Los Angeles Film Camp's final summer session runs July 27–31 at Solar Studios in Glendale. Kids ages 7–14 write, shoot, act, and edit an original short film, then premiere Friday.
The final summer film camp week in LA runs July 27–31 at Solar Studios in Glendale. It goes five days, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 4pm. It’s built for kids ages 7 to 14. Your child writes a story, shoots it, acts in it, and edits it. Then the whole family watches it premiere on Friday afternoon.
That’s the short answer. Now let’s slow down and walk through the rest.
Summer moves fast. You blink in June, and suddenly it’s late July. Maybe your kid has watched every show twice. Maybe the “I’m bored” chorus has started at 9am sharp. This week is the reset button.
It’s also the last one on the calendar. Sessions ran all June and July, and July 27–31 closes out the summer. As the old saying goes, the early bird gets the worm. A handful of spots are still open as of this writing, but the last week always fills fast.
So here’s your full guide. What the week looks like, what it costs, who runs it, and how to grab a seat before it’s gone.
Here are the fast facts for the July 27–31 Los Angeles session. Skim this first. Then dig into the sections below if you want the full picture.
Think of this list as the movie trailer. It tells you the shape of the week in ten seconds flat. The rest of this post is the full feature.
Why does the July 27–31 week matter more than the others? Because it’s the last chance this summer. Once Friday’s premiere ends, camp goes quiet until the holiday sessions. If your child has been itching to make a movie, this is the window before the school bell rings again.
Camp happens at Solar Studios, a working production space at 3909 San Fernando Rd in Glendale, California. This isn’t a school gym with a camera in the corner. It’s a real studio where real crews shoot real projects.
Glendale sits right in LA’s entertainment corridor. Your kid films where the pros film. That matters more than it sounds. Kids stand a little taller when the room feels legit.
Getting there is easy for most of the city. The studio has quick freeway access from the 134, the 2, the 5, and the 210. Parking is free and there’s plenty of it. Drop-off and pickup won’t turn into a battle for a curb spot.
Where do families usually come from? All over. We’ve had campers roll in from Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and Eagle Rock. Others come from Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Highland Park, and Montrose. Studio City, Sherman Oaks, and North Hollywood are short hops too.
If you’re weighing options across the region, our roundup of the best Los Angeles summer camps breaks down how this program stacks up. A camp near home is worth its weight in gold when you’re juggling a summer schedule.
One more thing parents love. Everything happens indoors. Solar Studios is climate-controlled and built for production. So a July heat wave never touches your child’s week. No sunburn, no rained-out plans, no melting on a blacktop.
Each day of the July 27–31 week builds on the one before it. Monday starts with a blank page. Friday ends with a finished film on a big screen. In between, your kid learns filmmaking the way it actually works, one step at a time.
Curious how five days turns into a real short film? Here’s the honest breakdown. For an even deeper look at how the craft is taught, our week-by-week curriculum guide covers the same arc in detail.
Morning is all about warming up. Kids meet their crew, break the ice, and learn the jobs on a film set. Then they watch and pick apart real short films. What makes a story land? They start spotting the tricks.
Afternoon is where the sparks fly. Campers pitch original ideas out loud. The group votes on favorites. Teams form around the stories they love most. Then they draft scripts and sketch out shots with instructor help.
By the end of day one, your child has a story and a team. That’s no small thing. Every big movie started as one person with an idea and the nerve to say it out loud.
Morning locks the script and runs table reads. Then comes the acting workshop. Kids learn how to hit their marks, show real emotion, and speak to a lens. Even the ones who swore they’d never act often surprise themselves here.
Afternoon is camera training with real gear. Campers learn to hold it, aim it, and roll it safely. They build shot lists and scout spots around the studio. Costumes and props get sorted. Everything’s ready for filming day.
Ever seen a shy kid find their voice? Tuesday is often the day it happens. Give a quiet kid a real job, and watch them step up.
