Werner Herzog Rogue Film School Teaches the Art of Filmmaking

By on September 25, 2009

I will assume we all know how to travel on foot, but imagine if we all knew how to travel on foot, pick locks and forge signatures. Well then, we would all be amazing film directors like Werner Herzog, who happens to be teaching all these things in his new Rogue Film School.

“The Rogue Film School is not for the faint-hearted; it is for those who have traveled on foot, who have worked as bouncers in sex clubs or as wardens in a lunatic asylum, for those who are willing to learn about lock-picking or forging shooting permits in countries not favoring their projects. In short: it is for those who have a sense for poetry. For those who are pilgrims. For those who can tell a story to four-year-old children and hold their attention. For those who have a fire burning within. For those who have a dream.”

Obviously you have to be a minimum of 18 years old, but that’s about the only prerequisite. A college education and/or work experience is “of minor importance” according to Herzog. However, he will expect that you are capable of shooting and editing your own film prior to the class. The first seminar is going to be in LA and will cost the individual $1450 if selected. The main difference between the Rogue Film School and any other film school is the lack of technical filmmaking concepts and abundance of essential questions:

1. How does music function in film?
2. How do you narrate a story?
3. How do you sensitize an audience?
4. How is space created and understood by an audience?
5. How do you produce and edit a film?
6. How do you create illumination and an ecstasy of truth?

The idea is interesting yet weird, similar to Werner Herzog himself. Aside from not being allowed to bring you laptop, cell phone or pager (who ever uses those anymore) you will also not be allowed to, "talk of shamans, of yoga classes, nutritional values, herbal teas, discovering your Boundaries, and Inner Growth". I guess that's the nice way of saying NO HIPPIES ALLOWED! Maybe the Rogue Film School is not meant for every filmmaker, but it’s worth checking out, especially if you have have interest in the Guerrilla film tactics of creating your own shooting permits.