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Filmmaking at Arts Academy
Why Study Filmmaking
In a world of exploding content and expanding platforms, what does it take to bring your vision and stories to life? At Interlochen, you'll learn to nurture the storyteller within while developing the technical vocabulary to realize your imagination.
What You'll Learn
Interlochen Arts Academy is the top-rated boarding school for filmmaking. You'll take a combination of production and theory-based courses. You'll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in all aspects of the filmmaking process, including: screenwriting, producing, directing, and post-production and editing. You'll immerse yourself in the art form's history and explore other disciplines that can help shape your work.
Our experienced instructors are seasoned industry professionals, who will teach you the technical skills, aesthetic possibilities, and creative tools to capture your story in film. Your practical education in lighting, cinematography, music/sound, directing, and editing will prepare you for highly competitive undergraduate film programs or other courses of study.
As a student of the Filmmaking program, you will:
- Develop proficiency in the elements of cinematic technique, including: story, screenwriting, directing for camera, directing the actor, lighting, editing, cinematography, production, and sound
- Refine and articulate an individual cinematic voice
- Analyze the history, theory, and aesthetics of cinema
For information on graduation requirements and academic curriculum, please visit Academy Academics.
Get to Know Ella
"The decision to come to Interlochen was an easy one for me. I thought about where I wanted to be later in life—and I knew Interlochen would be the place to help get me there." - Ella, Film & New Media
Program Highlights
The DeRoy Center for Film Studies
The DeRoy Center for Film Studies is the only facility in the country dedicated to film and animation studies at the high school level. You'll have access to professional facilities and equipment including specialized classrooms, edit suites, a multipurpose 2D/3D studio, a soundstage, stop motion rigs, cameras and lighting packages, and a 180-seat viewing space. You'll have the technology you need at every step of the animation process.
Awards & Honors
Our students have earned coveted awards like Presidential Scholar in the Arts, National YoungArts Competition, the Scholastic Awards National Medals, and National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts—and have shown their work in the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Student Film Reel
Awkward first parties, animated origami love stories, gritty thrillers, fulfilling your dreams, and coming of age—oh my! Check out this film reel for a glimpse of our students' work.
A Film Festival Right On Campus
The Future of Cinema Film Festival is a chance for high school filmmakers to meet influential industry leaders from Hollywood and around the globe.
It's so exciting that we're 16, 17 years old and we're making good films... When I first learned that I have to make an eight-minute movie, I was like, 'okay, I need costumes, I need music, I need actors.' But everything's here, so you don't have to outsource. Everything's right on this campus.
Ellie, Film & New Media
Alumni Stories
Film & New Media students find immediate success upon graduation from Interlochen. Recent graduate Shane Bagwell made his first feature gig as second assistant camera for number-one film The Wretched. Fellow alumnus Nic Weinfeld founded Five to Sixty, a production company that is already earning accolades for its social-first commercials. Alumna Kira Bursky has earned a number of prestigious awards and is currently working as an independent director and app developer.
College Matriculation
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ArtCenter College of Design
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Boston University
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California Institute of the Arts
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Chapman University
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College of Creative Studies
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Columbia College Chicago
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Emerson College
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Ithaca College
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New York University
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Northwestern University
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Pace University
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Pratt Institute
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Princeton University
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Rhode Island School of Design
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Ringling College of Art and Design
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Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
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School of Visual Arts
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University of California
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University of Michigan
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University of Southern California
Friday, February 21, 2025 - 7:30 p.m. ET
DeRoy Center for Film Studies FREE, no tickets required
Film Thesis and Animation Showcase
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 7:30 p.m. ET
DeRoy Center for Film Studies FREE, no tickets required
Friday, May 16, 2025 - 7:30 p.m. ET
DeRoy Center for Film Studies FREE, no tickets required
Dive deeper into Interlochen Arts Academy with a free digital viewbook
In our free informational booklet, you'll learn more about:
- Each of our seven arts areas
- Renowned faculty
- College-preparatory academics
- Student resources
- How to apply and financial aid information
- And more