Summer Stage Video Film Premiere Night Highlights Students' Films

Summer Stage Video Film students will screen 12 original short films at the Video Film Premiere, Friday, August 3, 7:00 p.m., Dennis Flyer Theatre, Camden County College. This premiere marks the culmination of a seven-week program during which students participate in the entire process of creating a film, from screenwriting and story boarding to shooting and editing. Twelve students are enrolled in the program.

The premiere features films of styles ranging from thrillers to comedies to a documentary. A new component to this year’s premiere at one-minute skits by the campers between films. The program is directed by Don Schmidt.

He said, “Everything went smoothly this year. The program veterans worked with the new kids showing them the ropes. It’s been so exciting to see them work together. All of the films were shot on new Cannon EOS 1300 D cameras. I can’t wait see the increase in production quality with the new cameras.”

Schmidt was a camper in the program for five years, served as production assistant two years ago and assistant director in 2017. In addition to his Summer Stage training, Don graduated from Camden County Technical School’s Video Production program and was a film technician at Enchanted Productions. He is currently majoring in Accounting and Finance at Camden County College.

Eric Rothenhofer, a five-year veteran of the film program, has been a participant for much of Schmidt’s time at Summer Stage. “Don is a great director. He understands us and the program. I love being in this program. You’re with people of a collective mindset who are very cooperative and nice to work with. I’m graduating from Timber Creek next year and plan to major in film. I’d love to come back on staff here at Summer Stage.”

For this year, Eric is looking forward to the premiere. His short film, “Going on 35,” is about a dream warrior who travels between a lucid realm and semi lucid realm.

In addition to Schmidt, the film program staff includes: assist director Greg Schmidt, production assistant Connor Poisel, and interns Cameron Phillips and Rachel Minot.

Tickets to the Video Film Premiere are $12 for adults/$11 for seniors/students under 12 and can be purchased in advance at www.mainstage.org, or at the door on premiere night. For more information, please call (856) 227-3091.

Photo captions

Film Premiere photo Photographed from left: Brad Ryan of Turnersville with back toward camera, Eric Rothenhofer of Erial (seated), James Primiani of Sicklerville (right front) work on a short film at Mainstage Center for the Arts Summer Stage Video Film Camp.

Setting the scene From left: Emma Milliken of Sicklerville, Wyatt Gray of Sicklerville, Victoria Karpocwicz of Blackwood, and Rachel Minot prepare to film a scene during Mainstage Center for the Arts Summer Stage Video Film Camp.