Next Film Boot Camp
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What is Film Boot Camp?
Film-making presents a fantastic opportunity for young individuals to foster their creativity and self-expression. Moreover, it opens doors to a plethora of captivating careers in diverse industries, ranging from film and cinema to marketing, advertising, and the dynamic realm of digital media.
Whether you are a high school student or a recent graduate from tertiary education, entering the formal film industry can be a daunting task, requiring proficiency in life, occupational, and entrepreneurial skills.
At our Film Boot Camp, students embark on a transformative journey where they acquire essential technical skills, create compelling short film content, and forge meaningful connections with peers and mentors.
Our program provides top-notch instruction and suitable equipment in an environment that fosters respect and nurtures each individual’s unique abilities, while gently encouraging them to explore new boundaries. The experience is fast-paced, engaging, and, above all, immensely enjoyable.
5et Yourself Up For Success!
This Film Boot Camp is an exceptional opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to unleash their creative potential and immerse themselves in the captivating world of collaborative storytelling. Throughout this enriching experience, campers get hands-on involvement in every facet of the filmmaking process, from operating cameras and handling mic booms to skillfully editing the final cut. Our ‘Learning-by-Doing’ approach, guided by our Program Director and industry professionals, offers invaluable in-service training that is second to none.
This is your chance to join a community of like-minded individuals, each with a passion for creativity, and together, bring your unique stories to life. Witness the magic of transforming an idea from mere words on paper to a visual masterpiece, achieved through the dedication of a talented crew. The result is a tangible piece of art that can be shared and revisited, evoking the emotions and memories of the journey whenever you desire.
Our Film Boot Camp seeks to assemble a diverse group of individuals who are eager to elevate their skills and explore innovative ways of effecting social change through the medium of film. In order to maintain an intimate and impactful experience, we limit the number of students attending the camp. Therefore, we strongly encourage early applicationto secure your spot.
NEXT DATE: 11 – 21 December 2025
RATES: For costs of camp and other eligible criteria, read our General Information page.
Program suitable for ages 16-24
What will students do in the program?
At the Film Boot Camp, students collaborate to create their own short film, taking on various roles like Director of Photography, Sound Technician, or Production Assistant. Emphasizing single system film production, they explore creative sound techniques, building a multi-layered soundtrack in post-production. This immersive experience steers them towards polished, visually engaging cinema while avoiding sync-sound challenges.
Guided by industry professionals, students gain valuable skills and hands-on insights into the world of filmmaking.
Course Curriculum
Our Film Boot Camp program focuses on the fundamental elements of visual storytelling that enable the students to direct their own projects.
Participants will:
- Learn the essential elements of visual storytelling
- Get hands-on experience in filmmaking
- Direct their own short films
During the film boot camp, each day is split between in-class instruction and on-set production. Curriculum subjects are taught both in-class and on set, where students get to apply the lessons they learned to a real film set.
The program includes:
- Screenwriting classes
- Directing technique workshops
- Cinematography lessons
The first three days of the week are spent learning the fundamentals of filmmaking with separate classes in screenwriting, directing technique, and cinematography. Students then go “in production” making their films in small crews. Each crew is supervised by an accomplished production instructor who helps guide the director and crew to ensure a safe and successful day of shooting.
Once the films are “in the can,” we start with an introduction to professional editing software. Students edit their films and are critiqued in class by their instructors. At the final showcase, all the short film content is screened on a big screen for the entire camp.
Participants will also cover:
- Digital editing techniques
- Working with talent
- Production management
- Producing skills
The program combines thought-provoking talks by industry professionals and invited speakers with a program of testing challenges and action-packed activities. Each day is constructed around:
- Masterclasses
- Practical Training
- Goal-setting exercises and time management
- Innovative team-building exercises
- A programme of off-camp excursions
What will the students receive upon program completion?
Upon completing the program, students will receive a NYFA certificate of completion to enhance their resumes. Additionally, they will acquire tangible skills in the following areas:
- Technological Expertise: A solid working understanding of the latest filming technology and software.
- Flexible Creativity: The ability to think creatively and adapt ideas to various scenarios.
- Written and Visual Storytelling: Skills to craft compelling narratives through both written and visual mediums.
- Decisive and Problem-Solving Leadership: Developing leadership qualities to make informed decisions and solve challenges effectively.
- Communication and Team Work: Enhanced communication skills and the ability to collaborate efficiently in a team setting.
- Time Management: Techniques to effectively manage time and meet project deadlines.
- Goal Setting 101: The know-how to set achievable goals and work towards their realization.
- Personal Development: Growth and improvement in both professional and personal aspects.
These skills and the NYFA certificate will serve as valuable assets as students pursue their careers in the world of filmmaking and creative industries.
Highlighted activity days
Our students are growing up in an increasingly competitive and stressful world, where they might opt out of trying an unfamiliar activity for risk of embarrassment or failure. At Camp Genesis, we expose students to a variety of activities as we think it’s important for them to learn healthy and rewarding ways to spend their time. Activity days are challenging, great fun and require patience, fortitude and teamwork skills.
