Online Summer Webinars

Thank you so much for supporting us virtually this summer!! To watch some of our recorded sessions, please visit our Vimeo page HERE. We look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.

Advance your professional skills with exclusive learning opportunities that help invigorate the spirit of connection and illuminate a forward path towards your next adventure. Thanks for joining us!

Registration & Requirements

All participants will need to register to reserve their spot. No fees are associated with our webinars and there is no limit to how many you can attend. Please be aware that some webinars have a set capacity for the number of participants. Once full, you will no longer be able to register .

Attendees will register once and then choose one or more occurrences to attend. The participants first / last name, email address, age range and general location will be required during the registration. Please note that the majority of programming is designed for both students and adults who want to continue learning.

Students will need access to the internet and the ability to join with audio and video.

All sessions will be delivered via Zoom, an online and mobile meeting solution. We recommend that you download the platform prior to the start of your webinar(s) to become more familiar. To download this free software, please visit HERE.

By clicking Register, you agree to Point Park University’s Terms of Use Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Acceptable Use Policy. You also agree to abide by Point Park University’s Code of Student Conduct and Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Diversity Initiatives.

The Terms of Use Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Diversity Initiatives can be found here.

The Acceptable Use Policy can be found here.

The University Code of Student Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.

Upon registration, I consent to Point Park University’s use of my name, image, likeness, voice, biographical information, or other identifying aspects of my work pursuant to the photo release contained within Point Park University’s Student Handbook. The Student handbook can be found here.

Contact Information:
Phone: 412-392-3457
Email: summercamps@pointpark.edu

(Include “Online Webinars” in the subject line of emails)

Cinema Arts

Creating an Animation Short

Led by Associate Professor of Animation and Visual Effects, Jonathan Trueblood

For students and adult beginners.
Please note: film clips may contain R rated content

Tuesdays from 10:00am - 11:00am EST. Starts the week of June 23.

Week 1) Tuesday, June 23: Introduction
Week 2) Tuesday, June 30: Characters
Week 3) Tuesday, July 7: Storyboards
Week 4) Tuesday, July 14: Backgrounds
Week 5) Tuesday, July 21: Animation
Week 6) Tuesday, July 28: Final Product

Smartphone Filmmaking

While our phones are a means to record videos, their potential for storytelling can go much under-utilized. In Smartphone Filmmaking, we will demonstrate how powerful and cinematic clips can be created with our very own devices. Optimizing standard functions by combining them with accessible techniques widely used by professionals, these sessions aim to make the user a more successful storyteller.

Led by Assistant Professor of Cinema Arts, John Reilly
For students and adult beginners.
Please note: film clips may contain R rated content

Thurdays from 11:00am - 12:00pm EST. Starts the week of June 25.

Week 1) Thursday, June 25: Introduction
Week 2) Thursday, July 2: The Frame
Week 3) Thursday, July 9: Cinematic Language
Week 4) Thursday, July 16: The Camera / Character Relationship
Week 5) Thursday, July 23: Directing - Scenes and Coverage
Week 6) Thursday, July 30: The Moving Frame

Screenwriting Fundamentals
A one-week screenwriting intensive where students will learn the fundamentals of storytelling, see how these concepts are used in both feature and short films, and learn to write short screenplays on their own and in groups.

Students will need to create a free account with an online screenplay formatting application.

Led by Professor of Cinema Arts, Fred Johnson
For students and adult beginners. Limited to 12 students. NOW FULL!
Please note: film clips may contain R rated content

Runs Monday, July 6 - Friday July 10
Daily 1.5 hour sessions from 11:30am - 1:00pm EST.

Post-Production

The World of Post-Production: An Introduction to Film Editing and Sound
Filmmaking doesn’t end after the cameras stop rolling. The magic and illusion of a film becomes realized by all involved in Picture and Sound Editing. Whether you’re a beginning/amateur filmmaker or film enthusiast, this lecture series aims to educate participants on broad concepts. We will dive into the technical and aesthetic approaches, learn how editing plays a major role in telling and shaping the story, as well as key positions that make the Post-Production workflow possible.

Led by Visiting Teaching Artist of Cinema Arts, Noel Schermaier
For students and adult beginners.
Please note: film clips may contain R rated content

Runs Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24
Daily 1-hour sessions from 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST.

Day 1) Monday, July 20: What is Editing?
Day 2) Tuesday, July 21: Tools and Techniques of the Editor
Day 3) Wednesday, July 22: The Editor as Storyteller
Day 4) Thursday, July 23: Sound: The Other Half of the Picture
Day 5) Friday, July 24: Workflow and Careers in Post-Production

Communications

Adviser / Teacher Workshops

Led by Industry Professionals
For new or veteran Communication Advisers / Teachers

Tuesdays from 9:00am - 10:00am EST. Starts the week of June 23.

