[NEohioPAL]Film Camp for Teens at Wooster this summer

[Ansley Valentine]

Wooster Film Experience to be hosted by The College of Wooster this Summe=
r
Screenwriting and film and video production to be covered during weekl=
ong camp, June 13-19

WOOSTER, Ohio ? The Wooster Film Experience, a sc=
reenwriting and acting camp for students ages 13-18, will be hosted by Th=
e College of Wooster June 13-19. Directed by Ansley Valentine and Shirley=
 Huston-Findley, both assistant professors of theatre at Wooster, the sev=
en-day film camp is $595. This covers film writing and producing instruct=
ion, filming equipment, printing services, on-campus housing for six nigh=
ts, and three meals each day.

"This camp is for students who are curio=
us about the art and craft of film making," said Valentine. "We will intr=
oduce young adults to the process of writing and producing stories for th=
e screen.=20
"Instructors and counselors are dedicated to providing a cr=
eative, nurturing, and intellectual environment, in which we explore the =
art and craft of filmmaking from idea to reality," added Valentine. "With=
 a ratio of one professor and two camp counselors for every 10 students, =
campers are certain to get excellent individual as well as the necessary =
group collaboration skills necessary in the film industry."

Each day w=
ill be divided into three sections: three to four-hour morning and aftern=
oon instruction periods focusing alternately on screenwriting and film an=
d video producing, followed by evenings of film viewing and staff-led dis=
cussion on a variety of quality contemporary mainstream, classic, and les=
ser known films (all rated PG-13 or less). Morning and afternoon instruct=
ion periods vary from day to day.

Sessions on screenwriting will cover=
 a broad range of knowledge necessary for writing and selling a screenpla=
y, including how to pitch ideas, develop structure and interesting charac=
ters, create thoughtful dialogue, critique creative writing, and design w=
ays to persuade a producer to buy a script. Campers will leave the weeklo=
ng experience with a solid draft of a full screenplay treatment and begin=
ning dialogue.=20

Sessions on film and video production will focus on =
the skills necessary for making independent film and video projects, incl=
uding acting technique for camera, the various roles of the production te=
am (from art director to director of photography to the grip and the gaff=
er), as well as camera angles, sound and lighting techniques, and how dir=
ectors use new digital video technology to make major feature films.  Eac=
h camper will participate in creating a 10-minute short, a copy of which =
will be sent to them following the camp.

Campers are asked to bring th=
eir own computer for screenwriting and a blank mini-DV tape for recording=
=2E Laptops are preferred but not necessary. Cameras and all filming equi=
pment will be provided at the camp, but participants may also bring their=
 own video camera.  In addition, all campers will have access to computin=
g and printing capabilities on campus.

Valentine and Huston-Findley ar=
e trained in screenwriting and film production, and together they bring y=
ears of theatre and film experience to the classroom. Valentine studied a=
cting for the camera in Chicago, and film directing at the International =
Film and Television Workshops. He holds a degree in directing from Indian=
a University. Huston-Findley teaches a variety of courses, including the =
history, literature and theory of theatre. She has also served as a Writi=
ng Fellow at the College, teaches play writing, and has written her own s=
creenplay entitled Time Slips.=20

To enroll in the camp or to receive =
more information, call 330-263-2028.


Ansley Valentine
Assistant Pro=
fessor
Department of Theatre
The College of Wooster
1189 Beall Avenue
=
Wooster, OH 44691
330-263-2028