A filmmaking workshop that gives youth the skills to get behind the lens and say something reels into Trail next week.
Beyond honing their technical skills, teens will have a chance to get a digital leg up on their counterparts who may also be vying for their short film to be featured in two under-19 film festivals coming to Greater Trail.
The Kootenay Association for Science and Technology in conjunction with the Rossland Council for Arts and Culture (RCAC) are building on an annual U-19 film fest by offering a new workshop to kids in the region.
For those keen on taking the next step –from their GoPros attached to their mountain bike – a “KAST-ing” call has been put out to aspiring film makers in the West Kootenay.
“Filmmaking is a very technical subject, it’s a subject that requires some training and some familiarity with the equipment in terms of both the cameras and the editing software,” said KAST program coordinator Erin Handy.
“The workshop is a chance to get your hands on the professional cameras and editing software and to learn from people, who have been through school, have been trained and have worked in the industry for some time.”
Participants, between 13 and 18 years old, will join professional filmmakers from Nelson’s Watershed Productions for the introduction to digital filmmaking taught over the course of two days.
The after-school course with only eight spots will cover the basics from storyboarding, shooting, editing and production for $35 per person.
“We have infinite capacity to do digital – whatever – we all have cameras and we all have cell phones and there’s a real sort of opportunity for us to give kids some skills to put together something that’s both creative and technically viable,” said Handy.
With tools in hand, their baby genius could then earn a spot in the Reel Youth International Film Festival Nov. 26, which showcases 75 per cent content from young filmmakers from North America and beyond. But the new festival to coincide with the Rossland Mountain Film Festival will still give local kids a chance to earn a spot all while inspiring them with the best-of-the-best in youth production.
These young minds will again have an opportunity to make a splash but this time at a “red-carpet event.”
“The radicalness will present itself at the film gala,” said Rachael Roussin of the RCAC.
Teens’ work will hit the big screen for a U19 Film Festival at the Charles Bailey Theatre April 14.
The youth filmmaking workshop in Trail will run from 3:30-6:30 p.m. next Tuesday and Wednesday at the Trail Memorial Centre in the McIntyre Room.
Castlegar’s takes place on Oct. 4 and 5 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Castlegar Recreation Complex – to sign up visit rdck.bc.ca – while Rossland’s will run Oct. 11 and 12 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. in the KAST building located on LeRoi Avenue.
To register for the Rossland course, call 362-2327 or email recreation@rossland.ca
For more information on youth filmmaking, go to www.rosslandcac.com or www.kast.com