“You walk away with more than skills — you walk away changed.”
Learn film production in South Dakota directly from an industry pro, in the real world, not a classroom. One-on-one mentorship. Build Industry Connections and Gain Real Experience.
The South Dakota Film Connection is by far the best film school in the state, providing on-the-job opportunities that no other film school can offer. Our secret is simple: we keep you out of the classroom, and instead we instruct you by placing you with a REAL FILM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL for on-the-job training in a real film production company. With our training program, you are more than a student: you are an extern, learning one-on-one from your mentor and gaining valuable work experience on the set of real productions.
What does your dream job in film look like? Do you want to be a screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, film producer or film director? Do you want to establish yourself in the South Dakota film scene, or do you want to take your film all the way to Hollywood? Whatever your dreams and aspirations in film, the best way to achieve those dreams is to GET CONNECTED to the film industry. The South Dakota Film Connection is the only film school that actually puts you in the heart of the action.
Here’s just a partial list of films that have been shot in South Dakota:
This partial list doesn’t even include the ongoing need for local production talent, or the thriving independent film scene that draws filmmakers to numerous film festivals held in the state each year. The fact is, you don’t have to move to Hollywood to start making connections, because there are plenty of connections to be made right in South Dakota. By placing you as a working extern on-the-job, the Film Connection gives you access to those opportunities while the other film schools just stick you into classrooms.
With our program, all your classes occur in the film production facility or on the set, with one-on-one instruction from your mentor. You’ll have a structured curriculum and even homework to do, but the real power of your training comes from the real-world experience you receive, and the connections you’ll make. We’ll pair you with a mentor who specializes in your area of interest (whether cinematography, editing, screenwriting, etc.), and your curriculum can be tailored to your needs. By the time you graduate the program, if you prove yourself on the job, you’ll be well ahead of the other film school students when job openings occur, because you’ve been connected to the industry from the very beginning!
A word of warning: your film school education won’t do much good if you take on a mountain of student debt in the process. Other film schools charge such high tuition rates that you’re practically forced into taking on career-killing amounts of debt. Not us. With the South Dakota Film Connection, you’ll pay about 75% LESS in tuition than with other film schools! That way, you can skip the debt and concentrate on what’s really important: starting your film career.
Are you ready to get serious about pursuing your dreams? Then you need to go to a film school that will actually CONNECT you to the film industry, not just teach you about it. Apprenticeships are available now! APPLY FOR FREE to learn more.
Some of our graduates have gone on to become film directors, script writers, and production company owners. Others are creating and producing their own films across genres like documentary, drama, comedy, action, and animation
“You walk away with more than skills — you walk away changed.”
Taylor K.
“Understanding festival strategy changed how I finish and launch a project.”
Casey O.
“I thought writing was lonely — but getting notes each week made it collaborative.”
Tori W.
“What I learned applies to everything — not just film.”
Morgan Z.
“I made more progress in two months here than in two years elsewhere.”
Quinn L.
“I didn’t just shadow — I got to lead a crew by the third week.”
Sasha B.
“I am more motivated than ever before because I can already see an enormous improvement in my writing skills, understanding of film and screenplays, and my understanding of the movie business because my mentor and I have a boxer / trainer relationship. Now that might not work with others but for me as the extern I couldn’t be happier.”
Avery Parker
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