Morning kicks off with a lighting workshop. Kids learn the classic three-point setup that pros use every day. Then the cameras roll for real. Filming begins with instructors close by.
Afternoon keeps the cameras rolling. Crews rotate through every job. One kid directs, then runs the camera, then records sound, then acts. Nobody gets stuck in one lane. Everyone tastes the whole process.
This is the loud, messy, fun heart of the week. Making a movie is a team sport, plain and simple. No one wins it alone.
Morning finishes principal photography. Crews grab any missing shots. They redo scenes that need a second try. Then they watch their footage together and cheer what they pulled off.
Afternoon opens the editing chapter. Kids meet real editing software for the first time. They start cutting footage, learning about pacing, transitions, and timing. Raw clips slowly turn into a story that flows.
Editing is where the magic hides. A pile of clips becomes a movie. It’s like turning scattered puzzle pieces into one clear picture.
Morning is the final push. Kids add music that hits the feels. They build titles and credits. They mix sound and polish the color. The film comes together for real.
Then at 3:00 PM, the doors open. Families arrive for the red-carpet premiere. Your child walks the carpet, introduces their film, and hits play. Certificates get handed out. The room erupts.
Will you tear up a little? Probably. Most parents do. Watching your kid debut something they built from nothing is a feeling that sticks.
By Friday, your camper has touched every major job on a real film crew. This isn’t a week of watching movies and calling it camp. It’s a week of doing the work, hands on the gear.
Here’s the skill set your kid picks up, broken down piece by piece.
Scriptwriting and pitching. Every film starts with a story. Kids learn to pitch an idea, shape characters with real voices, and draft a shooting script. They find out how a rough thought becomes a plan. That’s a skill that helps in the classroom too.
Directing and camera operation. Who calls the shots? Your kid does. Campers learn to block a scene, talk to their actors, pick angles, and run pro-grade cameras. It’s the same gear LA sets use every day.
Green screen and special effects. This is the part kids talk about at dinner. Campers use green screen and simple practical effects to pull off big moments. They can fly through space or dodge an explosion, all inside the studio.
Acting for film. Every camper steps in front of the lens. Through guided drills, they learn screen presence, line delivery, and how to show feeling on camera. Stage fright shrinks fast when the whole crew is rooting for you.
Set, costume, and makeup design. A bare studio becomes a whole world. Kids build sets, style wardrobe, craft props, and try character makeup. They learn that the small details are what make a film feel real.
Editing and music. The final cut is where movies are truly made. Campers assemble footage, fix the timing, layer in music and sound, and add titles. They watch raw clips turn into a polished story.
Why does this matter past summer? Because these skills stick. Pitching an idea, taking feedback, solving problems on the fly, standing behind a creative choice. Those muscles carry into school, friendships, and life. A finished film is the prize. The grit is the gift that keeps giving.
Campers make short films across every genre, from comedy to drama to music videos. There’s no single mold. The story comes from the kids, so the range is wide open.
Some crews cook up goofy comedies with big laughs. Others go for drama with real stakes and real feeling. A few build music videos packed with energy and quick edits. Talk shows, adventures, mysteries, and superhero tales all show up too.
Why let kids pick their own genre? Because ownership fuels effort. A kid who chose the story works twice as hard to finish it. When it’s their idea, they pour their heart into it.
The green screen opens even more doors. Suddenly a studio in Glendale becomes outer space, a jungle, or a haunted house. Kids learn that a small room plus imagination can build any world. That lesson sticks long after the credits roll.
Every camper leaves with a finished film they can show off. It goes on the family group chat. It plays at grandma’s house. It becomes the thing your kid won’t stop talking about. A first film is a badge of honor, and they wear it proud.
A typical day runs 9am to 4pm, with a clear rhythm that keeps kids busy but not fried. You drop off in the morning and pick up in the late afternoon. Simple as that.
