There’s much more to filmmaking than just pointing your camera and yelling “action!” Every good movie, TV pilot, short film, and commercial has a script. Then there’s lighting, sound, setting marks for those in front of the camera, and planned angles for those behind the camera.

And none of it takes place in a classroom (unless the film calls for a classroom scene of course). So why would you choose to be stuck in a classroom if you could be learning how to make films on a set or on location? And wouldn’t you rather learn by doing alongside a professional on film and television productions?

Do you Need Film Industry Training?

We aren’t saying the traditional way of learning–spending four years at a college, university, or a couple of years at a trade school–isn’t useful for certain jobs. When it comes to entertainment industries like cinematography and moviemaking, however, it’s not necessarily what you know but how you learned it and how real-world your skills are.

Film Connection offers on-the-job training from inside an actual production company, working within the film or television industry. Our mentors work in film and digital media and our film industry training programs give you actual, hands-on experience. Teachers and professors talk to you in a classroom, our mentors work with you on the set.

You can read about using natural light to your advantage, but that chapter may not cover what to do when a storm comes rolling through during a shoot. You can learn to run a camera or set lighting during lab time, but that won’t prepare you for working with a headstrong director that wants the shot NOW.

There will still be required reading, homework, and the occasional exam with Film Connection. But the most important part of your education will come from working with people already in the industry and finding real-world solutions to sometimes stressful situations. This hands-on training just can’t be replicated in front of a film school blackboard.

How can I get Film Industry Training or Experience?

Chances are, you won’t step into the film director’s role on a multi-million dollar movie set for years, no matter where you choose to learn about film production. This is because the real “continuing education” doesn’t begin until you actually step on the set of a movie or video production.

Even after you get that piece of paper from a brand-name university, chances are you’ll start out in an entry-level position, maybe as a production assistant or in other roles. But why wait two to four years to start working on your film production skill set?

We believe without one doubt that you can learn more from being a set PA on a TV production for a few weeks than any amount of time in a classroom. So why not make the most of your time from the get-go? As a Film Connection extern, you’ll get the kind of film experience that looks good on a resume. And you may even be working with future employers.

We Call it Film Connection for a Reason

Connections—It’s one of the most important parts of looking for work in the film industry or most other creative industries. Who you know can carry a lot of weight. When you extern with us, you’ll be making those connections every day. There’s a reason directors work exclusively with certain cinematographers, editors, and even actors. They know what they’re going to get.

That’s what you’ll be learning, how to do things the right way on the set. Consider every day an interview, an audition, or a chance to impress someone with the power to hire and/or connect you to other pros. That way, you’re not just making connections with the director, other crew members, or production heads. You’re making connections with everyone they know, too.

Prove you belong, that you’re responsible, punctual, and can take direction. These are the desirable traits in any industry. Show that you’re committed to learning film production the right way for today and when a film industry job becomes available, yours can be the first name they think of.