Visit a Film Production Company
The Film Industry
in Texas
There’s no other film school in Texas that can afford you a more direct connection to the film industry than the Texas Film Connection. Why? Because no other film school puts you in the heart of the action like we can! With our unique program, you won’t spend a single day in a college or trade school classroom. Instead, you’ll be on-the-job and on the set from day one, studying as an apprentice (extern) one-on-one with a seasoned film industry professional. While those other film students are wasting time in the classrooms, you’ll be gaining valuable work experience and making lots of connections. By the time those students come around knocking on the doors, you’ll already be inside the door!
Whether you plan on becoming a cinematographer, film director, editor, producer or screenwriter, we’ve got a mentor that can help you focus on your interests. Whether you live in Amarillo, Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Lubbock, Corpus Christi or anywhere in between, your path to Hollywood starts in Texas!
The best part is that you don’t have to leave Texas to start making connections to the film industry. Not only does Texas have its own thriving local, regional and independent film scenes, but lots of major motion picture and TV productions take advantage of Texas’ wide range of scenery and generous incentives to come on location to film.
Here are just a few examples of major productions that have been filmed in the great state of Texas:- Armageddon (1998)
- Robocop (1987)
- What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
- True Grit (2010)
- Friday the 13th (2009)
- Friday Night Lights (2004)
- Dallas (TV Series, 1978-1991)
- Dallas (TV Series, remake, 2012-present)
- There Will Be Blood (2007)
- Bernie (2011)
- Prison Break (TV Series, 2005-2009)
- Chef (2014)
- Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
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Programs
You will study inside a real film production company in your city as you develop your movie idea with a professional filmmaker. Then you will fly to Los Angeles or New York to pitch your idea to an executive that could buy or get your movie idea made.
Film Production & Editing 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 that starts the ball rolling down the hill.
Screenwriting DetailsIn many ways the film editor is the most misunderstood of all film professionals. Often considered just a film technician, a good editor is, without doubt, much more than that. He or she is also a qualified storyteller of the highest order.
Film Editing DetailsThe cinematographer is literally the set ‘magician.’ DPs are responsible for the technological wizardry to help create the needed light, while at the same time also having the keen sensibility to shape the light for the greatest artistic effect.
Cinematography DetailsMeet our Mentors
Why learn from teachers when you can learn from the professionals?
Mike Domgard Film Connection Mentor
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Mike Domgard Film Connection Mentor
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Credits: Blur Parties, Lincoln Promo Video, Inner Thoughts Request an InvitationAimee Schoof Film Connection Mentor
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Aimee Schoof Film Connection Mentor
Background
Aimee Schoof is an entertainment executive, producer, and co-founder of Intrinsic Value Films with Isen Robbins. She has produced more than 30 feature films that have premiered either at Sundance, Tribeca, SXSW, Toronto, Venice, New Directors/New Films, and Berlin. Request an InvitationDean Baker Film Connection Mentor
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Dean Baker Film Connection Mentor
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Projects range from Multi-camera Live Webcasting to National TV Ads for Good Neighbor Pharmacies, Regulator Boats, and Product launches airing on Lifetime, The Learning Channel and The Golf Channel. Request an InvitationRyan Heppe Film Connection Mentor
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Ryan Heppe Film Connection Mentor
Background
During his tenure at CCH, Heppe was hired by legendary producer David Foster (The Getaway, Short Circuit, The Mask of Zorro) and quickly climbed to the position of Head of Development where he became involved with Foster’s productions: Collateral Damage starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hart’s War starring Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell, and The Core starring Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank. As a hyphenate Producer/Director/Writer/Actor, some of Heppe’s work includes: Production of the docu-drama The Magic Was In The Music, a remake of Short Circuit, adaptations of the 80’s television mini-series V and cop series T.J. Hooker, among others. As an actor, he’s starred in such stage productions as You Can’t Take It With You, Life On The Bowery, Dracula and Picnic at Hanging Rock – several of which he directed. Request an InvitationKarl Koelling Film Connection Mentor
