Film and Video Classes
Parent Q&A
Archived Q&A and Reviews
Summer programs for filmmaking
Feb 2013
We are looking for a summer program in filmmaking for our high school son. He is applying to CSSSA, but it sounds fairly competitive, so we'd like a backup in the event that he doesn't get in. Can anyone else recommend other similar programs? We have looked at East Bay Media Center and TILT, but they don't seem as intense (they are shorter programs that meet for fewer hours). Thanks for any ideas!
Take a look at National High School Institute at Northwestern University (http://www.northwestern.edu/nhsi/). It is much more expensive than CSSSA but a strong film program and not as competitive to get into. My daughter was interested in screenwriting and was accepted to CSSSA for creative writing (with focus on screenwriting) and NHSI (with focus on screenwriting). She chose NHSI, and I was okay with spending the extra money so she could really see if filmmaking was for her. (She decided yes, but production more than writing). The program was 6 days a week, and with evening screenings and discussions went all day and late into the evening, pretty much.
As for competitiveness in getting in, call and talk with them -- that was helpful for me. wbrown
You may want to check into the Academy of Arts University (San Francisco) Pre-College Summer Program. They offer a six-week summer session for high school students in a variety of art-related fields, including some in Film and TV. You can check it out here: http://www.academyart.edu/degrees/pre-college-summer-art-experience.html
Summer teen filmmaking classes/interns
March 2012
My 17 year old daughter will be spending part of the summer in Berkeley. She attends boarding school out of state, and I will be moving back to Berkeley from LA this summer, so she won't know any teens her age. Any suggestions for cooking, baking, or film making classes, programs, or short term internship opportunities are much appreciated! She did try the 3 week digital filmmaking program in downtown Berkeley a couple summers ago, but it didn't turn out too well because she ended up being paired with an 11 year old girl who was too young for the program. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Depending on how old your child is, you might want to consider Camp EdTech. It's a digital media camp just for 5th - 9th graders. They offer movie making, as well as 2-D and 3-D video gaming, animation, digital photography and fashion graphics and are in three locations in the East Bay, as well as seven others throughout the area. Their website is www.campedtech.org if you want to check it out. My children love the camp and I highly recommend it. Margot
Film making class for teens near Berkeley
Nov 2011
My 16 year old is interested in joining a film making class. does anyone know of one in the area of Oakland, Alameda or Berkeley? Thanks Cynthia
My son did a 3 week film camp at the East Bay Media Center in downtown Berkeley last summer, and loved it. I don't know if they have classes during the schoolyear, but you should definitely check them out. a
My son has gotten a lot from The Media Center in Berkeley.In their summer program/camp he's been part of teams making films, and one of their films was screened at the Berkeley Film Festival. Kathy
Classes at Berkeley Community Media TV station?
March 2011
Have any of your teens had experience with the classes and/or internships at the Berkeley Community Media TV station? What did they do? learn? what were their interests and were they met? Would love to hear about it. Thank you! Teen mom
For those of you looking for a film making experience for your teens, I highly recommend the 3 week summer program at East Bay Media in downtown Berkeley. The folks who run the place (Paul and Mel) are truly wonderful, and kids get a very rich experience in learning to make films! Google ''Make TV'' or East Bay Media and you'll learn about their summer program. My son did their summer program for a # of years, from middle school through high school and is becoming a film maker as a result! deb
TILT Summer Film Camp
May 2009
TILT at the Ninth Street Independent Film Center has an amazing Summer Film Camp for Teens ages 14-19. I enrolled my son a couple of years ago and he had a great time! The instructors were fabulous, patient and knowledgeable. He has continued making films due to his experience at TILT.
I also know several other young people who have participated in the TILT Summer Film Camp and they had an equally wonderful experience. Not only did they make their very own film, but their films have gone on to screen at the De Young, the San Rafael Film Center and at the San Francisco Women's Film Festival. If you have a son or daughter interested in making media or learning more about it, I recommend TILT whole-heartedly!
