If you can afford to go to film school, then go! It's all about who you know and making yourself available for others. Going to school help put you in the room with like minded people. I didn't go to film school, for the same reasons you described, I went for art. Stay cool, make friends, and make a way decent film BEFORE you go, so you can earn respect of your classmates. Some of them will have their own outstanding reels already... even tho they're students.