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Karl Koelling Film Connection Mentor
Background
I began TAPROOT with a passion to create inspiring film and video content that would move people and maybe even make the world a little bit better place. There are projects that TAPROOT pursues and develops based on our interests, but I’m a firm believer that we all have our callings, and that collectively we can have the biggest impact. As a result, TAPROOT partners with businesses, agencies, and other organizations that are doing important work, helping them tell their stories and share their ideas through cinematic filmmaking. Our team has a multi-disciplinary background that enables us to understand and compellingly translate your messages and ideas to the visual medium of film and video, and we create and execute projects of varying scale from start to finish. I run TAPROOT and provide direction on all our projects, which include: story-based branded content, television commercials, web based video of all sorts, and film series. If you care about how you’re presenting your work to the world and want to do so in an honest, inspiring manner – we’d make a good match. Request an InvitationKeith Golinski Film Connection Mentor
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Keith Golinski Film Connection Mentor
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Keith Golinski of Fulvew Productions is a Director of Photography, editor and producer. He’s best known for his work on America’s Most Haunted (2013), Talking Dead (2005), and An Ordinary Killer (2003). Request an InvitationJohn Boros Film Connection Mentor
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John Boros Film Connection Mentor
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“The captain and anchor of our ship, guiding his crew with a father’s compassion and an uncle’s knack for mischief.” Credits; The Fly, EMI Orientation Request an InvitationEdward Isin Film Connection Mentor
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Edward Isin Film Connection Mentor
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FightZone Presents, Sacred Waters, The Wishing Stone, Dawg Fight Request an InvitationTina Miller Film Connection Mentor
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Tina Miller Film Connection Mentor
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Storytelling through video, aided by full-service in house production and post capabilities. Many of our pieces use documentary technique or a high-energy concept or brand approach. Request an InvitationDennis James Lee Film Connection Mentor
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Dennis James Lee Film Connection Mentor
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Credits: Hawaii Five-0, Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil, Dragon Wars: D-War, Soap Girl, Secret of the Five Fingers Request an InvitationErik Angra Film Connection Mentor
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Erik Angra Film Connection Mentor
Background
UFC 111 fight – Cinematographer, Animal Planet – Most Outrageous – 3 documentaries – EA Sports international commercials Kyrie Irving – NBC – HBO – Full flight features – Very astute cinematographer – Worked on film “21” – Edited TV series “Folk Lorist” – Extreme Makeover – AD Bo Burnham – International campaigns for Coca Cola Request an InvitationSteven Schott Film Connection Mentor
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Steven Schott Film Connection Mentor
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Credits: Jeff Foxworthy Show, The Lost Calendar, The Final Season Request an InvitationDaniel Sollinger Film Connection Mentor
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Daniel Sollinger Film Connection Mentor
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Producer: The Alphabet Killer, Six Ways to Sunday, Alone in the Dark II, In My Sleep, Girls Against Boys, Deadliest Warrior, Age of Kali Request an InvitationJoe Van Wie Film Connection Mentor
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Joe Van Wie Film Connection Mentor
Background
Following a spirited and notorious adolescence in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Joe did a stretch at New York University and ended up spending nearly a decade as an accomplished part of the New York City’s lively film and TV industry. During this time, he racked up credits ranging from producing feature films premiering at international film festivals to directing and producing content for a variety of national cable television networks. His most recent film is the locally-shot award-winning feature Forged. Joe is an active board member on the boards of Dress for Success, The Scranton Club and the American Advertising Federation of NEPA. Joe is also a member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the American Association of Political Consultants, and two time Pollie award winner. Request an InvitationJohn Lux Film Connection Mentor
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John Lux Film Connection Mentor
