STORYTELLING PLAYGROUND
Ages 16-29
Winter 2021, Online
In this distance learning workshop, student fellows will test their resourcefulness as videographers and storytellers under trying conditions. Within the constraints of social distancing and relying solely on the smartphone already in their pocket, they’ll become writer, director, actor, crew, editor, and sound designer. At the same time, they’ll exercise their collaborative skills, sharing and refining material in supportive group sessions online. The workshop itself will become their “storytelling playground,” a lively arena of creativity. Working from funny—or not so funny—moments in their own lives, they’ll develop original, short, comic works, 1-3 minutes in length. They’ll learn to use natural and practical light, and cinematic compositions and angles to engage an audience and to tell their story. They’ll be taught how to film coverage and how to block a scene. And they’ll be taught how to capture quality audio for post-production, using wired or wireless earbuds. For post-production, fellows will use free apps to edit on their smartphones. Apps will also allow fellows to add graphics, music, split screen, and sound effects. They’ll deliver a review edit and a final edit, achieving high quality videos with compelling stories. Their work will be shared on the program website and through a virtual exhibition. Limited to 10 student fellows.
Storytelling Playground is a co-production of Baltimore Youth Film Arts and Morgan State University.
David Lee Roberts Jr., an award-winning television producer and documentary filmmaker, is Adjunct Professor in the Screenwriting and Animation (SWAN) program at Morgan State University. Television credits include Metro Focus, and film credits include the upcoming features Covenant of Peace, about the Washington, D.C. juvenile justice system, and Charm City, about Baltimore community reform and engagement.
Michelle Mokaya is a Johns Hopkins University undergraduate in the School of Engineering. Although her concentration is still undecided, she is passionate about using her degree to work on sustainable projects that could help improve the lives of those in marginalized communities.
Emmet Sheehan is a Baltimore City native with a background in stage and film. He was part of the pilot program that helped launch the film department at Baltimore School for the Arts, and trained at North Carolina School of the Arts Summer Intensive. He is currently working on several short film projects.
