Fresh Films

So, for almost ten years, I was the sole screenwriter for a great program called Fresh Films.(In 2008, I became the head writer and an executive producer!) Every year, we take applications from teens all around the United States- teens with an interest in filmmaking. They don't have to have experience, they just have to have ambition, and a willingness to work hard, because teens who are chosen for Fresh Films will make a movie that summer!

We're up to nine cities now (in our first year, we only had two!) with 11-teen crews in each city. When teens apply, the send in an idea, and the Creative Director and I select our favorite ideas to eventually become the movie for that city's team movie. Until 2008, I wrote the screenplays exclusively, because the scripts have to be ready when the teens converge to shoot their film. Why?

Because our instructors aren't making the movie for the teens- they're teaching them how to make the movie. The production crew makes all the calls, and calls all the shots. They audition and hire the actors, they create the storyboard, and scout locations. They apply for film permits- they even arrange for their own catering and craft services! Props, make-up, locations, acting rehearsals- with instructor guidance, they arrange it all.

Between all of this, each crew member is sitting down and learning how to use our professional filmmaking equipment. They learn how to hold the boom, they learn how to work the sound box. They get acquainted with the Steadi-Cam harness, and the intricacies of our High DV cameras.

Then, on shoot day, they have about 14 hours to shoot their entire film. That's right, one day. Then they grab a couple of hours of sleep, and start importing footage and labelling it in anticipation of editing. By hand, our crews edit their films together until they have a full rough cut with music in place.

Sometimes, if they're really on the ball, they create the title sequences themselves, though sometimes we have to finish that back at the production office. And it's not surprising because all of this, from the very first audition, to the very last cut, happens in just seven days.

Seriously, one week. And these teen crews work hard; they make great movies- HALF of all Fresh Films shorts go on to compete in juried national and international film festivals. TEN out of the first fifty became eligible for Academy Award consideration after being accepted into prestigious film festivals like The Rhode Island International Film Festival, the Chicago Children's International Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Internation Short Film Festival.

If that weren't enough, in 2007 we added a jury of industry professionals to give our teen crews solid critique and commentary on their work. That inaugural jury included acclaimed actor and director, John Lithgow, director of AFI Fest, Christian Gaines, director Katherine Brooks, film critic Chris Gore, and Napoleon Dynamite producer Jeremy Coon. The jury will change from year to year, but we're excited that our crews will always get direct feedback for their work.

In 2008, we started the Fresh Films Emerging Screenwriters program- from here on out, Fresh Films will be teen-created and produced entirely. We invited young screenwriters to submit their best, and selected 9 fantastic emerging talents. These young writers have enjoyed (or suffered!) screenwriting instruction and revision with me as their head writer.

So that's Fresh Films. I think it's pretty awesome, and if you do (or if you know somebody who would,) check out the website at www.fresh-films.com. Anyone 14 to 19 is eligible, no experience necessary and most importantly, this program costs nothing. Teens provide their time and their talent- so if you're willing to work, and you want to make a movie this summer, think about Fresh Films.

We'd love to have you!