Media Arts Center San Diego – Youth Media and Tech Camp Review
Guest post by Kristen McLane
Zombies are taking over the streets of North Park! Don’t worry, it’s just a group of young filmmakers participating in the Youth Media & Tech Camp at MediaArtsCenterSanDiego (MACSD). Thanks to a scholarship giveaway provided here at SanDiegoBargainMama.com, my 9 year-old son, Paul, was given the opportunity to participate in a week of summer camp. We knew our 11 year-old daughter, Megan, wouldn’t want to miss the fun– so we signed her up too.
YouthMedia & TechCamp offers students ages 9-14 the choice of a Media Makers or Filmmakers learning track. On the first day, campers are placed into groups to select a project to complete together by the end of the week. Paul and his partner created a documentary documenting a fellow group of campers whose project was to film a commercial. Megan, along with three girls her age, created a short film. Using the magic of green screen and Final Cut Pro they morphed themselves into existing video clips taken from YouTube.
At Media & Tech Camp, students work independently but are provided with assistance from adult instructors. On the last day, families are invited to a special screening celebrating the camper’s hard work. We were treated to short films, documentaries, news reports, commercials, and yes – zombie invasions.
Several students were return campers and it’s easy to see why. Unleashed creativity mixed with a child’s enthusiasm is a force to be reckoned with. When I asked Paul what he liked best about camp, he replied, “Everything!” Megan, a little older and more expressive, enjoyed becoming familiar with the editing process and thought it was cool using the same professional software dad uses for work.
If you’re interested in checking it out, the next week of camp is scheduled for November 19-21.
Youth Media & Arts Camp is just one of many ways the MASCD lives out their vision of supporting underrepresented communities through media arts. The concept of the organization began with what is now known as the San Diego Latino Film Festival. Here’s a quick video promoting current events. You can also follow MACSD on Twitter (@macsd), Facebook, YouTube, or visit their website at www.mediaartscenter.org for more information.
Kristen McLane is a beach-loving, farmers-market-going, library-addicted mom of three technology-curious children ages 11, 9, and 1 1/2. You can find her on twitter, @mclanek.
Kristen McLane’s Disclaimer: I was randomly selected to receive one camp scholarship. I was not otherwise compensated by MASCD or asked to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Category: Guest Bloggers, Kids & Family, Reviews
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