This past summer, I had the opportunity to co-teach three of the Tween and Teen Short Film Camps and Intensives. We made eight short film projects over the course of three weeks…and in case you’re wondering…yes – that is a lot!
Each week, the students would brainstorm ideas, write scripts, put together a set that fit within the confines of our space (fun fact: TBG Studio 5 can indeed look like both a Starbucks AND a creepy forest), gather props, learn lines, fill various crew positions, and film it…all by Thursday afternoon.
The teaching artists would then edit, add some music, and even include occasional special effects. Props to Kieran and James, who used miniatures to film a car crash scene for their film in their off hours.
And at the end of each week – Fridays at 4pm – the students invited friends and family to join us for a screening, which always included at least one HDMI adapter snafu, lots of popcorn, loads of laughter, and an audience that showed up rain or shine…because they cared.
The Q&As were filled with questions like: What inspired your film? Did you really film in the dark? And who played the part of the creepy monster hand?
Afterwards, it got me thinking back to my very first short film project, which I made over a decade ago because what artist hasn’t been told “make your own work” at some point along their journey.
Make a reel…it might lead to more auditions.
Make a short film…it might get into film festivals.
Since that first project, I’ve collaborated on over ten short films – eighteen if you count the film camps. (I am so counting the film camps!)
Some were terrible – not the film camps…
Others starred Tony winners – still not the film camps…
All of them – yes – including the film camps – taught me at least a gazillion things, so I thought I’d share just a few:
Show up. It’s not nearly as scary as you think.
Have fun. Yes, this can be done even when the work is hard.
Other people want to help you so…
Reach out to people for help!
Tell stories that matter to you. They’ll matter to others too.
Feed your crew well. Just trust me on this one.
It’s okay to be cringe.*
Let go of perfection – it kills your progress.
Make your own work because you want to – not because someone else tells you to.
Share what you make with the world…even if it’s just your friends and family on fridays at 4.
*Special thanks to the Week Three Tweens for teaching me the cringe vernacular. Extra special thanks to my sophomore English teacher, Ms. Placona, for teaching me the word vernacular.
– Noelle
Upcoming classes with Noelle include Beginner Acting Class I: The Basics starting 11/3!
Noelle’s latest short film, Live Long, will screen at the Queens World Film Festival in Astoria as part of the block Queens Corner: 6 Films straight outta the borough, no transfer needed. Click here for more info, and be sure to use the Student Discount Code: QueensWorldFF
Check out TBG’s full schedule of classes, including youth options!