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Create three collaborative short films in this 3-week film production program for middle school students at UCLA.
Course Description
A story changes as it moves from a script to a camera and into an edit. Try the different jobs that turn an idea into a film an audience can watch.
In this course your student will explore film history, screenwriting, storyboarding, acting, production, and editing. Directors, writers, performers, camera operators, and editors each bring something to the same story.
The class will make three short films based on student ideas. Students will pitch a script, shape a scene, plan the shots, and rehearse before filming. Students rotate through crew responsibilities, discovering how preparation and communication affect what happens on set. In the edit, changing a shot’s length or place in the sequence can change the meaning of a scene.
Contributing from the first idea through post-production gives your student a chance to discover which part of filmmaking holds their attention. Their own creativity has a place alongside the shared decisions that get a film finished.
This three-week course for middle school students takes place at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. The program is developed by UCLA and offered in partnership with Summer Discovery. Residential and commuter options are available.
What You Will Do
• Explore film history and the jobs on a crew
• Pitch ideas and develop scripts for class films
• Turn scenes into planned shots through storyboards
• Rehearse scenes and try on-camera acting
• Rotate through crew responsibilities during film shoots
• Edit footage into finished short films
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Explain how planning, filming, and editing connect in a finished film
• Use storytelling techniques to shape a screen story
• Explain how shots, performances, and editing choices affect a film’s meaning
You’ll leave with your contributions to three class short films and a certificate of completion.
Why Film Production Skills Matter
Film production turns an idea into a shared plan that many people can execute. A script gives the story structure, a storyboard clarifies visual choices, and rehearsal helps performers and crew prepare before recording begins. Each step asks students to communicate precisely and revise when an idea does not work as expected.
Editing adds another layer of judgment. The order and length of shots can change pace, tone, and meaning. By contributing across several roles, students practice creative problem solving, giving and receiving feedback, and completing work as part of a team.
Who Should Attend?
For students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade.
Writers, actors, camera enthusiasts, and students curious about editing can all find a role to try. Your student will help classmates turn shared ideas into short films, exchange feedback, and discover what different crew responsibilities involve. No specialized filmmaking experience is required.
Your Summer at UCLA
UCLA gives middle-school students an energetic place to learn, have fun, and experience campus life in Los Angeles. The setting brings together science, technology, creativity, entertainment, and culture, helping new subjects feel connected to a wider world of ideas.
The program combines hands-on academics with friendships, campus activities, clear routines, and support as students become comfortable in a large university environment. Students can try new challenges, share interests with peers, and build confidence through participation without needing to decide where those interests will lead. For families, UCLA offers a structured middle-school experience that balances substantive learning with fun, community, and age-appropriate independence. Students leave with new memories and a clearer sense of what they may want to explore next.
Summer Discovery Certificate of Completion
After successfully finishing this course, you will be awarded a certification of completion for your accomplishment.
*This is a preview, not what you will receive