Learn film production alongside an industry insider in a working Springfield film studio. Work directly with a film industry pro. We do things different, learn in the real world and build industry connections.
Call now to get started or fill out our online form and we’ll connect with the location nearest to you.
Welcome to the future of filmmaking, Film Connection Film School in Springfield, IL. Production companies that have worked on both narrative and documentary films have teamed up with us to provide mentors that will help get your career off the ground by providing you with studio or on-location experience.
There are two paths you can take. The first is our 6-month behind-the-scenes track that pairs you up with mentors who work in the Champaign or Springfield corridor.
The second, more comprehensive, path is our 8-month director’s track. More mentors and more opportunities for you! No film program anywhere offers you a chance to see your project come alive before your very eyes and pitch it to someone who can make it happen. No one except the Film Connection.
The cities of Champaign, Decatur and Springfield are located a short distance from each other along a stretch of Interstate 72 in central Illinois. Springfield is the state capital of Illinois, and the historical place where Abraham Lincoln began his political career. The combined population of the three cities exceeds 200,000 people, and several production companies call this area home. The Champaign-Springfield-Decatur area is within driving distance of several major cities, including Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis, making it a good central hub for diverse filming locations. Illinois is a film-friendly state, offering tax incentives up to 30 percent for films shot in the state, and several major film festivals are held annually in the region. The Champaign-Springfield-Decatur area makes a surprising alternative location if you want a career as a film director, film producer, screenwriter, film editor or cameraperson–but would rather not relocate to New York or L.A.
Many major movies, commercials, TV shows and documentaries are filmed in Illinois. Among the known films that have shot in the Champaign-Springfield-Decatur area and surrounding regions are Mission: Impossible, The Informant, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde, and the Jimmy Stewart classic film Call Northside 777. The Champaign-Springfield-Decatur area has also seen filming for television episodes and documentaries, including the Great American Road Trip, Lincoln’s Last Night, and the documentaries Route 66 Road Trip and Lincoln.
FILM CONNECTION Film School of Champaign-Springfield-Decatur will put you in the heart of this production activity by hooking you up with a working film or television professional, who becomes your personal instructor and mentor.
You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience on real film and video shoots, making valuable industry connections along the way. In fact, many of our graduates get hired, many before they even graduate. FILM CONNECTION can help you realize your dreams; let us show you how.
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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