CAPS Media’s Digital Storytelling Program concluded its summer session in August to rave reviews from young filmmakers, their families, and friends. Over the course of a week, the participants, working in teams, collaborated to create their own original productions. The program provided a hands-on, immersive experience in media production, covering everything from concept development, storyboarding, and scripting to casting, directing, videography, lighting, and editing.
Each day’s four-hour session was packed with new challenges and opportunities to master various aspects of media production. The week culminated in a special Friday afternoon premiere screening of the teams’ original productions for an audience of friends and family at the CAPS Media Center. In addition to gaining valuable insights into the media production process and earning screen credits, each participant received a CAPS Crew Member shirt, a one-year family membership at CAPS, and a graduation certificate. The videos created by the 10- to 13-year-old filmmakers can be viewed at www.capsmedia.org/on-demand.
For the first time, this year’s Digital Storytelling Program was directed by Ethan Messecar, with co-directors Annabelle Augustine and Grace Johnston-Glick. All three are graduates of ECTV, CAPS’ high school media program developed in partnership with the Ventura Unified School District. Ethan, Annabelle, and Grace first discovered their passion for media production at El Camino High School as participants in the ECTV program. They continued their creative journeys through Ventura College and later earned degrees in media and communications from UCI and UCLA.
The 2024 Digital Storytelling Summer Program was a tremendous success. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from the young filmmakers and their families suggests that CAPS Digital Storytelling Program will likely return next summer, with many of this year’s participants eager to join again.
Looking ahead to the fall, CAPS crews will continue collaborating with city staff to produce new episodes of the City’s podcast series, Ventura Voices. This informal and informative series connects Ventura residents with City staff and leaders, offering insights into new city projects, programs, and important community initiatives.
On September 19, CAPS Media crews, in coordination with the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, will record, broadcast, and live stream the annual “State of the City” address by Ventura City Mayor Joe Schroeder. In the coming weeks, CAPS will also cover and live stream candidate forums hosted by the League of Women Voters. Additionally, the return of the El Camino High School program ECTV, led by Phil Taggart, is eagerly anticipated, with fifteen high school students set to produce new episodes of the award-winning television program at the CAPS Media Center.
To learn more about CAPS and its offerings, drop by the CAPS Media Center for one of the monthly orientations held on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. The program includes a tour of the CAPS studio, information on membership benefits, and an overview of the media production process from concept to completion. Everyone is encouraged to explore what CAPS has to offer.