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John Lux is the Chief Operating Officer for the IDEAS media and experience design company, which employs film program graduates nationwide. The projects his company handles stretch from Florida, to Europe, and as far as Shangai, China. Request an InvitationRebecca Ramon Film Connection Mentor
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Rebecca Ramon Film Connection Mentor
Background
Rebecca Ramon hails from Battle Creek, MI and is a proud Midwestern girl. She believes that’s exactly what keeps her down to earth and youthful. With a BA in Broadcasting & Cable production from Western Michigan University, and an MFA in Film Production from Chapman University, one of the top ten film schools in the nation, she’s definitely standing on her own two feet. Not only does Rebecca have a formal education, her mentor for post production was Paul Seydor, a member of ACE; the honorary society of motion picture editors. Paul edited movies such as “White Men Can’t Jump” and “This Christmas”. In other words, she has learned from the best, and has over ten years of experience, which ranges from pre-production to post-production in several mediums. Most importantly, she has the passion to share her knowledge as a mentor. Request an InvitationTabitha Hartbauer Film Connection Mentor
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Tabitha Hartbauer Film Connection Mentor
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The BSP editing facility sets the standard for editing in Colorado. Three video edit suites utilize “Premiere Pro CS6”, “Final Cut Pro” and “DaVinci” and project Panasonic High Definition 1080p images on to 110” Stewart Screens. Request an InvitationJason Hewitt Film Connection Mentor
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Jason Hewitt Film Connection Mentor
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Odd Thomas, 13 Sins, Blood Out, Left Behind, Season of the Witch, Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever, The Outsider Request an InvitationSteve Riach Film Connection Mentor
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Steve Riach Film Connection Mentor
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Steve is an award winning producer, director and writer of over 250 films, documentaries, television shows and home video properties, including specials from the Olympics, Super Bowls, World Series, NBA and NCAA Championships, and college football bowl games. Request an InvitationAvery Williams Film Connection Mentor
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Avery Williams Film Connection Mentor
Background
Avery O. Williams works steadily in both the film and theater worlds. He is the co-writer of the feature film Directing Eddie starring Valerie Perrine and Jade Barrymore, directed by Lawrence Kaldor which premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival and was voted Best Comedy at the 2001 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival. He wrote and directed the industrial film for the City of Atalanta entitled Surviving Domestic Violence and he wrote and co-produced the film short The Willie Witch Projects, which was showcased at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival and is distributed by Trimark Pictures in their compilation entitled The Bogus Witch Project. Other short subject screenplays that have been made into films include Notes In A Minor Key, The Willie Witch Projects and The Chocolate Factory, Part 1. Request an InvitationHarry Findysz Film Connection Mentor
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Harry Findysz Film Connection Mentor
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“The Film Connection Program uses real world people to mentor real world jobs.” -Harry Findysz, Tucson, Arizona, Southern Arizona Video Productions Producer of Live Television, Music Videos, Documentaries, Winner of Ashbury Best Music Documentary 2016 Linda Chorney The Cantina Request an InvitationGreg Freeman Film Connection Mentor
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Greg Freeman Film Connection Mentor
Background
Greg Freeman is an award-winning Director of Photography with nearly two decades in news, sports, entertainment, special programming, documentaries, and commercials. Greg has directed projects for nearly every major television network including ABC, Discovery, ESPN, HBO, HGTV, NBC, PBS, and more. Request an InvitationTom Malloy Film Connection Mentor
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Tom Malloy Film Connection Mentor
Background
The Alphabet Killer, Love N’ Dancing, The Attic, Hero of the Underworld, Law & Order: SVU Request an InvitationJason Jackson Film Connection Mentor
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Jason Jackson Film Connection Mentor
Background
Past productions include LMN’s Monstresses; Investigation Discovery’s Cuff Me If You Can; America’s Most Haunted and UFO’s Crashed my Vacation; America’s Most Secret and I Faked My Own Death for Discovery; National Geographic’s 42 Ways to Kill Hitler and Don’t Try This At Home; Vampire Secrets and Ancient Ink for The History Channel; Las Vegas Bikers for truTV; Weather Channel’s Full Force Nature; True Confessions for WE-TV as well as Beyond Death and Investigative Reports for A&E. Request an InvitationMatthew Temple Film Connection Mentor
