Student Filmmaker Program

Mission Statement

Our primary goal was to provide an alternate extra curricular activity and learning workshop that students would use to discover and fulfill their passion or hidden talent for media production.

Objective

We wanted to create a workshop that focused on teaching the essentials of video production and editing to incite students with the artistic power of filmmaking.  By dispersing this knowledge among the youth, they were provided with an opportunity to explore their creative energy in an artistic medium that is not commonly offered in public schools.

Students learned how to produce a film from idea and concept development all the way through to marketing it into film festivals, primarily the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival.  The class met once a week to discuss the basics of pre-production phases, equipment use and production efficacy, and post-production program skills.

This years Student Filmmaking Program produced three very distinct student films that will be eligible for submission into the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival.

The film “Weatherford” is a chilling and suspenseful ghost  story. Shot at the historical Weatherford Hotel, students learned about location contracts and shooting on-location.

The band documentary “A Day With The Limit Club” is just that.  Two student filmmakers booked the band from phoenix to play an all ages show at The Joint.. They marketed the event, interviewed the band and created a very kitschy and stylistically raw type of gothabilly rock documentary.

Last but not least is the quintessential local Flagstaff film “What Happens in Flagstaff.” We created this film from an idea the students had about four high school friends splitting up after high school, reuniting, and going on a road trip a year later. On their way to Vegas, their car breaks down in Flagstaff.

The locations for this shoot were extensive. We shot at The Brewing Company, in Sedona, a backcountry auto garage, on the road between Flagstaff and Sedona and numerous other local places.  Catering was donated by NiMarcos and Alpine Pizza. Wardrobe was donated by Miranda at Rainbow’s End and makeup/hair was graciously donated by salon artists from the Organic Beauty Lounge.

The music in the film was all created by local artists from Whiskey Rodeo to Muskellunge Bluegrass, as well as The Vacant Lanes and Moonlight Howlers from Williams, AZ.

This film was shot from a script, actors were cast, shot lists were created, locations were scouted and contracts were signed…you get the motion-picture.

Northern Arizona supported the student productions in a variety of ways, we are grateful for the generosity and community support and can’t wait to share the film with everyone that took part.

Here is what one parent had to say:

This program was fantastic! Many excellent teachers from the community shared their expertise, making the program informative and educational. The Student Filmmaking Program definitely fills a need in Flagstaff. I think that many students would benefit greatly from this program.

How to Get Involved/More Information/Contact Us

Interested participants, currently in 9th-12th grade,  may download the student application form and submit it to us via email (see below).   Application forms will also be available during the Student Session of the Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival.  Teacher/Volunteer/Filmmakers may fill out the teacher application form and send it to Denise M. Stilley who will contact you for a subsequent meeting.

** Please note, space is limited.

For further information, contact the Program Director, Denise M. Stilley.

denise@flagstaffmountainfilms.com

(928) 853-7057

DOWNLOAD: Student Application Form

DOWNLOAD: Teacher Application Form

Completed applications can be dropped off at the Student Filmmaker Program table at the film festival or mailed to:

FMFF Student Filmmaker Program
attn: Denise Stilley
5400 N. Vansickle Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ. 86001