Filmmakers Studio

Filmmakers Studio offers high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors an opportunity to experience the art and technique of producing digital short films. Students who participate in Filmmakers Studio take dynamic classes that challenge them to develop strong and practical story ideas, visualize those ideas in storyboards, and finally realize those ideas in short film form. Students will shoot on digital video, edit on Final Cut Pro, and output all projects for DVD and the web.

Program Features

Filmmakers Studio focuses on developing the creative and technical skills of high school students who are interested in filmmaking. Through the program, Filmmakers Studio students:

• Analyze story structure in short films and begin writing a short script
• Prepare to pitch ideas for a feature-length or second short script
• Develop writing, directing, shooting, and editing skills
• Improve knowledge of basic camera, lighting, and sound applications
• Shoot and edit short films and workshop feature-length or second short script
• Produce a three- to five-minute short film and write a short screenplay, or the first act of a feature-length screenplay

Filmmakers Screening

Students who complete the five-week program will have an opportunity to screen their work for family and friends. At the screening, Filmmakers Studio students will present a brief selection representative of their work and illustrative of the filmmaking skills they have developed during the program.

Program Dates and Costs

Program Dates (including required orientation): July 8–August 10, 2012

Filmmakers Studio per student: $3,395
On-Campus Housing per student: $2,995

Who May Apply

High school students entering grades 10, 11, and 12 during the 2012–2013 academic year are welcome to apply to Filmmakers Studio.

Filmmakers Studio is designed for students who have an intense interest in filmmaking and a passion for storytelling through the medium of film, have respect for the creative process, and understand how to manage their time and complete assignments both in and out of the classroom. Each candidate for the Filmmakers Studio Program must submit the required application form, completed and signed, along with the following documents.

• Student Statement of Purpose: In one page, please describe the technical or creative skills you bring to the program and what skills you hope to develop during the summer program.
• Essay: In one page, discuss a movie and/or a director that you feel is most influential to your work.
• Teacher Recommendation: Please submit one recommendation, completed by a teacher who knows your work, in a sealed envelope with the teacher’s signature across the back seal.
• Completed Video Project on DVD or VHS or script: Please do not submit the only existing copy of your work.

Download the Pre-College Studio Application Form (PDF)

Download the Pre-College Teacher Recommendation Form (PDF)

Sample Schedule

Schedule is subject to change.
Monday–Friday,
9:00 am–5:00 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am–12:00 pm

Week One
Students will screen and discuss story structure in short films and begin pitching and writing their short script. Basic camera, lighting, and sound exercises will be given to familiarize students with Emerson‘s film equipment, shooting, and location policies.

Week Two
Students will complete and workshop short film scripts and prepare a pitch for their feature-length or second short script. Students will also edit and sync sound of camera and lighting exercises given the previous week. Focus will be given to continuity, lighting, and sound recording and mixing.

Week Three
Students will focus on the pre-production process for their three- to five-minute short. Emphasis will be put on storyboarding, cinematography, shot lists, and logs. One-on-one evaluation will be held and feature-length/second short script consultations will take place.

Week Four
Students will shoot and edit short films and workshop feature-length/second short script films.

Week Five
Review and evaluate first cuts. Time will be allotted for re-shots and re-edits. Films will be exported to DVD.