An introduction to Documentary Filmmaking
Camp: August 1 - 5, 9:30am - 3:30pm
Age: 12 - 16 years old
Cost: $470/per week
Class size: minimum of 4 students and maximum of 12
Items to bring to camp: packed lunch, water bottle, snack, and head phones
Have you ever dreamed of being a filmmaker? Or getting a chance to see what life would be like as a broadcast journalist? This is your chance to join fellow aspiring documentarians for an immersive dive into the world of documentary filmmaking. During each week-long camp, you will collaborate with other teens, switching filmmaking roles and gaining valuable hands-on experience as your team crafts a short film centered in Aspen.
An Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking
Your journey will begin as professional instructors from the Colorado Film School guide you through an exploration of story, character and emotion, the building blocks of filmmaking. From there, you and your team will define the narrative and the subject of the film you will be creating.
You will learn how to use high production value equipment, conduct and film interviews, then edit the footage you capture into a short film. At the end of camp, you will have the opportunity to show your completed project on the big screen and invite friends and family to the screening.
ART EDUCATORS
Matt Baxter
Matt is a Denver-based filmmaker who believes in the positive impact of quality original work. Specializing in post-production, Matt’s work has aired on Rocky Mountain PBS numerous times. Focused on fulfilling his clients’ creative vision, he has collaborated with the National Governors Association, Colorado Office of Economic Development and the Colorado Secretary of State's office. Matt also serves as a post production instructor at the Colorado Film School, which has been nationally recognized as one of the top film programs in the country.
Aaron Koehler
Aaron is an accomplished cinematographer and documentarian. He has a deep passion for filmmaking and enjoys exploring humanity with his craft. Aaron has extensive technical knowledge when it comes to the camera and lighting departments, including industry-standard video packages by RED, Sony, Panasonic, and ARRI. Despite this technical foundation, Aaron’s approach has always been rooted in story and character development. Over the years, Aaron has had the opportunity to work on numerous documentary projects as well as several broadcast specials and commercial spots. Beyond his freelance work, Aaron also plays a key role at the Colorado Film School as an instructor and equipment room manager. His courses include 16mm|HD Production and LGBTQ Voices & Representation in Film.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
To be considered, fill-out and return the form below to the Red Brick Arts office.
CAMP EXPERIENCE
EDUCATORS
Aspen Film partners with the Colorado Film School to provide experienced educators to teach our camps. Our staff to camper ratio is under 1:5 to ensure each young person gets team, as well as individual attention. Our educators are all thoroughly vetted, award-winning, and come highly recommended in their field. Our goal is to ensure your teen is safe, learns new skills and above all, has fun!
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE
Film Camp is an opportunity for teens to learn to express themselves, as well as to experience what it’s like to be part of a creative team. Each camper is involved in every step of the process, from operating the camera, to manning the mic boom to editing the final cuts. While some camps are driven by adults doing most of the technical work, we believe young people are highly capable of understanding complex concepts and executing incredibly creative work!
LOCAL FOCUS
Aspen is a small town with vibrant culture and a fascinating history. As part of Film Camp, we aim to inspire young people and give them an opportunity to get to know the town from a new perspective. In 2021, campers chose to explore local topics ranging from the history of mining and skiing, to the animal kingdom.
THE DAY TO DAY
Teens start the week getting to know each other and working in groups to get their creative juices flowing. Storyboarding begins on Day 1. On Day 2, the campers have the chance to dive into Aspen’s history with a trips to various places and resources of information. Once the campers select their topics, they return to our base at the Red Brick Center for the Arts to dig into script writing. They progress to learning the basics of filmmaking, getting their first chance to put hands on the technology and equipment. Shooting comes on Day 3, when the students get to record interviews and the footage they will use in their final films. Day 4 is all about editing and pulling together the footage into a rough cut. Each camper gets to use computers and gain skills using the latest software. Camp concludes on Day 5 with final post-production touches applied, followed by the big finale – a screening at the Isis Theatre! Friends and family are invited to view the fruits of the teens’ labor on the big screen, followed by a Q&A with the newly minted filmmakers. Go Film Camp!
PARTNERSHIP
This camp is made possible through the partnership with Aspen Film and the Colorado Film School of Denver.