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Matthew Temple Film Connection Mentor
Background
“All aspects of filmmaking are primarily experiential, so a program like this one gives the students what they need most- the opportunity to DO.” — Matthew Temple, Producer of “The Advocate” and Universal’s “Dragon Nest: Warriors’ Dawn” Matthew Temple has long stood at the crossroads of art and social action–his work and passion split between telling stories and participating in the creation of new paradigms wherein new stories for the future can be created. As a storyteller, he works as a screenwriter, director, producer and actor. As a social entrepreneur, he is the founder and president of the non-profit WeStrive, where he is the executive director of the Wandering Reel Traveling Film Festival. Temple is currently VP of Production and Development for Mili Pictures Worldwide. Request an InvitationNick Kielhold Film Connection Mentor
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Nick Kielhold Film Connection Mentor
Background
Nick is your basic military brat. Except for the fact that neither of his parents were actually in the military. But, like many military families, his family moved several times during his youth, living in Omaha, Chicago, and Minneapolis among other places. And although he wasn’t living on military bases, he developed a deep interest in History, and all things military. Ask him about the Battle of Tarawa in 1943, and you may just get an entire lesson on the Pacific Theater of World War II. When he’s not painting tanks for his war game simulations, Nick works here. He shoots video. He edits video. He talks about World War II. A lot. Anyone who comes into contact with Nick will become much better versed in the history of mankind and all the wars it has produced over the years. Nick provided 50% of the formula that founded Full Effect Productions over 18 years ago, and has played a vital role in its success. Nick is a 1987 graduate of the University of South Dakota, and his previous experience includes working at a local TV station as Commercial Videographer/Producer. Not taking a cue from his parents, Nick has decided to keep his family in one city, and has called Sioux City, Iowa home since 1988. He has a wife of 29 years and an adult son and daughter. In his free time, Nick can be found studiously painting small military ships, tanks and airplanes. He has amassed large numbers of these items that comprise entire military units used for battles at the MAGECON gaming convention. He’s a film buff who’s recently installed home theater has him positively giddy, and hardly ever seeing daylight. Request an InvitationLogan Hale Film Connection Mentor
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Logan Hale Film Connection Mentor
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Logan is a lifelong filmmaker. With 8 years of experience in Event and Experiential Marketing, Logan has a passion for communicating the brand message and essence with artistic quality and creativity. Request an InvitationEero Johnson Film Connection Mentor
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Eero Johnson Film Connection Mentor
Background
“I’m Eero Johnson. I’m a film and video producer living in Bellingham, Washington. For over ten years I’ve been creating commercials, corporate videos, web videos, sales DVD’s, music videos … whatever it takes to get your message to your audience. I have a great group of clients and I love what I do.” Request an InvitationCalix Lewis Reneau Film Connection Mentor
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Calix Lewis Reneau Film Connection Mentor
Background
Calix Lewis Reneau is a producer and writer, known for An Even Worse Joke (2013), Canyon Road (2013) and My Cousin’s Ghetto Wedding (2016). Request an InvitationSandy Stern Film Connection Mentor
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Sandy Stern Film Connection Mentor
Background
Producer, Being John Malcovich, Saved!, Velvet Goldmine, Pump Up the Volume, Thirteen Conversations about One Thing, Equinox, Red Hot Request an Invitation
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“I learned more about the history of film today and how people used to film videos and movies and clips with still photography. I met some more filmmakers and editors who were really nice and fun to be around”
Brett Wilson, San Diego, CA Majored in Editing / Production
Tuition
Comparison
Film Connection’s mentor styled education is a cost-effective approach to hands-on, curriculum backed education in film production and editing and cinematography.
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$12,200
Tuition
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Trade
School
$44,000
Tuition
$61,000
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2-Year
Junior College
$22,000
Tuition
$20,500
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4-Year
Traditional College
$88,000
Tuition
$122,000
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