Learn to Make a Short Film at NYFA
In our 1-Week Online Film Camp for teens, students aged 14-17 receive an exciting introduction to the craft of storytelling through film. Staying true to our hands-on approach, as in all of the New York Film Academy filmmaking camps, students have the opportunity to write, direct, shoot and edit their own short project. Production exercises and projects are completed during a weekday evening, including the execution of the shooting plan and post-production.
The pace of this online film class is feverish as each student completes a short film to be screened at the conclusion. No experience is required to attend.
Program Description Camp Name: 1-Week Filmmaking Camp for Teens
The 1-Week Online Filmmaking Program is designed to adapt the hands-on experience of our on-campus 1-Week Filmmaking Program into a fully interactive remote learning experience. This course provides an immersive introduction to visual storytelling, focusing on the essentials of filmmaking using a phone or any camera the student has access to. With an emphasis on practical, naturalistic lighting and mobile-friendly editing tools, students will develop the skills to create compelling visual narratives while working in a home or remote setting.
Classes are conducted live via Zoom, where students will receive real-time instruction, engage in discussions, and participate in guided filmmaking exercises. Before the course begins, each student will be provided with an NYFA email address, which they will use to log in to Zoom and access course materials.
Core Subjects
- Director’s Craft: Students will explore the language of filmmaking, learning how to make effective creative and technical choices to shape their stories using simple yet powerful visual storytelling techniques.
- Writing: This course introduces students to the fundamentals of story structure, followed by a workshop-based approach where they will develop and refine their own short film ideas.
- Hands-On Camera and Lighting: Students will learn how to capture visually engaging images using their phone or any available camera, while working with natural and practical light sources to enhance their storytelling.
Digital Editing: Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of post-production, learning how to edit their films on Adobe Rush, a mobile-friendly editing software from the Adobe suite, which allows for an accessible and streamlined editing experience on smartphones and tablets.
Final Project
By the end of the program, each student will have written, directed, shot, and edited a 2-3 minute non-dialogue film, relying solely on visuals, music, and sound effects to tell their story. This project will challenge students to think critically about how to communicate emotion and narrative without spoken or written dialogue, ensuring a strong foundation in cinematic storytelling.
Throughout the course, students will also engage in peer collaboration and feedback sessions, simulating a real-world creative filmmaking environment in an online format. By the end of the week, each student will have a completed short film that showcases their ability to craft compelling stories using the tools and resources available to them.
To learn more about NYFA’s teen camps, visit the NYFA Camp Brochure.
1-Week Online Filmmaking Summer Camp for Teens I
| Location | Program Start Date and End Date | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Online | July 7, 2025 – July 11, 2025 July 14, 2025 – July 18, 2025 July 28, 2025 – August 1, 2025 | Tuition:$ 825 Program Duration: 1-Week |