Independent Short Films & Youth Filmmaking Opportunities in Southern Pennsylvania & Northern Maryland
Local Stories. Young Talent. Real Filmmaking Experiences.
What happens when young actors, creative ideas, local locations, and cameras come together? We’re going to find out.
PhotoArtGraphy is beginning a new creative adventure: developing and producing independent short films in and around New Freedom, Pennsylvania.
These projects will primarily provide opportunities for children, teens, and young adults – generally beginning around age 8 and continuing through the early 20s – to experience the process of bringing a story to life on film.
Some participants will step in front of the camera as actors and actresses. Others may help behind the scenes. And while the focus will primarily be on opportunities for young people, individual productions may also call for parents, families, and adults of various ages to appear in supporting roles.
We’re starting small. But that’s also how this story began more than 20 years ago.
A Dream More Than 20 Years in the Making
Many years ago, PhotoArtGraphy founder Drew Jensen began exploring the idea of creating a nonprofit youth film studio.
At the time, Drew lived in Harford County, Maryland. He had a toddler son and another son on the way, and he envisioned creating opportunities for young people to experience something they might otherwise never have the chance to try: making movies.
With donations from local families and the hard work of a church youth group, filmmaking equipment was gradually purchased. Props were collected. Ideas were developed. Plans for short films began taking shape.
The dream was slowly becoming a reality. Then came a devastating setback.
A burglary resulted in much of the filmmaking equipment and many of the film props being stolen or badly damaged. The project never had the opportunity to become what Drew originally envisioned. But the idea never completely disappeared.
More Than 20 Years Later, It’s Time to Try Again
Today, we’re returning to that original idea – with a new approach and a lot more life experience. This time, independent filmmaking will become another creative endeavor of PhotoArtGraphy.
It won’t be a nonprofit youth film studio, and we’re certainly not starting with Hollywood-sized budgets or large production crews. These will be small, locally produced independent short films created with the people, locations, equipment, and resources available to us.
Drew will initially be directly involved throughout the filmmaking process, including developing projects, directing, filming, working with young actors and actresses, and helping bring everything together through editing and post-production.
The goal is to create something that is both fun and meaningful: an opportunity for young people to develop their creativity, build confidence, gain practical experience, and discover what it’s actually like to help bring a short film to life. And, hopefully, we’ll make some pretty great films along the way.
Want to Act in a Short Film?
You don’t necessarily need years of acting experience. In fact, you may never have acted in a film before. Depending on the needs of each production, we’ll be looking for children, teenagers, and young adults interested in acting in locally produced independent short films.
Some roles may require previous acting experience. Others may be ideal for someone who has always wanted to try acting but hasn’t yet had the opportunity. Individual films may also require adults, parents, families, and people of other ages to fill specific roles.
Casting needs will vary considerably from one project to another, and specific opportunities will be announced as individual short films move into production.
Gain Experience – and Build Your Acting Reel
One of the goals of these projects is to give young actors and actresses an opportunity to gain actual on-camera experience. Film acting can be very different from performing on a stage.
Actors may experience rehearsing scenes, working with a director, performing for the camera, filming multiple takes, repeating scenes from different camera angles, maintaining continuity, and seeing how individual shots ultimately come together to create a finished story.
Actors will also receive copies of finished short films and appropriate footage from their participation that they can use for acting reels and portfolios. For a young person interested in acting, filmmaking, modeling, or other creative fields, participating can provide both practical experience and something tangible to show for it.
There’s a Place Behind the Camera, Too
A film requires much more than actors. As projects develop, we may also need people interested in helping with filming, sound, lighting, production assistance, props, costumes, makeup, locations, set preparation, editing, and other behind-the-scenes needs.
Initially, these productions are expected to be small and very low-budget. In many cases, we’ll simply work creatively with the resources and people available to us. Experienced filmmakers, videographers, editors, sound professionals, makeup artists, and others with relevant skills are certainly welcome to reach out if the idea of volunteering your talents for a small-town independent film project sounds interesting.
You don’t need to be a professional, either. Part of the vision is creating opportunities for people to learn, contribute, and gain experience. Who knows where it might eventually lead?
