CALENDAR

Middle school and Elementary students from LAUSD Local District Central, LAUSD Local District East, El Monte, Duarte Unified School District and SAUSD arrived at the TCL Chinese for a day of films and filmmaking workshops. The kids enjoyed screenings of the student film Alien Hunters Genesis, Totem and Attack of the Potato Clock with filmmaker Ji Young Na for a Q&A after the screening.

These talented 4th graders from Santa Ana Unified School District wrote, directed, acted, and produced their own movie, ‘Alien Hunters Genesis'. These young filmmakers were given the opportunity to screen their movie on the big screen at this years festival.

The busy day was spent with some students attending the film screenings, while other students participated in filmmaking workshops that included: screenwriting, make up, camera, sound, acting, and directing. The camera workshop in some cases was the first time some of these students had used a camera this way before. Students were challenged to write questions and interview other students, the filmmakers, and their teachers with encouragement to explore shots and perspective.

Students attending the directing workshop lead by Sam and Lee Boxleitner explored everything from shot lists to working with actors.

Composer and Sound engineer Andrew K Edwards worked with the students to create new sounds by using everyday sounds recorded by the students.

Special FX make-up with Hillary Hall was a popular workshop with the students. Simply using toilet paper to create a paper mâché with some makeup allowed the students to learn DIY FX skills. Check out the photos to see for yourself!
Due to the popularity, a second make-up workshop featured zombie creations of Hillary Hall with students of Duarte Unified School District , LAUSD Local District East and LAUSD Local District Central Obama MS.

The workshops at Screamfest covered many aspects of filmmaking but it all begins with a story. Screenwriter Jessica Galasso offered a roundtable where students explored the development of a story from the idea to the three acts on the page.

Special thank you to Creating Creators, the students and all the filmmakers that prepared workshops sampling their expertise for the students

Photo credit: Luis Horacio Pineda