What is the Rogue Film School? From the name, I gathered that it's either a school for crocodiles or a lesson in screen villainy. But no, it is actually a school—or more precisely, a seminar—on how to make films the rogue way. What this means exactly can be speculated from its mantra above, written by its founder and sole teacher, Werner Herzog.
If it sounds like the battiest film school you've ever heard of, let me repeat that last part: its taught and founded by Werner Herzog.
Should you choose to sign up for this film school, you will get a 3-day weekend seminar with Herzog, learning about the intricacies of filmmaking in what I can only assume to be unique (to say the least). Do you get to learn how to haul a boat up a mountain? Or which deadly weapons are effective for directing your actors? Maybe not, but you'll get something close enough, if the 11-point "About" section is to be believed. Have a look at these bullet points:
7. Excerpts of films will be discussed, which could include your submitted films; they may be shown and discussed as well. Depending on the materials, the attention will revolve around essential questions: how does music function in film? How do you narrate a story? (This will certainly depart from the brainless teachings of three-act-screenplays). How do you sensitize an audience? How is space created and understood by an audience? How do you produce and edit a film? How do you create illumination and an ecstasy of truth?
8. Related, but more practical subjects, will be the art of lockpicking. Traveling on foot. The exhilaration of being shot at unsuccessfully. The athletic side of filmmaking. The creation of your own shooting permits. The neutralization of bureaucracy. Guerrilla tactics. Self reliance.
9. Censorship will be enforced. There will be no talk of shamans, of yoga classes, nutritional values, herbal teas, discovering your Boundaries, and Inner Growth.
Take that, other film schools.
Even the application process is interesting. You will need $25, a 5-minute short film on DVD (which will be discussed in class), and fill out the application form in a way that would capture Werner's interest. It looks like not just anybody can go pick the Aguirre director's brain, which would mean it'd be a pretty hands-on workshop/seminar. The school website's FAQ section states that only a maximum of 50 students will be accepted. Should you be one of those 50 or less accepted to enroll, the tuition fee is $1,450 for those three days.
If you think that's too high of a price for a 3-day crash course, need I remind you that you will be learning directly from this man:
You can't put a price tag on that.
Deadline for application is November 13 for the January 8th-10th, 2010 seminar in Los Angeles. The film school appears to adopt an infrequent schedule, with Herzog holding these 3 day seminars whenever he can, wherever he is. The next one after this upcoming LA "semester" will be next Spring, somewhere in the East Coast.
Visit the school website to learn more, or just to have your mind blown by the very idea of this school existing. When you've recovered, mail a $1,475 check my way.