Other activities include
- Talent Shows
- Karaoke Challenge
- Night Hikes
- Minute to Win It Games
- Camp Craft & Cooking
- Storytelling
Activities include:
- Bundu Bash – an action-packed camp test
- Team Building – a skillful team challenge
- Initiative Courses – content creation for social media
- Intension Sessions – empowering you to share positivity and celebrate the joys of life
- Educational Excursion – Cape Town Film Studios
- Zip-lining – conquer your fear
Other activities include
- Talent Shows
- Karaoke Challenge
- Night Hikes
- Minute to Win It Games
- Camp Craft & Cooking
- Storytelling
The first world-class, custom-built, Hollywood style, film studio complex in Africa
The studio has been rated as the best film studio complex of its kind, in the developing world by international production executives. It is the dedicated hub for media, new media, entertainment, film and related industries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The best experience in Africa
A zip-line canopy tour in the company of soaring eagles, surrounded by breathtaking Cape fynbos panoramas and mountain scapes, located in the Elgin Valley near Grabouw, and scaling the rugged Hottentots Holland mountains in the Cape Nature reserve of the same name. It has been described as “vertigo-tinged fun”.
Program Director
Jarrod de Jong has been in the media business for over twenty years. As a successful producer and writer in the film industry, he used his media studies degree from UNISA to break into the profession. He is well-connected and has media clout.
Jarrod has more than 20 years of production experience in various formats and has produced a number of notable television shows and feature films currently on Netflix.
He has steadily shifted his focus over the last few years toward international co-productions, developing and promoting local projects with international distribution potential.
For Jarrod, the mission of Camp Genesis is to provide every camper with the resources and experiences necessary to reach their full potential.
Evaluation & Awards
At the end of a camp session, students fill out a survey evaluating their camp experience. Feedback is an important way for us to constantly improve our programming.
We will also conclude with an award ceremony, recognizing and honour filmmakers our young filmmakers. Nominees and winners will be chosen by our program facilitators.
The films produced in the camp will be distributed through Camp Genesis’ website, and will be curated into an online film festival screening package.
Industry-Leading Guest Speakers
The quality of the renowned program instructors continues to be the bedrock of the acclaimed FBC program.
Talia Hughes – Associate Director/FBC Art Lecturer
Talia is a multifaceted businesswoman with a vibrant artistic background. She graduated from the National School of Arts with a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts and Art History, and her career has taken her from being a key account manager at one of South Africa’s top advertising agencies to working as a production designer on notable domestic and international film productions.
David Boyes – Associate Director/FBC Production Lecturer
David is a South African author, screenwriter and producer of insatiable stories. According to Boyes, we’re all shaped by stories: we love telling them, we love reading them – and filmmaking is an incredibly powerful tool for sharing them. His passion for storytelling is reflective in his lectures which will give students a valuable perspective of the production environment.
JC Bosman – FBC Director/Writer/Lecturer
JC is a renaissance man by heart. By day he is a film director, editor, actor, and artist. But he is also a passionate permaculturist and mycologist. With a Bachelor of Arts & Drama, majoring in Directing and Production Design, he is a filmmaker of note and creates content that can inspire positive change in the world. He firmly believes in education and knowledge.
Josua De Vries – FBC Director of Photography/Lecturer
Josua has always been passionate about photography, and so naturally transitioned into Cinematography after obtaining his degree at AFDA. He has a talent for capturing the essence of people’s personalities, as well as beautiful nature and landscape shots. He has worked on notable domestic and international film and television productions.
Wynand Fourie – FBC Sound Recording Lecturer
Wynand has a film degree from AFDA with an emphasis in sound. In addition to his studies in the area of film, Wynand has been recording and booming for domestic and international film, series, and commercials. He has recently wrapped an international series in Spain for Netflix.
Tristram Atkins – FBC Screenwriting Lecturer
Tristram is a Mandela Rhodes Alumni. His film, “Ongeriewe”, received a Palme d’Or nomination at Festival de Cannes in 2006 and won Best South African Short Film at DIFF. He has written on many television dramas, worked on internationally acclaimed documentary productions, judged at film festivals and a national award show. He worked as a scriptwriting lecturer at a SA Film School and has an honours degree in motion picture medium.
Marie Midcalf – FBC Editor/Lecturer
Marie has a film degree from AFDA with an emphasis in editing. She runs her own company, PureLiquid Editing, and has worked on projects with RichRed Productions, The Michael, and Susan Dell Foundation, Global Initiative, Bloomberg TV, Sanlam, and Deloitte among others.
Speakers
Accommodation & Venue
Students attending the FBC program are based at SOS Outdoor Centre, which is situated 7 km outside Villiersdorp and just over an hour’s drive away from Cape Town. The facility is surrounded with picturesque environmental beauty – offering magnificent views of the Theewaterskloof Dam and nature in general – where this unique program has exclusive use of its ideal camping facilities and amenities.