Small Productions. Big Opportunities to Learn.
We’re not pretending these are major Hollywood productions. The experience will likely be much more hands-on than that.
Participants may get an opportunity to see how a film develops from an initial idea into a script, how locations are selected, how scenes are planned, how lighting and sound affect a production, how multiple takes are filmed, and how hours of individual footage are ultimately edited together into a finished short film.
There will undoubtedly be challenges to solve along the way. That’s part of filmmaking. The goal is to create an environment that is welcoming, collaborative, creative, and fun while still taking the process – and the finished films we’re creating together – seriously.
Where Will the Films Be Shown?
Completed PhotoArtGraphy short films are expected to be publicly released through platforms such as the PhotoArtGraphy website, YouTube, and social media.
Depending on the quality, subject, and opportunities available for an individual production, we may also explore submitting select films to local screenings, independent film festivals, or other venues interested in showcasing locally produced films.
Exactly where each film goes will depend on the project. But the goal is to create films that can be shared and enjoyed beyond the people who helped make them.
An Important Note About Participation & Compensation
These initial PhotoArtGraphy independent film projects are being developed as volunteer-based creative productions. Unless specifically stated otherwise for an individual project, participation is unpaid. Actors, crew members, and others involved should not expect wages, salaries, or other financial compensation.
The benefits of participating are the filmmaking experience itself, the opportunity to develop creative and practical skills, collaboration with other creative people, and the chance to help bring a locally produced independent short film to life. Actors will also be able to receive finished films and applicable footage for use in acting reels and portfolios.
Because completed films will be publicly distributed, all participants will be required to complete the appropriate appearance and/or model releases. For anyone under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian will be required to provide permission and sign the necessary releases.
Specific expectations, schedules, time commitments, filming locations, and other production details will be provided before anyone commits to participating in a particular project.
Where Will Filming Take Place?
Productions will primarily be based in and around New Freedom and Southern York County, Pennsylvania, as well as nearby communities in Northern Maryland. Depending on the needs of a particular story, filming locations may extend into other surrounding communities.
Participants are also welcome to express interest from elsewhere in the region. We recognize that young actors, families, and other creative people may be willing to travel from areas such as York and Lancaster Counties in Pennsylvania or Baltimore, Harford, and Carroll Counties in Maryland for the right opportunity.
Specific filming locations will be determined separately for each production.
What Kind of Films Will We Make?
That’s one of the exciting parts. Ideas for several short films are already being explored. Rather than committing to one particular genre or style, we want to leave room for creativity. Different projects may involve different stories, characters, settings, age groups, and acting opportunities.
Some ideas may work. Some may evolve considerably along the way. And some of the best ideas may eventually come from the creative people who become involved. Specific films, casting calls, character descriptions, and opportunities to participate will be announced as projects become ready for production.
Current Film Projects & Casting Opportunities
Our first short film projects are currently in development. Check back soon for casting announcements and specific opportunities to participate. Let us know now if you have interest in potentially taking part.
Interested in Being Part of It?
We’re at the beginning. And that means this is a particularly exciting time to get involved.
If you’re a young actor or actress interested in gaining experience, a parent whose child loves performing, a teenager who dreams of being involved in filmmaking, a young adult building an acting reel, or someone interested in contributing behind the scenes, we’d love to hear from you.
Reaching out does not commit you to participating in a film, and it doesn’t guarantee that we’ll immediately have a role or position that’s right for you. It simply gives us an opportunity to learn who you are, what you’re interested in, what experience you may already have, and how you might like to participate.
As individual short films move toward production, we’ll be able to connect with people whose interests, talents, ages, and availability may be a good match for each project.
Maybe you’ve dreamed of acting in a film.
Maybe you’ve wondered what happens behind the camera.
Maybe you simply want to be part of creating something new.
More than 20 years after the original idea began, we’re ready to see where this creative adventure can go.
Interested in getting involved? Contact PhotoArtGraphy and introduce yourself. Tell us a little about your interests, experience, and how you’d like to participate.