“Student Film: The Movie” pairs Clemson University World Cinema students with familiar faces from TV and film in an innovative education effort

This summer, Clemson University’s World Cinema students will be gaining experience both on and off-screen with professional filmmakers during a hands-on training course that includes the micro-budget production of Student Film: The Movie. The film project is the center of a groundbreaking film production course made possible by a grant from the South Carolina Film Commission. The new course offers Clemson students a unique, hands-on experience in filmmaking, designed to prepare the next generation of creative talent for careers in the film, TV and digital media industries.

The course is being led by 2-time Emmy Award-nominated producer and current Professor of Practice at Clemson University, Sam Sokolow (National Geographic and Disney+’s Genius), and the production team is filled with talent from recognizable titles including Forest Gump, Modern Family, The Hunger Games and more.

“When I came to Clemson, my north star was creating a film production curriculum that brings to life and practice what all my friends in Hollywood always say is what they wish they had learned in college – real world, real experience and the chance to express their creativity in a professional-style environment while being mentored directly from professionals who have worked on projects they are familiar with,” Sokolow said.

“This course is a big step toward that goal, and our students will now have that experience to help propel them forward in their creative careers.”

Student Film: The Movie is based on a screenplay written by Gaffney, SC native Julia Fowler (Netflix’s Country Comfort, YouTube’s Southern Women Channel) that the project acquired.

Students will take on key creative and technical roles, working alongside a distinguished cast and crew of education consultants to bring the project to life. Guiding the students behind the scenes are an accomplished crew of educators led by Sokolow and Fowler that includes BrandCinema’s Nicholas Levis (High Strung), Geoff Herbert (The Irishman, The Hunger Games), Mark Cochran (Cross Wars) Andrea Brotherton (The Six Triple Eight, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire), and Quintessence Patterson (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1, Furious 7). Their expertise will provide students with professional-level mentorship and insight into the professional filmmaking process.

The on-camera cast that will be teaching Clemson’s student actors while working side-by-side with them, includes Finesse Mitchell (Saturday Night Live, Ant Farm), Tim Stoltenberg (Failure to Launch), Brett Rice (Forrest Gump, Remember the Titans), Julia Fowler (Modern Family, The Closer), Matthew Settle (Band of Brothers, Gossip Girl), Jayson Warner Smith (The Walking Dead), Alex Ellis (Hot In Cleveland), Katherine Bailess (One Tree Hill, Hit the Floor), and Delaine Yates (Law & Order).

The immersive partnership with acclaimed education consultants and industry professionals ensures that students learn not only the creative process but also the real-world skills needed to succeed on-set and in the ever-evolving landscape of film, television and digital media.

“Students will emerge with real credits on their resume, professional connections, and the confidence to pursue their ambitions,” Sokolow noted. “This project underscores Clemson’s commitment to building a world-class film program that offers hands-on learning and supports South Carolina’s growing film industry.”  

For more information, please contact Sam Sokolow at (310) 863-8066 or ssokolo@clemson.edu.