Applications Open! Enroll for Summer 2027 at 2026 Tuition Pricing Until Sept 30
Create three collaborative short films in this 3-week film production program for middle school students at UCLA.
Course Description
How does an idea become a finished film that an audience can watch? Students follow the creative process through film history, screenwriting, storyboarding, acting, production, and editing. Along the way, they learn how directors, writers, performers, camera operators, and editors contribute to the same story.
The class develops three short films based on student ideas. Students pitch scripts, shape scenes, plan shots, and rehearse performances before moving into production. Because filmmaking depends on a full crew, students rotate through different responsibilities and learn how preparation, communication, and respect affect what happens on set. Editing lessons then show how pacing and sequence can change the meaning of recorded material.
By the end, students have contributed to films from initial concept through post-production and can better identify which parts of the process hold their attention. The experience balances individual creativity with the practical work of making decisions as a team.
This three-week middle school program takes place at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. The program is developed by UCLA and offered in partnership with Summer Discovery. It is available to residential and commuter students. Beyond class, students connect active academic exploration with campus life, growing independence, new friendships, and a clearer sense of what they may want to explore next.
What Will You Do?
• Explore film history and the roles that bring a production together
• Pitch story ideas and develop scripts for collaborative short films
• Build storyboards that translate written scenes into planned shots
• Rehearse and perform scenes while learning on-camera acting basics
• Rotate through production responsibilities during classroom film shoots
• Edit recorded material into finished short films
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Explain how pre-production, production, and post-production connect
• Apply screenwriting, storyboarding, acting, and editing techniques to a film project
• Collaborate across creative and production roles to complete a short film
Students will leave with experience contributing to three class short films, practical exposure to several filmmaking roles, and a clearer sense of which parts of cinema they want to explore next.
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?
This course is for middle school students who have completed 6th, 7th, or 8th grade and want to understand how films move from an idea to a finished screen story. It is a strong fit for students interested in writing, acting, directing, cameras, editing, or collaborative creative work.
No specialized filmmaking experience is required. Students should be ready to pitch ideas, take on different production roles, respond respectfully to feedback, and help classmates complete shared projects. A completed program application is required.
Why 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