My class this year is made up entirely of first-time filmmakers, and even though some of them struggle here and there, they’ve all shown a ton of heart and imagination. We’ve been learning the basics, everything from different types of camera shots to lighting setups and key filmmaking terms. Right now we’re in the pre-production stage of our stop-motion projects, and in a couple of weeks we’ll move into full production. When we return from winter break, they’ll continue building their animations using all the skills the class has introduced them to. Every year this program gets stronger. I try to bring in more equipment when I can, but the biggest thing I focus on is helping them think outside the box and craft stories that actually mean something. You can have all the gear in the world, but if you don’t have a solid story, people won’t connect with your work.
Going forward, I want to keep expanding what they can do by integrating more creative fields like graphic design and 3D modeling into the filmmaking process. We’ve already started 3D printing some of our characters and props for stop-motion, which is awesome to see. Even when things get tough or we hit a wall, we always find a way to build the scene and bring the idea to life. And honestly, that’s what filmmaking is all about, pushing through challenges, trusting your creativity, and making something you’re proud of.