Cinema Arts Pre-College Programs Provide Hands-On Experience to High School Students Friday, August 23, 2024
"Screenwriting Intensive was educational, and I gained so much knowledge about the field. I learned how to correctly format a script and what it's like to be in a writer's room and create a script with others with differing ideas. I enjoyed living on campus, especially eating in the dining hall and sleeping in a dorm."
More than 30 high school students explored the basic principles and practices of cinema production, the process, fundamentals and art of animation and the elements of storytelling at Film Intensive, 2D and 3D Animation Intensive and Screenwriting Intensive. The Pre-College Programs provide students the opportunity to delve into their passions, develop essential skills, experience an urban campus and set the stage for future success.
"I chose to attend Film Intensive because I am looking into attending Point Park University for their cinema production program and I like the city," said Boyd Nesta, a student from Methacton High School in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. "This was a great snapshot of how college would be if you went to Point Park, and I really enjoyed it."
The Cinema Arts Pre-College Programs were taught by faculty who brought their real-life professional work experience into the intensives they led, including:
- Associate Professor Kelly Donnellan, M.F.A., Film Intensive
- Associate Professor Jonathan Trueblood, M.F.A., 2D Animation Intensive
- Assistant Professor David Morrison, M.F.A., 3D Animation Intensive
- Part-Time Instructors Molly Rice, M.F.A., and Rusty Thelin, M.F.A., Screenwriting Intensive
"Students had the opportunity to work with professional-grade equipment and utilize state-of-the-art facilities at Point Park," said Donnellan. "They used cameras, tripods and sound equipment, as well as editing software in our computer labs. This hands-on experience was designed to give them a real-world understanding of the tools and techniques used in the industry."
"The two-week 2D Animation Intensive is definitely a challenge," said Trueblood. "The students are doing assignments that our freshman and sophomores do in a week's time, but at summer camp, they only get six hours. It's a crash course in animation but within a day the students are doing incredible work. You'd never even know that for many of them it's their first time ever animating. I hope they see just how hard and rewarding animation can be."
Added Morrison: "The 3D Animation Intensive was an absolute blast. We had an excellent group of students that exceeded my expectations and produced some really amazing work over the course of two weeks. The students all came away with a great portfolio of work they can use to apply to colleges. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing my knowledge with these young artists and helping them start their animation journey."
Other highlights of the programs included a visit to Carnegie Science Center to see The Science Behind Pixar exhibit and a fun day at Kennywood amusement park, among other opportunities to explore all that Downtown Pittsburgh has to offer.
In Their Own Words: Participant Feedback
Film Intensive
"I chose to attend Film Intensive to be in an environment filled with students who share my interest in film and to get hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment. The hands-on experience was by far the best part of the camp. Whether you are confident in your abilities or know very little about filmmaking, you will gain knowledge and experience at this camp. Kelly Donnellan is an experienced teacher with time in the industry, so you get some great insight into the process of movie making. — Braden Shoch, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
2D Animation Intensive
"2D Animation Intensive provided me hands-on experience to learn the fundamentals of animation and is helping me reach my dream of being a storyboard artist. I really enjoyed using industry-standard equipment, being on a college campus and eating in the dining hall." — Tegan Quillen, Pittsburgh CAPA in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
3D Animation Intensive
"I chose to attend 3D Animation Intensive because I had toured Point Park with my high school (Westinghouse Academy) and my dad suggested I try the program since I am interested in 3D animation. It was awesome getting to use industry-standard software. Professor Morrison gave us the freedom to create and answered our questions. This camp definitely prepared me for what I want to do in the future." — Keegan Lasswell, Westinghouse Academy in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Screenwriting Intensive
"Screenwriting Intensive was educational, and I gained so much knowledge about the field. I learned how to correctly format a script and what it's like to be in a writer's room and create a script with others with differing ideas. I enjoyed living on campus, especially eating in the dining hall and sleeping in a dorm. I got a good taste of the college experience in one short week." — Dean Cammarata, North Allegheny Senior High School in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
2025 Pre-College Program Offerings
Point Park's Office of Pre-College Programs is committed to shaping innovative educational experiences for youth and high school students in the areas of Summer Camps and Intensives and dual enrollment. Visit their webpage to learn more about 2025 program offerings as they are announced.