Success
Stories

“Jay, from Student Services, called me Friday night about a job. It’s a documentary about a Jazz player. Very interested, so I called the man who wants to make it and seems like a nice man and I’m very much going to do it. First job, yay!”

“Still coming down from last Thursday’s video shoot! It was amazing to finally get my hands dirty and actually be in a production. It was scary and exciting and all kinds of feelings. Got to help set up with my mentor and scope out where I wouldn’t get in the way of the other cameras and the band. And when the time came to record… WOW! I was in the moment and loving every minute of it. I’m looking forward to doing more of that for the rest of forever and a day, if I’m so lucky”

“I’m booked for a feature my mentor’s producing and will be working as a production PA! Even though I’m a student, this opportunity will be a paid job, so I’m real happy to hear that!”

“These past few weeks I have had the opportunity to work on a film set. It has been a very interesting experience. I have found it fascinating to see how each department has their own niche on set. And how the different departments coordinate through the AD and others to make the best possible picture arrive on screen. The other thing that I find really interesting is to see how an idea will start from the script, be molded by the director, and then used by the director of photography. The director of photography will use the idea to get an idea of the atmosphere he needs to build for the scene at hand. He will then give the idea to the gaffer, who then gives it to the electricians and grips. They then build the atmosphere with lights and other equipment. While they are doing that hair and makeup are getting the actors ready for the light and the art department makes sure that everything is ready for the set. There are all of these moving parts coordinating to make a set work. I think that it is awesome and it has been a lot of fun.”

“My mentor told me I will get to be on set for the shooting of an independent horror movie this coming Wednesday! This is great news. I am appreciative that he is giving me this opportunity right out of the gate.”

“I learned to anticipate what the director needed before they asked.”

“I finally understood set protocol by doing — not just watching.”

“This week my mentor showed me the studio in a very in-depth way, and I also got introduced to many more employees in the studio. I spent the day getting to know what tools we have in the studio and where certain equipment lives. Basically being informed as to the culture of the office and what types of services my mentors company provides. I got to help and PA, as well as Grip on a weekly shoot that was going on that day. During shoot I assisted the Director with gaffing and provided general help to the talent and crew. I continued on to learn more about KINOs and how their ballasts work. Afterwards, I wrapped and broke down equipment like a pro thanks to my PA experience my mentor had just given me. Along with their in house Gaffer/DP, my mentor taught me some very useful production tips. We spent the day learning tricks on building c-stands, moves every dolly grip should know, and swapping production stories. I also learned to mount a camera and tripod that I had never set up before. We set up their green screen and lit it for different purposes. I also learned more about the whys and how’s of those lighting techniques. I was able to see how the lit set looked through the camera, and how to adjust it for a better picture. The DP taught me the different names of their lights, uses, and their pros and cons. I’ve been really enjoying the company and its employees. Everyone has been very welcoming and willing to show me new things! The reading is more interesting than I first thought and I find it equally helpful to the hands-on training.”

“I went every single day this week. Monday I worked with my mentor on more commercials fixed numbers and words in it. The following two days were my externship days where I got to work on going through multiple commercials in order to make sure all the appropriate contact data was correct, as well as the Add Id’s and such, making sure they matched up with the correct ones on all documents. On Thursday I went to a film shoot with the other extern I work with every so often in the studio, as well as an actual employee from my mentors’ studio, who I worked with before early in the studio. I was introduced to a guy who taught me about lights, as well as the different lighting he was going to be using for the shoot. I got to time the lady who was being filmed and read along with what she was reading to make sure she didn’t miss any words and to ensure she said them correctly. Everything with my mentor is great. I love the way he teaches me things, making it easy for me to understand. To top it off, he is really good with working with me on different projects and such. I’m really enjoying it here and like that I get to learn new things each day every since I made the choice to enroll in the Film Connection.”

“I’m starting to pick up jobs outside of the program already and looking for other productions companies in the Dallas area for a paid internship once I get out of the program. To say the least I have jumped light-years ahead in my production game due to my connections I have made in this program.”

“Through this program I have been introduced to many aspects of film production unknown by me before the beginning of my study. The incoming flow of information has been consistent leading me to learn at a fast pace. The experience only gets better as time goes on. There is always something new and interesting. I know Jack really wants to see me as well as his other students succeed. All we have to do is show up and put in the work, at his studio and at home. I am able to ask questions and am given any help that I could possibly need. I’m far from being a professional but this path that I am taking will certainly help to get me there.

The work is hard but exciting and rewarding. As my experience grows and my skills improve I am looking forward to the remainder of the program. The weeks we are approaching are filled with big assignments, allowing me to do more. This program is allowing me to learn my craft, meet quality people and do amazing work. After only eight weeks I know attending The Film Connection is one of the best decisions that I have made.”

“Fresh week and I had a very busy weekend. Working with my mentors last Friday we were on set filming the Flo-Rida Seagrams Gin Concert as well as interviewed some of the Seagrams Gin calendar girls. Was a great experience and I had a great time working. That brought me home around 2a.m then we were back on the road by 7:30a.m on the next day to film a few interviews for Inside Edition. Can’t wait to see where this will take me next!”