What You Don't Learn In Film School - Shane Stanley [FULL INTERVIEW]

Shane Stanley is a producer/author/instructor/screenwriter known for numerous film and television projects including Desperate Passage (1987) starring Michael Landon, The Desperate Passage Series (1988 to 1995) starring Sharon Gless, Edward James Olmos, Marlo Thomas and Louis Gossett Jr. Street Pirates (1994), Gridiron Gang (2006) starring Dwayne Johnson and Xzibit, A Sight for Sore Eyes (2004) with Academy Award nominee, Gary Busey. Shane is also the author of WHAT YOU DON’T LEARN IN FILM SCHOOL: A Complete Guide To (Independent) Filmmaking.
0:00 - Lessons From Having Success In Hollywood At An Early Age
10:54 - Why Artists Are Crazy
19:53 - A $125,000 Screenplay Sale To Bankruptcy
27:34 - Big Reason Why Many People Will Never Have A Career In The Film Industry
36:27 - Every Artist Should Sell Cars
48:20 - The Mistake I Made When Hollywood Stole My Screenplay
1:01:06 - How To Protect A Screenplay
1:09:29 - Producers Don’t Want To Read Your Screenplay, Here’s What They Really Want
1:29:17 - Writing A Treatment And Synopsis For A Screenplay
1:33:26 - 11 Minute Rule Screenwriters And Filmmakers Should Know
1:41:26 - How To Write The Best Dialogue
1:50:41 - Why Some Of The Best Screenplays Aren't Marketable
1:59:09 - 5 Things That Make A Film Look Low Budget
2:13:14 - How A Movie No One Wanted Became A #1 Box Office Hit
2:37:52 - How Much Should A Filmmaker Pay Themselves
2:49:49 - Top 5 Reasons Someone Will Invest In Your Movie
3:01:55 - Writing And Selling A Screenplay In 3 Days
3:09:29 - What Filmmakers Should Know About Filming During Covid-19
3:18:03 - How A Director Builds A Strong Relationship With Their Actors
BUY THE BOOK - WHAT YOU DON’T LEARN IN FILM SCHOOL: A Complete Guide To (Independent) Filmmaking - amzn.to/3lk3KdP
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#filmmaking #film #screenwriting

[@filmcourage]

Check out Shane's second interview What They Will Never Teach You In Film School - Shane Stanley [FULL INTERVIEW] - buff.ly/39uIgu8

[@kamilkrajc2005]

9

[@geritoaugusto961]

​@@kamilkrajc2005😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@ebayresellingflipping]

I've had the privilege of talking to Shane on Zoom party conferences a couple of times. Straight shooter. No bullshit. Very generous with his time and keen to answer any questions as best he can. Dude. x 🤘🕺🥂

[@samhardy2038]

Once again It’s who you know.

[@RM_VFX]

I've always been embarrassed to put community college on my resume, but the one I went to had a good film program, and everyone was there to focus on their work, not to party. And I payed the tiny student debt off on my first studio job.

[@curtissnowentertainment6422]

What school

[@Respect2theFallen]

Lucky my program was pretty trash met some good people but our professor killed our drive he expressed he was canned from the industry by making a simple mistake or something he saw as minor. So he basically seemed to be taking out his missed opportunity on us

[@v-22]

I went to a top tier film school. Just based on what you said, I can tell your school was better than mine.

[@shuyo6073]

Why would you be embarrassed? You're there to further develop your education. I'll proudly wear it on my sleeve once I go. You're an inspiration, my friend.

[@simplyrowen]

@@Respect2theFallenWhat did he do?

[@paulbateman858]

Free labor taught me lot, it taught me to never work for nothing. In my experience they'll always just look on you as 'the free guy'. No company worth impressing pays you zero. Wasn't till I stopped that nonsense, got the skills I needed, and started getting paid that anyone treated me with respect. If you think working for free is a good idea for you, at least put a time limit on it - ie: you'll only do it for 6 months.

[@NelsonStJames]

It also depends on who you're working for free for. No "company" should have anybody working for free, but I'll help an independent out "if" I really like the project, they don't have the cash, I have the time to give, or I find the project is challenging in some way that I need experience in.

