Film Production Summer at Making Light!

Making Light Productions Film Camps invite young storytellers to step behind the camera and bring bold ideas to life on screen. Campers explore the fundamentals of filmmaking—including acting for camera, directing, storytelling, shot composition, and collaboration—while working together to create an original short film inspired by each session’s theme.

Campers may be divided into smaller production teams to focus on different scenes, roles, or creative elements, allowing everyone to contribute in meaningful ways both on screen and behind the scenes. Content is always age-appropriate, and any horror or suspense elements are thoughtfully adjusted to match the comfort level and maturity of each group.

Each Film Camp culminates in a premiere screening for friends and family. Films are presented as polished, fully realized projects and celebrated in a supportive, professional environment.

No prior film experience is required—just creativity, curiosity, and a love of storytelling!

SESSION 1 | June 1–12 | Mornings 8:45-12:30Classic Gothic Horror (1930s–40s)

Step into the shadows and explore the origins of cinematic and theatrical horror in this two-week camp inspired by classic gothic monsters and timeless storytelling. Campers will study atmosphere, character, and dramatic tension while bringing iconic villains and tragic heroes to life through film and musical theatre.

MONSTERS OF THE SILVER SCREEN draws inspiration from Dracula, Frankenstein, and Creature from the Black Lagoon, Young Frankenstein, The Addams Family, Jekyll & Hyde, Sweeney Todd, and The Phantom of the Opera.

SESSION 2 | June 15–19 | Full Day 8:45-5:30Retro Sci-Fi Horror (1950s–60s)

⚠️ MLP’s ONLY FULL DAY session of the summer! ⚠️

This session dives into retro science fiction horror—where experiments go wrong, aliens invade, and identities are transformed. Inspired by mid-century sci-fi and campy classics, campers will explore bold storytelling, imaginative worlds, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

ATOMIC AFTERMATH will pull from Little Shop of Horrors, The Fly, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Return to the Forbidden Planet, Bat Boy, Starmites, War of the Worlds, and more.

SESSION 3 | July 6–17 | Mornings 8:45-12:30Comedy & Meta Horror (1980s–90s)

This lighter, laugh-forward session explores horror through parody, self-awareness, and comedy. Campers will break the fourth wall, learn classic horror “rules,” and discover how exaggeration and humor can turn fear into fun.

SCREAM TEST will be inspired by Beetlejuice, Scooby-Doo, Gremlins, Goosebumps, Scream, Buffy, Evil Dead, Zombie Prom, Urinetown, and more.

SESSION 4 | July 20–31 | Mornings 8:45-12:30Dystopian & Information Age (2000s)

Our final session of the summer looks toward the future, exploring dystopian worlds shaped by technology, media, and societal control. Campers will investigate themes of identity, rebellion, fame, and hope while creating powerful film and musical theatre pieces.

DELETE BEFORE MIDNIGHT draws inspiration from Be More Chill, Hadestown, Ride the Cyclone, The Hunger Games (parody), The Matrix, Wall-E, The Maze Runner, Divergent, A Wrinkle in Time, and video game storytelling like Hello Neighbor and Piggy.

STEP UP FOR STUDENTS – Making Light Productions is a Direct ProviderIf you would like to use your funds from the Florida Empowerment Scholarship – Unique Abilities (FES-UA) or Personalized Education Program Scholarship (PEP) please skip the registration steps and fill out this form. For more information about using these scholarships at MLP go to our web page: click here.

If your student is over age 18 and wants to attend this camp, please email us at info@makinglightproductions.org and we will be happy to help you.