Get started with a tour of a Pennsylvania externship location. Or call us for more information at (267) 713-3920.
* Not all programs are available in every state. Consult an Admissions Representative to learn more.
In the Film Connection for Film Production & Editing program, you will study directing, producing and screenwriting inside a real film production company in your city as you develop your movie idea with a professional filmmaker. Then, upon meeting the necessary requirements, you will be given the opportunity to fly to Los Angeles or New York and pitch your film idea to an executive who could buy or get your movie made.
Film Production & Editing DetailsIn the Film Connection for Cinematography program, you will learn the techniques involved in capturing a moving image and will start to develop “the eye of the DP.” The cinematographer is literally the set ‘magician.’ DPs are responsible for the technological wizardry required to get the needed shots and to shape light to achieve the director’s desired artistic effect.
Cinematography DetailsThe screenwriter is the person who creates, takes, or adapts an idea and formulates a screenplay. Without the writer, there would be no movie. Period. He or she is the starting gate. He or she is the person who gets the ball rolling down the hill.
In the Film Connection for Screenwriting workshop, you will learn the elements that make for a “Killer Script” by developing and writing your own feature length screenplay under the direction and mentorship of a working professional screenwriter.
In many ways the film editor is the most misunderstood of all film professionals. Often considered just a film technician, a good editor is so much more than that. He or she is also a qualified storyteller of the highest order.
In the Film Connection for Film Editing workshop, you will develop your knowledge of storytelling and screenplay structure as the foundational blueprint of a film. You will also develop your technical understanding of editing as an extern to a professional editor in a post-production facility.
From directing to producing to editing and screenwriting, our externship-based, mentor-taught programs avoid the unnecessary costs and unrelated requirements of ordinary film schools and programs. Work directly with an accomplished industry filmmaker at a film production company.
Film Connection’s mentor styled education is a cost-effective approach to hands-on, curriculum backed education in film production and editing and cinematography.
Learn More About Tuition
Average Accrued Interest Charges
Sources: Sallie Mae student loan calculator - Nerd Wallet - Best Value Schools - Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Learn filmmaking in the real world with the Film Connection’s mentored externship-based approach. We make building relationships an integral part of what we do.
Film Connection mentors work in the real world where the competition is fierce and having the right gear matters. As an extern you have access to the latest hardware and tools of the trade.
Knowing how to handle yourself on the set is a prerequisite for any successful career in filmmaking. Your mentor will guide you through proper etiquette during real film shoots.
We believe the whole point of going to any film school or certificate program should be to learn how to make movies—especially YOUR movie. Our Film Production & Editing curriculum is designed around this concept, from start to finish.
We get it. This isn’t your normal four-year college requiring coursework not associated with your area of interest. We are a post-secondary institution or trade school that's different in its approach. Here's how you can get more info:
Why learn from teachers when you can learn from the professionals?
In 2000, Demetria established Genuine Human Productions, writing, directing, shooting and editing true stories about real people…genuine humans. Demetria Kalodimos has anchored and reported television news for more than 30 years. She’s won some of journalism’s most prestigious awards including 15 regional Emmys, 2 National Headliners and 2 Investigative Reporters and Editors Awards.
Request an InvitationOver fifteen years post production experience in Orlando—Grant has provided video editorial, 2D & 3D animations, and motion graphics for a multitude of media clients through his post production company, GFX Creative.
Short & Long Format Video Editorial, Event & Theme Park Animations, Infomercials, Broadcast Commercials, Corporate Communications and Interactive Media for The Walt Disney Company, Universal Studios, Sea World, Lockheed-Martin, AAA Insurance, 3M, Siemens, Honda, A&D Medical, Toyota, FedEx and others.
Request an InvitationJae Macallan is the owner, producer, and lead editor for Yoyostring Creative in Seattle, WA., with satalite offices in Portland, OR and San Diego, CA. Yoyostring produces traditional video as well as animation, 360 VR, live video switching and video mapping.
Request an Invitation“Simply put, there is no better or more effective way to teach anything than one-on-one, mentor to student. This is what the Film Connection does.” — Ron Osborn
A writer/producer in television for 35 years, Ron has been nominated for 7 Emmys, 3 Cable Ace Awards, and 2 Writers Guild Awards on shows like MOONLIGHTING, THE WEST WING, and the adult animated DUCKMAN. He has written pilots for every primetime network, numerous cable networks, as well as movies like MEET JOE BLACK; and has developed feature projects with Steven Speilberg, Ron Howard, and George Lucas, among others. .