[@ebayresellingflipping]

Odd comment...given that Shane explains a couple of times how working for free opened new doors. I'm not saying that one should work for lunch for Disney but a new filmmaker with no money has no money. Help him or her succeed and, on the presumption they are not an asshole... karma will come full circle.

[@emyserozzi8088]

If I have to work for free, I'd rather volunteer and help homeless people. At least I know i'm doing something good.

[@matthewgordonpettipas6773]

@@emyserozzi8088 Amen to that.

[@yeetnama9094]

@Vic Burns Opened new doors?? Dude had the doors opened for him already at 9 months old lol

[@novamationmedia]

I hear you, man, but I bussed my ass for peanuts in the video business for years, and when I reached a point where I wanted to start a family, I told the guys I had worked with for years that I needed to start getting paid and they said, "Aw, Gee, we'll miss ya man." There are so many people in this business who will work for free that it becomes a part of the production budget. Be selective about what you're doing. Shadowing a director for free ain't the same as gaffing and gripping for free.

[@michaelmaccarthy7282]

Love this guy. This is everything you will ever need to know about filmmaking.

[@JacklynALo]

Listen to the FULL INTERVIEW! Thank you, Shane, for sharing Your Life Story!

[@matthewgordonpettipas6773]

I'm lucky my mother always supported me in my artistic pursuits. She admitted she doesn't quite get why I have a passion for writing but as long as I love it and I'm happy, she's happy and will support me. Now my dad? Weeeeel, that's a long, complicated story lol. He's a carpenter, a very practical person with little time for books or any of the things I love. To him writing is just something that gets in the way of 'real work.' So while he's not against me pursuing a writing career per se, he doesn't support me or care to read what I write. But this is the path I chose, so I'll follow it till the end, wherever it leads.

[@CNNBS]

This is gold. No. Hold on. What's better than gold? Tons and tons of gold. He being so open is SO generous. And all he says is SO true and inspiring. Thank you ALL so much!!! I'm a guy living in Argentina. I'm working day and night cause things here are going southern south and I have a baby. I'm writing a screenplay but we are gonna test it by doing a graphic novel first. Been working on it for over three years and still making it better. Working on the IP every day. Every night. And watching your videos has helped a lot my revisions of the material. So, when this reaches the stars, I promise I won't forget all your help and I will be happy to contribute in whatever way possible. THANKS SO MUCH AGAIN. LUV FROM ARGENTINA. MJ.

[@filmcourage]

Sending you our best MJ! 🇦🇷

[@isaacakers]

Like that he takes a jab at nepotism... ironic. Still appreciate him and all the experience he's sharing. But. He was a 6 year old in the right place at the right time that lead him to knowing tons of connections for when he felt like "starting from the ground up". Hard to say if his same work ethic would have lead anywhere like this if he was born in Wisconsin to some farmers.

[@yeetnama9094]

EXACTLY. Don't forget Wisconsin Farmers who are not Jewish. 😆 They wouldn't have a snowballs chance in hell ever making it. They wouldn't even get their tippy toe in the door for the opportunity to work for someone at a network or a studio for free, let alone paid work and a career. It's actually really cruel to lie to people and sell false hope when it's such an extremely nepotistic industry and you have to belong to a very specific tribe.

[@theecharmingbilly]

Everyone in film is a jew?

[@Mulnader]

Finally the whole thing! Let's put this puzzles together :D

[@filmcourage]

There is a lot here, hope you enjoy!

[@wellshu1381]

this guy seems really lucky. more power to him but eh. his advice seems practical but his evidence is just meeting someone right place right time and getting the "hey i like your attitude u want a job" thing.

[@ch355_]

these are so good. just off the cuff and incidentally while answering one question he drops knowledge about other things that fascinate me. thank you so much for making these available.

[@peppyp7323]

really insightful and useful interview! thanks so much, Shane Stanley, and interviewer lady person! I love the openness and honesty of this!

[@LukeBigBay]

I found his book to be excellent. Thanks for the interview.

