Filmmaking for Kids
January 15 - March 5, 2025
Live Sessions on Wednesdays
9-11 am or 4-6 pm Pacific
Turn Stories into Movies!
Becoming a filmmaker used to take years of training and millions of dollars—now all you need is a smartphone and a little creativity! With the incredible cameras on phones today and easy-to-use editing tools, anyone can create films. The only thing missing? Knowing a few tricks of the trade!
Kids are natural visual storytellers. In this course, they’ll learn how to turn their fun and creative stories into films that truly pop! AND - we’ll make it fun and easy through our master instructors guiding them every step of the way.
Kids are natural visual storytellers. In this course, they’ll learn how to turn their fun and creative stories into films that truly pop! AND - we’ll make it fun and easy through our master instructors guiding them every step of the way.
Showcasing Your Kid's Ideas
Learning to create compelling visual stories isn’t just fun—it’s one of the most powerful ways your child can make an impact! Whether raising awareness for a cause, funding a new entrepreneurial idea, or honoring someone special, telling their story through film multiplies its reach and effectiveness.
At the end of the course, your child will get to showcase their creative masterpiece at our Coherence Film Showcase, where friends and family are invited to celebrate their filmmaking journey!
At the end of the course, your child will get to showcase their creative masterpiece at our Coherence Film Showcase, where friends and family are invited to celebrate their filmmaking journey!
This Dynamic Curriculum
Works Whether:
-
Your child is new to creating videos, or is already a budding filmmaker
-
They struggle with maintaining focus or completing long-form stories
-
Previous classroom experiences left them underwhelmed
-
Your child is an introvert or an extrovert
Course Curriculum
Week 1
Basics of the Video Medium
Let's make sure you're all set with everything you need in-terms of equipment and tools.
During the class kids will learn what makes the visual media of video unique from all other art forms and
During the class kids will learn what makes the visual media of video unique from all other art forms and
Week 2
Composition, Movement, & Lighting
You’ll learn the key elements that make up the visual medium. We'll use simple every day objects in your space and illustrate how to light, frame and move things across a frame for dynamic and compelling visuals.
Week 3
Writing Your First Script
You’ll learn the key elements for creating a very short script (30sec-1 min) that will lead to a short film that your audience will love.
The bulk of class time will be devoted to writing your first script. Don't worry! We'll make it fun and easy, and you'll get plenty of help if you need it.
The bulk of class time will be devoted to writing your first script. Don't worry! We'll make it fun and easy, and you'll get plenty of help if you need it.
Week 4
Sound, Music and Dialogue
Learn about how sound and music can make or break the professionalism of your video content. It's one of the simplest, least expensive tools in your tool box to raise the production value of any content you create. Also discover how the quality of dialogue, how things are said affect the rhythm of your storytelling.
Week 5
Production Design & Editing
Learn about how simple production elements and props can add so much style, intrigue and mood to a story. You'll learn how to use AI to storyboard your ideas. And when characters have a great backdrop, they'll want to interact with their environments. Discover how simple blocking (movement of characters in a frame and interaction with props, creates dramatic tension and engagement).
In the second part of class you'll learn how video comes together in the editing room. The language of editing is really understanding how meaning is conveyed through time. We'll be demonstrating simple techniques for transitions that create different kinds of meaning.
In the second part of class you'll learn how video comes together in the editing room. The language of editing is really understanding how meaning is conveyed through time. We'll be demonstrating simple techniques for transitions that create different kinds of meaning.
Week 6
Lights, Camera, ACTION!
Now that you know the basics of filming and you have a script, you're ready to film!
During class, you'll create your first rough cut of your film. This will be a great time for feedback on your story, camera work, lighting and sound.
During class, you'll create your first rough cut of your film. This will be a great time for feedback on your story, camera work, lighting and sound.
Week 7
Post Production
Bring your footage and this week you'll learn by doing. Either bring an edit of your footage to show for feedback or refinement, or bring your footage and get technical support on how to cut your piece together.
Week 8
The Big Showcase!
Put on your fanciest clothes as we unveil your masterpiece to our big audience of friends and family! We'll be presenting special awards for Best Film, Best Editing, Best Acting, Best Special Effects, and much more!
This final class is just the beginning, as you've begun the journey towards creating many visual masterpieces throughout your life.
This final class is just the beginning, as you've begun the journey towards creating many visual masterpieces throughout your life.
Meet Your Guide
Bella Shing
After attending the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts MFA Film program, Bella has honed her skills to become an award-winning commercials director and writer with a passion for inspiring creativity in young minds.
Driven by a desire to empower young people, Bella secured a grant from PBS to guide Oakland teens in creating a compelling documentary on “What Makes a Teacher Worth Listening To.” She has also dedicated her time to teaching Video Production to children as young as eight, helping them discover their creative spark and learn the power of visual storytelling.
Driven by a desire to empower young people, Bella secured a grant from PBS to guide Oakland teens in creating a compelling documentary on “What Makes a Teacher Worth Listening To.” She has also dedicated her time to teaching Video Production to children as young as eight, helping them discover their creative spark and learn the power of visual storytelling.
Our Heartfelt Guarantee
If your kids don't feel like they have learned about the language of the moving image and simple ways to create content that is compelling to watch we are happy to provide a full refund.
FAQ
-
Can younger kids (under 12) benefit from this program?
Absolutely! While ultimately a skills-based course, we engage youthful creativity with dynamic exercises and visuals. They will need to be able to type however and so usually, kids under eight are not recommended to join.
-
What's the time commitment required per week?
120 minutes of instruction per week, plus as much additional project time as desired based on their personal interest level.
-
Do you provide all the software needed?
You’ll need something to film on, a camera, a smart tablet, a smart phone. And there are plenty of free software for editing on those devices.
-
Will this course be recorded?
Yes recordings are captioned and available 48 hours after the end of the live session