Mornings kick off with focused work. That’s when the heavier lifting happens, like script sessions, camera training, or filming. Kids have the most energy early, so that’s when the crew tackles the tricky stuff. Instructors keep the pace steady and the mood light.
Midday brings a lunch break. Your child eats the lunch you packed, refuels, and burns off a little steam with their crew. Snacks come from camp, so nobody’s running on empty. A hungry kid can’t make a movie, after all.
Afternoons stay hands-on but a touch looser. This is often filming, editing, or building sets. The work feels like play because it mostly is. By 4pm, your camper spills out the door with stories to tell.
Worried about the long day? Don’t be. The variety is the secret sauce. Kids rotate between writing, acting, filming, and editing, so no single task drags on. When you switch jobs every hour, the day flies by.
Drop-off and pickup are smooth thanks to free parking and easy freeway access. No circling the block. No stress. You hand off a curious kid at 9 and get back a proud filmmaker at 4.
This week fits kids ages 7 to 14 who love stories, screens, acting, or just making stuff. No film background needed. Most campers walk in having never touched a real camera.
Worried your child is too green? Don’t be. The whole program is built for beginners. Instructors meet each kid right where they are. By midweek, the camera-shy ones are calling “action” like they’ve done it for years.
Got a quiet kid who hangs back in groups? This might surprise you. Filmmaking has a job for every personality. Some kids want the spotlight. Others love running the camera or shaping the story. Every voice finds its place on screen.
Kids get grouped by age so the fit feels right. Younger campers, roughly 7 to 10, lean into play, imagination, and simple storytelling. Older campers, 11 to 14, take on the trickier gear and step into leadership on their crew.
You can read the full rundown of what a Los Angeles summer film camp week includes on our LA program page. Every kid comes home with a finished film and a little more spine. That confidence doesn’t wash off when summer ends.
The July 27–31 week costs $595, and that price covers the full five days. No surprise fees waiting in the wings. What you see is what you pay.
Here’s what that tuition buys. Your child gets professional cameras, microphones, lights, and editing software for the whole week. They get snacks each day. They get small-group instruction from working filmmakers. And they get a finished short film plus a red-carpet premiere.
What do you send from home? Not much. Just a packed lunch, a water bottle, and comfy clothes your kid can move in. If they want to bring a costume piece or a small prop for their film, that’s welcome too.
Want a simple rundown before day one? Our guide on what to pack for film camp keeps it short and stress-free. Packing light is half the battle with a busy week.
A quick word on value. The American Camp Association tracks day camp costs across the country, and specialty programs often run higher than $595 for a full week with real gear. A hands-on film week with pro equipment and a finished movie sits on the fair side of that range. You’re not paying for babysitting. You’re paying for a skill and a memory.
Sibling discounts are available too. If you’re sending more than one kid, reach out and ask. Two campers shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Every instructor and staff member clears a full background check before ever meeting a camper. Safety isn’t a footnote here. It’s the ground floor.
We know the fear. You’re handing your kid to strangers for a week. That’s a big ask. So the whole team gets screened, and every session runs on clear rules. Peace of mind should come standard.
Small groups help too. Each week caps at 12 kids. Inside that, crews of 4 to 6 give every camper real eyes-on time. No child slips through the cracks. No kid gets lost in a crowd of forty.
The instructors aren’t just babysitters with clipboards. They’re working LA filmmakers who happen to be great with kids. They know the craft from the inside. And they know how to push a young camper without ever overwhelming them.
What about the shy kid who worries about fitting in? The small-crew setup is built for exactly that. When four kids share one movie, everyone matters. Belonging isn’t left to chance.
The week ends with a real red-carpet premiere on Friday at 3:00 PM. This is the part families remember for years. It’s not a slideshow. It’s a proper screening.
Picture it. Parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends fill the room. The lights dim. Your child walks the carpet, says a few words about their film, and hits play. Then the whole crew watches their movie hit the screen for the first time.
Why does this moment matter so much? Because pride is a powerful thing for a kid. They made something real. Now the people they love are watching it. That memory outlasts any trophy on a shelf.