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Luke, hope you enjoy this one as well.

[@murgeshpatil2479]

Which book

[@filmcourage]

@@murgeshpatil2479 Hi Murgesh, sorry for the late reply. Shane's book is also linked in the information section but here it is WHAT YOU DON’T LEARN IN FILM SCHOOL: A Complete Guide To (Independent) Filmmaking - amzn.to/3lk3KdP (affiliate link)

[@NelsonStJames]

Sadly this "new" way of telling stories explicitly for people with attention deficit is the reason that we are in the age of popcorn cinema where the majority of films don't have any lasting impact, yet people are still talking about films from the 70's and 80s. Television seems to be the place now to find stories with character development and stories that challenge the viewer.

[@stefanbernhard2710]

Modern movies do seem to be rather disposable. It's as if studios know they'll get the cash if they "paint by numbers', so there's less time fleshing out a memorable script with characters who resonate.

[@christianali5431]

@@stefanbernhard2710 Films from the 70s and 80s invented popcorn cinema.

[@jeannedrisko1756]

What a wonderful and generous soul. Truth radiates from him like light.

[@52goldtop]

This was a fantastic interview and a ton of great insight for the rest of us, thank you FC and Shane for taking the time and for all the honest and introspective look at what it takes + the highs and lows and chances you’ve got to take along your journey.

[@filmcourage]

Love this interview with Shane! Thanks for watching!

[@52goldtop]

@@filmcourage thank *you* for always bringing the amazing content and these wonderful artists in.

[@filmcourage]

Doing our best!

[@ronc166]

This is one of my TOP 3 Videos I enjoy & can listen to over & over. It rotates from 1, 2 or 3. But Definitely in my TOP 3.

[@AKSTUDIOUSA]

The best video I've seen on filmmaking. Rich info. Thank you Shane and Film Courage..

[@georgemichael7911]

This is really helpful and informative. Thank you.

[@FlyingOverTr0ut]

Great discussion. I just bought Stanley's book.

[@howardkoor2796]

Another great interview!

[@waynesanders1406]

The second video I've been waiting all year for. FC is MVP

[@MrDarling1502]

I went to a community college where a few professors also worked at a big chain arts college and all say they each said they see better work at the community college than they do at the school that costs tens of thousands of dollars to attend. (no shade at expensive art college students)

[@toddwieland7664]

I first appreciated his critiques of film and the demise of a beloved protagonist The description of synopsis has helped me greatly with my little story the copyright advice is also pure bullion Thank you interviewer and shane

[@filmcourage]

Thanks Todd! After watching this is there anything you wish we would have asked Shane or got him to talk about more?

[@Jamminn555]

Absolute GOLD.

[@forzamediaproductions9743]

Some great experiences and words of wisdom here.

[@thepaulinemarie]

This is soooooo good!!!!

[@nathanericschwabenland88888]

I Am Age 32 And Am Writing My Own Four Page Long Film Scripts; there is this lost media that somebody recorded of me at age 13 in analog

[@samhardy2038]

Well done. He knows the ins and outs. The best. Would like to talk to him one on one concerning other art aspects.

[@FAMEAcademyNY]

Great Information!!! Thank you!

[@bxrdo]

I think the best dialogue comes from principles, what a charecter represents*

[@clarkmonroe6193]

So close to gvinig up on my filmmaking dream. This keeps me going.

[@nellosnook4454]

1. I worked for Charlie Sheen’s father in his independent film “Nightbreaker” in 1996. 2. With Emilio Estavez, Lea Thompson, Joe Pantaliano, Melinda Dillon. 3. I was Martin’s stand-in for eight days. 4. Total professional & honest man. 5. I learned so much about film making!

[@ResellDecadence]

My god I am so pleased I saw this!😊

[@poiluparadis]

Goodness gracious what a good interview!

[@filmcourage]

Shane is great!

[@naturesessions.studio]

Wow this is amazing

[@mrwednesdaynight]

What they didn't teach me in film school : how to get a job.

