By Elizabeth Rodeno –
CAPS’ wildly popular Future Filmmakers Workshops return soon with two week-long programs for young filmmakers. The Live Action Video Workshop, July 14-18, focuses on traditional filmmaking, and a Stop Motion Animation Workshop, July 28-August 1, explores a new and popular direction. Each week crews of four or five young filmmakers collaborate on hands-on projects creating their own video productions. The fast paced and engaging programs cover all aspects of film production including story development, scripting, directing, camera, lighting, sound and more.
The workshops for ages 10-14 are directed by CAPS experienced and enthusiastic staff members who are all dedicated filmmakers and storytellers. Each weeklong session runs Monday – Friday, from 8:30am to 1:00pm at the CAPS Media Center. The program fee is $250 for the week and includes five, 4-hour sessions, a one-year CAPS family membership, a CAPS Crew Member shirt, graduation certificate and a special film festival for friends and family. Young filmmakers are invited to register for one or both workshops. Details are on the CAPS website at capsmedia.org.
This month, the CAPS Staff Spotlight is on Donald McConnell, CAPS Media’s dedicated Operations Manager. Donald has been CAPS’ guiding light and steady hands for more than twenty years. Donald manages the endless day-to-day operations at the CAPS Media Center, including all member services, facility operations, and programming and scheduling of Ventura’s two public access channels, channel six for the public and Channel 15 for education and government. Donald also hosts CAPS orientation sessions on the first Monday of each month at 6pm. The informal and informative meetings include tours of CAPS’ studios, information on CAPS membership benefits and resources available to members. “I’ve worked at CAPS for 20 years and enjoy meeting new people from my community. Supporting my community and the diverse people that live here makes my job a perfect way to give back positively. I encourage everyone to join CAPS to create programming that reflects your own interests and creativity” says Donald.
2025 is CAPS 25th Anniversary serving the community. Among the many benefits of being a CAPS member is access to the CAPS Media Center for meetings, training and more. The CAPS conference room is available to members, either individual or as a community service group, for in-person, zoom or hybrid meetings. During the past year, the CAPS Media Center has been the meeting site for the College Area Community Council, Humane Society of Ventura County, Ventura County Filmmakers Collective, the Ventura Scouting Leadership Council and more. For details on reserving the CAPS conference room email info@capsmedia.org.
July 1 starts a new era of service for CAPS (Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura). The CAPS staff, directors and members thank everyone in the community for the tremendous outpouring of support particularly during the past few months. All of the messages to city officials were extremely encouraging. Currently CAPS is finalizing a new agreement which will allow the CAPS team to continue serving Ventura for years into the future.
There’s much more to share about CAPS Media resources, training, classes, programs, KPPQ radio, and other opportunities. To register for the free monthly orientation or learn more about CAPS go to capsmedia.org.
