The door swings open; a boy steps forward with a mouth full of braces and an uneasy look on his face. More campers arrive. They gaze at me wondering who is this strange person that claims he can teach them something about filmmaking. In this moment, I realize that I am not the kid with braces anymore; I am the teacher. These middle school students are here for a week at a camp I developed for them to learn the art and skills of filmmaking. Since my early childhood I have revered the beauty of nature. Growing up on a small island in a home surrounded by woods, nature has always been an important part of my life. Watching light sift between trees on a misty morning and fog cling to a frosty field brings me both joy and serenity. These moments have led me to capture the aesthetic beauty, intrigue and mystery of the world through photography and film. I have spent countless hours filming, editing and exploring ways of visually telling a story. Through the internet and contact with other filmmakers, I have taught myself the skills involved in visual story-telling, the use of complex editing programs and the art of special effects. My expertise in photography and filmmaking has not only given me a wonderful hobby, but has also led me to numerous professional and community service opportunities including promotional videos, documentaries and portrait …show more content…
A local study hall serves as the location for the camp and as the set for our films. Filled with whimsical antiques and dusty bookshelves, the hall is a perfect place to inspire creativity. I tell my campers to choose a few objects to serve as the foundation for their story. Instead of writing a traditional script, a challenging and arduous process, we work together to create a unique story around a small and ornate silver clock, a weathered German alphabet book and an antique