You can check out their website at www.tiltmedia.org . For the summer page, it is: www.tiltmedia.org/summer.html
They are accepting registrations now for their June/July & July/August sessions :) -Bernadette
East Bay Media Center summer camp
April 2008
Has anyone ever enrolled their kid in the East Bay Media Center's summer media camp? It is a 3 week session of film making - I would love some feedback. karen
East Bay Media Center's summer camp has been wonderful for our 17 yo son. He started going 4 years ago and has been every year. Paul and Mel are supportive, kind and know the business very well. They are able to encourage kids to explore their own ideas as well as give clear guidance for technical aspects of film and video. They really talk to the kids and the kind of respect they show the campers is what they ask from the kids also. Overall, it's a well run and fun camp. chiliconmom
Filmmaking or tv production schools
Jan 2006
I'm looking for a filmmaking or tv production school for my teenage daughter. She will be attending one in San Francisco, but I'm wondering if there is anything in the East Bay. Alix
The East Bay Media Center has a 3 week summer camp in television/video production. My son has attended for the last 2 years and loves it so much that we now have to plan his summer around it. The teachers are wonderful, attentive and very knowledgable. You can get more info at: http://www.eastbaymediacenter.com/summer%20media%20camp.shtml They don't have the 2006 dates listed yet but should very soon.
Summer programs for teen who wants to make movies
May 2005
Does anyone know of summer programs for teens who want to learn how to make movies, other than the NY Film Academy? It would be great to hear from anyone whose child has taken classes at the Academy of Art, or a local community college. Anything at New Expressions?
A member asked if anyone knew of a good opportunity to learn film making. My son has - for the past year - has been involved with a group called ''The Factory''. He started in a summer program and now is going through out the school year. There is an application and interview process. Here is the website if you are interested: http://www.youthsounds.org/programs/factory/index.html The umbrella company is ''Youth Sounds''
Debra
Diablo Valley College (DVC), in Pleasant Hill has a fabulous digital video class (and multimedia program in general). I've taken the beginning class a couple of times. They are open to teens as well. Melanie
Summer film-making class for teen
Dec 2000
My 17 year old daughter attended a summer program called Young Filmmaker's Worskhop in Rockport, Maine last summer for 2 weeks and had a great time. Check it out at www.TheWorkshops.com . Ruth
1999
I believe Mills College has a summer camp for teens in computers and film-making. My younger daughter went to their summer camp for younger kids and had a really good experience. I know they just sent out their camp brochures- call the college soon because I think the spaces fill up quickly. It is a beautiful campus, and great facilities (brand new pool, etc.), good counselors, etc.. Dianne
2 suggestions for filmmaking (not video production) classes:
The Film Arts Foundation in SF has 16mm film production classes offered 4 or 5 times a year. They are 8-10 weeks long, teaching all the basics of cinematography, lighting, editing, and creative aspects. They are not geared to children per se, but at 15 1/2, I'd say a smart, self-assurred kid could really soar. All students produce a short film during the class. Film Arts Foundation phone number is 415.552-8760.
Another resource is Cal Arts in Valencia. They host a film/video production class for high school kids for 8 (?) weeks in the summer. I have a friend who teaches there and always has rave reviews of the students and projects. for California Institute of the Arts in Valencia,
The filmmmaking classes at Cal Arts, Valencia are taught throught the California State Summer School for the Arts program. There is a website at URL:
p http://www.csssa.org/Frameparts/MainTxt.html
I phoned my friend Greta Snider, who teaches there. Greta says the deadline for this year's applications has probably passed, so your daughter could apply for next year perhpas. Also, the financial aid is very generous.
For video production classes (for youth and/or adult), I'd call East Bay Media Center on University (843.3699). They do classes at the Center, or can put you in touch with other resources.
UC Extension summer catalog is another resource.
Good luck, Claire
Architecture Slide Library
(and independent filmmaker)
Hi - I don't actually have any recommendations for online classes (though she should check out Berkeley Public Media once we are reopened -- its the Berkeley Public Access channel and offers terrific and FREE opportunities for the Berkeley community to make films). But I do have a kid (son, rising Senior) crazy about film and applying to film school. I would love to create a community of film kids. At this point, he learns as much from his peers as from classes. Let me know privately if you'd like them to try and connect.
Jennifer
Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) offers classes for high schoolers.
https://bavc.org/youth-programs/summer-programs
I have taken some of their adult ed classes in motion graphics and found it to be a good organization.