The Summer Program at USC's School of Cinematic Arts offers participants from around the world an opportunity to attend intensive and creatively demanding film-making classes. 

 

With the help of classmates and teachers, film students create three to four short digital films. All of the actual filming takes place outside of class.

 

"I learned what it takes to make a film and be a filmmaker," says Nussenzveig. "I discovered how much work goes into every second of a movie and how difficult it is to make it work. I loved the atmosphere in my Beginning Film-making class: being with people who shared my passion for film for six weeks was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."  

 

Leo's 10-minute, fictional narrative film, entitled Stalling, was selected by his professors and classmates as the best work from the class. It is the story of a boy who doesn't have any friends, so he eats lunch each day at school in a bathroom stall. The selections from each class were screened at an end-of-program event.

 

Leo wrote the script for the film in a week. He then cast the film, shot it, and edited it the next week. Despite the crazy schedule, Nussenzveig says it was an amazing experience. His parents traveled to Los Angeles at the end of the program to attend the screening of his film in USC's prestigious Cinematic Arts Complex in the George Lucas building and for the reception that followed.

 

Leo is continuing to pursue his interests this year, with an English elective in Film Studies and an advanced photography class. USC film classes have been taken by film industry icons including George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis. Maybe, one day, Leo's name will be added to those distinguished alumni.

All Lakehill students are encouraged to participate. Students are responsible for tracking their own hours and getting the required signatures. Learn more about the awards, download the tracking form and start volunteering! Contact Ms. Ekstrom with any questions.