This isn’t a boring Chapel Hill film school classroom. This isn’t an overcrowded college laboratory. This is life. Real Life. YOUR LIFE.

Have you heard about the area’s film school alternative? We’re The Film Connection and we’ve partnered with local Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill filmmakers to provide a real taste of what it takes to work in film. Our 6-month Cinematography Program gets you training with a professional filmmaker in the area who will mentor you in their studio or production house. By program’s end, you will not only have the experience which, sadly, many film school graduates lack, you’ll have your own industry contacts for any future projects that you can go on to develop. Want to learn as much as possible? Then look into our Film Production and Editing Program which pairs you with a local filmmaking mentor and a screenwriting mentor with whom you’ll get your screenplay written, polished, and ready to picth. Do well in the Film Production & Editing program and you can even come out to Los Angeles to pitch your idea to an industry executive! If you want industry exposure, actual filmmaking knowhow, and local connections who can help you get going in your television, film, or new media career, definitely take the time to learn more about our no-frills, in-the-industry approach to film education.

In the Raleigh-Durham area, APPLY to Film Connection’s alternative to film school, click here.

Don’t Spend More on your Film Education if You Don’t Have to

Located in central North Carolina, the Raleigh-Durham DMA also includes the nearby Fayetteville metro area, covering a total population of over 2.7 million people. This area also comprises the “Research Triangle”, the home of several major universities. Numerous film and television production companies make their home in this area, and with great natural locations such as mountains and the coast within driving range (not to mention easy access to several major cities), the Raleigh-Durham area is a great central spot for finding filming locations. If you are dreaming of a career in film, whether as a film director, film producer, film editor or otherwise, the Raleigh-Durham area provides an excellent alternative to relocation to the ultra-competitive environments of Los Angeles or New York.

Numerous movies, commercials, TV shows and documentaries are filmed all over North Carolina on a regular basis, including here in the Raleigh-Durham area. Just a sampling of the films that have done shooting in Raleigh, Durham and Fayetteville include Immortal, Bull Durham, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Kiss the Girls, Billy Bathgate, The Handmaid’s Tale, and the 2008 documentary Religulous. Television production is no stranger to this area, either; episodes of WWF Raw, The Biggest Loser, Dawson’s Creek and other shows have done location shooting here.

Meet Our Mentors

Adam Weber

About This Mentor

Daniel Lir

About This Mentor

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs

About This Mentor

Alejandra Huerta

About This Mentor

Daniela Larsen

About This Mentor

Get Real World Film Production Experience in Chapel Hill

The secret to FILM CONNECTION’s success is our mentored-externship approach. During our inexpensive, 6-month course, you’ll be hooked up with a working film or television professional who gives you one-on-one instruction on real-life video shoots and enables you to make vital industry contacts for the future. Many of our graduates have gone on to build exciting, rewarding careers in the world of film, television, and new media. If you’re in the Raleigh-Durham area, or anywhere in the state, you owe it to yourself to see what you can do for your future and your career with FILM CONNECTION.

To APPLY click here.

Our Chapel Hill Film Industry Mentors Help you Build Real World Connections

Learn the skills you need to take your idea from paper to the big screen.

Real world film education by filmmakers for filmmakers, optimized for today!

GET STARTED

Success stories

Since he started his extern program with Uptone Pictures in Raleigh, NC, Grant Gilbert has been taking…

READ THE STORY

Please take the time to read the experiences of one of our own, Korey Hehn of Pineville, OR…

READ THE STORY

The Film Connection program provided me with an opportunity to "see it and believe it"!…

READ THE STORY

Fill out the form below to contact admissions and learn about your opportunities.

Contact Us Form

"*" indicates required fields

*Not all programs are available in every state. Consult an Admissions Representative to learn more.

YOUR JOURNEY

STARTS HERE

Bring Your ideas to life

800.600.6956

Our admissions team is ready to help you.