Picture House Summer Camps For Budding Filmmakers

PELHAM, NY — The Picture House in Pelham has unveiled the schedule for its 2021 summer camps for budding filmmakers.

Three summer camps for students of different ages are planned, starting with a weeklong documentary intensive program for high school students from August 2 to 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students will learn the fundamentals of documentary filmmaking from professional filmmaker Jeff Watkins. The class will cover instruction on interview technique, cinema verite, cinematography, sound, lighting, storyboarding, and editing.

The students will work together to create a short, professional documentary video for an area nonprofit organization. Each student will receive a filmmaking credit on the video, and is eligible to receive community service hours for their work on the project through The Picture House.

The cost of the program is $450 or $405 for members. Classes will take place at The Picture House, on location and in Condreal Studios.

A weeklong music video and green screen workshop for middle school students will take place from August 9 to 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Students will work together in front of and behind the camera to make their own music video. They will join professional filmmaker Jeff Watkins and learn about filmmaking with green screen technology, camera tricks and other effects to make video stand out. Students will also have the opportunity to see the finished video up on the big screen at the Picture House student showcase in the fall.

The cost of the program is $450 or $405 for members. Classes will take place at The Picture House.

A two-week-long movie making summer camp for grades K through 5 will take place from August 16 to 20, and August 23 to 27. Classes will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Students can participate in this class for the full two weeks, or just choose one week, depending on what they’re most interested in.

In week one of the movie making class, students will participate in creative brainstorming sessions as they write a screenplay together. After gathering ideas, students in grades 3-5 will work separately to write the screenplay, while students in grades K-2 will work together on other aspects of pre-production like gathering costume pieces, scene design, and scouting locations around the Picture House for filming.

Each day will include a lunch break and time to relax and watch a short film or two in the theater, as well as outdoor play breaks.

In week two of the movie making day camp, students will act in, direct, and film their script from week one. Every student will have a chance to audition and act on camera if they choose, as well as take on different roles on the production crew, watch a short film together or clips from the days’ filming.

By the end of the week, the student-made film will be “in the can” and ready for professional editors to finish. The final film will debut on the big screen at the annual Student Showcase in the fall and each student will receive a link to the finished film.

The camp will be taught by Kari Morris and Jana Smith.

The cost of the filmmaking camp is $450 per week or $405 for members. A 10 percent discount for siblings is available.

More information about the Picture House summer camp educational opportunities can be found here.