Film Camp Programs

Camps for Young Film Makers: Acting for Film, Television Production and Film Making

In our film camps and acting camps you learn by doing! Film campers can explore the world of movies and television from both behind and in front of the camera, working with guidance from teachers who are themselves film-makers and actors. While some programs emphasize film making technique, others culminate in the creation of short movies which are screened at camp. Participants write screenplays, scout locations, try their hand at jobs on a film set, learn about movie acting, and discover how to break into film and television through audition training and advice from those who have done it.

At Centauri, film campers choose one specialty film program per session.
To see a chart listing all the programs and their sessions click here.

July 2012 Film Camps...

Film Styles

Session 1, ages 13-18. Instructor: Luise Docherty

In this hands-on film production program, we will explore different cinematic genres, creating our own shorts inspired by various styles, directors and ideas. We’ll begin by refreshing our film making skills: screen writing, cinematography, directing, production design and acting - then delve deeper into the process by adapting those skills to the demands of different genres. New and experienced campers will learn the finer points of movie making the way we all learn best - by doing. We’ll look at the music video genre, learning how to tell a story through visuals. Next, we’ll move on to explore distinct directorial styles, trying out new filmmaking techniques as we discover our inner auteurs. This is a practical program for aspiring young filmmakers who want to learn more about the art form, try new styles and create short films they can be proud of. Campers will be able to download their work from the camp web site in the Fall.

Stop Motion Animation

Session 1, ages 13-18

Develop skills in art, storytelling and film-making as you devise, design and create short movies using the technique of stop motion. We’ll seek inspiration by watching some of the most exciting stop motion projects ever created. Next, we’ll learn story boarding and work on 2D and 3D art techniques as we create the landscape and characters for our final movies. In the final days, we’ll record our script and film our movie using digital SLRs. We’ve offered stop motion animation as part of a program before, but this time it’s our entire focus, and we can create movies more ambitious than ever before. Final pieces will be premiered at camp, and uploaded to our web site in the Fall for all participants to share and enjoy. Please bring along a digital camera and a USB flash drive on which to record your work.

Film: The Art of Adaptation

Session 2, ages 14-18. Instructor: Matthew Stein

Where do you begin when you tackle a work of art as complex as a film? We’ll examine the unique advantages and limitations of the film medium, working first to create a screenplay, then to shoot our movie, using the multiple locations available to us around camp. We’ll look at examples of movies adapted from other sources and examine what works and what doesn’t, then we’ll work on adaptations of our own, taking inspiration from short stories, music, poems and paintings. We’ll review the basics of film production and campers will be able to try their hand at several jobs on set. If acting is an interest, then you will have the opportunity to experience the subtlety of performing for a camera instead of a live audience. Come make movies with us this summer, and discover the ingredients of a great film by taking inspiration from other art forms and throwing it onto the silver screen!. Camper will be able to download their work from the camp web site in the Fall.

Television Production and Performance

Session 2, ages 9-14

Learn about the many skills that combine to create your favourite TV shows! Discover the technical and creative side of story creation, directing, camera work, sound, acting for television, on camera reporting, and more! This program is hands-on: discover by doing, as we move swiftly from the classroom into the television studio, and then on location around camp. Try out formats such as game shows, documentaries, soap operas and reality television, as well as learning all about the world of television news by participating in the Centauri Newsbreak. By encountering challenges then learning how to solve them, campers develop artistic and technical skills in an environment that maximises fun and hands-on involvement. Learn what goes into making great television - and review your work on the camp web site in the Fall!

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August 2012 Film Camps...

Directing for the Silver Screen

Session 3, ages 11-15. Instructor - Matthew Stein

Learn the skills required to make a movie and explore the etiquette of a film set - then revolutionize everything you’ve learned as you experiment with the styles of several groundbreaking directors! We’ll take five directors from different stages in the history of film, exploring their personal technique both in the film studio, and out on shoots. We’ll look at how each director put his or her unique stamp on a film - before attempting to do so ourselves! Dabble in foley and learn how to do live audio. Learn how screenplays are structured, design the look of your film in the art department, act on screen, direct, and try your hand at some terrific camera work! Explore various roles on a film set as you use your new influences to put together an original short movie for the final day of the session. All filmmakers will be able to download their work from the camp web site in the Fall.

A Filmmaker’s Guide to Europe!

Session 3, ages 13-18

Discover what’s new on the international film scene, and how the work of directors in Europe can inspire and influence your work as filmmakers. In this exciting new program we’ll explore some of Europe’s most exciting filmmakers, past and present. From French New Wave to modern French directors, and German Expressionism to the Italian greats, we’ll learn about some of the most engaging of filmmakers, and apply their techniques to our own craft. Campers will begin with a quick refresh on the basics of production work and equipment usage, then it’s down to business, as we watch and debate some of the most exciting films to emerge from other nations, and use them for inspiration. This is very much practical production program: the goal is to present ourselves with unique and exciting challenges, as well as a wealth of creative ideas, as we write and shoot a film for an audience on the final day. Campers must have experience in film production, at Centauri or elsewhere, in order to take this program. All filmmakers will be able to download their work from the camp web site in the Fall.

Film Tour to Wales

Session 4 and Tour ages 13-18 Instructor: Matt Stein

Please see the International Tour page for information on this exciting program!

Film Camps 2012
Session 1 July 1 to 14	Film Styles (ages 13-18)
Session 2 July 15 to 28	The Art of Adaptation (ages 14 - 18)
Session 2 July 15 to 28	Television Production and Performance (ages 9-14)
Session 3 July 29 to Aug 11	Directing for the Silver Screen (ages 11-15)
Session 3 July 29 to Aug 11	Filmmakers Guide to Europe (ages 13-18)
Session 4 Aug 12 to 19	International Film making tour (ages13-18)

"Last year, [our son] attended a film program at Centauri. This week, he won 'movie of the year' at his school's film festival... Centauri was his only formal exposure to film-making, a testament to the quality of the course.