“I just want to thank you for such an amazing week. Before the film institute, I thought the highlight of my summer this year had been a trip to Colorado. Oh, i’ts just another film camp where I’m going to learn the basics over again. I was sadly mistaken after going through this great experience and I will remember it forever. I truly had one of the best weeks of my life at Summer Film Institute 2009.” Liam (Participant)
Download the flyer for the Summer Film Institute 2011 here. For more info and to register call Project AWARE at 207-282-5598 or write to projectaware@maine.rr.com .
The Summer Film Institute is held in August of each year for youth ages 13 – 18. The goal for the Institute (s) is to create a film product about a social issue to be determined by a group of young people. The film institute attendees will then be responsible for producing a high quality video which will be marketed to make a difference and raise awareness about the issue that is identified.
Working as a team, young filmmakers will learn the “A-Z” of video production including production coordination, casting, directing, lighting, sound, photography, and post production including some editing, and more.
In the summer of 2008, Project AWARE held its first Summer Film Institute. Young people ages 11 – 19 created 3 powerful PSA’s about issues including peer pressure, teen pregnancy, and role modeling (see them on the Project AWARE YouTube Channel). The PSA on role modeling was picked up by a local producer who offered to work with Project AWARE to create a dramatic movie short on the subject. The PSA can be found at the following link: Project AWARE PSA Link
Over the course of the following school year, PSA creators Aleah Graham and Josephine Cooper ages 12 and 14, worked with Project AWARE Players, staff and experienced community members to create a 30 minute direct-to-DVD dramatic movie short about how parents role model for their kids.
When Project AWARE hosted its second film institute in August of 2009 it became a golden opportunity to support young people to really make a difference. 15 youth attendees were trained to crew the film shoot with Maine production company, GumSpirits . The movie now titled “Influenced” is written, directed and acted primarily by young people. Overall, 100 plus cast and crew made it possible and it addresses an issue that concerns all of us – how parents model for their kids. Check out the trailer for “Influenced” HERE!
In 2010, Project AWARE expanded the scope adding an advanced institute. The forthcoming Project AWARE movie A Shoestring for Mackenzie was produced along with powerful PSAs on Bullying and Sexual Assault.
Over the three years, Project AWARE has teamed up with video professionals to create four high quality educational movies written, directed and acted in by young people which raise awareness about critical issues in our community. Video production companies such as Video Creations or Gum Spirits Productions are advanced film producers, and Project AWARE provides workshops and presentations which raise awareness about youth issues reaching thousands of young people and adults annually. Overall, with a team that includes high-end technical savvy and experience working with youth, attendees to the institute are practically guaranteed a great experience.
Download the flyer for the Summer Film Institute 2011 here. And check out our Summer Film Institute Promo . Contact Project AWARE to find out more at projectaware@maine.rr.com Scholarships may be available.
“Thank you so much for the course and your magnificent program! We as a family learned a lot about your commitment and how you are supporting positive changes in the lives of young people. We came back with a lot of ideas about how to share ”Project Aware” with youths in this area.” Monica 2010 (Parent)
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