WRITE, PRODUCE, DIRECT, EDIT& SCREEN YOUR OWN SHORT FILM
An intermediate short fiction filmmaking workshop for teens ages 14 to 18
The Narrative Lab is a free filmmaking workshop that pairs young filmmakers 1:1 with professional mentors. Each filmmaker writes, produces, directs, and edits a 5 to 7 minute fiction film.
This class is for young filmmakers who want to advance their skills in screenwriting, camera work (including lighting), casting and directing actors, and post-production.
WHEN: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 4:30 - 6:30pm
December 2, 2026 - June 25, 2027
Applications close on November 1, 2026
WHY JOIN THE NARRATIVE LAB?
Free program open to NYC high school students
Hands-on training in every aspect of narrative filmmaking
Mentorship from working film and TV professionals
Opportunities to showcase work at screenings and festivals
A diverse, supportive community of peers passionate about storytelling
Eligible Applicants Must:
Be a New York City resident
Be 16–20 years old
Apply early — applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
All applicants will be interviewed prior to acceptance.
Prepare a one-page treatment for the interview and be ready to pitch their idea
Commit to the full program schedule and be available during Spring Break for film production
Internships & Jobs
Student Spotlights
“Reel Works helped me find my voice in filmmaking and
helped me discover what I want to do… I’ve grown so much since I joined Reel Works and feel more confident as a
filmmaker.”
- Violet Gallo, Narrative Lab Alumni
"One thing that stuck out when I joined Reel Works was the diversity. Filmmaking was really new to me and I felt comfortable being in a community of young filmmakers.”
- Julissa Bedford, Narrative Lab AlumniNarrative Lab Journey
Apply ⟶ Interview ⟶ Acceptance ⟶ Training ⟶ Production ⟶ Credentials earned ⟶ Film Festival Screening
Glimpse of the 2025 Reel Works Film Festival
Join a diverse learning environment
Selected Narrative Lab Films Over the Years
Preview of Sky and Lucia, Directed by Violet Gallo
Every Narrative Lab filmmaker earns digital badges for the skills they build, like screenwriting, camera work, and directing. Badges are digital credentials you can add to your resume, LinkedIn, or college applications. They show schools and employers what you can actually do, not just what classes you took.
Digital Credentials You Can Earn
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Can write and deliver a film pitch that demonstrates understanding of story structure, plot or conflict, and audio/visual concepts and techniques.
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Is familiar with the Adobe Premiere Pro interface and can use its basic functions, along with common editing terms like input, output, aspect ratio, frame rate, and timecode.
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Can develop a story pitch into a detailed treatment.
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Can organize media on a hard drive and within an editing project to build a foundation for narrative editing.
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Can create a production plan to guide a shoot.
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Can maintain, operate, and shoot footage with a prosumer digital camcorder, such as the Sony Alpha Mirrorless or Canon EOS DSLR series (5D, 7D, etc.).
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Understands shot types, camera angles, and framing techniques, can interpret framing instructions on a shot list, and knows the basic pros and cons of single-camera vs. multi-camera shoots.
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Can identify the main types of mics used in film and knows when to use each, is familiar with basic sound accessories, and can identify the ideal environment for capturing high-quality sound.
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Can capture clear audio at intended levels using an external audio recorder (such as a Zoom H4n), and knows how to store and maintain it properly.
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Understands basic shot types and camera angles.
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Has basic knowledge of multiple camera types and lighting techniques.
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Can capture clear audio at intended levels using an external audio recorder (such as a Zoom H4n), and knows how to store and maintain it properly.
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![**CINEMA CAMERA OP**]()
Can maintain, operate, and shoot footage with a professional-level digital camcorder, such as the Sony Alpha (FS, FS7, FS7 II) or Canon EOS Cinema series.
