Master the art of film production alongside an industry insider in a working Santa Maria studio. 1 mentor, just for you. Learn in the real world, build industry connections.
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You've found the FILM CONNECTION film school in Santa Barbara, CA, the film school that gets you inside an actual Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, or San Luis Obispo film production company as a film student extern, learning directing, producing, editing, camera, screenwriting or general production. One of the smartest ways to break into the film business in this area is to work inside a Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo film production company as a film extern.
Don't spend 10-50 thousand dollars on your film school education; you could spend less by attending film school in a real production company. Learn from the pros; get connected as you get educated. Our film school alternative is a highly efficient and cost-effective way to learn filmmaking.
Strung along the famous highway US-101 down California's central coast, the cities of Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and San Luis Obispo offer breathtaking beauty from both coast-lands and nearby mountain areas, making this an ideal region for diverse filming locations. There obviously aren't as many film schools in the Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo area as in Los Angeles (a short drive south), but make no mistake--professional filmmaking is very popular here. The area hosts numerous film festivals, a film commission, and numerous film and TV production companies. The Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo area makes an excellent choice for you if you're considering a career in filmmaking as a film director, film producer, film editor, or cameraman, but prefer the scenic coastline to the mayhem of Los Angeles.
A great many films have been shot in the Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo area. Just a few of the better-known titles include The Long Kiss Goodnight, A Walk in the Clouds, Pirates of the Caribbean (2 and 3), G.I. Jane, Forever Young, The Rocketeer, and classic films such as The Graduate and The Spirit of St. Louis. This area also sees plenty of television production activity as well, including episodes of The Bachelor, Monk, Trading Spaces, and many others.
The prime location of the Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-San Luis Obispo area, combined with the plethora of film and television activities, makes this a great place for both film students and filmmaking professionals. Check us out and see what FILM CONNECTION can do for your career!
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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