School's out. Creativity's in. Roll camera!
Your kid arrives Monday having watched a thousand videos — and leaves Wednesday having made one.
By Thursday they have something to talk about at the table. Truly something to be thankful for!
Three days, one film
The schedule is built backwards from the cut, which is why three days is enough. Nobody spends a morning on theory.
Monday, Nov 23
Games, gear, and two films in an afternoon
Morning · 9am–12pm
- Acting games and improvisation to get a room of strangers working like a crew. Every camper gets on a camera, holds a boom, reads a line out loud.
Afternoon · 1pm–4pm
- Two fast short films — a horror and an action-comedy — shot start to finish in a single afternoon, so nobody is waiting for permission to make something.
Tuesday, Nov 24
Their own story, and the first day on set
Morning · 9am–12pm
- Pitches, scripts, storyboards and auditions. The crews cast each other, settle on the ending, and lock a shot list.
Afternoon · 1pm–4pm
- Cameras roll on the real film: lights up, slate in, green screen if the story needs it. Directors direct, camera operators frame, sound watches the levels.
Wednesday, Nov 25
Pick-ups, the cut, and the screening
Morning · 9am–12pm
- Everyone watches yesterday’s footage with an instructor and works out what is missing — then goes back on set to get it. This is where the film stops being a school project.
Afternoon · 1pm–4pm
- Editing, sound design, music and titles with the crew, then pick-up. And that's a wrap!
What's included
There is no materials fee, no equipment rental and no premiere ticket. The only thing you pack is lunch.
Three full days, 9am–4pm
- 21 hours of instruction (including breaks), not a half-day activity block.
All the gear
- Professional video cameras, lighting kits, boom and lavalier mics, editing software on our machines.
12:1 ratio, two age groups
- A 7–12 crew and a 13–17 crew, separate films, same building.
The film on our YouTube channel
- Edited by our staff after camp, credits included, and we email you the link.
Props, costumes and set build
- Nothing on this page is a materials fee added at checkout.
What to pack
- Campers bring a packed lunch, their own snacks and a water bottle.
FAQs
Does my child need any filmmaking experience?
- None at all. Monday morning starts from zero — games, story ideas and a walkthrough of the gear — and most campers have never held a real camera before. Kids who already shoot at home get pushed into a department they have not tried.
Is three days really long enough to make a film?
- Yes, because the schedule is built backwards from the cut. Monday afternoon they shoot two throwaway shorts to learn the gear, Tuesday they shoot their own story, and Wednesday afternoon is post — the film is finished before pick-up.
Is there a premiere?
- Our staff finish the edit after camp and post the film to the Film Camp YouTube channel, where you can watch it any time. The premiere is a separate city-wide event for all of that city’s campers, families in the room, and we email you the date.
What should my camper bring?
- A packed lunch, snacks, a refillable water bottle and clothes they can move and get dusty in. All equipment and all materials are provided. Snacks are not included — pack what your camper likes. Costume pieces from home are welcome and often end up in the film.
Can I drop off early or pick up late?
- Yes. Early drop-off from 8am is $25 a day, late pick-up to 5pm is $25 a day, and both together are $50 a day — added at checkout, per day, for as many days as you need.
