studying~!

-EdT.

Have you look into Hallmark school in NH, a friend of mine at works daughter went there and it was a 9 month course and i believe it was around 5,000. 100,000 is ridiculous and i to am looking into NYIP, only because i do work full-time and want the convience of doing this on my own pace. i just received the brochure. Can anyone tell me if the nikon d70 is any good?

I am a graduate of NYIP, and recommend them highly.
We all have prejudices both for and against any particular brand of camera; as well as some real issues that may or may not be particular to a specific intended use.
Look at www.nyip.com for their article entitled "My First SLR", you might find it helpful.

Ronk, i can't find the article on that website you gave me, maybe you can send it to me.
spdd12@aol.com
Thanks
Sue