Request an Invitation“The Recording Radio and Film Connection is such an effective program, because it takes the student out of the classroom and puts them in the very field they seek to be a part of. With mentors that actually work in the student’s respective field, they get first-hand knowledge of how everything works and just what to do. I think it’s the best way to get hands-on experience and the lessons learned are very valuable. I also think that the interview process helps to match a student with a mentor that will be right for them.” – Sam Borowski
Directed and produced the feature film, Night Club starring Oscar-Winner Ernest Borgnine, Natasha Lyonne and Paul Sorvino. Wrote and produced the feature-length documentary Creature Feature: 60 Years of the Gill-Man with Oscar-Winner Benicio Del Toro and narrated by 2-time Emmy-Winner Keith David. Also directed and produced the film Maniac.
Request an InvitationJohn Lafia is a director and writer, known for Child’s Play (1988), Child’s Play 2 (1990), Man’s Best Friend(1993) and 10.5 (2004)
Request an Invitation“For a fraction of the price of a university course, students of the Radio, Record and Film Connection receive one-on-one consultation and mentoring from a seasoned film professional. It is an opportunity for an exchange of meaningful ideas and for some, even a chance to network, an essential requirement to make an in-road in the film business.”
Request an Invitation“Unlike many programs that stress theory over doing, our goal is for our students to have completed a 1st draft of a screenplay or be well on their way in 10 sessions.”
Credits I’m proud of: “Married…With Children,” “Gary & Mike,” ‘Live & Maddie,” and an unaired Muppet pilot.
Freelance Journalist, Financial Writer, Corporate Communications Copywriter, Writer of Corporate Training and Life Skills Videoscripts, Public Relations Account Manager, Special Events Promotion and Media Wrangling, Award-Winning Published Novelist, and Feature Film Screenwriter.
Request an InvitationBecause of our unique brand of externship training, the Film Connection isn’t limited to one or a few campuses. We’ve got locations nearly everywhere, including in Philadelphia! No need to move or to quit your day job. Your pathway to Hollywood can start right where you live!
Learn near where you live. Advantage: Film Connection.
The cost of education has been skyrocketing. How can you launch a film career when you’re buried in student debt? It doesn’t have to be this way, and we have a system that proves it every day. Our tuition is so low that you can graduate with little or no debt and get on with your film career.
Typical film schools not only cost more, they often have lots of add-on charges. Advantage: Film Connection.
At the Philadelphia Film Connection, we don’t believe in classrooms. You will have a structured curriculum, but you won’t spend a single day in a classroom with other students. Instead, we train you on-the-job by placing you as a working extern in a real film production company. It’s a more effective way to learn, and it’s a great way to get connected to the film industry.
Real-world experience, not useless theoretical classroom instruction. Advantage: Film Connection.
There’s no classroom with our program; there’s also no “class.” You’re the only student, paired with an established film professional with actual film credits and lots of connections. This seasoned pro will become your personal mentor, training you in your chosen film discipline one-on-one.
One teacher to one student. Advantage: Film Connection.
We’ve got so many endorsements from high-profile film professionals that they are too many to list here. These pros endorse us because they know our program helps break people into the film business in less time and for less money than most conventional film schools or film programs.
More professional endorsements than any other film school. Advantage: Film Connection.
No informal “cold call” job lists from us. We don’t just clue you in on the latest job offerings—we work hard to help you get hired. Our one-of-a-kind Stay Connected Program provides up to 12 months of active job placement assistance after you graduate. Work hard and play your cards right and your mentor is one professional who just might hire you! It happens all the time with the Film Connection.)
“Job placement” at typical schools means handing you a cold-call lead list when you graduate. Advantage: Film Connection.
Usually the biggest challenge to breaking into the film business is getting your foot in the door—getting noticed by busy people who don’t know you from Adam. With the Philadelphia Film Connection, we’ve got you covered in this area. From day one, you’re placed as a working extern (apprentice) inside a real film production company, so you can build those relationships as you go. By the time you graduate, you’ve become an insider.
The other guys are on the outside, looking in. Advantage: Film Connection.
