Forget making braided key rings and Popsicle stick trivets. The Sunscreen Film Festival is planning a two-week summer camp where aspiring teenagers will make movies.

Running weekdays from July 6-17, the Sunscreen camp offers instruction in story structure, cinematography, lighting and sound during the first week. The next week begins with three days of video shoots for the stories that teams developed, then two days of editing and post-production.

The camp wraps with a mini-festival of screenings for family and friends.

The camp is open to ages 14 to 18 although its "Morty" -- Sunscreen rep Harry Chittenden -- says exceptions may be made.

"If a 12 year old has been walking around the house with a camera for years, we would definitely give them consideration," he said.

Chittenden said that a half-dozen slots have been filled so far. Tuition is $500 covering instruction and equipment.
Classes will be held at Studio@620 in St. Petersburg from 9 a.m. until
5 p.m.

For information and enrollment, log on at this link or contact Chittenden at (727) 420-0566 or harryc@harryc.net.

The camp continues Sunscreen's commitment to nurturing new filmmaking talent around Tampa Bay, according to executive director Tony Armer.

"A kid with a camera and a passion can bring a special energy to film," said Armer, a worthy adversary during our time Tuesday on Kathy Fountain's Your Turn TV show. "We want to provide youngsters with the knowledge to create good work with a beginning, a middle and an end that the audience can't wait to see."

(Image: abc.net)