Historias launches: The Clemente Youth Film Club

When: November 2024 - March 2025 (two six-hour hour in-person sessions followed by four mentoring sessions with instructors) *See below full workshops schedule

Where: at The Clemente

Who: Teenagers (14-18 years old) interested in a career in TV/ film/ or digital media, experimenting with visual storytelling and documentary 

Participants will learn the foundations of (mobile) filmmaking, including scriptwriting, lighting, videography, audio, and editing, to produce a 3-5 minute documentary film screened for the public at The Clemente in May 2025. Students will form teams of 3-4 to collaborate and produce the films. Students can then use the final works to build their artistic portfolios. 

For questions, please contact instructor Justin Denis at adioramapicture@gmail.com

SIGN UP HERE!

Overview

Filmmaker Justin Denis and educator Gabo Camnitzer will be running a 20 hour workshop for teenagers (14-18 year-olds) in documentary filmmaking at The Clemente. The workshop will consist of six 2-hour workshops and four 2-hour mentoring sessions from November 2024- March 2025. Participants will learn the foundations of storyboarding, lighting, shooting, recording audio, editing, and post-production. The final 3-5 minute films produced by 2-3 teams of youth participants will then be screened for the public at The Clemente.

Using student-centered collaborative pedagogical methods based in project-based learning, public access, participatory action research, and ethnography, this workshop will facilitate young people from the Lower East Side in documenting their material conditions and lived experiences. Participants will be empowered to see themselves as ethnographers, filmmakers, and creative agents of social transformation.

Since the early 1960s, pioneering filmmakers and educators, such as Deedee Haleck, Rodger Larson, Lynne Hofer, Jaime Barrios, and others, have facilitated young people in the production of films and videos on the Lower East Side. Working at local community centers such as the University Settlement House, Henry Street Settlement House, and others, young filmmakers from the neighborhood such as Raymond Esquilin, Alfonso Pagan, Luis Vale, Alfonso Sanchez Jr and many others produced socially and artistically significant work. HISTORIAS Youth Video Club will facilitate young people in building on this rich tradition.

Methodology

Through the lens of the history of youth filmmaking in LES, Young auto-ethnographers, and mobile filmmaking as a tool for auto-ethnography, students will have an opportunity to explore these questions and more. 

• How do young people narrate their own stories? 

• What are the stories that they are experiencing that are not being told elsewhere? 

• How can we articulate stories by engaging community members in dialogue?

• How can artistic strategies like juxtaposition, sound, montage, double exposure, lighting etc, be used to convey thoughts and feelings that lie outside of language? 

Workshop Requirements

No filmmaking experience is necessary. However interested students are required to provide a functional smartphone with standard HD (720p) video capabilities and App Store (Apple Store or Android) to download the free filmmaking app “Blackmagic Camera.” Examples include iPhone 15 / 14 / 13 / 12 Pro / Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S24 / S23 / S22 Ultra, Pixel 8/7/6/5 series, for Huawei Mate 60/50/40/P Series, etc…

*Interested students who don’t have access to a smartphone are still encouraged to apply. Please reach out to instructors for more information. 

Workshop Structure 

Each 2-hour in-person workshop from November 2024-January 2025 will consist of theoretical and practical instruction including brief hands-on filmmaking exercises. 

February– March 2025 sessions will consist of instructor feedback tailored to the needs of the filmmaking team in preparation for the film’s completion by the end of April 2025.

By the end of December 2025, (3) Filmmaking Teams of 3-4 students will be formed to complete a 3-5 minute documentary on an ethnographic subject determined by the filmmaking team. Filmmaking teams will alternate crew positions including Producing, Cinematography, Sound, and Lighting so that they will leave the workshop with a more comprehensive understanding of the filmmaking process.  

All resulting footage captured by each respective filmmaking team will be assembled and edited by instructors with input and feedback from the filmmakers. A final presentation will take place at the Flamboyan Theater at the Clemente in May 2025. Families and the general public will be encouraged to attend.  

Students will be able to use the resulting works to help build their artistic portfolios that they can use to further their filmmaking journey. 

Workshop Timeline

1. Introduction. Studio 309

Wednesday, November 20, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Students will explore the central question of What makes a Documentary while being exposed to excerpts of pioneering social documentaries from filmmakers with ties to the Lower East Side. We will discuss various filmmaking approaches and get students thinking about the potential subjects of their films. 

2. Techniques of Documentary Storytelling. Studio 309

Wednesday, November 26, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

We will go into more depth discussing techniques of documentary storytelling, including how to craft compelling narratives, interview subjects, and capture B-Roll.   

3. Sight and Sound - Part 1. Studio 309

Wednesday, December 4, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Students will be exposed to introductory cinematography and sound concepts and techniques useful in Mobile filmmaking.  Students will be exposed to equipment used in the workshop.  

4. Sight and Sound - Part 2. Studio 309

Wednesday, December 18, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Students will learn how to apply concepts of film composition, framing, and movement to make better films. Students will have studio time to familiarize themselves with workshop equipment and resources. 

5. Film Production + Workflow. Studio 309

Monday, January 6, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Students will learn the basics of professional film production workflow and learn how to craft their film pitch. Students will conduct mock interview scenarios using workshop equipment and resources.    

6. Film Pitch and Pre-Production. Studio 309

Monday, January 13, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Instructors will review each filmmaking team's documentary pitch. Students will also learn some fundamentals of pre-production including preparing for interviews,  scheduling, and shot-listing.

7. Review 1. Studio 309

Monday, February 3, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Review of initial captured footage to discuss assembly strategies and what students want to communicate in their films.  

8. Review 2, Studio 309 

Monday, February 17, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Filmmaking Teams will review the first cut and offer their notes. Students will assess if supplemental footage or audio is needed.  

9. Review 3, Studio 309

Monday, March 3, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Filmmaking Teams and Instructors will review second cut. Students will assess if supplemental footage or audio is needed.  

10. Final Review, Studio 309 

Monday, March 31, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Filmmaking teams meet instructors for a final feedback session before films are completed. 

Final Presentation

May 2025 in the Flamboyan Theater at the Clemente.