[@nellosnook4454]

1. I lived in Las Vegas from 1965-2001. 2. The late Robert Urich’s detective series “Vegas” was filmed there during the 90’s. 3. The #1 prohibition for the series was never to portray casinos as the “bad guys”. 4. The “bad guys” were always from outside the Las Vegas casino industry.

[@eaglegp2541]

great advice

[@shaneb203]

This started playing in thr background at 3am and it scared tye shit out of me because my name's Shane.

[@jazzioldchick5696]

He didn't start from the ground up! He had opportunities provided by his father. These people are born with advantages, but feel they achieve on their own. Nothing to be proud of!

[@theaterpup3466]

This guy needs to do a lot more research into how much internships are abused. People can’t afford not to be paid these days. Period.

[@theecharmingbilly]

lol he literally said that he knows internships and time served can be abused...

[@b.mcdonald9814]

I'm gonna watch the whole thing

[@filmcourage]

Enjoy! This is a good one.

[@GlennDavey]

The answer to the question in the title as at 18:42

[@Ki6FHX]

Thanks!

[@filmcourage]

Hi Dana, Wow, thank you so much! We appreciate you supporting our work. Shane is definitely an interview worth listening to over and over again. Cheers!

[@arielbonzai462]

I like this guy. He'r right about community college.

[@RG-2112]

Survivor.🙏😌

[@mxdst14k29]

No idea who this director is but im sure I seen one of his movies he talked about everything I needed to hear as a upcoming film maker

[@TheREALSimagination]

"Unkind" is an extremely admirable replacement term for "toxic".

[@dirus3142]

"Our business will not hire you if you do not finish a task" Bro, have you not heard of JJ Abrams and his half baked movie making? That guy is the master of starting a projected and fucking off, to fail upward. The fact that these schools are not tough, and fail students for half ass work is a big problem. IN all levels of education. I do like watching this interview. Stanley gives a lot of stuff to think about. However I think he is being to nice about some stuff.

[@yeetnama9094]

Hollywood is just one nepotistic club full of untalented brats who were born into this industry and are probably Jewish or married to one. It's cruel to lie to people and pretend like they have a chance of making it in this industry if they just work hard enough and are talented enough. It's not true😅😆

[@LoneWolf-wu6yn]

Have you not listened to what Spielberg has said about Abrams? He has not failed upward. Also, how familiar are you with how projects get scrapped for the oddest of reasons.

[@tommyhatcher3399]

I can't even program the time on my VCR.

[@nickjoseph9853]

Who did this interview, please @

[@filmcourage]

What is your favorite story from Shane in this video?

[@musechocolates1232]

All stories are pure gold

[@dirus3142]

That he sees the value of a good work ethic. No entitlement. Also understands the value of community collages.

[@whoami6702]

The story about his script re his car salesman time & how he could NOT get it made because auto industry companies are backers of the industry...

[@LarsLarsen77]

I was on national television before I was even born. My mom was gonged off the gong show while she was pregnant with me.

[@kevinfelix2543]

filmmaking is about not stopping and getting better, your first films are about progress not perfection.

[@user-yr5gm7kn2r]

intresting

[@tuvoca825]

I wouldn't say they are the MOST unkind industry. That is a pretty high bar....

[@shakeemwinn3647]

I hope we do see that era again but I kinda doubt it. America is dying along with the rest of humanity and I don't know if there will be enough time to discover new voices.

[@musechocolates1232]

Wooow wow wow

[@incognitomcde1360]

I’m enjoying the interview. One comment that I think needs exploring. First question is always, “what’s my credit? What’s my pay?” So... we have this new wave of entitled children that think they deserve the same money as the head of the studio with zero experience. You also have many people who won’t eat until they get their paycheck. He said it himself, the highs and lows of the industry. I think it’s a little unkind not to think some or most of the people asking that question might have valid reasons

[@helpyourcattodrive]

This guy just said he sold 300 cars in 18 months?

[@ChrisKellerChrisKeller]

Do I have permission to read his book after I watch the whole interview??

[@filmcourage]

Hi Chris, sure you have our permission. 😉

[@ChrisKellerChrisKeller]

@@filmcourage That's a big ten-four, good buddy! Thanks for all the great interviews..

