Lights, Camera, Action: A Filmmaker’s Camp Experience
2 MIN. READ
“Filmmaking is the art of turning your vision into reality, where every challenge is an opportunity to refine and elevate the craft.” – Jonny Barradas-Zarate, sophomore majoring in cinema and media arts
Each summer a group of high school students interested in film production come together to learn new skills and collaborate on short film projects. Individual campers find a group of people, who like them, are interested in screenwriting, camera operation, editing, lighting, sound recording and mixing, distribution, and more. It all takes place at Anderson University’s Filmmakers Camp.
Students arrive interested in film and in one week leave with a broader understanding and confidence of the production process. “Filmmakers Camp was my first real look at filmmaking and the production process,” Cohen Miller, a senior at Southern Wells High School explains, “I went into camp knowing I wanted to pursue filmmaking, but having no idea what specifically. Camp showed me my passion for cinematography and lighting which I didn’t even know I had.”
Filmmakers Camp also helps bring like-minded individuals together who share a passion for film. Miller adds, “Getting to meet new people who had the same interests as me, getting to meet the staff at Anderson’s film department, and the overall environment and passion people had for teaching, learning, and filmmaking as a whole was an amazing experience.”
Filmmakers Camp is a week-long camp for high school students ages 14-18 who are eager to get behind a camera, learn lighting, edit short films, and work alongside others who want to do the same. It is an innovative introduction to the profession of filmmaking designed to provide practical skills and experiences such as soundstage, editing with Adobe Premiere Pro, camera and audio tech, and so much more. All classes are taught by experienced AU faculty Jack Lugar and Kris Rinas who have award-winning projects of their own.
Reuben Crisler, a senior at Triton Central High School explains, “I learned new film techniques. Jack and Kris showed me a new form of film that I never have seen before and it was really cool to learn from them as well. The benefits of the camp are new exposure to film and the friendships that made the experience very fun.”
“The faculty were incredibly supportive, offering both technical knowledge and career advice,” Jonny Barradas-Zarate, a sophomore cinema and media arts major at AU says. “They emphasized the importance of creating a portfolio and gaining experience by simply getting out there and making something. Their encouragement to embrace mistakes and learn from them stuck with me.”
Both Lugar and Rinas are professors of cinema and media arts at Anderson University with extensive backgrounds in the film industry. Lugar worked for more than a decade in Los Angeles as a television writer and producer before coming to AU. His writing credits include the Warner Bros./FOX sitcom “Wanda At Large,” “From the Top” for Family Theater Productions, and several projects for comedian Louie Anderson’s company, Louzell Productions. He teaches on the topics of screenwriting, TV writing, storytelling, cinema studies, and producing for film and television.
Rinas has extensive experience producing large-scale live events such as the USA Gymnastics and US Olympic Trials, with experience in technical directing, training, and managing audio, video, and lighting systems.
Students discover what parts of the filmmaking process resonate best with them and are ready to attend Anderson University to learn more. “In the cinema and media arts department, I found a passion for editing. Being able to choose shots, add effects, and create a polished final product was both technical and creative. The entire experience helped me grow as a filmmaker and gave me a new sense of confidence in my abilities,” Barradas-Zarate says.
Carson Brookbank, a sophomore in cinema and media arts, also decided to attend AU because of Filmmakers Camp, “I learned basic techniques for how to light a scene, how to write a script, and how to edit a production. Jack and Kris are two of the best teachers I’ve ever had and they always make themselves available. I didn’t have much knowledge in this department before the camp and I felt like it prepared me and made me more excited for college to learn more.”
For many students, this is their first experience with filmmaking. It opens their eyes to the profession in both challenging and rewarding ways. “The highlight of the camp was learning to use a real camera. While I had basic experience with my iPhone, handling professional gear was a whole new challenge,” Barradas-Zarate explains. “The studio setup was impressive, and it was surreal to know that the creators of “Hoodwinked” had once worked there and went there for school. The gear-like Sony cameras, lenses, and tripods — was initially intimidating, but with hands-on practice and resources like edit suites and green screens, I was able to learn quickly.”
A hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment and knowledgeable instructors set AU Filmmakers Camp apart. Beyond that, it offers a way for students to connect with others who are also interested in the film industry. Barradas-Zarate says, “Film camp was an unforgettable experience. It helped me develop new skills, connect with others, and gain a deeper understanding of filmmaking. The advice I received to keep creating, experimenting, and learning will stay with me as I continue to pursue my passion for film.”
Are you a high school student aged 14-18 eager to get behind a camera, set up lighting, and edit short films with others who want to do the same? Then Filmmakers Camp is for you. Sign up now and join AU June 2-7, 2025 at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana.
Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.