Summer Art Camps 2013
Please visit our Art Camps page for a complete list of camps.

Summer 2013

Stop Motion Studio
Grades 9-12
June 17-21, 9am-3:30pm
Learn how to animate like the pros in this exciting new camp. Students will begin the week by designing their very own stop-motion puppet complete with armatures. They will then collaborate to write, storybard, and film an original stop motion animation using their creations.  Sign Up

Photography*
Grades 9-12
June 24-28, 9am-4pm
July 15-19, 9am-4pm
Learn the essential techniques of photography from exposure and composition, to processing and printing in a darkroom. Students will explore local neighborhoods in search of excellent photographs, as well as work with lights in a studio setting. Bring your own 35mm camera or use one of ours. All materials, including 35mm black-and-white film and photo paper, are provided.Sign Up (June 24-28)   Sign Up (June 15-19)
*This camp is held at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, 477 Melwood Avenue, 15213

Android App Fundamentals
Grades 9-12
July 1-3, 9am-3:30pm
You can make an app for that! This camp is an introduction to creating apps in the Android environment. Campers will create their own app while gaining a fundamental understanding of Java, Linux, and the ARM CPU Architecture – three components that provide the backbone to the Android operating system. Students should bring their Android devices (phone or tablet) to camp.  Sign Up

Hand-Drawn Animation
Grades 9-12
July 8-12, 9am-3:30pm
Anyone who enjoys drawing will be able to bring their artwork to life in this camp emphasizing traditional cartooning techniques. Examples from Disney to anime will be examined to reveal the magic of stop-motion. Each student will create their own custom “flip-book” and a variety of short animations.  Sign Up

Filmmaking Immersion*
Grades 10-12
July 8-12, 9am-4pm
Designed for High School students with a serious interest in filmmaking, this immersive camp offers hands-on experience working with the latest digital technology. Taught by instructors of Pittsburgh Filmmakers’ School of Film, Photography and Digital Media, it covers essential concepts and technical skills, while students have a blast collaborating to create short digital films. All participants receive a copy of the textbook, Shot By Shot: A Practical Guide to Filmmaking.  Sign Up
*This camp is held at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, 477 Melwood Avenue, 15213

Creature Design & Mask Making
Grades 9-12
July 15-19, 9am-3:30pm
As birthplace to George Romero’s classic horror films and to special effects make-up master, Tom Savini, Pittsburgh is the perfect city to nurture an interest in monster making. Learn how to develop movie-worthy artwork in this introduction to creature design and mask making. Take a character from concept to completion as you transition from anatomical sketches to maquette building and basic mold making. Use professional materials such as latex and airbrush paint to create a realistic half-mask representing your devised creature.  Sign Up

The Digital Forest of Miyazaki
Grades 9-12
July 15-19, 9am-3:30pm
Animator Hayao Miyazaki’s memorable character-driven films like My Neighbor Tortoro, Spirited Away, and Ponyo captivate audiences with their wit and imagination. In this camp, students will learn how to develop new and imaginative Miyazaki-inspired characters and take them into the digital realm using Wacom Digital Illustration tablets and Adobe software.  Sign Up

Programming
Grades 9-12
July 22-26, 9am-12pm
Learn basic programming skills as you manipulate video and music using Python programming language. End the week by creating a sidescroller video game that you can play at home and share with friends.  Sign Up

AfterEffects
Grades 9-12
July 22-26, 12:30-3pm
Shoot a short video in class and manipulate moving images using powerful Adobe AfterEffects software. Learn how to duplicate images, chroma key in unique backgrounds, and apply special effects.  Sign Up

On Screen: Directing & Acting for the Camera*
Grades 9-12
July 22-26, 9am-4pm
At the heart of narrative movies is a crucial connection between actors and directors. In this camp students begin the week reading scripts and developing believable characters. Then they'll move behind the camera to learn how best to communicate with actors and how to properly block scenes. Working together, students will then use their new skills – both behind and in front of the camera – to film short scenes.  Sign Up
*This camp is held at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, 477 Melwood Avenue, 15213

Digital Photography
Grades 9-12
Aug 5-9, 9am-3:30pm
Learn to harness the many functions of digital still cameras. Digital and traditional photography will be compared and in-camp projects will provide an opportunity to improve aesthetic and technical skills through guided practice and critical analysis. Bring your own camera to class or borrow one of ours.  Sign Up

Experimental Photography
Grades 10-12
Aug 12-16, 9am-3:30pm
We see people snapping pictures everywhere we go, recording their lives. But perhaps you are more interested in using photography as a form of artistic expression. In this camp, you'll explore a variety of unusual photographic techniques including painting with light, hand coloring, collage, and distinctive blue cyanotypes. You'll discover new possibilities with non-traditional image capturing, such as pinhole photography and camera obscura, as well as ultra-modern digital manipulation through Photoshop.  Sign Up

Handmade Filmmaking
Grades 9-12
Aug 19-23, 9am-3:30pm
Here’s a chance to take a D.I.Y. (do it yourself) approach to this century-old medium. Working collaboratively, you will learn to shoot, hand-process and digitally edit black and white film to achieve the exceptional look of celluloid. Hand painting, scratch films and other non-camera techniques will also be explored in this unique filmmaking camp.  Sign Up