If you’re a high school student with movies on the mind, you may want to look into the Sag Harbor Cinema’s Summer Film Workshop, starting next month.
Now in its second installment, according to Meghan McGinley Arnone, director of education and grants management at the cinema, the program has “quickly become a highlight of our educational calendar.” Designed for students in grade 9 through 12, the workshop is set to begin Aug. 11 through Aug. 22 (excluding the weekend) and will cover several aspects of the filmmaking process, further developing the students’ knowledge of (and passion for) cinema. Applications must be complete by July 25. Click here to apply.
We chatted with Dr. McGinley Arnone on what participating students can expect.
Southforker: How did the idea to hold a film workshop for high school students initially come to be?
Meghan McGinley Arnone: Education is a central part of our mission as a non-profit organization. When I started as Sag Harbor Cinema’s Director of Education, the first proposal that I wrote was for the Summer Filmmaking Workshop. I wanted to create a space where students could build their visual literacy skills and see their creative visions come to life, and I had the full support of our leadership team and generous supporters that made it possible.
SF: Is this workshop open to any and all students?
MMA: The workshop is open to any and all high school students; it’s designed to be accessible and inclusive. The only criteria is that the potential students can attend the workshop on-site at Sag Harbor Cinema for the entire two weeks.
(Photos courtesy of Sag Harbor Cinema)
SF: Since there are only 10 students accepted, and aside from the recommendation from a teacher, what are some of the criteria necessary to be accepted into the workshop?
MMA: We’re looking for students who are curious about visual storytelling—no filmmaking experience is required. Last year, we had a student who had experience as a playwright, but no filmmaking experience. Then, there were other students who had various levels of filmmaking experience. The mixed-level group proved that curiosity and a passion for storytelling are the main drivers of creative expression through film.
The application includes a prompt that features a quote by the great Martin Scorsese: “Movies touch our hearts, awaken our vision, and change the way we see things. They take us to other places. They open doors and minds.” I ask them what movie changed the way that they see things, and I’m always blown away by their thoughtful responses. The movies range from Bong Joon Ho’s Parasite to Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel to Ethan and Joel Coen’s The Big Lebowski.
SF: What areas of the filmmaking process will be focused on? Is it both the technical side of production as well as acting?
MMA: Students are exposed to various aspects of visual language and filmmaking: cinematography, editing, screenwriting, sound design, acting, and much more. The focus is on learning-by-doing: each lesson in visual language is paired with hands-on exercises. Every day students put what they learn into practice.
SF: How long will the short films be that the students make?
MMA: The shorts are between 3-5 minutes long. This may sound short, but there’s an incredible amount of work that goes into every single minute.
SF: Will all the films will be shot locally?
MMA: Yes! All the student shorts are shot on location in Sag Harbor Village. It’s a great opportunity for students to engage with the village in a new way. Suddenly, the bench that they’ve seen a thousand-and-one times takes on a new cinematic dimension. We help coordinate locations and keep things logistically smooth, but the creative vision is all theirs.
SF: What kind of equipment will the students be learning on?
MMA: Last year, we used Sony FX30 cameras with shotgun microphones, various prime lenses, and other tools like tripods—all professional-level equipment. It’s important to us that students learn on tools that reflect real-world industry standards.
SF: The workshop is every day starting from Aug. 11 continuing to Aug 22, right? How many hours a day will the students be in the workshop?
MMA: The workshop starts at 9 a.m. and goes to 3 p.m., weekdays only. We take an hour lunch break together every day, which Sag Harbor Cinema provides as a part of the workshop.
(Photos courtesy of Sag Harbor Cinema)
SF: Who will be teaching and guiding the students?
MMA:This year, we are partnering with NBCUniversal and we will be working with various NBCUniversal-affiliated experts who specialize in cinematography, editing, sound design, and more. Additionally, the teaching team consists of myself and Julian Alvarez. I’m a specialist in French film and an award-winning teacher. Alvarez, an NYC-based director and cinematographer, is a graduate from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts who recently won the Audience Award for Best Short Film at the 2023 Hamptons International Film Festival for the documentary Forgotten Founders: David Hempstead Senior.
The first week of the workshop, students will watch a series that highlights contemporary, classic, and rarely seen films that focuses on cinematic topics such as openings, conversation, editing, and tone, among others. They will also watch short films that further explore these concepts like Agnès Varda’s short Du côté de la côte (Along the Coast) from 1958. Afterwards, I’ll teach students the fundamentals of visual language with reflective and collaborative exercises. In the afternoon, students complete hands-on exercises with Alvarez using professional film equipment, mirroring the topics from the screenings.
SF: The cost to participate is $1,500 per student, correct? Do the potentially available scholarships cover the entire cost of the workshop?
MMA: Yes, the workshop costs $1,500 per student. We’re proud to offer full scholarships that cover the entire cost of the workshop, and grateful to our sponsors for making these scholarships a reality. This year, scholarships are generously provided by NBCUniversal.
SF: What are some of the criteria for being awarded scholarships for this program?
MMA:The scholarships are need-based. We have a financial aid form that parents fill out.
SF: How much scholarship money has been awarded in the past and how much is expected to be awarded for this year?
MMA: Last year, 100% of our students were awarded full, need-based scholarships, totaling $10,000. This year, we have $15,000 available for scholarships.
Sag Harbor Cinema’s Summer Filmmaking Workshop is made possible by the generosity of The John D. Evans Foundation.
The Cinema is located at 90 Main St. in Sag Harbor. For more information call 631-725-0010.
