FILMMAKING
The summer camp for filmmaking at TAP is the most immersive and complete summer program of its kind in the state of Texas. In just a few short weeks our students take a simple idea of their own choosing and develop it into a completed film.
Our classes begin early in the morning and run well into the evening covering all the stages of the creative process. The students receive guidance and critique from the faculty at every moment of the day. All students are required to collaborate with their peers in a multitude of roles as it is impossible to take on the elaborate endeavor that is making a movie without the help of others.
Whether you are joining us just for fun or as the beginning of your filmmaking career, the summer intensive program will leave you with a fully-realized short film of your own!
A behind the scenes look at what we do ...
Philosophy
We believe that the best way to become a filmmaker is by actually making films. With this emphasis on physical creation we require all students to perform all key positions that are found on a professional film set.
Every student will write, direct and edit their own personal short film. In order for every film to be a success we employ ALL filmmaking students on EVERY project. This ensures that every student will rotate and perform key crew positions such as Cinematographer, 1st Asst Cameraman, Key Grip, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator, Production Designer and more.
WHAT TO EXPECT...
Our program is designed to emulate the professional world on a condensed timeline. We breakdown the three-week program into the three phases of commercial film production: Pre-Production, Production and Post Production.
WEEK ONE - PRE-PRODUCTION
All students are required to ‘pitch’ story ideas to the faculty and their peers. Once the student has received feedback on their initial pitch, he/she will breakdown the story beat by beat with fellow classmates ensuring all story elements are clear and interesting.
Students will then take the outline they have created and put it into professional screenwriting software for further evaluation. After several sessions of notes, the screenplay will be locked and ready for pre-production.
Hands-on training in camera and sound equipment will be provided and students are allowed to ask for special equipment for their project at this time. The faculty will do everything in their power to provide the students with special equipment if applicable to the project at hand.
Collaborators will be assigned to every student. At this point the students will rotate their attention from project to project focusing on their assigned roles to each production. Though their main focus will be on the project they pitched, all students should be ready and willing to give focus and energy to their fellow classmates’ projects as it relates to their assigned role.
Filmmakers will audition the Acting majors throughout the first week and choose the appropriate cast for their film.
At the conclusion of this week all students will have their own project written, scheduled, cast and storyboarded. They will also be prepared to execute their fellow directors needs when it is their turn to create a short film.
WEEK TWO - PRODUCTION
This is what the entire first week was preparing for: the shoot.
Each student will show up ready to work in their appropriate field for that day ranging from Cinematographer, Sound Mixer, Boom Operator, Production Designer, 1st Asst Camera, etc. This ensures that every film student leaves the program having been exposed to and responsible for a major aspect of every single film.
Acting majors will be golf-carted to set from their normal theatre rehearsals to act in the student films. This aspect really sets our program apart from other filmmaking camps. Most film camps require students to use fellow film campers in acting roles. TAP camp, however, offers film students the ability to work with acting majors that take their roles seriously, leading to a much stronger final product. Film students are also allowed to cast any of our college counselors who are currently attending University acting programs.
At the conclusion of this vigorous week of filmmaking we will take one day off completely and go have fun at the cinema to see a few current and classic films.
WEEK THREE - POST PRODUCTION
The last week is spent in the editing bays where we will put together the final product. This is where all the hard work pays off.
Each student will be assigned their own editing bay and cut their film on Adobe Première’s professional editing software. Upon completion of a first cut, the project will be screened for student and faculty feedback. This process usually takes 3 or 4 times for the faculty to approve of ‘picture lock.’
Upon approval of picture lock, the students will then embark on sound design for the film. We provide a library of professional sound cues, FX and music samples for the students to choose from.
Film Screenings
All films are screened on the final day of camp!
On the final Sunday of camp, each of the original films produced will be premiered in the main theater in front of campers, staff, parents, and Austinites.
“I had a lot of fun and honestly feel like a more well-rounded person.… I had a lot of fun at TAP. I was wary as I’d never been to camp before, but I truly gained another family.”
Aleena Ahmed
2019
Dripping Springs, Texas
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Check out some films from previous campers...
This coming-of-age romantic comedy was the 2nd film made by Declan Duggan at TAP 2018.
This satirical 'mockumentary' was the 2nd film made by Logan Mook at TAP 2017.
This comedy-drama was the first film made by Jordan Gonzales at TAP 2017.
This psychological thriller was the first film made by Sarah Skees at TAP 2015.
This meta comedy made by Spencer Diaz at TAP 2017 was inspired by his 4 years of attending the program.
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So, you've already registered...
Now that you’re done registering, make sure you look over what you need to prepare here.