Week 1, Tues., June 23: New Voices & Student/Adviser Protections led by Aaron Fitzpatrick
Week 2, Tues., June 30: From Good to Great: Yearbook Bootcamp led by Beth Ann Brown
Week 3, Tues., July 7: Adviser Survival Tales led by Scott Tuffiash
Week 4, Tues., July 14: Govt. Meetings at High Schools led by Stacey Hetrick/Aaron Fitzpatrick
Week 5, Tues., July 21: Strategies for Social Media led by Kate Plows
Week 6, Tues., July 28: Yearbook Theme Development led by Paul Fantaski

PR / Advertising Series

Led by Point Park Faculty Camille Downing and Jenna Lo Castro
For high school students and above.

3-part series: Tuesday July 7, 14, and 21 from 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST

Week #1) Tuesday, July 7: When the S%#@ Hits the Fan: Communicating During a Crisis

A crisis can happen at almost any time. Just ask almost every company that has had to scramble to figure out how to deal with and communicate about COVID-19 in recent months. The key to keeping serious damage to a company's reputation at bay during a crisis is good communication. In this session, Paul Furiga, President and Chief Storyteller at WordWrite, will walk us through the basics of crisis communication and then lead a hands-on discussion of some recent crises that could have been handled more effectively through better public relations.

Week #2) Tuesday, July 14: Talk with a Professional: PR and Advertising Case Study

Benjamin Franklin said, "Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing." As marketing communicators, we need to know how to do both. In this PR Masterclass, Top Hat founder Ben Butler, APR talks about the development of Iron City Coffee — the latest Pittsburgh Brewing innovation as seen in the Tribune Review, WPXI, and Mayor Peduto's Twitter feed. Through this freshly brewed campaign, he will teach you how to research, ideate, and deploy disruptive ideas that will get the media and audiences writing about your company across channels.

Week #3) Tuesday, July 21: Stepping off the Soapbox: Persuading Effectively in a Digital Age

As technological innovation continues to see explosive growth, it is no surprise that getting others to not only hear our messages, but also listen to them has become increasingly more difficult. In this session, you'll learn why the art of persuasion is more important than ever before and why some messages can be more powerful than others. Using advertising campaigns as case studies, we'll discuss effective persuasive strategies and unpack how you can get your point across without having to stand on a soapbox.

Digital Content Sessions

Led by various Point Park Alumni and Industry Professionals
For students and adult beginners.

Wednesdays from 2:00pm - 3:00pm EST. Starts the week of June 24.

Week 1, Wed., June 24: YouTube Crash-Course led by PPU Alumnus, Chase Barron
Week 2, Wed., July 1: Graphic Design led by PPU Graduate Student, Stacey Federoff
Week 3, Wed., July 8: What Makes a Great Podcast led by Will Zavala
Week 4, Wed., July 15: Podcast Q&A led by Will Zavala with Keynote Speaker, Brian Cottington.
Week 5, Wed., July 22: How to Start a Podcast led by Will Zavala
Week 6, Wed., July 29: Photographic Essays led by Kate Plows

Student Journalism Workshops

Led by various Point Park Faculty, Alumni and Industry Professionals
For high school students.

Thursdays from 3:00pm - 4:00pm EST. Starts the week of June 25.

Week 1, June 25: Reporting and Interviewing led by CMI Director, Andrew Conte
Week 2, July 2: Opinion and Blog Writing led by PPU Alumnus, Matt Petras
Week 3, July 9: Narrative Writing led by Professor of Journalism, Helen Fallon
Week 4, July 16 : Law and Ethics led by Bernie Ankney
Week 5, July 23: Broadcasting led by Olga George
Week 6, July 30: Broadcast Writing and Reporting led by Olga George

Dance

International Summer Dance

Led by various Point Park Faculty.
Designed for Intermediate and Advanced dancers of all ages.

Monday - Friday, June 22 - July 31 (6 weeks total)
Two, 1-hour classes per day available in both EST and PST
Students do not have to individually choose which classes they will attend. Join us as your schedule allows!

Ballet and Modern classes will have an accompanist.

Summer Dance Workshop

Led by various Point Park Faculty and Point Park Alumni
Designed for beginner dancers of all ages.

