Master the art of film production alongside an industry insider in a working Rochester MN studio. 1 mentor, just for you. Learn in the real world, build industry connections.
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A film school in Rochester, Minnesota? You bet! Meet FILM CONNECTION, an innovative concept in film schools. We're the only school in Rochester that gets you working as a film student extern inside an actual Rochester film production company, where you will learn directing, producing, editing, camera, screenwriting or general production as you work with the pros and make valuable connections. In Rochester, Minnesota, the smartest way to break into the film business is to work inside a Rochester film production company as a film extern.
You could spend in excess of 50 thousand dollars, not counting relocation expenses, to go to film school at a film trade school, or you could go to film school in a real Rochester production company for a tiny fraction of that amount. The choice is obvious; our revolutionary film school alternative is the smartest, most cost-efficient way on the market today to get a quality film school education.
To APPLY for our Rochester, Minnesota Film School, click here.
Located in southeast Minnesota and the home of the famed Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota is a town of roughly 100,000 people, about a 90-minute drive from the Twin Cities and about 3 hours from Chicago. Although film schools are scarce in these parts (except for ours, of course), there are several film or television production companies in Rochester, and numerous major movies and television shows have been shot in the area. If you are considering a career in filmmaking as a film director, film producer, film editor, or cameraman--but DON'T want to relocate to New York or Los Angeles--consider Rochester, Minnesota as a great alternative. FILM CONNECTION makes it possible.
Movies filmed in and around the Rochester, Minnesota area include IceBreaker, Terror Overload, D3: The Mighty Ducks and the 1988 documentary You Don't Have to Die, filmed in Rochester's own Mayo Clinic. Other major films like Fargo, A Serious Man and A Prairie Home Companion were also shot not far from Rochester, as well as television shows like Mystery Science Theater 3000.
FILM CONNECTION's innovative approach to film school education is to place you in a real Rochester production company, where you will work under a working professional who serves as your instructor/mentor. You'll gain valuable hands-on experience working on real film and video shoots, making vital industry connections along the way. This is the heart of the FILM CONNECTION approach, and it works. Many of our graduates get permanent jobs. Come see what our Rochester, Minnesota film school can do for you!
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
“Working through the second act was tough, but my mentor really helped me unlock the emotional arc of the story.”
Kayla M.
After working in media for a couple of years, I decided to take my skills to the next level in filmmaking. I was fortunate to have joined Film Connection; they supported me from day one with my registration and all the necessary paperwork
Noah Gonzalez
Film Connection does a fantastic job placing you on REAL sets with EXPERIENCED directors, opening doors to build meaningful connections with your mentor and ensuring ongoing learning. You truly get out of the program what you put in.
Octavio Preciado
I got great movie recommendations that gave me many creative influences. My mentor gave constructive feedback on my script. I learned about how to work on a film set and collaborate with other art departments. I enjoyed my experience with Film Connection.
Josh Chacko – Arlington, Washington
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