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Teen Filmmakers at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival

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Posted on April 8, 2003

Youth Media Makers Learn from the Pros at Sundance

The Sundance Institute got "reel" January 18-22, 2003 in Park City, Utah. Formerly called "Gen-Y Studio," The Reel Studio: Young Filmmaker Program was held during the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. This premier national youth media event gives young filmmakers the opportunity to explore innovative films, share ideas, and learn about new technology--all amidst the energy of one of the world's premier independent film festivals.

Actor Reed McCants (CIVIL BRAND) speaks with Reel Studio participants. Photo by Brandon Hickman/WireImage.

The Sundance Institute's annual winter youth event, now in its forth year, added a few other changes to the slate this year - besides the name change. As in previous years, a diverse mix of student filmmakers from around North America came together to meet with Festival filmmakers to discuss the art of film. Unlike previous years, though, this January's program introduced workshops which addressed practical filmmaking concerns and deemphasized student filmmaker screenings. Additionally, Reel Studio added a component to address the needs of teachers and mentors. The changes to, or rather "evolutions" of, this vital youth media program resulted in an enhanced and thoroughly successful event.

Fifteen high schools and organizations attended this year, with five students representing each program: California State Summer School For the Arts,(Sacramento, CA); Cinema North East (San Antonio, TX); Denver School of the Arts (Denver, CO); Educational Video Center (EVC) (New York, NY); IMAGE Film and Video Center(Atlanta, GA); New Orleans Center for Creative Arts/Riverfront (New Orleans, LA); Oaks Christian High School (Westlake Village, CA); ReeLife Movie Camp(Fairfax, CA); Park City High School (Park City, UT); Point Arena High School Peer Helping Class (Point Arena, CA); SAY SÃ, San Antonio Youth Yes! (San Antonio, TX); Spy Hop Productions (Salt Lake City, UT); UPC-TV at Countryside High School (Clearwater, FL); T.V. West-West High School (Salt Lake City, UT); and 911 Media Arts Center (Seattle, WA).

CHANGES

Reel Studio not only changed its name this year, but changed venues as well. Last year, the big news was Reel Studio (then Gen-Y Studio) moved to its own dedicated space: the cozy Elks Lodge on Main Street. This move allowed the students to occupy their own "space" and provided the program with a much needed feel of autonomy. This year, Reel Studio gave its homey camp-like spot to the House of Docs and traveled up the road to the Park City Library Center, a venue conveniently housed one floor below one of the screens for the Sundance Film Festival. The new location is decidedly more class-like and less camp-like than last year's set-up. The venue change worked well to support the content changes in the program, which had a more academic if not serious feel.

Similar to previous years, screenings of Sundance Film Festival films and Q and A's with the Sundance filmmakers were a highlight of Reel Studio. Each morning at 9:00, the young filmmakers took over the press screening room at the Eccles Black Box Theater to watch a movie, and, at about 6:00 each night, back in a classroom at the Library, the Q and A's began. Films chosen for viewing and discussion this year were: The Murder of Emmett Till (Stanley Nelson, director), An Injury to One (Travis Wilkerson, director), Pieces of April (Peter Hedges, director), State of Denial (Elaine Epstein, director), and Rhythm of the Saints (Sarah Rogacki, director).

To cap the days off, evening events followed from 7-9 pm as part of the "Studio" program. These gatherings provided more interaction with festival filmmakers and guests, and were a little more free-form than the afternoon workshops described below. Catherine Hardwicke and youth screenwriter Nikki Reed led an energetic evening around the topic of "Screenwriting and Youth Voices," Filmmaker Neema Barnette came by to discuss "Filmmaking and Social Justice," and Brandon Sonnier brought the topic of "Filmmaking and Music" to the Studio.

WORKSHOPS

New to the program this year were afternoon workshops led by Sundance Festival filmmakers and Institute Laboratory alumni. The Workshops explored the basics of filmmaking--cinematography, editing, screenwriting, and short filmmaking--while discussing the aesthetic, technical, and ethical issues that concern each craft. Workshops included "The Art of Cinematography" with Dan Gold, "Screenwriting: From Paper to Screen" with Cauleen Smith, "Editing with a Point of View" with Liz Garbus, and "The Art of Short Filmmaking" with Alex Rivera. It's hard to imagine that these focused workshops, operating like mini crash-courses, had been missing from the Reel Studio lineup in the past.

A NEW ADDITION

Along with the presence of the Workshops, and the venue change, came another practical addition to the the program this year. The "Youth Media Distribution Workshop," hosted by MediaRights.org, answers to a vital area of youth media often left unaddressed. Designed specifically for the high school teachers and youth media trainers participating in Reel Studio, this workshop focused on strategies, plans, and techniques to boost the distribution of youth made films and videos.

Participants learned about practical legal matters, such as distribution negotiations and licensing music and footage, from Elena M. Paul and Alexi Auld of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. John Rikkers of HBO Family and producer of HBO's "30x30: Kid Flicks" discussed broadcast venue options. Katy Chevigny, founder of Big Mouth Productions, shared her strategies for audience development/outreach, navigating the festival circuit, and tips for self distribution. This formidable panel was moderated by Nicole Betancourt, Executive Director of MediaRights.org, and participants and panelists worked together in small groups on specific scenarios. Certainly, the information gleaned by the teachers and mentors will have immeasurable impact.

Last year brought an impressive group of young filmmakers to Park City, leading John Rikkers to state: "There's no doubt that the 14-20 year-old crew are quickly evolving to a point where their material, their approach to filmmaking, and their ability to navigate the distribution and festival circuit is all there. Within five years, we'll see a genuine young person's perspective, rather than an adult's take on what it's like to be fifteen."

Rikkers was quite a prophet, as this year's Sundance Film Festival boasted a film co-written by thirteen year-old Nikki Reed. And the future filmmakers I met at this year's Reel Studio were just as impressive as last years, if not more so in ways: Some armed themselves with fully developed Web-sites (like John Savio) and others sported business cards ready to go, with screeners available for the asking (like Drew Hicks).

Indeed, John Savio, was one of these impressive youths. John hails from Clearwater, Florida and attended Reel Studio with UPC-TV at Countryside High School. You can visit his web-site at Parahills.Com where you can also download his film "I'm Killing You-Truth Commercial," a clever and well-executed parody mixing humor and social commentary. Follow the link below to read about John's thoughts on filmmaking, the Sundance Film Festival, and the Reel Studio program. And hear from Tigisti Tsegai and Drew Servo as well, two more of the over 60 young filmmakers who shined their light on the future of filmmaking in Park City this past January.

For more information on Reel Studio, including how your high school or media organization can apply to the program, visit Sundance.org and click your way to youth programs. Reel Studio encourages young filmmakers to realize the power of film as a medium for artistic and self-expression, and I encourage you to learn more about what this incredible program has to offer.

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