2-WEEK FILMMAKING SUMMER CAMPS

from $1,500.00

As part of our 2-Week Filmmaking Summer Camps, you will join a team of like-minded collaborators, guided by an expert instructor and special guests from the film industry, to create a short narrative film that could be worthy of teen film festivals around the world. Over the course of this 2-week camp, you will learn how to write a screenplay, navigate the pre-production process, film with a dedicated team, and edit using industry-standard software. By the end of the course, you will feel confident in your ability to use cameras, light a scene, and record high-quality sound. You will gain hands-on experience with our professional production equipment and editing computers, ready to go with Adobe Creative Suite and other software. You will also have the opportunity to work with actors on location to shoot their final films. So, regardless of your interest in the film production process, you will play an essential role in making a movie!

Each 2-Week Filmmaking Summer Camp concludes with a premiere of your work in a supportive, collaborative environment, as a part of our showcase on the final night. If you've ever wanted to take your first real step into the world of filmmaking, meet fellow collaborators, and receive personalized feedback and guidance from an experienced professional, this is the camp for you!

Camp Session Dates/Costs:
Session 1: $1500, June 22nd - July 1st (Weekdays)
Session 2: $1600, August 10th - 21st (Weekdays)

Camp Hours: 10 AM - 4 PM Daily
Before and after care is available (see FAQ/Policies page for more details) from 8 AM - 10 AM and 4 PM - 6 PM daily.

Location:
The Backlot - Film School and Studio
2 Winters Lane
Catonsville, MD 21228

These camps are designed for high school-aged campers, 13 to 18.

Campers can sign up for both Sessions if they’d like and can expect to make different films through a similar process each time. Prospective campers should also consider our 1-Week Creator/YouTube Summer Camps in addition to the Filmmaking Camps.

For answers to additional questions and details about our various policies, including our Cancellation Policy, before and aftercare options, and more, please read our Summer Camps FAQ/Policies page. You will be asked to confirm that you have read and agree to the policies outlined on that page during checkout.

Session:

Once your registration information is complete, please check out and complete your purchase in our Cart.

What to Expect from
The Backlot Filmmaking Camp

- Lead a team to produce a festival-worthy short film
- Write a screenplay and see it through to production
- Gain experience as part of a film production team
- Shoot on-location with real actors
- Get hands-on with professional cameras, lenses, lights, and sound equipment
- Learn to edit using professional software
There’s nothing like spending the summer surrounded by peers who share the same passions as you. The friendships made at camp can last a lifetime and spark countless future collaborations.
Our teachers and counselors have a rich history in filmmaking education and production work, know how to keep projects moving, no matter the setbacks, and — most of all — embrace the idea that filmmaking is the most fun thing in the entire world!
Our camps prioritize comfort, safety, and respect—so you can show up as you are and fully engage in the process.

Our primary goal is to educate and support all of our young filmmakers in pursuing their filmmaking dreams, and we are devoted to helping them bring that vision to life.
Throughout the camps, professionals from the film industry, both local and from Hollywood, will join us to guide students through the various stages of production for their films.

Meet Our Camp Counselors

Dan Gvozden

(he/him) With over fifteen years of experience teaching filmmaking, photography, and creative writing at prestigious private high schools and universities, Dan’s passion for teaching his students to use the filmic arts to express their voices, regardless of budget, resources, or ability, led him to found The Backlot - Film School and Studio.

With a Film & Television Production BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, a Cinema and Media Studies MA from UCLA, a decade of published work as a film critic, and a lifetime of film productions, in addition to his years as a teacher, Dan is excited to give our campers an experience they’ll never forget!

Founder, The Backlot

Ray Rushing

(he/him) Ray is a New York City-based cinematographer with nearly two decades of experience in video production and still photography. He has worked across a wide range of projects, from commercials and branded content to narrative and documentary projects.

With a collaborative approach on set, he combines a deep understanding of visual language with meticulous planning and execution alongside his co-creators. Ray also has a passion for teaching and a desire to pass on what he has learned over the years to the next generation of filmmakers.

Cinematography Teacher

Directing Actors Teacher

Wyatt Unger

(he/him) Wyatt is a decorated actor and acting coach specializing in improvisation, with twenty years of experience on stage and screen. Wyatt currently directs "All County Improv" for Howard County Schools, guiding a super team of high school improvisers from across Howard County.

In addition, he is also a founder of the award winning SHRUG Productions. Together they have made over thirty short films and seen them screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Wyatt’s passion for storytelling on stage and on the screen is only matched by his love for working with students. He teaches from a place of love and compassion to help each one of them to flourish and believe in their own vision.

Still have questions? Reach out anytime.

If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and register for a camp!

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