Lights, Camera, Your Turn - Ovations Launches a Five‑Day Filmmaking Intensive

Have you ever watched a movie and thought, "I could do that?" Or imagined hearing someone call, "Action!" and realizing it was your turn to bring a story to life? Thanks to Ovations Dance Academy of Tampa and acclaimed documentary filmmaker Noah C. Haeussner, that dream is about to become reality.

This summer, Ovations Dance Academy is expanding its renowned Summer Intensives by welcoming Haeussner for a one-of-a-kind Five-Day Filmmaking Intensive for aspiring youth filmmakers ages 13 to 18 and adults. Designed for storytellers, actors, writers, performers, and creative minds, the immersive program takes students beyond the classroom and onto a working film set, where they'll experience firsthand what it takes to create a movie from the ground up.

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From the spark of an idea to the excitement of the final take, participants will experience every stage of the filmmaking process. They'll develop a story, write a script, direct actors, operate cameras, record professional-quality sound, build lighting setups, and collaborate as a production team before filming an original short film. By the end of the week, students won't simply understand how movies are made - they'll have made one themselves.

Leading the intensive is Noah C. Haeussner, whose career spans more than two decades in film, television, documentary, and commercial production. Haeussner has worked with some of the entertainment industry's biggest studios, including Warner Bros., Paramount, Sony Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. His producing credits include Arctic, Shawn Mendes: In Wonder, Janis: Little Girl Blue, Introducing Selma Blair, and No Cameras Allowed, along with commercial campaigns for internationally recognized brands including Volkswagen, Microsoft, Amazon, and the NFL.

The project is part of an immersive filmmaking initiative designed to bring together emerging filmmakers, actors, writers, and creatives through hands-on collaboration, mentorship, and real-world production experience. Rather than focusing on expensive equipment or technical jargon, the program emphasizes storytelling, teamwork, leadership, and creative problem-solving while introducing students to every major department on a professional film set.

"Our mission has always been to inspire young artists to explore every avenue of creative expression," said Orlando Peña, founder and Artistic Director of Ovations Dance Academy of Tampa. "When the opportunity came to bring Noah's filmmaking expertise to our students and the community, it was an easy yes. Whether they're dancers, actors, musicians, or simply creative young people with big imaginations, this workshop gives them the chance to discover a whole new artistic language while building confidence, collaboration, and skills they'll carry with them long after the cameras stop rolling. I can't wait to see the stories they tell."

Throughout the week, students will rotate through directing, cinematography, acting, lighting, sound, producing, script supervision, and other essential filmmaking roles, learning not only the technical aspects of production but also the communication, trust, and collaboration that make great filmmaking possible. Each day builds toward the final production, when cameras roll and the original short film comes to life.

The learning continues after production wraps. The completed footage will be professionally edited, with students invited to review rough cuts, provide creative feedback, and celebrate the finished film during a public screening. The project may also be submitted to film festivals, giving participants the opportunity to see their work reach audiences beyond the classroom.

Haeussner sees the partnership as an opportunity to nurture the next generation of storytellers.

"The Ovations Summer Intensives are about more than dance," Haeussner said. "They are about possibility. They remind us that when young people are given expert guidance, meaningful opportunities, and a supportive community, they can achieve extraordinary things. I look forward to capturing the artistry, dedication, and heart that make Ovations Dance Academy such a special place."

The Five-Day Filmmaking Intensive begins August 3 at Ovations Dance Academy of Tampa. Tuition is $450 for students ages 13 to 18 and $375 for adults ages 18 and older. The program is intentionally kept small to provide personalized instruction, meaningful mentorship, and hands-on experience in every aspect of filmmaking.

Whether students dream of directing the next blockbuster, producing documentaries, performing in front of the camera, or simply discovering a new creative passion, this immersive experience offers an unforgettable opportunity to learn from an accomplished industry professional while collaborating with fellow creatives to bring an original film to life. For anyone who's ever wanted to see their name in the credits, this is where the story begins.

Learn more and register at https://ovationsdanceoftampa.com/summer-camps-2026/