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2011 Guide to Austin Summer Film Camps

By Debbie Cerda on May 3, 2011 - 10:00am in

AFS Summer Camp

Summer is almost officially here, and there's still time to register for kids' summertime filmmaking camps and workshops in Austin. Some classes are full already, but children and teens still have plenty of camps and sessions to choose from, so sign up soon.

These affordable camps and workshops provide unique experiences for local youth in various aspects of filmmaking -- acting, screenwriting, editing and animation -- see some of the creative and funny claymation films after the jump. At the end of many of these camps, friends and family are invited to attend a screening of the movie(s) that campers helped make, or campers can bring home a DVD to hold their own private screening party.

Here's a list of all the summer movie-related camps and classes in the Austin area that we could find. Some of the descriptions are pretty much verbatim from press releases or websites. In addition to the kids-only offerings, there are opportunities for adults as well this summer -- you'll find a couple of options for grownups at the end of the list.

Austin Film Festival Summer Film Camp

Austin Film Festival's Young Filmmakers Program presents the ninth annual Summer Film Camp. The camp offers students access to in-depth, personal instruction on screenwriting, comedy filmmaking and claymation from local industry professionals. Workshops take place at a new location, Austin High School.

Ages: 9-18
Cost: $195 for one-week sessions, $390 for two-week sessions and advanced full-day one-week sessions, with discounts for children of AFF members or AISD faculty/staff

Watch some of the funny and creative claymation films from Summer 2009 below:

Austin Film Society: Summer @ Austin Studios

Come make films with the pros at Austin Studios this summer. AFS youth filmmaking camps teach hands-on narrative and experimental techniques using digital video. In a fun project-based environment, students work in teams to craft short digital films and animations, from developing the kernel of a project idea to final edit and exhibition of their films. AFS camps at Austin Studios include select film screenings, a guest filmmaker visit, and a behind-the-scenes studios tour. New topics this year include creating scary movies and transmedia projects. Finished films are screened for family and friends at a culminating Friday night showcase in the AFS screening room. Camps run in one-week sessions, and are co-sponsored by the Texas Film Commission.

Ages: 9-18
Cost: $275; $250 for AFS members

 

Austin School of Film: Summer Film Camp

The Austin School of Film's award-winning Youth Summer Film Camp expands to two-week half-day courses that cover the fundamentals and creative aspects of filmmaking, animation, acting and editing. Kids work with experienced filmmakers and animators to realize their creative visions and produce their own films by the end of each course. From developing the idea to planning the production process to screening the finished masterpiece, Austin School of Film fully and quickly immerses the student in the wonderful world of filmmaking.

Ages: 9-17
Cost: $395, with discounts for multiple classes

Channel Austin

As one of their iYouth Media programs, Austin's community media center and public access television station Channel Austin is offering the "Kids Make TV" Camp this summer. The one-week sessions feature content from beginner to advanced techniques in writing, directing, shooting and editing as well as animation and blue-screen techniques. I wish I were young enough to enroll in the "ATXedition: Uniquely Austin Documentary" session in late July. Campers will tell the story of their favorite Austin institutions, people and landmarks. Cameras are available to check out overnight so kids can show off their neighborhoods, schools and favorite places. At the end of the week, campers will showcase their short documentaries on the people, places and things that give Austin its unique character.

Ages: 11-18
Cost: $300 for one-week sessions (except the Girl Scouts "Movie Maker" session, which costs $225; details are available on the Girl Scouts of Central Texas event calendar)

The University of Texas: RTF Media Camps in Film and Visual Effects

The Department of Radio-Television-Film (RTF) at UT offers summer media camps in filmmaking and post-production special effects. Camps take place on the UT campus , in the building where the Austin City Limits television series used to be filmed. Campers work with RTF faculty and equipment to produce a short film project. Filmmaking classes run full-day for one week; the post-production class runs for eight days over two weeks.

Ages: Grades 7-12
Cost: $485 per session, with discounts for multiple classes for one student or for relatives of UT faculty, staff or students

Summer Classes for Grownups

What about classes for those of us over 18?

Austin School of Film holds evening and weekend classes throughout the summer in many aspects of filmmaking and video production, including:

Check out their website for more offerings, including the yet to be scheduled Screenwriting I and Screenwriting II: Finalization and Editing classes.

If I've missed anything, let me know in the comments and I'll add the info to the list.

Updated 5/3/2011: AFF's Summer Film Camp is hosting an open house at Austin High School on Sunday, May 15 from 1:30 - 3 pm. In addition to meeting the camp instructors and checking out the venue, you can receive a 10% discount on tuition by registering at the event.

[Photo credit: "Summer @ Austin Studios," courtesy of Austin Film Society]