Inspire@The Low Country Filmmakers Academy, for year two, is being held at the East Cooper Montessori Charter School and Burke High School.

Participation is open to any Charleston area student, rising 4th to 12^{th grade}.

Burke High School, June 19-23, 2017 – 9 to 5 PM –

 East Cooper Montessori Charter School: June 26-30, 2017- 9am – 4:30 pm

 Allegro Music Charter School providing musical support

“In 2017, we are repeating and expanding our offerings! Last year, INSPIRE@ the Lowcountry, served nearly 70 students in grades 4th through 8^th and produced seven short films in one long but rewarding week of storyboarding, pre-production, interviewing, shooting, and editing.    We again bring in engaging professional photographers, script writers, film makers, teachers and artists to provide learning opportunities for Low country youth from 3^rd to 8th grade.  At this Mt. Pleasant location, we will work to explore the area and create documentary shorts. ” Linda Dennis, Creative Director.

“Inspire Film Maker’s Academy – 2017” this year expands to include from Ken Burns’ Florentine Films, Sarah Burns and David McMahon as instructors (www.florentinefilms.com)

Richard Esposito – Charleston Southern University – multimedia instructor www.csu.edu

From the Hollywood scene, Los Angeles’ based, Diane Louie joins us, leading our overall creative and film editing! www.dianelouie.com

Gracie and Lacy, national stage performers will spend a day with us as they share their on stage live performance, then students go behind the scenes, for costuming and make-up techniques. (www.gracieandlacy.com)

South Carolina Ports Authority – granted us permission to build a documentary:  “SC Ports – SC Economic Engine!”  We go behind the scenes and tour the different SC Port locations, filming and interviewing.  We include the also the education found on the “STEM” based project.

The Life of Esau Jenkins.  We have collected to date interviews with his children, and also Bud Ferillo. We have research and will continue now assembling a historical documentary on Mr. Esau and his contribution to the lowcountry of South Carolina.  His life is included in the Smithsonian, and we are dedicated to bring to the lowcountry this special documentary.  To date, his life has never been found on film.

Head Start.  That’s right, a special group of our young film makers will explore the focus on this program in the lowcountry with the help and assistance of the Charleston County School District.  More on this as it developes.

As of today film projects also include lighthearted inspirational topics:  “I scream for Ice Cream”, “A kid’s guide to Charleston“, “ If these streets could talk:  Damon Fordham”, and the continued collection of oral histories of Veterans.  Students, working in Film Studio groups named after the streets of Charleston, also are tasked with creating their own topics.  Each week closes with all films screened and presented to the community and parents.

Kahn Academy has on line also animation lesson plans from PIXAR, the California based studio responsible for CARS and many other animated movies. We will bring in an interview with Jay Ward, the “CARS GUY” for PIXAR that was held at the Hilton Head Concours de Elegance Automotive event.

Students with parental permission are required to self-assess their current technology/filmmaking skills. Working in Film Studio groups named after streets of Charleston and  Mt. Pleasant locales, students are tasked with creating their own short films. The week closes with all films screened and presented to the community and parents.

Space is limited and requires advance registration. There is a fee of $200 for the week.

For East Cooper Montessori Charter School – From this fee, we will be donating and purchasing equipment for the ECMCS news room for continued use by the students. (Green screen/software/MacBook/CANON Film makers Kit (with Rode mike).

For Burke High School – we will be donating completed films/and establishing a “FILM SERIES”

Registration opens March 1, 2017 – $50 deposit with application, Balance $150 June 1, 2017

GO to our STORE and register!

For further information, sign up and registration: [email protected]

843 284 8026 or 843 582 2794

www.abackpackjournalist.com  facebook.com/backpackjournalist   facebook.com/inspireatthelowcountry @backpackjrnlis