Get Ready to Explore with New Jersey Indie Film

🎬 SUMMER FILMMAKING PROGRAM 2026

July 18 – September 20, 2026
Virtual Classes: Tue & Thu Evenings
Feature Film Production Weekends

A 9‑week immersive program where students train, crew, and shoot a feature film while learning every major department through structured rotation.

⭐ PROGRAM DESIGN PRINCIPLES

• Learn by doing: Every weekend is real production.
• Crew rotation: Students cycle through camera, sound, lighting, AD team,  art, grip, script supervision, etc.
• Virtual  theory → Weekend execution: Weeknights teach what they’ll apply on set.
• Feature film as the capstone: Students earn a feature film credit.
• Teamwork & set culture: Emphasis on communication, hierarchy, and      professional workflow.

📅 WEEK‑BY‑WEEK CURRICULUM

WEEK 1 — ORIENTATION & PRE‑PRODUCTION FOUNDATIONS

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Introduction to the feature film project
• Script breakdown basics
• Understanding  crew hierarchy & set etiquette
• Safety protocols
• Department overviews (Camera, G&E, Sound, Art, AD, Production)

Weekend:

• Equipment  orientation
• Camera & audio fundamentals
• Team‑building exercises
• Assigning rotating crew teams for the feature film

WEEK 2 — DIRECTING, CINEMATOGRAPHY & PRE‑VIS

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Directing  actors
• Shot design & visual language
• Blocking fundamentals
• Pre‑visualization  & storyboarding
• How to read a call sheet & sides

Weekend:

• Blocking & rehearsal with actors
• Lighting setups 101
• Camera  team drills (AC, operator, DIT)
• First  test shoot for the feature film (non‑story scenes)

WEEK 3 — FEATURE FILM SHOOT BEGINS (UNIT A)

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Production  planning
• AD  workflow (1st AD, 2nd AD, 2nd 2nd)
• Continuity & script supervision
• Set communication & walkie protocol

Weekend:
🎥 Feature Film Production – Block 1

• Students rotate through: 
  • Camera team
  • Sound team
  • G&E
  • Art department
  • AD  team
  • Script supervision
• Shoot  first 10–15 pages of the feature

WEEK 4 — PERFORMANCE, COVERAGE & SCENE WORK

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Working with actors under pressure
• Coverage patterns
• Scene  geography
• Emotional  continuity

Weekend:
🎥 Feature Film Production – Block 2

• Continue principal photography
• Students  rotate into new departments
• Focus  on performance‑driven scenes

WEEK 5 — ADVANCED CAMERA, LIGHTING & SOUND

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Cinematic lighting techniques
• Sound mixing & boom operation
• Lens theory & camera movement
• Grip rigging & safety

Weekend:
🎥 Feature Film Production – Block 3

• More complex scenes
• Students  rotate again
• Night  exterior or stylized lighting setups

WEEK 6 — ART DEPARTMENT, PRODUCTION DESIGN & SET MANAGEMENT

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Production design principles
• Props, wardrobe, continuity
• Set dressing workflow
• Managing a multi‑location shoot

Weekend:
🎥 Feature Film Production – Block 4

• Art‑heavy scenes
• Students rotate into Art, Wardrobe, Props
• Continue principal photography

WEEK 7 — ACTION, MOVEMENT & ADVANCED SET OPERATIONS

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Staging movement
• Working  with extras
• Multi‑camera setups
• Managing  time on set

Weekend:
🎥 Feature Film Production – Block 5

• Movement‑based      scenes
• Students rotate into AD, Camera, G&E roles
• Capture remaining major sequences

WEEK 8 — PICKUPS, INSERTS & FINAL SHOOTING DAYS

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Editing theory
• Post‑production workflow
• Color  & sound basics
• Preparing for pickups

Weekend:
🎥 Feature Film Production – Block 6

• Pickups,  inserts, B‑roll
• Final  scenes
• Wrap  procedures
• Strike & gear return training

WEEK 9 — POST‑PRODUCTION & FINAL PRESENTATION

Tue/Thu Virtual:

• Editing  lab
• Sound design
• Color  grading
• Festival  strategy
• Credit  formatting & deliverables

Weekend:
🎬 Final Screening + Wrap Celebration

• Rough cut review
• Feedback  session
• Certificates
• IMDb  credit confirmation
• Program  wrap

🎥 CREW ROTATION MODEL

Every student cycles through:

• Director’s  Team (1st AD, 2nd AD, Script Supervisor)
• Camera  Team (Operator, 1st AC, 2nd AC, DIT)
• Sound Team (Mixer, Boom Op)
• G&E  (Key Grip, Best Boy, Swing)
• Art  Department (Production Design, Props, Wardrobe)
• Production Team (PA, Coordinator, Locations)

This ensures every participant understands the full ecosystem of a real film set.

🏆 PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Students finish with:

• Feature Film Credit (IMDb‑eligible)
• Hands‑on  experience in every major crew role
• A deep understanding of set operations
• A  professional workflow foundation
• A completed feature film they helped create