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Sunday, June 14 - Friday, June 26, 2026 | Residential & Commuter Options

 

This course is an introduction to the basic principles and practices of cinema production. Students will learn the fundamentals of single-camera production, exploring the aesthetic and technical aspects of producing, directing, editing, and cinematography. Lectures, screenings, and in-class exercises will give students the foundation they need to write, produce, and edit their own short films. In addition, each student will serve in key crew positions on several of their classmates’ projects.

Daily classes, workshops, and labs introduce students to the essential skills of writing, directing, cinematography, and editing using HD digital video cameras and Adobe Premiere CC editing software. As a core project, each student will write a two-page script for a two-person scene at a single location. They will then take this project through the complete filmmaking process—pre-production, production, and post-production—culminating in a polished two-minute short film. The course concludes with a premiere screening, where students can showcase their work and invite friends and family to celebrate their achievement.

Read about our 2024 Cinema Summer Intensives here!

 

To participate in this exciting program, students must be entering grades 9-12 as of Fall 2026 and/or be a 2026 high school graduate.  No prior experience is necessary in order to participate.  Students must be available over the weekend (Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21). 

This program is open to the first 16 students who complete the registration and pay their deposit. 

Please note: Class content may contain clips from R-Rated films.

Important Dates:

Residential and Commuter Check-In: Sunday, June 14 from 1 pm - 4 pm

4 pm: Student Orientation
6 pm: Dinner
7 pm: Meet & Greet

Program Start Date: Monday, June 15
Program End Date: Friday, June 26

Short Film Showcase: Friday, June 26 @ 6 pm in the GRW Theatre located in the University Center

Residential Move-Out: Friday, June 26 (evening) or Saturday, June 27 (morning)

 

Class Outlook:

Most classes will be held from 10 am - 4:30 pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. Each day will consist of lectures and hands-on assignments. *Please note the days with a different timeline.

Please note that this schedule is a sample and is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the instructor. The full two-week schedule will be provided prior to the start of the program. 

Sunday, June 14 Activity
1:00 - 3:00 pm Resident and Commuter Check-In
4:00 - 5:00 pm Student Orientation
5:00 - 6:00 pm

Dinner

7:00 - 8:00 pm Pre-College Staff Meet & Greet

 

Monday, June 15 Activity
10:00 - 10:30 am Introductory Session
10:00 - 11:30 am Lecture:
The Visual Language, Essentials of Storytelling & the Aesthetics of Film 
11:30 am - 12:00 pm Activity: Scene Breaker
12:00 - 12:30 pm Workshop: 
Scene Breakdown - Pair & Share
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 3:00 pm Lecture: Intro to Directing, Continuity, Coverage, & 180-Degree Rule
3:00 - 4:00 pm Lecture: Writing Screenplay
4:00 - 4:30 pm 90 Second Short Film with 2 Characters at 1 Location
Homework Write Treatment for 90 Second Film with 2 Characters at 1 Location

 

Tuesday, June 16 Activity
10:00 - 11:00 am Arrival Workshop: Pitch Treament/Make Groups for Weekend Production
11:00 - 11:30 am Set Etiquette & On Set Procedures
11:30 am - 12:30 pm Lecture: Cinematography, Lenses & Exposure
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4:00 pm Activity: Camera 101 Exercise
4:00 - 4:30 pm Workshop: Transfer Footage to External Hard Drives
Homework Create shot list from screenplay

 

Wednesday, June 17 Activity
10:00 - 11:00 am Review Footage from Camera 101 Exercise
11:00 - 11:30 am

Workshop: Troubleshoot Potential Production Problems

11:30 am - 12:30 pm Create Production Schedule From Shot List
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 4:30 pm Field Trip (The Science of Pixar - Carnegie Science Center)

 

Thursday, June 18 Activity
10:00 am - 12:00 pm Camera 102 Exercise 
12:00 - 12:30 pm Workshop: Transfer Footage from Camera 102 Exercise
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
1:30 - 2:30 pm Screening: Review Footage from Camera 102 Exercise
2:30 - 3:30 pm Activity: Finalize Scripts, Shot Lists, Schedule, Storyboards, Locations
3:30 - 4:30 pm Activity: Review Pre-Pro Paperwork, Script, Visual Plan

 

Friday, June 19 Activity
Morning Group A Shoot
12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
Afternoon Group B Shoot

 

Saturday, June 20 Activity
Morning Group C Shoot

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Lunch
Afternoon Group D Shoot

Family and friends are invited to the final screening of student films on Friday, June 26, 2026! More information to come.

