Welcome to Filmmaking

Vidwest creates affordable path for learning the film industry.

You once had to be wealthy, move to Los Angeles, or know somebody in the industry to become involved in filmmaking. Now, in Columbia, you just need a membership to Vidwest Studios — and an eagerness to learn.     

Vidwest was founded in 2019 in the space formerly occupied by Federated Auto Parts. Since that time, Vidwest has become a mecca for local digital artists to gather and connect. With access to studios, cameras, digital archiving, and now even a large printer, individuals can begin their journey down the path of creation.   

Would-be filmmakers have two options: either go to a film school or go the freelance route. Unfortunately, the filmmaking industry as a whole still requires a degree to gain employment. However, many independent filmmakers can start their own freelance business with no degree at all.    

Until now, the common path for an individual looking to get into filmmaking was film school. However, film school is often a costly endeavor. Currently, the cost of attendance at Mizzou for a Missouri resident is $33,038 per year. That comes to $132,152 for a four-year bachelor’s degree.    

That financial reality makes the goal of becoming a professional filmmaker a lofty pursuit. Through Vidwest, students looking to get into the field can gain hands-on knowledge through several programs or by simply trying out gear and learning on their own. By booking a training session through its website, Vidwest can teach the necessary skills to get started.  

“Vidwest is where you go when you don’t have 325 grand to spend on equipment,” said Dustin Hawkins, a local indie film maker and member of Vidwest.   

Some individuals may not want to go the traditional route of film school and may want to make films for fun or as a freelancer. Vidwest provides those individuals with the same training, offering gear rental or training sessions. That gives students the flexibility to work around their schedules. Cost is often the biggest barrier to entry in film making. The gear can often be expensive, and many individuals don’t have hundreds of dollars to spare on equipment. Vidwest aims to bridge that gap.   

“Vidwest is similar to a public library,” said Studio Manager Jonathan Asher. “Instead of magazines, we have cameras.”   

For a $75 annual fee, Vidwest provides access to its studio and gear.  For members, $1 grants access to additional classes such as advanced filmmaking, audio production, and more. In 2024, eleven professional instructors hosted seventeen classes. Funding has come from the city of Columbia Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA). Those classes are set to continue through 2025 with a grant provided by OCA.   

For students, seniors, and military members, the annual membership fee is $35. That amounts to roughly 42 percent of Vidwest’s total membership. For other individuals who can’t afford the $75 annual fee, Vidwest has offered scholarships. For 2024, 10 percent of all Vidwest members received a scholarship to help with membership fees.    

“It is a place where no matter where you are financially, you can learn how to use the tools you want to tell your stories,” Hawkins explained.   

Of the 4,353 reservation requests Vidwest received in 2024, nearly 3,200 of those orders were completed. Three new part-time studio managers who were hired last year are on-call six days a week for thirteen hours a day. Volunteers also amassed a collective 2,669 hours in 2024.  

Vidwest has provided hands-on training opportunities among its members. For instance, in partnership with Cafe Berlin, members helped with livestream services to provide training to Columbia residents. Additionally, with the help of MU’s Community Engagement Learning Office, Vidwest built an internship program.     

Grants, services, and donations from 209 donors produced $95,242 in revenue in 2024, a 23 percent increase from the previous year. The nonprofit’s 2024 balance sheet also showed a 34 percent increase in expenditures to $67,316.  

Most of Vidwest’s gear is donated by individuals or studio volunteers. With the membership fee, members gain access to camera gear, lighting, and sound gear. Additionally, members have access to rent parts of the studio for sound production, video production, screenings, and audio production.     

“As a Vidwest member, if there is any equipment you don’t know how to use, we will train you on it,” Asher explained.   

For anyone looking to get involved, the best place to start is the Vidwest website. “The more involved [you are] with Vidwest, the more likely [you are] to become a part of these big projects,” Hawkins said. “We can’t turn you into an artist, but we can teach you the tools for becoming a better artist.”  

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