If you’re having trouble with your assignments and your mentor isn’t available to ask—ask us! We offer tutoring at no cost to all our students to ensure no one falls through the cracks.
Private tutoring for you. Advantage: Film Connection.
The Film industry is basically centered around connections. You could be the best cinematographer, director, producer, screenwriter or film editor on the planet, but if no one knows you—good luck with that. The advantage with the Film Connection is that all your classes take place in the heart of the industry—on-the-job and on the set—where you can meet and connect with numerous established pros. These are the people of influence you’d most likely never meet in a classroom—the people who can one day hire you.
Real world film industry connections. Big Advantage: Film Connection.
You might be perfectly content to work in the thriving Philadelphia film scene, but if you want more…we’ve got more. Your curriculum is structured to guide you through the steps of developing your own film idea. When your externship (apprenticeship) is complete, we’ll arrange a meeting in Los Angeles with actual Hollywood film industry professionals, and you’ll have the chance to pitch your movie to them! Can you think of one ordinary film school that does this? We think not…
A real chance to break into Hollywood. Big Advantage: Film Connection. NO OTHER FILM SCHOOL DOES THIS.
Among Philadelphia film schools, only one actually gets you inside a real Philadelphia film production company to work as a film student extern, learning the arts of directing, producing, editing, camera, screenwriting or general production from the pros. Hands down, the smartest way to break into the film business in Philadelphia is to extern inside a Philadelphia film production company–and the FILM CONNECTION is the film school alternative that puts you there.
Don’t make the mistake of spending 10-50 thousand dollars to go to film school at a college or film trade school when you can get your film school education in a real production company for far less money. Be smart, get on the inside track, learn from the pros and make vital industry contacts while you learn in a real-world environment! Our film school alternative is the cost efficient approach to getting going in film.
To APPLY for our Philadelphia film school alternative, click here.
Home to more than 1.5 million people (and anchoring a metro of nearly 4 million), PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA is the 4th largest DMA in the United States. A city rich in history, music, art, culture and sports fans (with SIX major teams calling Philly home), the “City of Brotherly Love” is bustling with things to see and do. This city’s legacy in the entertainment industries can’t be understated, either. Entertainment icon Dick Clark first launched his star-making dance/music show American Bandstand at a Philadelphia television station in the early 1950s. Other major entertainers and film professionals with Philadelphia roots include Peter Boyle, David Brenner, Bill Cosby, Bradley Cooper, Tina Fey, Grace Kelly, Irvin Kershner, Will Smith, Holly Robinson Peete, Boyz II Men, Frankie Avalon, M. Night Shyamalan, Kevin Bacon, and John, Ethel and Lionel Barrymore, just to name a few.
Since the late 1980s, Philadelphia has been home to an emerging film industry as well, thanks in part to generous incentives and the support of the Philadelphia Film Office. MovieMaker Magazine once named Philadelphia as the second best location to make a film. Today, local soundstages, great local talent and diverse locations make Philly a popular site for film and TV productions. Here are just a few noteworthy films and shows that have done location shooting here:
You can see that there are plenty of opportunities in Philadelphia to connect to the film industry, and the FILM CONNECTION’s mentor-extern approach can get you closer to the action than any average film school can. Whether you desire to be a director, producer, editor, camera operator, lighting director, special effects master or any film professional, the FILM CONNECTION has a tailored program curriculum and workshops for you.
You will study one-on-one with your mentor who will be a film professional in your field of study. Your classroom will be on-the-job and on the set in Philadelphia. Upon graduation, you will have gained the on-the-job, real world experience and industry connections that you need to succeed in a career in the film industry—and if you choose it, when you’ve completed your externship (apprenticeship), we can even arrange for you to pitch your OWN FILM to REAL INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES in Los Angeles! You owe it to yourself to see what we can do for your film career.
The Film Connection film school alternative is endorsed by filmmakers who are making movies, maybe even the movies you love.
Professionals in the film business—including famous producers, screenwriters and directors—endorse Film Connection’s programs for one simple reason: they know our immersive hands-on method works.
Philadelphia Film Connection Film Institute
155 North Wacker Drive--4250
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(267) 713-3920
Email: [email protected]
Hours: M - F 12:00PM to 9:00PM
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Sitemap
© 2019 Film Connection®. All Rights Reserved
