Welcome to Movie Magic Studios, UCSC's brand new student-led club for filmmakers!

Take some time to explore our club and see what we are all about, or apply for a spot on our production. We are always open to new members, and we can't wait to see you at one of our events!

We love movies. We love watching them, we love discussing them, but most of all, we love making them. We know there are many others like us here at UCSC, but for some reason, there aren't the proper structures to help these artists and filmmakers achieve something they can truly be proud of, at least in a professional commercial setting. For many people, the most basic filmmaking experience is difficult to come by, which is unacceptable. Film production classes are tremendously difficult to be placed in, and even then the school focuses on limited projects with an intimate but tiny scope, which doesn't promote large collaborations and networking. Outside of classes, there is the FPC, but they are beset by a host of structural and managerial issues. Far too often, a rushed and unorganized FPC project will cut short students' ability to practice their craft, all without providing them the resources and training they need. The only remaining option for students is to produce their own work, and balancing directing and organizing your project is exhausting, limiting your creative potential. Trust us, we know. We've been there. 

I'm Cameron Scott. I've been making movies since I was sixteen, the way I wanted to make them. When I came here, I was excited to make something bigger and better than all my previous work, but so far I've been disappointed by the unnecessary hurdles students must go through here. That's why I, along with my good friend and fellow artist Sebastian Salazar, decided to found this club. We want to make something that we can be proud of, something that organically combines the talents of many driven people, something that will surprise even ourselves with its quality. Ambitious, I know, but we believe that filmmaking is absolutely the right place for ambition. Over the course of the past year, we have worked through the existing filmmaking structures of the school, and I'll be honest with you; it was a blast. I've had so much fun, and done so much to be proud of with my crew over the past year, but I couldn't help feeling like something was missing. And I couldn't help but notice that many of our fellow aspiring filmmakers weren't having the same experience. That is why Movie Magic Studios exists. If we won't be provided with a space where our talents can be properly nurtured, then we will make one. 

The main goal of MMS is this: to provide artists and filmmakers with as much access to real, practical experience as we can. This will be achieved through a large and ambitious project, as well as a robust array of open ended workshops, training sessions, and practice shoots. Our primary focus this year will be on our production unit. Students who land themselves a role in the production unit will have the opportunity to work on a science fiction series pilot over the course of a year, delving deep into advanced filmmaking techniques and large scale production methods. This will be an incredible opportunity for anyone who wants to pursue Film and TV production as a career, and we are looking for talented, imaginative, and driven people. If for some reason, you don't get your desired role, we will be having a plethora of workshops that will be open to everyone. Like I said before, we want practical experience to be as accessible as possible, so we are opening these to anyone, even complete amateurs and non club members. We've been making crazy stuff for a while, so I think we are in a decent position to impart our skills and experience onto fresh filmmakers. Even if you're someone who has no lack for filmmaking know-how, we suggest that you come to us, to share what you know and learn how to work in a collaborative setting. 

We aren't just looking for FDM majors; anyone with an interest in how movies are made is welcome. Filmmaking is truly the most interdisciplinary art form. Beyond pure filmmaking, photography, traditional and digital 2D and 3D art, acting, writing, sound engineering, music, computer science and graphics, even business and management are all critical aspects of assembling a movie, and we will absolutely need all of those skills. As well as having a diverse array of roles on our production unit, we want to provide workshops for each of those disciplines over the course of the year. Eventually, our goal is to have at least one event which provides the chance for students to hone their skills in each category at least once a week. Ambitious perhaps, but hey, you know us. 

Roles on the production unit will be competitive, but ultimately rewarding. You'll have your name in the credits of what we are confident will be an impressive, professional work of art. You will learn so much in our uniquely large and dynamic production, and meet people we hope will be in your professional and personal network for years to come. I'f we are very lucky, you may even secure a job in our production company if our pilot is picked up by a content provider when we shop it around the industry at the end of the year. And if it doesn't, it will still be an impressive addition to your professional portfolio. 

We are Movie Magic Studios. We hope we can provide you a space to grow as an artist, and give us all the chance to create something that is greater than what we can achieve on our own.