Welcome to AVLFilm!
AVLFilm is a group of volunteers building up the filmmaking community in and around Asheville, North Carolina. We aim to be a portal for all things film in the area, beginning with the FAQ the site started as. Thanks for coming and welcome!
Table of Contents
The Local Community
Getting Started
The Local Community
What film schools are in North Carolina?
Asheville School of Film
A non-degree film school offering a variety of hands-on 8-week and 4-week courses, as well as weekend seminars and workshops.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Filmmaking (Winston-Salem)
Ranked among the best film schools in the country, the filmmaking school at UNCSA knows that you won't become a filmmaker by sitting in a classroom.
University of North Carolina Asheville: Video Production
UNC Asheville's Mass Communication department emphasizes a liberal arts approach to the study of mass communication disciplines. Our video production classes include documentary & short fiction production as well as directing and screenwriting courses.
Western Carolina University Film and Television Production Program (Cullowhee)
All Film and Television Production program (FTP) faculty have worked extensively in the film and television industries. They teach not only the art and technique of filmmaking but the real world skills and attitudes necessary to succeed as well.
Blue Ridge Community College: Film and Video Production
Two year program with 16 classes in Film and Video Production, including Camera/Lighting, Editing, Sound, Screenwriting, Producing, and animation. Faculty include industry professionals, experimental animators, and local filmmakers.
What film festivals are in town?
AVLFilm 20-second film contest (Octobers)
What movie theaters are in town?
Asheville Brewing Company
$3 for older movies.
675 Merrimon Avenue
AMC Classic River Hills 10 AKA Carmike Cinema 10
$5 Tuesdays: You do have to be a rewards card member, which is free, and you have to buy tickets at the box office. Cineplex with 3D & jumbo digital screens showing first-run films, opera productions & sports events.
121 River Hills Rd
Carolina Cinemas
$5 2D Tuesdays
Cinema showing first-run and indie films plus football, with a full bar and lounge. Pro tip: buy yourself an e-gift card and you can avoid the fees.
1640 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
Fine Arts Theatre
Easygoing cinema showing 1st-run, art & independent films in an art deco/modern setting.
36 Biltmore Ave
Grail Moviehouse
The Grail is a locally owned and operated three-screen cinema downtown, screening first run, independent, classic and local films in a comfortable setting. Concessions feature delicious local snacks and drinks. Asheville Film Society Screenings every Tuesday and Thursday.
45 South French Broad Avenue, Suite 130
What production companies are in town?
Due to length, this has been moved to a separate page.
What other resources are in town?
The Actor's Center of Asheville
Dedicated to helping students better understand the craft of acting on a professional level. Students explore their potential through scene study, improvisation, character development and much more. The Actor's Center of Asheville offers Acting classes, Audition shooting & coaching, workshops, and One on One Private Coaching for film, television, commercials, industrials, in addition to the stage. The Actor's Center Of Asheville is lead by Instructor and professional working actor, Kevin Patrick Murphy.
104 Eastside Drive, Black Mountain
Asheville School of Film
Focused on providing affordable, short term classes in various filmmaking subjects. Our goal is to provide quality, concise information and experience for those with a general interest in filmmaking and for all skill levels.
45 South French Broad Ave, Suite 120
Ball Photo Supply Camera Center
A camera store serving WNC for over 50 years.
Innsbruck Mall, 85 Tunnel Rd
Mechanical Eye Microcinema
Mechanical Eye Microcinema is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating an inclusive community of empowered voices by providing equitable access to moving image screenings, education, and resources.
The Refinery, Suite 22
Meisner acting technique
This time-tested and foundational acting technique is taught by Kelley Hinman, a NYC and LA trained professional working actor with over 35 years experience in the industry, a former student of Sanford Meisner and graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse. Classes are designed for adult (18+) actors of all levels - from beginners to working professionals - through NC Stage Company and starting June 2018 at the Academy for the Arts in Asheville. Classes are limited to 8-10 students in order to receive personal, supportive, and effective training in this technique studied by numerous current and former Oscar and Tony award winners. Private coaching for film/television/stage roles and auditions are also available. Kelley does currently offer classes through his Charlotte studio in NODA as well.
Refinery Creator Space
AKA The Refinery. A space for artists to work, collaborate, and grow their creative businesses.
Screen Artists Co-op
Screen Artists Co-op is a collective of professional actors working together to achieve success in screen acting. The Co-op is a service provider for audition taping, headshots and a series of acting courses designed by founder and mentor Jon Menick, an actor in the LA and NYC markets for 35+ years. Courses such as Blocks and Fears, Persona, Dialects, Character and Script Analysis, to name a few, as well as practicums in Auditioning Technique, break down and rebuild the skill set of the actor to attain the goal of working in the Southeast Region and beyond. Professional Actress Jennifer Gatti, who most recently held a recurring role in the HBO series Vice Principals, and has dozens of screen credits throughout her years as an actor, is the Co-op's Scene Study instructor. Classes are held in three blocks each year (excluding the summer) for 8-10 weeks per session.
2002 Riverside Drive, Suite 42P
Screen Artists Talent
Screen Artists Talent believes strongly in the process of branding and marketing the personal essence of the actors we represent. As your agent, we will take the time to get to know not only your skills, talents and personality as an actor, as well as the real person behind it all. We will utilize everything we discover about who you are to ensure that you are thoroughly and realistically represented in the world of professional screen acting. Screen Artists Talent is a boutique agency in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
2002 Riverside Drive, Suite 42P
What resources are there online?
Asheville Movies
Reviews of new theatrical, DVD and streaming titles, plus essays on film and TV and interviews with local and national film industry figures. Free tickets to Grail Moviehouse are given away each week on the Asheville Movies Facebook page and the accompanying Patreon pledge site features such rewards as tickets to Asheville Brewing and the Fine Arts Theatre.
Facebook groups
Asheville Actors
A place to post audition and performance reminders.Asheville Artists' Network
This is a group for Asheville artists, arts-world professionals, and enthusiasts. It's a place for us all to keep in touch with what's happening in the arts world, to ask questions, and to support each other.Asheville Audition & Casting Notices
A central place for casting and audition notices in and around Western North Carolina.Asheville Female Filmmakers Group
The Asheville Female Filmmakers Group is open to women and gender minorities. We're here to empower and encourage! Monthly meetings for women and gender minorities only.Asheville Filmmakers Group
This group is for anyone interested in the production of movies and videos in the Asheville, NC area.Asheville School of Film
Business page that post various film related events and articles.WAX - West Asheville Exchange
This is a place for community discussion, things for sale, and discussion on Asheville topics. Could be a good resource for finding extras.Western North Carolina Film & Theatre Community
Mission is to show both the major/indie film industry that Western NC has talent in actors and production crew.
Getting Started
Where do I start?
Say you have an idea but you don't yet know people in the film community. Where does one begin? With a producer. Check out the Crew link and reach out to anyone listed as a producer. That will help you get the ball rolling!
Who offers rentals in town?
For equipment, AVL Camera Grip & Lighting Rental and Ball Photo.
For studios and/or green screens, Asheville School of Film and The Asheville Studio.
Charlotte: Film Production Offices & Warehouses
what should i know about film festivals?
We created a separate page for this where Ted Kendrick provides answers.
how does distribution work?
See this PDF from a Seed & Spark lecture on distribution.