Explore your creative aspirations that will ultimately be expressed on screen!
Grades 9-12
This four-week precollege program is designed for high school students interested in writing, directing, editing, and acting in original short movies, while learning the art of visual storytelling.
Our online workshops are interactive, creative learning experiences where students will participate, from home, in every class, and interact with their teachers and classmates, as they create original film work.
Each lesson will feature live instruction, pre-taped examples and slideshows, as well as small group breakout meetings, and web-based support for independent practice.
Instructors will be available online at this time to answer questions and troubleshoot any technical issues.
Frequently Asked Questions What Type of Camera Should I Buy?
Typical Day
The Film Institute meets daily, Monday through Friday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, unless otherwise specified in the workshop description.
1:00 - 2:00 pm Zoom Meeting / Morning Lesson
2:00- 2:30 - Break Out Meetings (2-4 students with rotating instructor visits.)
2:30-3:30 - Independent Practice a.m. (Film staff is available for support)
3:30-4:00 - Regroup / Share Out
Topics Covered
- The Film Crew: Role of the director, camera operator, sound technician, and producer.
- Storytelling: The art of developing a visual story with a beginning, middle, and end.
- The Screenplay: Using formatting software to write scripts in the Hollywood standard format. Transforming our ideas onto the page using plot, character, and structure to push the story along.
- Pre-visualization: Using storyboards and shot lists to pre-visualize the images in your film.
- Pre-production: Planning, location scouting, and blocking so we are ready when the camera rolls.
- Directing: Learn how to “cover” a scene using different camera angles. Collaborating with actors.
- Stage Combat: Learning how to stage a safe, but real-looking fight for the camera.
- Documentary: How is a documentary made? How is it different from other types of filmmaking?
- Music Video: Creating strong, visual images you then edit together to enhance a music track.
- Camera: Knowing how to use your camera so that it is second nature.
- Image Control: Composition, framing, camera position, camera movement, depth of field, etc.
- Lighting: Setting up lights and understanding how to light for film.
- Audio in the Field: Importance of clean audio, where to place the microphone.
- Editing: Learn the editing software Adobe Premier and iMovie. Using advanced editing techniques to improve the quality of your final product.
- Audio in Post-production: Using sound effects, re-recording dialogue (ADR), adding music.
- Finishing and Polishing Your Work: Adding titles, special visual effects, and final audio mixing. Learning how to make a really good film even better.
Interested in Undergraduate Film Programs at Purchase College?
Check out the film BFA program, the cinema studies BA program, and the playwriting and screenwriting BA program in the School of Film and Media Studies, and the new media BA program.
Program Details - (Virtual Program)
Session I & II: June 29 – July 24 (four weeks)
Monday – Friday, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
$970 for the first registration
$875 for the second registration in the family, Purchase College employees and alumni, and early registrations (received by June 5, 2020)
For a well-rounded summer, combine with Acting on Camera Boot Camp, Musical Theatre Boot Camp, Interior Design Intensive, YouTube® Content Creators, and/or Battle Royale/Fortnite®. Discount for enrolling in multiple programs.
Program Notes
- Students must supply their own camcorder or DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. They should also remember to bring the connection cables and the manual for their device.
- Family and friends are invited to a virtual screening of selected works from each student on the last day of the Institute.
- Gratuitous violence, use of guns, and/or offensive language are not permitted.
