YouthFX: Film eXperience is a 6 week summer program like no other in the Capital District, where youth ages 14-18 will learn about what it takes to make movies.

YouthFX seeks to inspire and empower youth in Albany’s South End neighborhoods through an understanding and hands-on exploration of the creative and technical aspects of digital film making. A team of experienced filmmakers and media arts educators will guide participants through the entire production process from script to screen. Focusing on visual storytelling, narrative structure, performance, camera skills and editing techniques, YouthFX will give participants a chance to express themselves by producing several digital video projects throughout the first four weeks. During the last two weeks a group of students will produce and direct a 10 minute short film which will be screened at a local movie theater. This is a great opportunity for youth in the South End to have fun during the summer, collaborate with peers, experience all the excitement of film making and perhaps take their enthusiasm and apply it to a career in film and digital media production.

For more information email youthfx@grandarts.org or call (518) 221-8343.

Click Here For Information about the 2010 Youth FX Program

Check out this video about Grand Street Community Arts produced by Youth FX filmmakers during the 2009 summer program:

Youth FX 2009 Update:

We had an incredible summer of fun and exciting filmmaking experiences, and both my program assistant, Gaetano Vaccaro, and myself were so impressed by the skill and talent exhibited by each and every one of the 15 young filmmakers we worked with this summer. After six weeks of YouthFX, we looked back with amazement at all the projects the group took on and completed. Counting our final documentary and short film projects the YouthFX crew produced a total of 9 movies this summer! This year in addition to teaching the creative and technical aspects of digital film production we introduced kids to the editing process, and in fact most of our projects were edited by them or with their assistance. In addition to making films this summer, we also offered the YouthFX kids a firsthand look at how television production happens with a visit to the WRGB studios (our local CBS affiliate). We got a tour of the country’s oldest television station and even watched the live noon newscast in person from the studio. We also met with a WRGB producer, Greg Schmidt, who gave us an in-depth look at how many of their commercial and TV segments are created. Once again illustrating to the kids that in addition to all he fun they had at YouthFX, they were also learning important technical skills that can be applied to future careers in the field of film and television production. In the coming months Gaetano and I will be putting the finishing touches on the projects and will be setting up a event soon at a local theatre to showcase the work that these young filmmakers produced, so keep an eye out for that exciting event.

-Bhawin Suchak

Youth FX 2008 Recap:

In our first year of Youth FX we partnered with Upstate Independents and worked with 14 teens to explore the potential of digital filmmaking.  We worked with a professional crew on a four day shoot of a short film called Four of a Kind, the video below is a behind the scenes glimpse of the 2008 Youth FX summer program, and captures the energy of the final shooting week.

Our 2008 crew also produced this documentary about our sister GSCA program YO! Youth Organics:

Visit the Youth FX You Tube Page to view videos in full screen and to share and add comments.