Winter Teen Workshops
Winter Classes for Students in Grades 6 – 12
* Indie Filmmaking * Screenwriting Crash Course * Screenwriting * Animation *
* Director’s Lab * Acting for Film and TV * Slam Poetry: Live Performance *
Filmmaking 101
In this one-day, hands-on workshop, students will learn how to generate ideas for their films, and will be introduced to the fundamentals of filmmaking including: shot composition, camera angle, shooting, lighting and sound. With an emphasis on practical, guerilla-style filmmaking, students will discover how to bring their ideas to life! This is an excellent class for students who want to test the filmmaking waters before committing to a longer workshop. (Class size 7– 15)
Middle School Filmmaking
In this hands-on workshop, students will learn how to generate ideas for their films, and will be introduced to the fundamentals of filmmaking including: shot composition, camera angle, shooting, lighting and sound. Students will learn to work together, taking on the many jobs involved in filmmaking as they create a short film of their very own. Act, direct, shoot, light, edit! The class will culminate with a screening of their short films in our own Cinema505– family and friends are invited to join!
No experience is required, however, this class can be repeated since each unique film presents new challenges and opportunities to develop and sharpen your filmmaking skills. (Class size: 7-12)
High School Filmmaking
In this hands-on filmmaking workshop, students will learn and practice the art of filmmaking from script to screen. Students will work together as a film crew to generate ideas, work with actors, and master camera, lighting, and sound techniques. Students will also learn the basics of editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. In each class, students will work both behind and in front of the camera, in both exterior and interior locations, so that they can gain as much experience as possible. Final films will be screened for friends and family in Cinema505 on the last day of class!
No experience is required, however, this class can be repeated since each unique film presents new challenges and opportunities to develop and sharpen your filmmaking skills.(Class size: 7-12)
Indie Filmmaking: Portfolio Building
Already made a few short films? Want to take a class with other experienced students? In Indie Filmmaking, work with a crew of peers under the guidance of experienced instructors and teaching assistants to make some awesome shorts. These films can be used as sample works when applying to a college film program, a stepping stone towards building a competitive portfolio.
If you are a motivated high school filmmaker who is interested in creating a polished short film in collaboration with your peers, then this workshop is for you!
Some filmmaking experience is required, and students should be comfortable editing on their own. Apply below!
(Class size: 7 – 10)
Screenwriting Crash Course
Students will learn the fundamentals of screenwriting from formatting to basic story structure. Students will analyze a short film, screenplays, and do some prompt-based writing to solidify the fundamentals. This class is perfect for anyone who wants a low-commitment way to see if screenwriting is for them! It’s also a great introduction (or refresher) for students interested in joining Screenwriter’s Workshop (Class Size: 7 – 10)
Screenwriter’s Workshop
This workshop is for screenwriting students who want to take their screenwriting ability to the next level. Dive deeper into aspects of pace, tone, and character. Read and workshop your screenplays in a writers room format, receiving feedback from their peers and their instructor. This is a great class for students coming from High School Filmmaking, High School Screenwriting, or screenwriters with a working knowledge of screenplay formatting. (Class Size: 7 – 10)
Looking to learn the fundamentals before jumping into Screenwriter’s Workshop? Take a look at our Screenwriting Crash Course!
Animation
Art and technology come together in this dynamic hands-on workshop! Students will learn frame by frame animation, storyboarding, character development, voice acting and storytelling and more using Pencil 2D, a free professional painting program for 2-D animation. By the end of the course, students will have created a short animation from the planning stages (storyboarding and character designing) through post-production. No previous experience is required! Taken Animation before? Continue to work on your projects and improve your skills under the guidance of our instructors! (Class size: 8 – 10)
Director’s Lab
A director’s job is to visualize the script, and manifest it from the page to the screen through craft, creativity, and communication. In this workshop, students will learn the tools of directing — from how shot choice, lens choice, camera placement and movement, lighting, sound, and performance all combine in ways to articulate the narrative beats of a scene; to working with actors and understanding how to find the truth in a performance through actionable direction. Students will work on small exercises to sharpen their directing skills, study and analyze the creative decisions made by independent and Hollywood directors, and take turns putting on their director’s hat of choice and shooting a scene in class. (class size: 7 – 12)
Acting for Film and TV
This course is designed to help students master the craft of acting specifically for on-camera work. We will explore the craft of acting in a safe, fun, and engaging way, and we’ll also look at the ways in which on-camera acting is different from stage acting. Class activities include improv games, monologues, scene study, and basic acting techniques –all geared toward helping discover and empower the performer inside you! Each student will have the chance to get in front of the camera every class, and for those who are interested, there will also be an opportunity to work behind the camera to understand the dynamic between the actor and the director. At the end of the workshop, students will have scenes to use for their own personal audition tape. (Class size: 7-12)
NEW! Slam Poetry
Do you enjoy writing? Do you love theater? If so, then Slam Poetry is the perfect for you! Slam poetry is the ideal mix of creative writing and performance. In this workshop, we will explore the fundamentals of slam poetry and performance to empower you to shine in front of any audience. Whether you’re looking to write and perform your first poem or wish to refine your artistry, this class equips you with the essential tools for crafting impactful poems and delivering electrifying performances in any poetic arena. (Class size: 7 – 10)
Check out our Adult (16+) classes!
MEMBERS: Log in to receive 10% MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT.
(Please Note: Discount applies to $95 Film Lover+ Membership level or higher)
Montclair Film is committed to providing access to our education programs for all students.
Financial assistance is available to all qualified students
Don’t see the class you want? Help us make it happen: Film Academy Class Request
For More Information Contact: Education@MontclairFilm.org