PDF Version and Application

Today there is no denying that narrative films are not only ‘art’—not often good art, to be sure, but this applies to other media as well—but also, besides architecture, cartooning, and ‘commercial design,’ the only visual art entirely alive. The ‘movies’ have reestablished that dynamic contact between art production and art consumption which, for reasons too complex to be considered here, is sorely attenuated, if not entirely interrupted, in many other fields of artistic endeavor. Whether we like it or not, it is the movies that mold, more than any other single force, the opinions, the taste, the language, the dress, the behavior, and even the physical appearance of a public comprising more than 60 percent of the population of the earth. If all the serious lyrical poets, composers, painters, and sculptors were forced by law to stop their activities, a rather small fraction of the general public would become aware of the fact and a still smaller fraction would seriously regret it. If the same thing were to happen with the movies the social consequences would be catastrophic.

Erwin Panofsky
Style and Medium in the Motion Pictures, 1947

Moving Pictures can’t promise you a Hollywood ending, but it can help get you ready for your close-ups, tracking shots, story conferences, sound mixes, and final wraps. You’ll acquire an understanding of lighting, cinematography, production design, continuity, dramatic structure, location scouting, editing and a host of other concepts and skills essential to filmmaking. Before the credits roll on your very own class productions, you’ll be conversant with deep focus, montage, cinéma vérité, auteurs, neorealism, mcguffins, and even grips and gaffers.

In addition to classroom instruction adapted from the UH introductory film curriculum, you’ll collaborate with other students in scripting, acting, filming and editing short narrative “features,” using video and digital technology. You’ll also become a more knowledgeable moviegoer—each day concludes with the screening of a narrative or documentary film of special interest, introduced and discussed by members of the UH and Rice faculties or MFAH staff. All student productions are shown “out of competition” for an audience of parents and friends on the final afternoon of the workshop.

The workshop presupposes no prior background in filmmaking—just an active interest. Even so, the instruction and projects are sufficiently challenging to engage students who may already have some experience in filmmaking.

This 5-week program of learning by doing is open to students from the Houston metropolitan area who will be entering the 10th, 11th, 12th grades or college. To apply, complete the student section of the PDF form and give it to a teacher who knows you well or a counselor to fill out the recommendation section. Your teacher/counselor should mail the completed form along with an official transcript directly to:

Moving Pictures
Wonderworks
PO Box 667550
Houston, TX 77266-7550
Fax: 713.523.6145

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 3 May; early applications are encouraged. All applicants will be notified by 28 May; early applicants will be notified sooner.
If you have any questions or need additional information, call 713.301.4882 or email info@wonderworkshouston.org.

This program is sponsored in part by Houston Endowment Inc. and the Texas Film Commission.