So the kiddos have film fever? Maybe they want to learn how to make a killer YouTube video or commercial? Or perhaps they dream of Hollywood lights and fame and fortune, whether for their work in front of or behind the camera. There are plenty of options that will grow their skills and interest in this exciting field.
Ryerson Summer Day Camps
Ryerson, in collaboration with The Director’s Cut, has four great film camps on offer this summer: LEGO Animation, Claymation, Music Video and Blockbuster Film. Great techniques are taught and creativity is fostered in each option.
Location: 379 Victoria St., TorontoAges: 6–9 for LEGO Animation, 10–13 for all other camps
Cost: From $380
Harbourfront Centre Camps
It’s all about the vlog in this two-week session (Aug 12-23). The focus is on the fun and safety of a vlog. Campers will learn about creating content and branding through social media channels in a supportive and creative environment.
Location: 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto,Ages: 10–15
Cost: $575
Appleby College
Welcome to Adventures in Filmmaking! This camp is a great introduction to the study of making great movies and terrific T.V. Campers do it all – screenwriting, location scouting, on-screen acting, and audition training. It all culminates in a movie premiere showing off their hard work to family and friends.
Location: 540 Lakeshore Rd W, OakvilleAges: 10–14
Cost: $410
Toronto International Film Festival Camps
TIFF Camps? We want to go, too. This is a four-week intensive for teens that will develop their skills in screenwriting, directing, shooting, production design, editing, and performance. There are also weeklong intensives in acting, editing and screenwriting.
Location: 350 King St. W., TorontoAges: 14–17
Cost: 1-week session $475, 4-week session $1150
Digital Media Academy
Summer campers get to hang out at the downtown U of T campus and hone their Hollywood skills. They’ll be over the moon shooting and editing movies while mastering filmmaking and special effects techniques. Unique offerings at U of T camps: lunch plans, overnight housing, weekend stay (for an additional cost).
Location: University of Toronto St. George Campus, 27 King’s College Circle, TorontoAges: 9–12
Cost: $1195
UCC Film Camp
Here’s a two-week immersive experience in film-making that takes campers through the process of making their very own short film. The first week covers the basics while in the second week, campers get down to the business of making the short film.
Location: 200 Lonsdale Rd., TorontoAges: 12–16
Cost: $850 for a 2-week session
Toronto Academy of Acting
The ShowBiz Kidz acting camp is a fun and intensive offering that covers one level of acting training in one week. It includes a professional mini photo shoot. Half- and full-day options are available.
Location: 219 Dufferin St., TorontoAges: 8–13
Cost: From $495
Living Arts Centre
Calling all wannabe screenwriters, directors, and cinematographers! This two-week camp session will instruct about the foundations of filmmaking, including script development, storyboards, lighting and sound. Campers will use the knowledge to produce a short film to screen to friends and family on the last day of the program.
Location: 4141 Living Arts Dr., MississaugaAges: 11–14
Cost: $475–$495 for 2-week session
GTA Photography
New offering – a Video Production summer day camp focusing on storytelling via video with plenty of hands-on activities. Campers will collaborate to create exciting video montages using innovative iPad applications. Slow motion video, reverse video and time-lapse techniques are covered.
Location: 25 Toronto St. Suite 200, TorontoAges: 8–12
Cost: $549
