Students gear up for film camp

By Nathan Altadonna and Christian Price, News9.com

A metro mom and her crew of aspiring filmmakers are ready to tackle their latest project.

Michelle Mann is preparing to host her third annual summer film camp. Inspired by her daughter's curiosity, Mann and professional volunteers teach the students different aspects of film making including writing, acting, shooting and editing.

"Film camp started because my daughter had a real natural love for reading and writing," Mann said. "She came to me one day and said 'Hey, I'm going to write a screen play for ‘Pride and Prejudice.''"

After writing the screen play the family recruited their friends and some professional help to produce the film.

"This just kind of unfolded into a 30 minute short film on location," Mann said. "We just had help come out of the woodwork."

After a successful premier, Mann decided to host a second camp where students wrote and produced two scenes from classic novels.

Students said the camp has given them a new appreciation for film.

"I definitely recognize if there is good continuity or bad continuity because we really had to make sure we kept certain things in order," Kelly Chapman, 13, said.

This year, Mann said the camp will go beyond filmmaking.

"My goal this year was just to expose these students who are really interested and passionate - take them kinda the next step beyond acting in 17th century pieces with period costumes to what about broadcasting, what other uses for film are there, can I use this in television, commercials, churches, sermons?" Mann said. "Film is popping up everywhere."

The two week camp is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave.

The first week of the camp begins July 15.

Mann said a few spots are available for students who are interested in attending the second week only at a discounted rate of $45. For more information e-mail okcmetrofilmcamp@hotmail.com