The innovative summer film production course is made possible through support of the South Carolina Film Commission
Clemson University’s World Cinema Program is proud to announce that for the second summer in a row, its innovative film production course has begun production on a feature film. The course is made possible by an education grant from the South Carolina Film Commission and 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. Building on the success of last year’s production, filming has begun on a new movie, “The High Note.”
Hands-on film experience
The course is being led by 2-time Emmy Award-nominated producer and current Professor of Practice Sam Sokolow (Nat Geo & Disney+’s “Genius”).
“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. “The first iteration of this course last summer was a big step toward that goal, and this summer’s summer production course is building on that success. Clemson students now have that experience to help propel them forward in their creative careers.”
Throughout the course, students are working directly under the mentorship of acclaimed education consultants and industry professionals, gaining practical experience in every facet of film production. This immersive approach 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.
Professional production experts
The centerpiece of the course is a new collaborative micro-budget, digital new media project that will culminate in the production of a feature-length film, “The High Note,” which is based on a screenplay written by Sokolow. “The High Note” is being directed by Jason Lockhart, an award-winning filmmaker (“Silent But Deadly”) and veteran talent agent whose clients have been in films such as “Superman” and “Spiderman: No Way Home” and TV series such as “Cobra Kai,” “Tulsa King” and “Ozark.” Lockhart is also the author of the book “Ask An Agent,” which reached #1 Best Seller status on Amazon within the Performing Arts category.
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 BrandCinema’s Nicholas Levis (“High Strung”) that includes Viorel Sergovici (“Aurora,” “Trust In Love”) cosmos kiindarius (“Stand,” “Star Trek,” “Zodiac”), Geoff Herbert (“The Irishman,” “The Hunger Games”), Julia Fowler (“Country Comfort”), Troy Bakewell (“Eden’s Choice,” “A Country Music Christmas”), and Emmy Award-winning production designer Knox White (“Alabama Snake”). Their expertise will provide students with professional-level mentorship and insight into the professional filmmaking process.
Star-powered education
The on-camera cast that will be teaching Clemson’s student actors while working side-by-side with them, includes Jesse Malinowski (“Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” “Cobra Kai”), Eric Goins (“The Righteous Gemstones, “DC’s Stargirl”), Julia Fowler (“Modern Family,” “The Closer”), Lauren Revard (“Stranger Things,” “Will Trent”), Marissa Chanel Hampton (“The Watchmen,” “Captain America: Brave New World”), Ben VanderMey (“Fight Night,” “Sweet Magnolias,” “The Six Triple Eight”), Austin Freeman (“Superman,” “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3”, “Loki”), Nathan Hesse (“Genius: MLK/X,” “Hillbilly Elegy,” “George & Tammy”) and stars Adrian Eppley (“Pain Hustlers,” “Echoes,” “Fantasy Football”) who is a Clemson University alumna and daughter of former Clemson star athlete Mike Eppley.
This summer’s film is being produced again in association with BrandCinema. Last summer’s student production manager Emma Bulman ’26 is now working full time for BrandCinema and is an Associate Producer on “The High Note”, highlighting how this experiential-learning course leads to real world employment.
This initiative underscores Clemson University’s commitment to building a world-class film production program, to a curriculum that emphasizes hands-on experiential learning, and to supporting South Carolina’s growing film industry. Students will emerge from the program with real credits on their resume, professional connections, and the confidence to pursue their creative ambitions in film and new media.
“The High Note” is Clemson’s second feature film. Last summer’s Clemson film production course produced the feature film, “Student Film: The Movie,” which is currently applying to film festivals and will release in 2027. Learn more about “Student Film: The Movie: here.
For more information, please contact Sam Sokolow:
Cell: (310) 863-8066
Email: ssokolo@clemson.edu
To learn more about Clemson’s feature films, follow them on Instagram:
Behind the Scenes
