YOUTH FILM WORKSHOPS
Filmmaking is an expansive art form. It can include creative writing, visual art, design, fashion, music, dance, and more. Such a medium provides ample opportunity for young people to find their voice, and it's important that they be given this opportunity.
Below are examples of youth film workshops I've done with students ages 8-18. Workshop topics range, as does the student body. I've worked with students with disabilities and without, and from different socioeconomic spheres.
When you get, give. When you learn, teach. —Maya Angelou
Narrative Short
Doughnut Duo
When two half-witted aspiring thieves concoct a plan to become the biggest villains in their town, they accidentally cross the local serial killer.
Filmmakers: Sadie Carfagno, Codie Feiner, Adrian Woodard
Cast: Devin Anthony Blake, Karrie Carfagno, Cady Garey, Alex Krecek
Co-mentor: Sam Gorman
Aftershock
When a long-time police officer catches a criminal, his past suddenly catches up to him.
Filmmakers: Ryan Beard, Ceci Becker, Alexander Gaither, Stephen Gentry
Cast: Paul Stober, Nathan Anderith, Julian Macalister, Robert Beard, Stephen Gentry, Alexander Gaither
Co-mentor: Saunder Boyle
Evergreen
A man and his ficus fight mortality, until a terminal diagnosis causes him to face facts and make amends.
Filmmakers: Nathan Ridings, Bertie Sackson
Cast: Chris Selier, Rachel Martinez, Tom Dresner
Co-mentor: Lyssandra Petersson
Music Video
"Weak at the Knees," The Willies
Filmmakers: Zach Ashby, Caroline Cox, Tee Dickinson, Summer Khaswan
Cast: Andrew Tamberrino, Summer Khaswan, Robert Beard, Sandy Williams, Corey Cronin, Caroline Cox, Saunder Boyle
Co-mentor: Saunder Boyle
"Flight Patterns," Gina Sobel & The Mighty Fine
Filmmakers: Bertie Sackson, Liam Harr, Maxwell Mandel, Alexandra Velle-Loach
Cast: Rachel Martinez, Corey Cronin, Sarah Perkins, Amanda Christianson, Sophia Velle-Loach
Co-mentor: Sandy Williams
"Salt," Gold Connections
Filmmakers: Ceci Becker, Alexander Gaither, Jacob Hart, Nick Tennery
Cast: Corey Cronin, Marley Flannery
Intermediate Narrative
Super Stella
When Stella discovers how hard it is to find a comic book with a female lead at her local comic book shop, she decides to create one of her own. But can she get the shop owner on her side?
Cast: Bryanna Taylor, Danny Wagner
Filmmakers: Jenna Malyn, Caterina Roane, Connor Mackey, Vanita Shih
Co-mentor: Sandy Williams
Goodnight, Mike
Mike makes a new friend when he discovers Albert living under his bed, but their nightly gaming sessions start to take a toll on Mike's daytime life.
Filmmakers: Artina Li, Jolina Li, Abbey Murray, Aiden O'Brien-Olwell
Cast: Cady Garey, Josh Harris, Julian Macalister, Rachel Martinez
Skylar's Socks
Skylar experiences an identity crisis when she loses some of her trademark socks.
Filmmakers: Elliot Crotteau, Miles Kershner, Cole Lyman, Elijah Witt
Cast: Jordan Vonderharr, Corey Cronin, Elliot Croft
Intro to Animation
GrandFancy (Mixed media stop motion)
Filmmakers: Zyon Adams, Luca Ball, Elesia Cooper, Vanita Shih
Co-mentor: Amanda Patterson
Intro to Film
Mission: Purse Thief
Three detectives use unconventional means to catch purse thief.
Filmmakers: Carter, Elesia, Mateo, Jane, Vanita
Co-mentor: Will Mullany
Got Skittles
When his friends dare him to stay in an abandoned building alone for 5 minutes, a boy accidentally temps the Skittles-obsessed ghost who lives there.
Filmmakers: Leo, Olin, Solly, Will
Co-mentor: Anne Schermerhorn
The Unicult
Two girls try to return some precious gems they find in the street. But when find out the gems belong to a unicorn-worshipping cult, they're in too deep to turn back.
Filmmakers: Sarah, Emma, Parker, Smith
Extras: Corey Cronin, Sarah Christianson
Co-Mentor: Ashley Yajalu