 

The program will conclude with a showcase of student projects on the evening of Friday, July 16.

 

The program will conclude with a showcase of student projects on the evening of Friday, July 16. 

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Kelly Donnellan, MFA
Associate Professor of Cinema Production

Kelly Donnellan is an award-winning editor and director. She has edited two feature documentaries and more than 50 short films, including the Student Academy Award-winning documentary Dying Green in 2012, which received a silver medal.

Donnellan’s editorial work can be seen on several short documentaries for the Favorite Poem Project Chicago, sponsored by the National Poetry Foundation. She edited the award-winning short documentary I Throw Rocks! and her directorial effort, I is Another, earned her recognition as the "Best Female Director-Woman to Watch” from the Underexposed Film Festival in 2013.

She collaborated with information artist Laura Foxman on THE LISTENING ARCHIVE, which was installed from February-April 2018 at Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) in the Mike Kelley Mobile Homestead.

Payment Information:

All payments are due before the start of the program.

Registration and payments will be handled through our easy, user-friendly online registration platform, CampDocVisa, Mastercard, Discover and Electronic Checks are accepted. Payment plans are available. Students receive a t-shirt, swag bag, and ID holder with their registration. 

Non-Refundable Deposit: 
A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 is required to reserve your space in the program. Please review our FAQs for the most up-to-date information on cancellations and refunds.

Dorm and Meal Plan Information:
When applicable, residential students receive 3 meals on weekdays and 2 meals on weekends. Commuters receive a daily lunch buffet. All meals take place in our Lawrence Hall Dining Room.

lncurred Costs
BREAKDOWN COST
Deposit $200
Tuition $1,400
Total Commuter $1,600.00
Add-On: Dorm & Meals $1,500
Total Resident $3,100.00


Available Discounts:
1. A 30% tuition discount is currently offered to Point Park University employees, alumni, and their immediate family members. Family is defined as yourself, your spouse, and/or your children. Room and board costs are not available for this discount.

Welcome to our campus!

All classes will be held on campus at Point Park University. Cinema classes take place in the University Center. 

Address: 
Point Park University
201 Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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Production Equipment:

Students use state-of-the-art equipment to produce their films. This includes:
• Panasonic DVX200 4k camera package
• Various professional audio recording and rigging equipment including boom poles, mike clamps, wind filters, and more.
• All students will receive a portable hard drive. 

 

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iMac Editing Suites:

Students will have unlimited access to computers equipped with the Adobe Creative Suites (including Premiere, After Effects, Lightroom, etc.)

 

GRW Screening Theater

Main Screening Theater

GRW Theater (located in Point Park’s University Center, view campus map
Seats 215 people
High-definition projection
• Dolby 5.1 surround sound

Videos examples will be up soon.

The option to live on campus during this program is available to students at least 14 years old.

We will do our best to fulfill roommate requests, but requests are NOT guaranteed. Students will have the opportunity to enter requests during the registration process. 

Each residence hall has multiple points of secure access to student living areas, such as keycards, access codes, and lock and key. 

Adult resident assistants (RAs) live on campus to supervise students who are minors. Each RA is responsible for eight to ten minors. 

 

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Camp Hollywood Red Carpet Moment
Pictured above are students who participated in our 2019 Camp Hollywood Program. These students presented their 3-minute short films to an audience full of family and friends. 

As an undergraduate, graduate or international student at Point Park, you'll have access to opportunities only a world-class city can offer — and few universities can match — for a real-world, career-oriented education. Consider a B.F.A. in Cinema Production.

Community and Summer Education Contact Information
Point Park University Pre-College Programs Logo
Email summercamps@pointpark.edu
Call 412-392-3456
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