The Library will be closed on Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29, 2024, in observance of Thanksgiving.

Teen Summer Festival Fun: Making Movie Magic From Home!

Danica Sheridan, Young Adult Librarian, Silver Lake Branch Library,
Teen Film Festival header with last year's winners
Some of last year's participants in the inaugural Teen Film Festival

Do you love movies?

Do you reeaaalllly love movies?

Well then, festivals are a great way to get to know people who care about what you care about. Festivals give you a creative opportunity to buddy up with like minded filmmakers, learn about what else is out there, and get feedback from industry experts. Plus…prizes!

Festivals can motivate and inspire you—they allow you to experience new & fascinating moments. This is true for fans of film as well. We watch movies all year long, and this is the one time we can ask questions directly of the filmmakers. This year, at the Teens of LA Film Fest 2020, you will get the chance to vote for your favorite for the new Audience Award!

The 2nd Annual Teens of LA Film Fest will be held virtually this year. Whether you’re a new filmmaker or practically professional, the e-media & streaming content we have are sure to spark creativity and lend you the expertise to craft and express your story, your way, in film.

Starting May 18, films will be accepted in the following categories:

  • Book Trailer
  • Public Service Announcement (PSA)
  • Experimental
  • Short Film
  • Documentary
  • Oral History

For more information please visit our film festival page. And to learn more about the history of film festivals by dipping into the article “Festivals” from the Schirmer Encyclopedia of Film.
To get you started, below is a list of some of the rad resources offered through the library online.


Storytelling is Key

Before you can make a great movie, you must have a great story to tell.

Book cover for An Introduction to Storytelling
An Introduction to Storytelling
Christine Willison

Book cover for So You Want To Write A Screenplay
So You Want To Write A Screenplay
Taylor Gaines


How-to Guides

I’m sure a few of you are asking...what even goes into filming a short movie? What about production, lighting, editing?
Watch these (32!) excellent videos ranging from the directing process to make-up application.

Book cover for Film Studies
Film Studies
Film Studies


Discover through Oral History

Social distancing means filming whomever or whatever is available at home. When’s the last time you asked your grandparents, or even your parents, about their lives? Have they lived through anything like what the world is experiencing now? Interview them for the film festival!

Book cover for The Oral History Workshop
The Oral History Workshop
Cynthia Hart, Lisa Samson

Book cover for Oral History
Oral History
James Hoopes


Stop-Motion Animation

Just because you can’t meet up with your friends to film your movie, doesn’t mean you can’t have a movie. Have you ever considered stop-motion? Last year, one of our film fest winners filmed a story with origami.

Book cover for Filming Stop-Motion Animation
Filming Stop-Motion Animation
Zoe Saldana

Book cover for Japanese Paper Crafting
Japanese Paper Crafting
Michael G. LaFosse


 

 

 

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