Film, Animation and S.t.e.a.m. Summer Camps in NYC

Children become directors, actors, cinematographers, and editors, as they learn how to make movies from start to finish.  Campers are encouraged to stretch their imagination and experiment with the basic techniques of filmmaking in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.  Children are broken into groups by age, interest, and ability. Whether this is your first time making a film, or you are a seasoned and experienced moviemaker, our professional staff teach at all levels and customize the curriculum based on interests.  Children will learn how to tell stories using video, work on set, act, direct, and edit several videos. We encourage children to think out of the box, experiment, and play with the creative medium. This is the camp where children find their passions and fall in love with film.  

Dates Offered:

June 24 – 28, July 8 – 12, July 15 – 19, July 22 – 26, July 29 – 2

August 5 – 9, August 12 – 16,  August 19 – 23

This camp is for the maker, builder, and imaginative kid!  Come explore various techniques of stop-motion animation in our week long animation-workshop! Campers create abstract and narrative tales with a wide range of materials including: legos, clay, architectural modeling materials, wire, foam, and more!  Campers build mini-movie sets and learn how to light them. We encourage children to experiment with different camera angles, add special effects, sounds and music. Children also build larger props from wire, cloth, and paper mache shot inside a green screen set just like what the pros do!  This is a really fun class for kids with big imaginations. Anything is possible when inanimate objects come to life.

Dates Offered:

June 24 – 28, July 15 – 19 July 29 – Aug 2

August 5 – 9, August 12 – 16, August 19 – 23

This two-week class is for the passionate movie maker.  Focusing on advanced pre-production, production, and post-production techniques used by industry professionals.  This masterclass takes a deeper look at creative expression through film. Using professional equipment, students learn the fundamentals of storytelling, cinematography, and editing as they direct and star in their very own short films.  We help campers take their ideas from storyboard… to script… to the big screen. Campers learn and experiment with various cinematography techniques and get hands-on experience using industry tools including Adobe Premier and After Effects.  Campers will create several short films and one longer project over the course of the two weeks. These projects are child driven from start to finish, kids get to explore the medium and utilize the tools to tell their story.

Dates Offered:

*2-weeks:

July 8 – 19

July 29 – August 9th

Our stop-motion animation Master Class is for kids that want to take their stop motion films to the next level. In this two week camp, we work with green screens, light boxes, and wide array of props – even repurposed and discarded items take on a new life in this exciting and imaginative camp.  We build virtual worlds and tell stories using a wide array of materials and create several animated shorts. Think Toy Story, or Star Wars… with puppets? If your kid can think of it, stop motion animation can bring it to life.

Dates Offered:

*2-weeks:

July 8 – 19

July 29 – August 9th

For the adventurous kid and creative explorer.  Moviemakers go off the beaten path to film and experience secret hidden landmarks around New York City.  The week begins with a pre-production meeting, where kids brainstorm and present their “elevator pitches” and movie ideas to the group.  Next, the mini-movie makers select locations from the CK approved list of sites. To name a few: Fort Tilden Beach, the Roosevelt Island Abandoned Castle, the Staten Island Boardwalk, Greenwood cemetery, and more.  Participants travel to set each day, filming with 4K cameras, professional sound equipment, and other tools for filming in outdoor locations. Back at camp, kids edit the footage using professional software, adding sound and special effects!  

Dates Offered:

June 24 – 28, July 15 – 19 July 22 – 26, July 29 – Aug 2

August 12 – 16,  August 19 – 23

Bring your ideas and imagination to life with our introduction to computer animation!  This week-long camp taught by industry professionals, utilizes the latest tools of the trade. Campers learn to design original characters, and bring them to life using techniques such as live-motion capture, puppetry, and vector animation!  Campers will love watching their characters mimic their own live motions in real-time, and this opens their eyes to a whole new level of storytelling and creativity. Kids work in small groups creating several animated shorts, then professional microphones and audio equipment are used to add voice overs and sound effects.   Campers will create several animated shorts using Adobe Photoshop, Character, and Animate.  

Dates Offered:

July 22 – 26, July 29 – Aug 2

August 12 – 16

Always wanted to be a YouTuber and have 10,000+ followers?  Want to take your videos to the next level by learning from professional filmmakers?  This class steps away from narrative filmmaking, and focuses on content and techniques that your kid is passionate about.  From how-to videos, product reviews, and cooking shows, to tv series, news broadcasts, and gamer videos, the CK team will teach your child the tools necessary to create content for their favorite social platforms.  Professional teaching artists work closely with your child, building skills to create videos that they care about.

Dates Offered:

July 8 – 12, July 22 – 26, July 29 – Aug 2

August 5 – 9

At CinemaKidz, we believe the female perspective is vital to the world around us.  As a female-owned program, we are always working towards closing the professional gender gap.   CinemaKidz fosters a creative environment where girls feel confident to use various technologies, take risks, and have fun making films!  In this special girls-only week, filmmakers have the opportunity to direct, act, run camera, and edit, using a wide variety of software and equipment.  Girls will work together to produce 2 large projects.

Dates Offered:

July 22 – 26

August 12 – 16

Adventure, fun, and the outdoors awaits you at CK Skateboard Filmmaking Camp!  Campers start off the week designing their very own decks. Working with real tools, they’ll add trucks, wheels and custom griptape. They’ll learn the basics on safety and keeping their boards tuned in tip-top shape!  Next, a professional skater shows campers how to ride safely and then it’s time to ride! Using dolly’s, shoulder mounts, GoPros, 4k cameras, kids head outside to film each other shred! Campers then edit, add music and special effects to their footage creating an awesome skateboard video to share with their friends.  

Dates Offered:

July 8 – 12, July 22 – 26,

August 5 – 9