Cape High students explore filmmaking futures

A handful of Cape Henlopen High School AVID students got a behind-the-scenes professional experience last week with a free summer film camp.

Professional filmmakers with Short Wars Inc., a Delaware-based nonprofit that supports screenwriting and production competitions, hosted its first free week-long film camp at Cape High June 15 through June 19. The seven participating students were challenged to produce a public service announcement video in the five-day-long camp.

From learning firsthand screenwriting skills to blocking, the film camp is a hands-on way for the selected students to learn new skills that cater to their creative sides.

“It's not a whole lot of teaching. We're touching on things,” said Short Wars founder Sean Gardner. Gardner said on the first day of the camp that the students were already in control of their project, developing an inclusion theme for their short video.

For soon-to-be senior Marnae Duffy of Rehoboth Beach, the film camp offered a new experience, even if video production may be a longshot from her plan to become a family lawyer.

“My career just might change,” she said. Duffy said no matter what career path she chooses, the film camp provided valuable lessons and tips on enhancing communication skills, which is needed no matter what field she ends up in.

“Communication is always the best resource,” she said.

Students who excelled at the camp and found a new interest in filmmaking will have the opportunity to participate as interns and assistants this summer when Short Wars returns to Sussex County for a filmmaking competition in Milton.

Gardner said he hopes to expand the AVID summer film camp, and also said he is working on a way to pay students who are eligible to help with the annual contest.

“The goal is to have all three counties represented and maybe do a competition among them in 2016,” Gardner said.

Whether the students participate in the August contest or not, AVID Coordinator Robin Savage said the camp can give students skills needed in higher education and make them more eligible for AVID-based scholarships.

“We give them the tools they need, whenever they're ready to go [to college or start a career],” she said.

“This can open their eyes to other aspects of life and preparedness than just the academic and professional.”

For more information about Short Wars, go to www.shortwars.org.