DESCRIPTION

Torchlight is excited to transform your 2026 summer into a storytelling blitz by featuring camp weekly throughout July. The Torchlight approach is hands-on, experiential, and project-based. TWO WEEKS in a row of multimedia storytelling for ages 12 and up. You can choose a lá carte and register for a single week, or scaffold skills by registering for both workshops to create a two week summer video production and storytelling intensive! 

Week 1 — (VIDEO) "Music Video Madness"

July 20 - July 24

The assignment: “Music Video Madness” for the music-oriented or short story writer/filmmaker. Music videos are a great way to exercise creative constraints to tell a compelling short story—all while hooking you with an original composition. Students may come with their own music to make a video, or let us provide the music and you write and direct the final piece.

You’ll learn how to use a digital cinema camera and audio kit, learn all elements from pre-production through post-production, and edit everything together into a music video. This camp will get students familiar with all aspects of audio-video production and apply those skills towards the final music video.

Week 2 — "BELFAST NOIR" A Moonbat City Detective/Thriller Film* 

July 27 - July 31

Belfast, Maine gets hardboiled in this week’s dark and devious assignment: “Belfast Noir: A Moonbat City Detective/Thriller Film.” We’re bringing the low-key, moody crime drama genre to Moonbat City, creating a cast and crew, writing and developing a short film in one week–from pre-production through post-production–and hosting a public screening at the end of the session.

Students will work together and learn all aspects of audio-video production, including but not limited to: screenwriting, storyboarding, shooting, field audio recording, editing, and music supervision/composition to complete this short film. All participants are encouraged to get a headstart on the production by drafting screenplay or film ideas ahead of camp and bringing with them on the first day.

* Note: Week 2 Belfast Noir is for youth ages 12-18! (If you fall outside this range on either side but really want to participate, get in touch!)

DATES & TIMES:

Monday through Friday, from 10am - 4pm

Arrival/drop-off as early as 9:30am, lunch break from 12:30 - 1pm

Lunches *NOT* provided, please bring your own! Torchlight has a standard size fridge, microwave, kettle for tea, coffee maker, and light snacks might be provided.

COST:

Workshops are priced to accommodate a diversity of household income levels, ranging from $250 to $450, with the true cost of programming valued at $350.

Consider paying the higher price and provide opportunities/access to scholarship and students in need of more financial assistance!

The registration cost for any of the 1-week workshops is on a sliding scale, from $250 - $450. [The true cost of programming is $350]. To hold your spot, a deposit of $100 per week session is needed. The remainder is due on or by the first day of camp.

Please note: Deposits are nonrefundable as long as class is held as scheduled.

Payment Plans and Scholarship are available. To learn more about payments plans and scholarship options, or for any other payment related questions, please contact us at torchlightmaine@gmail.com. We would be happy to speak with you and provide more information.

Payment for workshops can be received by check, cash, Venmo, and Paypal. Checks or cash is strongly preferred. 

STAFF:

Torchlight staff (Chris Battaglia, Eli Kao) + weekly co-teachers TBA.

FAQ:

I want to sign up but I don’t have any audio experience. Is that okay?
Yes! We will accommodate all experience levels.

Do I need any of my own equipment or gear in order to participate?
No–we have kits available to lend that you'll learn how to use. But if you have your own equipment and want to understand it better, or get more use out of it, bring it along.

Do I have to know what kind of podcast I want to make before I sign up?
No–idea incubation and planning are a core part of this program.