Quinnipiac University
Commonly Searched Terms
Popular Resources
Quinnipiac University
girl using a complex technology control board

Summer Camps and Programs for Students

Modern Storytelling: Movie-Making Madness for High School Students

This fast-paced program is open to high school students who dream of telling their stories across all types of media platforms. Participants will work with award-winning media professionals to translate their creative ideas into engaging short films and video pieces. Students will use our industry-standard cinema cameras and collaborative editing suites to develop, shoot, edit and share their creative stories.

Apply Now

Overview

The School of Communications at Quinnipiac welcomes students who dream of becoming the next big content creator to join us in telling their stories to the world.

Based out of our Ed McMahon Communications Center, participants will learn practical media production skills and techniques. You will work alongside experienced faculty and interact with award-winning filmmakers as they share their expertise in creating effective media content.

Content created during the camp may be used on our various Quinnipiac media channels, as well as for your own channels and personal portfolios.

 

At the end of this program, you will walk away with:

  • The ability to create dynamic and diverse media content for all types of audiences

  • A comprehensive experience working in a team environment with others who share your passions

  • Skills in producing, scripting, cinematography and post-production

  • Professional content you can use on your own social media channels, or in portfolios for applications to college-level programs including film, media production and content development

Tour our facilities

School of Communications video tour

School of Communications Tour

Our Ed McMahon Communications Center has the tools ready to help you realize your creative vision, no matter your abilities. Our collection of professional equipment and software includes:

  • Jimmy Jib Triangle Pro Crane
    • Creates unique movements popular on sitcoms and dramas
    • Used by networks on many live news and sporting events
  • HTC Vive virtual reality environment
  • Six 360 capable cameras for live and recorded 360 acquisition
  • DJI Mavic and spark drones for aerial and interior perspective shots
  • Sony 4K/IP video production switcher in our control room
  • Same switcher series as used in many network studios
Two students wearing headsets sit behind a large control board in the McMahon Center communications room
Our communications center houses a professional studio where you can write, produce and direct your own productions.
A film professor assists a student with shooting a scene behind a video camera
We have a full complement of audio equipment and lighting gear to create your individual or group projects.
Two students go over notes together as they sit in the control room of QU's television studio
Our professional television studio includes a 4K editing suite with more than 90 media workstations.
A full class in session in the Media Innovations Classroom with blue light fixtures
The Media Innovations Classroom gives students an opportunity to develop broadcast, print, mobile and interactive news content for campus media and other outlets.
A student lines up his film camera outside on the quad while another student holds a boom mic in the background
You’ll work on the latest industry standard software and equipment for design, film, sound and more.
Two cameras in the McMahon Center production room.
Tell your story in cinematic detail using our professional-grade 4K video cameras.
4K Hitachi camera in the McMahon Center production room.
Our technology is up to date with the latest industry standards to help you jump-start your learning and gain experience with professional equipment.

Schedule

July 24 – July 28, 2023

  • Sunday, July 23, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.: Residence check-in for participants with full room & board

  • Saturday, July 29, 9 a.m. - noon: Residence check-out for participants with full room & board

Daily Themes

  • Day 1: Learning what makes effective content creation and how to use the equipment

  • Day 2: Pre-production planning, creating an engaging production, brainstorming and storyboarding

  • Day 3: Production, shooting, cinematography and lighting

  • Day 4: Post-production, editing and graphics

  • Day 5: Film Festival presentation and celebration

 

Sample Daily Schedule:

Time Activity Detail
9 a.m.  Morning Meetings and Skill Concept Introduction Introduction of the skill or concept focus of the day such as: storytelling, shot composition, editing, presentation, etc.
10 a.m. Hands-On Workshops Participants have a chance to learn by doing, whether working in teams to brainstorm & storyboard, operate professional cameras, edit, and produce high-quality content and more. Emmy-award-winning experts present their “tricks of the trade.”
Noon Lunch Break All meals are included for students staying on campus.
1 p.m. Content Creation We take the concepts and skills learned in the morning and apply them to the ongoing project and goal of delivering high-quality participant-driven content to record and eventually broadcast.
3:30 p.m. End-of-Day Review and Debrief Meeting A chance to reflect and discuss the day as well as look to the days ahead.
4 p.m. Break Open activities and a break for participants.
5 p.m. Dinner Dinner will be provided for those students with full room and board.
6 p.m. Organized Activities (Group Recreation, Games, Guest Speakers, Independent and Group Enrichment Projects) Evening is reserved for overnight students to have fun, experience our on-campus amenities, and bond with each other and staff through organized group enrichment activities.
10 p.m. Quiet Time  

Program Costs

Option 1: 1-week overnight program from Sunday to Saturday. Includes full room and board as well as evening and weekend activities: $1,680
Option 2: 1-week on-campus commuter program from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Includes lunch daily: $1,200

All options include:

  • One week of faculty-designed and delivered programming, administered online or on campus with educational support staff and program materials

  • Technology and software support

  • A Quinnipiac T-shirt

  • A certificate of completion

  • Access to special Quinnipiac Admissions events

Partial financial support may be available for those who indicate the need for financial assistance in their online application. Financial support awards are based on a combination of financial need and academic merit.

Participation Requirements

Participants must be current high school students. Typically, participants are between the ages of 15 to 18 years of age at the start of the program. Eligibility is based on grade level as of June 2023.

Equipment and Materials

Quinnipiac University will provide all required materials, including laptops, for students within this program. Students are welcome to bring their own laptops or other devices for use outside of instruction periods or with the approval of their instructor.

Application and Payment Deadlines

Deadline to apply: Monday, May 1, 2023
Space is limited per session and enrollment is based on when a deposit payment is received.

Deadline to submit payment: Payment is due within 30 days of applying to fully register for a program.

Payment Methods and Refund/Cancellation Policy

Applications are reviewed when they are received and students are accepted on a rolling basis.

Apply Now

Our Program Instructors

Contact Us

Accommodations

Quinnipiac University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as an institution of higher education. Students who have a current IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to share any accommodations or modifications they may require in order to access the fundamentals of a QU summer program or camp they plan to attend.

Students requesting disability-based accommodations should indicate this within the application as well as email summerprograms@qu.edu about any and all specific accommodation needs.

Rules & Regulations

Read Quinnipiac University’s Summer Camp and Pre-College Program Policies for 2022