[@goldbrick2563]

3:24:53 he fell in love with the girl and when her dad died, the guy took it personally and cut her from the film 👌🏽

[@goldbrick2563]

😂 he doesnt want to name names...ya we can just watch the movie bud. He acts like its a secret

[@brabbit3389]

Indecently what’s interesting is know one knows who this dude is ! 😂

[@Straun30]

Around 1:35 min hes talking about the slow burn vs the fast paced burn, we need to slow things up and go back to a more 80s formula, we are super unbalanced as a people and we are getting pure garbage because there is no proper development. Its so much junk, I get the hook needs and these need to be met but pace is super important, Lord Of The Rings has lots of excellent pace and I think these producers are grossly underestimating the market for quality food vs quick candy

[@CityStomperMedia]

I cant believe his house at the peak of beverly hills had lower rent than NYC apartments

[@rolltru]

whoever had to take those 300 Ford Explorer customers on was p*ssed lol

[@CrumbPenny-ki5hc]

32:39 thru 33:97

[@michaelmyers3709]

Sounds a little like Brad Dourif (voice of Chucky).

[@user-go2yu4hq5p]

Can you get screenwriter alex pina Creator of la casa de papel Money heist 😅👀🤔

[@kittycat6195]

The art colleges often ruin natural art in their students. They all come out looking and sounding the same.

[@allenatkins2263]

Remember folks, clothes are not important and you may have to play a homeless person.

[@Its_Chimerical]

okay, I might amend this later but if your dad made a phone call and you got a job, you're not starting from the bottom... Love the work ethic, but still, not the bottom

[@filmcourage]

Listen to that part again.

[@CasperLCat]

I like this guy personally, but when he says that spec scripts don’t get made anymore because producers and distributors already know what they want to see, that’s exactly why the Hollywood film is practically dead, today, as an art form. People don’t know what the next truly great script looks like until someone writes it. “Nobody knows anything”, in the words of the great screenwriter William Goldman. These guys know what they can sell and what will make $ at the box office; that’s why they keep making the same comic book franchise superhero crap over and over. THIS guy will NEVER come up with something truly original with that attitude. He doesn’t WANT originality, because he doesn’t think he can sell it. Unless this changes, there will never be another Annie Hall or Apocalypse Now or Edward Scissorhands or Dr. Strangelove, or even the original Star Wars. This great American art form will die or move to the developing world, where there are untold stories galore, that will be told in new ways.

[@bruh-jy2rg]

It’s also not true. Maybe at the studio level but there have been plenty of great films made over the last decade. It is largely coming from writer/directors like Safdie brothers, Robert Eggers, Ari Aster. But originality is out there and it’s still appreciated when it hits.

[@davidwright8850]

You don’t have to curse..

[@whathefuzizthiz]

Tho I disagree with his opinion that this is how the industry SHOULD work, it doesn't mean that it's not true. The industry is shitty, that's a fact. Now it's up to you if you will put up with it or not. And don't belive that you can change it, you can't. And sure, Scorsese said "guck the indsutry", but not everyone can/is/wants to be a visionary director.

[@robertomartinez5097]

why is dude giving all the sauce for free?

[@thepaulinemarie]

I wanna pick his brain on shooting a feature for $500, how?!!!

[@Daniel-hs6ct]

Shane is on yay!!!!! Can’t wait to hear why being a filmmaker sucks 🙄

[@achristianson4059]

Jesus over 3-hours … grinding out an interview. No wonder he pushed through a 3 day script

[@devernepersonal3636]

what you dont learn from film school....the answer is... da da da daaa....anything, you learn nothing. you lose.

[@obscure4847]

Started from the absolute bottom with a successful actor writer father with industry connections. You know, the absolute bottom lol

[@nailinthefashion]

25k is more than I make in a year, America is so corrupt lol

[@Amdk423]

This guy wines alot

[@WiLyO8]

‘

[@whitedarkness8053]

..

[@cjtrent1969]

And for the little man without the conacts....