Celebrating Young Filmmakers from Supported Summer Lab
This past summer, Reel Works launched its first Supported Summer Lab, an experimental filmmaking class for neurodivergent students. Over the course of four weeks, four students from around the city came together to learn camera operation, editing, color, camera motion, and a brief dip into experimental filmmaking. The result was four playful films that ranged from a narrative where a bug stands between a young woman and an important interview, to an Andy Warhol-like dive into color. Students went on three trips over the course of the lab to gather footage for their short films from the New York City Ferry, DUMBO, Prospect Park, and their local neighborhoods.
At the end of the program, Julia, Helen, Lillian, and Jackie gathered with friends, family, and the folks at Reel Works to celebrate and screen their films. The young filmmakers introduced themselves, screened the films, then stood for a brief Q&A. "[In my film], I was trying to portray vulnerability by telling stories about myself. What helped my narration was that I found some clips throughout the course that related to me and that story," said Julia, who created a poetic film about the strength found in being true to yourself.
Some students like Helen spoke about the techniques learned over the course of the program, "I learned about different shots - wide shots, mid shots. In my experience with filming, I always tried to do cinematic shots and with my experience of filming in this class, I was able to incorporate different shots." Similarly, Jackie, who created the colorful film “Jackie Warhol”, spoke to the skills that allowed him to make his film.
At the end of the screening, students exchanged information, having gained new skills and new friends. We all look forward to more opportunities to hear stories from the diverse voices that make up our city.
