Experimental Filmmaking with Summer Lab

The Reel Works experimental filmmaking Summer Lab of 2022 has been one of our most successful yet.  The newest batch of students are exhilarated to be out of quarantine, making new friends, and eagerly devouring our cinematic material. They are learning from the greats across all disciplines and cultures of cinema history: camera from Shirley Clarke and Werner Herzog, editing from Mira Nair and Bruce Conner, color from Stan Brakhage and Věra Chytilová, design from Tim Burton and Akosua Adomo Owusu, and sound from Ben Burtt and Zeinabu Irene Davis.  Students know that hearing from artists with myriad experiences and backgrounds is an important part of having a worldly appreciation for this craft.  

But most importantly, the students are creating great works themselves.  Reel Works newcomer Tori Evans says, "We're actually learning things that other film students don't get to learn.  I think that's really cool and special."  Fellow emerging filmmaker Brian Santana says, "For me, the best highlight has been the people.  We're having a ton of fun just going out and filming different things together."  It's clear that not only has the material been surprising and rewarding, but the interpersonal connections forged have been equally vital.  

Field trip adventures are taking them to the industrial grittiness of the Gowanus Canal, the lush and verdant Prospect Park, and the kinetic and sonic thrills of Coney Island, all fueling their inspiration just as much as our survey of 135 years of film history at Reel Works HQ.  Many of these students are using professional cameras, microphones, tripods, and state-of-the-art editing software for the first time, yet they are using this gear like long-term experts already.  Each day has been more rewarding than the last, as they continue to rapidly grow and evolve as visual artists.  We are honored and excited to share the creativity of these 15 brilliant young storytellers at our world premiere!