2020 Summer Youth Film Lab Begins Online

Film Lab students and instructors chat with screenwriter and Lab mentor Ron Nyswaner

The Woodstock Film Festival’s 3rd annual Summer Youth Film Lab kicked off this week with a group Zoom call between students, instructors, program director Megan Sperry and Woodstock Film Festival Co-Founder and Executive Director Meira Blaustein.

The group was then treated to a visit from the Lab’s first mentor, Academy Award nominated screenwriter Ron Nyswaner  (PHILADELPHIA, RAY DONOVAN, HOMELAND), who joined the talk from his home in Los Angeles. Ron spoke about his long career, his method of working, his sources of inspiration, and was full of advice for the budding filmmakers as they start developing their individual projects.

Generously underwritten by an anonymous donor, this free 3-week intensive program tasks Hudson Valley teens with creating their own original short films that explore one of the following themes: “Together & Apart”, “The Best Day Ever”, “Climate Change” and “Racism”. In response to the current pandemic, this year’s iteration is being conducted entirely online with participants working on program-provided iPads loaded with state of the art filmmaking software. Throughout the course of the program, students will learn about all stages of the movie making process, from conception to scriptwriting, shooting, and post-production.

"Our 3rd annual Youth Film Lab is off to a great start!” stated Megan Sperry, the Lab’s Program Director. "The students have fully adapted to the online format and are enthusiastic about their individual story ideas while working within the parameters of the four themes that have been offered as prompts for this year’s Lab. The first virtual mentor visit with screenwriter Ron Nyswaner was super insightful and motivational for the students as they embark on creating their own script and doing research for their documentaries. Feedback from professionals in the industry is priceless. I’m looking forward to seeing how these projects come together in just a few short weeks.”

“After months of developing this year’s modified Lab, it was gratifying to see it all come together,” said Meira Blaustein. “Watching Ron, who I know to be an enormously talented, smart and generous screenwriter, impart some of his vast knowledge and insight onto the students, I knew that the Lab was off to a good start.”

“Meira, my morning with your Lab Students was thoroughly inspiring — for me!” said Ron Nyswaner. "They’re smart, inquisitive, sincere. Thanks for asking me to be a small part of it.”

“I’m having a lot of fun and it’s great to meet new people, learning to make films is very intriguing,” said Film Lab student Django Accardi. “Ron was very inspirational and energetic, would love to see more of him in the future.”

Film Lab students will continue to be guided by accomplished guest mentors from all corners of the entertainment industry. Next in line for the mentors visits include: actor Kelsey Grammar (CHEERS, FRASIER, HANK, BOSS), director Debra Granik (DOWN TO THE BONE, WINTER’S BONE, LEAVE NO TRACE), music supervisor Tracy McKnight (THE HUNGER GAMES, A WRINKLE IN TIME, FREE SOLO, SPACESHIP EARTH), editor Kate Sanford (THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, BOARDWALK EMPIRE, THE WIRE), producer Peter Saraf (THE FAREWELL, A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE), screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (PHILADELPHIA, RAY DONOVAN, HOMELAND), as well as animators Joy Buran and Noelle Melody (HUMAN KIND OF, PECAN SANDIE, POTATOES FOR PADO).

Best of luck to all of the students as they embark on their individual projects!