FILMMAKING AND SCREENWRITING – Rutgers Community Arts

Curious about what the next generation of filmmakers and screenwriters created?

Take a look at what we made! Watch our completed projects and behind the scenes content in Art & Design, Dance, Film and Music on our YouTube channel and Instagram.

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EXPLORE OUR 2025 COURSES

Note: Both filmmaking intensives are commuter day camps. No on-site housing or meals provided.

All Film classes are held at the Civic Square Building, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick NJ 08901

Digital Filmmaking Intensive (Grades 9-12)

July 14 – July 25 (M-F) 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM

Fee: $1400

The Summer Institute Filmmaking Intensive is a two-week boot camp and crash course into the world of filmmaking. Rising 10th through rising 12th graders of all skill ranges and experience levels will learn camera techniques, editing, sound recording, lighting, screenwriting, and story structure. They will also get on-set experience in the context of creating their own short films. During week one, students will workshop each of these skills individually through a series of exploratory exercises designed to introduce narrative filmmaking concepts as well as the various technical roles on a film set. In week two, students will put those lessons into practice by working as part of a film crew. Each crew will write, shoot, and edit their own short film. Students will leave class with a completed short film that they can use for college admissions or for their own portfolio!

Please note: this class is entirely based on group projects, and there is no option to work individually. By nature of the medium, filmmaking is a collaborative art form, and is fully dependent on the help of others and working together as a team. Students should also have a willingness to act in front of the camera, and will be asked to participate in improv theater games as creative warm up exercises each day. If such an environment is difficult for your child, we recommend taking a look at our Screenwriting intensive that features extensive individual writing time, as well as other Art & Design workshops within Rutgers Community Arts.

Screenwriting Intensive (Grades 9-12)

July 28 – August 1 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Fee: $700

The Summer Institute Screenwriting Intensive is a five-day workshop designed to introduce students (rising 10th thru rising 12th graders) to the craft of screenwriting. Students will learn about using the tools of story structure, character, characterization, conflict, desire, and plot. They will learn how these tools apply to stories and to the films we know and love. Students will learn industry standard screenplay formatting and explore various writing and story-breaking techniques like beat sheets and three-act structure. Over the course of the week, students will write their own short film scripts, which could be used for college admissions or included in their own portfolio!

Zack Morrison…

… is a filmmaker and comedy writer from New Jersey, currently living in Los Angeles. His work includes the Emmy-winning digital musical pilot, Everything’s Fine: A Panic Attack in D Major, and he is the writer/director of half-hour television pilot, Canusa Street. Zack has written and produced sketches and celebrity content for major brands like Buzzfeed, Esquire, and Cartoon Network; and he has worked in late night comedy at shows including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Kids Tonight Show, and Saturday Night Live. Zack has a MFA in television writing from Columbia University, and a BA in filmmaking from Rutgers University.

Follow this link to CampDoc and create your account.
Add your children to your account as participants.
Select the participants you intend to register and click “registration.”
Click the “register for a new session” button.

REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS

Non-Refundable Deposit: A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your reservation. This deposit ensures that your booking is confirmed and reserved exclusively for you. In the event of cancellation, this deposit will not be refunded, regardless of the circumstances.
Cancellation before June 15: If you need to cancel your reservation before June 15, you may do so, and you will receive a full refund of any payments made beyond the non-refundable deposit.
Cancellation between June 15 and July 1: Cancellations made between June 15 and July 1 will result in a refund of 50% of the total cost, excluding the non-refundable deposit.
No Cancellation after July 1: After July 1, cancellations are no longer permitted, and no refunds will be issued for any payments made. This includes the non-refundable deposit as well as any additional payments made towards the reservation.