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from July 20 - July 31 (2 weeks total)
Two, 1-hour classes per day available in EST

Mental Health

Mental Health (with a focus on dancers)

Led by Kirsten Kemp
Two, 1-hour sessions. 9:30am - 10:30am EST

Wednesday July 8
"How to Establish a Healthy Sense of Confidence"
For the Intermediate / Advanced Dancer

Wednesday, July 22
"How to Overcome Limiting Beliefs about Your Abilities"
For the Beginner Dancer

Music

Bucket Drumming

Led by Accompanist Gordon Nunn
For beginners. Limited to 20 students.

Equipment Needs:
- 5 Gallon Bucket
- Drumsticks (sized-5A or 5B wood tip from any music store)

Every Tuesday, June 23 - July 28 from 11:15am - 12:15pm EST

West African Djembe Drumming

Led by Conservatory Accompanist Gordon Nunn
For beginners. Limited to 20 students.

Every Wednesday, June 24 - July 29 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm EST

Creative Expression

Find joy in making music while experiencing a creative and social outlet for your talents! Students will use instruments, voices, and percussion to create their own original compositions. Practical application of music theory and compositional techniques from classical masterworks, blend as students create their pieces in small ensembles. Students will also explore the scores and stories behind the great composers and their music.

Led by Conservatory Accompanists Andrew Hook and Alex Marthaler
For students who are at a late beginner proficiency on a instrument. Ability to read music is preferred but not required. Limited to 20 students.

Equipment Needs:
- An instrument at home
- Two devices to listen and record simultaneously for virtual ensemble

Class meets twice weekly, for 6 weeks.
Tuesdays, June 23 - July 28 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST AND Fridays, June 26 - July 31 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm EST

Theatre

Audition Bootcamp

Led by various Point Park Alumni and Industry Professionals
For high school students and above.

Mondays from 11:00am - 12:00pm EST

Week 1) Mon., June 22: Monologues led by Paul Reynolds
Week 2) Mon., June 29: Making & Communicating Your Cut led by Thespina Christulides
Week 3) Mon., July 6: Audition Strategies led by PPU Alumna Eileen Grace
Week 4) Mon., July 13 : Professionalism in the Digital Age led by PPU Alumna, Missy Moreno
Week 5) Mon., July 20: Supplement your Artistry led by PPU Alumna, Missy Moreno
Week 6) Mon., July 27: Mock Auditions led by Paul, Thespina and Eileen
^ Details and instructors will be emailed prior.

Choreography Composition

Led by Director and Choreographer Gustavo Zajac
For students and adult beginners.

4-part series: Mondays from 2:30pm - 3:30pm EST (4 sessions total)

*Please note: class will be conversation based. Students can expect lecture, questions and videos. Neither dance or ample space is needed or invovled.

Week 1) Monday, July 6: First Steps: Music and Script
Week 2) Monday, July 13: Dance Sequence and Styles
Week 3) Monday, July 20: Choreographic Tools
Week 4) Monday, July 27: Special Focus: Musical Theatre

2020 Summer Reviews

Federica Baila, Argentina
International Summer Dance, 6/10/2020
“WHAT? OMG IM SCREAMING! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY, FOR BRINGING POINT PARK TO OUR HOMES. I'm thrilled to begin with the classes and to be part of this community. I'm really thankful for this gift”

Martin Garciarena, Argentina
Audition Bootcamp, 6/29/2020
“I wanted to congratulate all the team that is supporting this wonderful online program. It shows the dedication and professionalism in the classes. I'm telling everyone how good the quality and level of Point Park is. Besides, the kindness and cordiality of the whole team is remarkable.”

Ro Musach, Florida
Smartphone Filmmaking, 7/3/2020
“I am so happy to be enrolled in the program. The classes are amazing.”

Ilona Andrasfalvy (Parent of Kalman), Mexico
International Summer Dance, 7/3/2020
“Thank you for this amazing opportunity for my son. These weeks meant so much to him, and we are so grateful with all the teachers, the accompanists, and everybody who made this workshop come true. Thank you, with all my heart for giving my son the opportunity to learn. It has been more than a workshop, it has been a life changing experience, a milestone in a young dancer´s life.”

Monica Ritter, Pennsylvania
Mental Health for Dancers, 7/9/2020
“I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed yesterday's workshop on confidence for dancers with Kirsten. Every piece of content in that workshop was so valuable, not just for dancers in auditions, but in their job search and in life. “

Gianna Laurita, Pennsylvania
Screenwriting Fundamentals, 7/10/2020
"Thank you! I really enjoyed your class, your advice, and everything in between!"

Online Summer Webinars This summer season, don't distance yourself from learning! Join us for one of our many free virtual sessions. We can't wait to see what you create!