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. That's FOUR WEEKS in a row of multimedia storytelling for ages 12 and up. You can choose a lá carte offerings by registering for single weeks, or scaffold multimedia skills by registering for all four weeks and work with us the entire month. The workshops dates are as follows:

Week 1 — (AUDIO) "Postcards, Podcasts, and Soundscapes"

July 6 - July 10

Spend the week learning how to produce audio! The assignment: "Postcards, Podcasts, and Soundscapes" created right from the heart of downtown Belfast. Make your own two-minute fully produced audio postcard, develop your podcast concept and produce a pilot episode, or paint a picture of a place through audio with a soundscape. On the last day and at the end of the session, work will be shared publicly.

You’ll learn how to use a field recording kit, gather sound, ask questions, develop a concept, and edit everything together into a compelling piece of audio storytelling. This class would be great for total beginners, those working towards a specific project, or those looking to get refreshed and re-inspired in their practices.

Week 2 — (PHOTO) "In Pursuit of Portfolio: Personal Projects"

July 13 - July 17

The assignment: "In Pursuit of Portfolio: Personal Projects." Let’s take your idea, your lens, and your desire to work on a personal project or add to your portfolio. Throughout the week, we’re going to use downtown Belfast and the Torchlight media studio as our homebase for developing your project concepts and turn them into something you’re proud of by the end. On the last day and at the end of the session, work will be shared publicly.

You’ll learn how to manipulate your camera or photo-taking instrument of choice, make images with intention, develop a concept, and edit everything together into a body of work. This class would be great for total beginners, those working towards a specific project, or those looking to get refreshed and re-inspired in their practices.

Week 3 — (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 4 — "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 4 is only 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 down payment of $100 per week is needed by May 1st, 2026. The remainder is due on or by the first day of camp.

Please note: Down payments are nonrefundable.

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 + 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.