Supported Lab

Free Filmmaking Program for Neurodivergent NYC Students

Write & Direct Your Own Movie

ABOUT

The Reel Works Supported Experimental Lab is a free, week-long filmmaking intensive designed for neurodivergent students in New York City. Students get hands-on community, support, and resources as they explore storytelling through experimental filmmaking.

Write, shoot, direct, and edit your own short film about a subject you care about. Then we'll help you share it with the world.

WHY JOIN THE SUPPORTED LAB?

Gain hands-on training in every aspect of narrative filmmaking
Receive mentorship from working film and TV industry professionals
Access to opportunities to showcase your work at screenings and festival
Join a diverse, supportive community of peers who are passionate about storytelling

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

Be a New York City resident
Be 16–20 years old
Commit to the full program schedule, including availability during Spring Break for film production
Prepare a one-page treatment and be ready to pitch their idea at the interview

Internships & Jobs

Alumni of our founding program have gone on to work with the biggest names in the industry.

“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

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS

"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 Alumni

SUPPORTED LAB STUDENT JOURNEY

Apply ⟶ Interview ⟶ Acceptance ⟶ Training ⟶ Production ⟶ Credentials earned ⟶ Film Festival Screening

Glimpse of the 2025 Reel Works Film Festival

JOIN A DIVERSE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Supported Lab Films Over the Years

Preview of Sky and Lucia, Directed by Violet Gallo

- Artistic Intent
- Litter

Digital Credentials You Can Earn

Since our founding program, Reel Works has built a set of digital credentials aligned with the New York State Learning Standards for the Media Arts, giving every Doc Lab student a way to show employers exactly what they've mastered.

Can write and deliver a film pitch that demonstrates understanding of story structure, plot or conflict, and audio/visual concepts and techniques.
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.
Can write a script with a clear story using standard narrative formatting.
Can develop a story pitch into a detailed treatment.
Can organize media on a hard drive and within an editing project to build a foundation for narrative editing.
Can create a production plan to guide a shoot.
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.).
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.
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.
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.
Understands basic shot types and camera angles.
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Has basic knowledge of multiple camera types and lighting techniques.
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.
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.