Film Camp. Make films all day.
Eleven full school days spent making short films on brand-new cinema equipment, with workshops from industry professionals, a University of Arizona studio tour, and a premiere at the Loft Cinema.
About the course
Film Camp is a full-day filmmaking intensive for high school students from across Tucson, at Salpointe and beyond. Over three weeks in late May and early June, you'll spend the school day making short films from first idea to finished cut, working with a crew on real projects. Salpointe students can earn credit for either Film & TV Productions I or II, depending on what they need.
You'll plan each film the way a working production does: develop the story, write the script, break it down into shots, and board it in Slate OS, then shoot it on our own brand-new professional cinema equipment. We're partnering with the University of Arizona's School of Theatre, Film & Television, so you'll tour their broadcasting studios and hear from people who work in the industry.
The finished films premiere at the Loft Cinema and on the University of Arizona campus. They're also practice for the following year's NATAS Student Production Awards: you'll leave with finished work, and with a clear sense of which category a film belongs in and how to plan it to fit.
What's included
Brand-new cinema equipment
Shoot on Salpointe Film & TV's own brand-new professional cinema equipment, bought for the program this year.
Tour the broadcast studios
Visit the University of Arizona and walk through their broadcasting studios.
Workshops with industry professionals
Special workshops led by people who work in film and television.
Premiere on the big screen
Your finished films premiere at the Loft Cinema and on the University of Arizona campus.
Dates for the campus visit, the workshops and the premieres will be announced.
Course details
- Who can come
- Salpointe students in grades 9–12 and incoming Salpointe freshmen (Classes of 2027–2031)
- Salpointe students only, new to filmmaking or experienced. Incoming freshmen are welcome once they're enrolled at Salpointe for the fall. Limited to 24 students, with seats saved for every grade from incoming freshmen to seniors.
- Cost
- $595 per student
- Early bird: $495 if you apply by February 1, 2027 and are accepted. Nothing is owed unless you're accepted and confirm. Scholarships are available.
- Credit
- Salpointe students can earn credit for either Film & TV Productions I or II, depending on what they need.
- How to get in
- Apply, then a short interview
- Camp has 24 seats, so every applicant interviews and we choose a class with a mix of grades and every crew role covered. Everyone hears at the same time after applications close. Current students apply signed in; a parent or guardian applies with an incoming freshman.
- Room
- TBD
Dates
Session I
11 days over 3 weeks
- Week 1May 24 to May 27Mon–Thu4 days
- Week 2June 1 to June 3Tue–Thu3 days
- Week 3June 7 to June 10Mon–Thu4 days
The last day of the session is June 10, which lets out early.
A camp day
Regular days
- Camp starts
- 8:00 am
- Lunch (bring your own)
- 11:00 am – 11:30 am
- Dismissal
- 2:35 pm
Last day of each session
- Camp starts
- 8:00 am
- Early dismissal
- 12:30 pm
No lunch break on this day.
A sample day
- Check-in and the day's call sheet
- 8:00 am
- Workshop: a filmmaking skill, often with a guest from the industry
- 8:15 am
- Hands-on lab: practice it with your crew on the cinema equipment
- 9:45 am
- Lunch (bring your own)
- 11:00 am
- Production time: write, shoot or edit your team's film
- 11:30 am
- Screen the day's work and wrap
- 2:15 pm
- Dismissal
- 2:35 pm
Camp at a glance
- Week 1 · May 24 – May 27
- Learn the gear, pitch your ideas and write the scripts
- Week 2 · June 1 – June 3
- Lock the scripts, plan the shoot and film
- Week 3 · June 7 – June 10
- Edit, finish and get ready for the premiere
Limited to 24 students, so every camper works hands-on in a small crew.
Camp runs on the regular school day, 8:00 am to 2:35 pm, based at Salpointe, with off-campus visits and screenings announced separately. Campers bring their own lunch; we provide snacks and water every day.
What you'll be working toward
Every film you finish is practice for the NATAS Student Production Awards. Once you're back in the fall, the production plan is how you pick your category and get your script, storyboard and shot list cleared before you shoot.
Interested?
Tell us you're interested. It isn't a sign-up or a commitment; it helps us plan the camp and know who to talk to as details are finalized.
Need help with the cost?
Film Camp is $595 per student, or $495 if you apply by February 1, 2027. Cost should never keep a student out: if it would, ask for a scholarship. Only the advisor sees what you write. Families of incoming freshmen can ask by replying to any Film Camp email from us.