COUPEVILLE, Wash. — When Elsie Furman watched the movie musical “La La Land” a few years ago, it left her inspired.
“That movie triggered something in me,” said Furman, a 15-year-old from Whidbey Island. “I started writing and thinking about making films. I didn’t think I’d be able to do that so soon, though.”
Furman was one of six youths that attended this year’s Teen Film Camp, a Washington State University Extension 4-H program designed to provide a hands-on opportunity to create a film from scratch.
“We wanted teens to experience this art form and to provide an opportunity to make a movie from beginning to end,” said Ashley Hall, a 4-H associate professor with Island County Extension. “Like all 4-H programs, it’s about engaging teens in their areas of interest and giving them access to successful mentors in that medium. But instead of activities like horses or food preservation, this was about filmmaking.”
This is the second film camp that Hall has helped lead alongside Island County 4-H Coordinator R-A Mazzola. Campers drove the creative process, with assistance from a variety of mentors.
The two completed films from this year’s camp revolved around prevention. “Live in the Moment,” directed by Katt Green, explored the benefits of taking time away from cell phones. Furman wrote and directed the other film, “Anxiety.”
“I was shocked at how meticulous and time-consuming the process was,” Furman said. “Our five-minute short film took more than 30 hours of work. We learned how important it is to work together, and that you need everyone on the same page. We also learned to make sure everyone’s ideas are heard and respected.”
Furman heard about the program while attending Know Your Government, another 4-H event. She was talking with a friend when a nearby volunteer overheard her say she hoped to work on movies one day.
“They told me about the film camp, and I got immediately excited,” said Furman, who has also been involved in 4-H shooting sports for several years. “The fact that it was near my home on Whidbey Island sealed it.”
The camp is open to youths across Washington, not just those on the islands.
This year, 4-H rented a 10-bedroom home on Whidbey Island, and all attendees lived together with their adult mentors for five days. The scripts were written before the camp started, saving time on-site. Campers spent most of their waking hours working on the other required aspects: revising the scripts; planning shots; scouting locations; and shooting. After wrapping the shoots, they spent nearly two days editing. The group then hosted a film screening at a local theater for families, friends, and the public to see the fruits of their labor.
Several volunteer mentors helped campers throughout the week, including Hall’s brother, who works in the film industry. Mazzola previously worked in film and has many family members still involved, two of which were additional mentors on set all week.
“Having that technical expertise was really helpful for the youths,” Mazzola said. “I never would have guessed that I would use some of the skills I learned in my former career while working for 4-H, but I enjoyed it. We’ve heard back from several campers saying that the week was a dream come true. They were so excited to not only be at the camp and learn, but also to share what they created with their friends and family.”
Watching the campers get more comfortable, try new things, and overcome fears was the highlight for him.
“I enjoyed just sitting back and listening to them discuss ideas and work through creative problems,” Mazzola said. “They had so many ideas and were able to freely talk about all of them to come up with something that worked. Those problem solving and teamwork skills will be helpful no matter what they do with their lives and careers.”
4-H is the largest youth development program in the world. To learn more about 4-H programs and resources, or how to get involved, visit the WSU Extension 4-H website.