Filmmaker Sam Sokolow brings decades of knowledge to Clemson film program
Sam Sokolow is professor of practice in film production at Clemson University. Within seconds of meeting him, he insists, “Call me Sam.” Behind the relaxed demeanor is a producer and educator with decades of high-level experience in film and television.
He recently spoke with TOWN about his career, his motivation, and Clemson’s ambitions.
Q&A with Sam Sokolow
How did you launch your career in film production?
“I started in 1991 in Hollywood as a production assistant on made-for-TV movies,” Sokolow says. “Then I went back home to Manhattan, and that’s when things took off.”
He worked as a crime beat writer for the New York Daily News, sharpening his storytelling instincts. “It taught me how to tell human stories,” he says.
While in New York, he made his first independent feature film and learned both the art and business of filmmaking. That project became the first self-distributed film released on the early worldwide web, and set the stage for a partnership with Amazon.
“That led to a ten-year run creating, selling, producing, and distributing shows,” he says.
In 2010, he co-founded EUE-Sokolow with Chris and Jeff Cooney of EUE-Screen Gems. The partnership led to scripted television sales and eventually to producing Genius for NatGeo and Disney.
So, what drives you?
“You don’t always work for money in this industry,” he says. “You try to create moments that matter.”
What is the long-term goal for Clemson’s film production school?
“To be one of the best film schools in the country,” Sokolow says.
The first milestone is becoming the best in South Carolina. Projects like Student Film: The Movie (8 out of 10 stars on IMDB) give Clemson students meaningful jobs on the crew and in the cast working alongside professional crew members and actors from major productions.
“We’re building a program that connects best-in-class professionals with students so they can actually have careers in movies.”
Why would an aspiring filmmaker choose Clemson?
“The industry is in a seismic shift,” Sokolow says. “While Los Angeles remains central to development and sales, production now happens globally, often driven by tax incentives and skilled local crews.”
Students aren’t just getting education and experiential learning—they’re entering an emerging film community positioned to grow. “If you want a career making movies, Clemson is the place to come right now,” he says.
What don’t most students understand about film and TV production?
“We teach how to make films at a professional level—from quality to story to industry understanding—so students can contribute immediately,” he says. Technical skills are a bonus; professional mindset is essential.
Who is your favorite director or filmmaker today?
“I’m a cinephile,” Sokolow says. He names Ron Howard, the Coen brothers, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan, and Chloé Zhao. His current favorite: Julia Fowler, who directed Student Film: The Movie. “She’s a remarkable talent out of Gaffney, South Carolina.”
Pros in the cast include
Finesse Mitchell (Saturday Night Live)
Matthew Settle (Gossip Girl)
Tim Stoltenberg (Failure to Launch)
Julia Fowler (Modern Family, The Closer)
Brett Rice (Forrest Gump, Remember the Titans)
Want to watch? Sokolow says the film’s distribution plan is underway and details will be announced soon. Follow along on Instagram @studentfilm_themovie.
