Ages 14-17. July 18-22, 9am-12pm

This course will start with participants exploring what motivates their storytelling, by thinking about the intention of filmmaking.  Ryan asks questions to help filmmakers merge their identity, experiences, relationships, and preferences into their filmmaking.  The class will watch film clips to be able to have engaging discussion on different filmmaking genres and techniques.  Once the class has established a foundation to their own personal style, they will begin the filmmaking process with the goal of creating a narrative film scene.  To do so Ryan will go through 3 steps with the class:

1. Preproduction: often overlooked in its importance, Ryan guides students through exercises in writing, creating a shot list and preparing cast, crew and equipment.
2. Production: the fun part, the creation, and the most physically demanding step in the filmmaking process. Ryan will work with each participant in filming their scene.
3. Postproduction: students will get to edit their scenes and learn about the editing process including color correction and sound design in Adobe Premiere Pro.

The class is intended to be a fun, interactive experience that dives into all aspects of the filmmaking process in a low pressure, fun practice in the craft.  Students will walk away with a narrative film scene that they will be able to use for work references or even expand on to complete their film after the class is done.

A note about Covid: As it stands, the plan for this course is to be in-person. FilmNorth will be monitoring the state of Covid and making decisions about safety as the situation unfolds. This course may be adapted to an online format if things are deemed unsafe.

Tuition: $195

Ryan Stopera is a mixed race, Chinese American, photographer, filmmaker, producer and educator based in Minneapolis. He’s worked with community organizations for over 15 years, including with individuals experiencing homelessness, children and families, and foster care youth, as well as in program development and affordable housing development. 

Ryan’s background in social work and his relationships across communities make collaboration essential to his work, whether in creative projects such as filmmaking, or making space for connection, such as producing community events or program development. Working in community, creating connections, and sharing stories with one another is what drives Ryan’s work. 

Ryan has exhibited work at The Walker Art Center, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Gamut Gallery, Public Functionary, Indigenous Roots Cultural Art Center, Third Place Gallery, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. His films have been screened across the country and the world. 

Ryan is a recipient of the 2018 Artist Neighborhood Partnership with CURA at the University of Minnesota, the 2019 MN State Arts Board Cultural Community Partnership Grant, and the 2021 and 2022 MSAB Artist Initiative Grant. He was a 2020 Creative Community Fellow with National Art Strategies and a 2021 Upstream Photography Fellow. He is the Founder and Co-Director of Free Truth Media, a media company using art as a tool for liberation.

Ryan is also part of the team at Public Functionary, an arts organization supporting grassroots cultural organizing and production across disciplines through the development of highly visible and resourced spaces that lead to creative collaborations and economic opportunities for early career and emerging artists.

Camp Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy

• Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full. Registrations are accepted after registration deadlines if space is available.
• If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 5 days prior to the start date of a camp, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund within 5 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid by cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another camp if scheduled in the same calendar year.
• For those wishing to cancel a registration prior to the registration deadline, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received after the registration deadline but prior to the first camp session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of a camp start date, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given.
• Tuition is not prorated for missed camp sessions.
• The FILMNORTH CAMP PARENT/GUARDIAN RELEASE FORM and FILMNORTH CAMP APPEARANCE RELEASE FORM must be completed and submitted prior to the start of the first camp session. A new set of forms must be completed for each camp. Please print, complete and return the two PDF forms below by: 1) emailing them to the Youth Programs Director; or 2) mailing them via regular postal delivery to Youth Programs Director, FilmNorth, 550 Vandalia Street #120, Saint Paul, MN 55114. You may also bring completed forms with you when you check your child in the first camp session. Students are not permitted to attend camps without signed forms.

FILMNORTH CAMP RELEASE FORM

FILMNORTH CAMP APPEARANCE RELEASE FORM