Certificates get handed out. Photos get snapped. And more than a few campers start asking about next summer before they’ve even left the building.
Ending summer with a film camp week sends your kid back to school on a high note. The timing works in your favor more than you’d think.
By late July, the early-summer camps are done. The novelty of free time has worn thin. Kids are ready for something with purpose again. This week fills that gap right before the school routine returns.
There’s a confidence bump too. A child who just wrote, shot, and premiered a movie walks into the new year standing taller. They have a real story to tell on the first day back. Show and tell just got a serious upgrade.
It’s also a clean finish. No loose ends, no half-summer slump. Your kid closes the break with a real project in hand and a red-carpet memory. That’s a strong way to turn the page.
And practically speaking, the last week solves the late-summer scramble. When you’re out of ideas and the calendar’s bare, one great week beats another stretch of screens. Sometimes the best plans come together at the last minute.
Not every summer program teaches a real skill, and that’s the honest difference here. Plenty of camps fill a day. Fewer send a kid home with a finished film and new confidence.
Some parents weigh online film classes against an in-person week. Online can work for a motivated older kid. But a screen can’t hand your child a real camera or a live crew to bounce ideas off. Filmmaking is a team craft. It’s tough to learn alone in a bedroom.
Others compare general day camps with a focused film week. General camps are great for burning energy. A film camp trades a little of that for a real, lasting skill. Your kid learns to tell a story on camera, and that talent travels far past summer.
Here’s the plain test. Does the camp leave your child with something they made? Something they’re proud to show off? This week does. That’s the whole point.
If you want the bigger picture of what the brand offers across three cities, Film Camp runs hands-on programs in LA, Austin, and San Francisco. But for this July 27–31 week, Glendale’s Solar Studios is home base.
Enrolling takes under two minutes online, and the July 27–31 week is the last summer session on the calendar. Spots are capped at 12, so the final week tends to go quick.
The process is dead simple. Pick the July 27–31 week. Reserve your spot online. Show up Monday with a lunch and a curious kid. That’s it.
Nervous about committing? The refund policy is built to be fair. Cancel 14 or more days before the session, and you get a full refund. Cancel between 7 and 13 days out, and you get half back. Inside the last week, we hand you full credit toward any future session. Life happens, and we roll with it.
Ready to give your kid a movie-making summer? Reserve their spot for the July 27–31 week before this final session fills. A handful of seats beats a full house every time.
What age group is the July 27–31 Los Angeles session for?
The session welcomes kids ages 7 to 14. Campers get grouped by age, so younger kids focus on play and story while older kids take on trickier gear and crew leadership. Everyone works at the right level for them.
My child has never made a film. Is that okay?
More than okay. Most campers arrive as total beginners. Instructors are trained to start from zero. By midweek, even the camera-shy kids are calling the shots with confidence.
Is this just kids staring at screens all day?
Not even close. Kids are up and moving, acting, building sets, running cameras, and working with a crew. Screen time is limited to real editing, which is a hands-on skill. This is the opposite of a week on the couch.
What does my child need to bring each day?
Just a packed lunch, a water bottle, and comfy clothes for moving around. Film Camp provides every camera, mic, light, and editing tool, plus daily snacks. Costume pieces and small props from home are welcome but not required.
How much does the July 27–31 week cost?
Tuition is $595 for the full five-day week. That covers all equipment, instruction, snacks, a finished short film, and the Friday premiere. Sibling discounts are available, so ask if you’re sending more than one kid.
How big are the groups?
Each week caps at 12 campers, no exceptions. Within that, kids split into crews of 4 to 6. That small size means real hands-on time and close guidance for every child.
Will my child act on camera and work behind the scenes?
Both, for sure. A rotation system moves every camper through directing, camera work, sound, and acting. Whether your kid loves the spotlight or the control room, they’ll spend real time in each role.
Can my kid be on the same crew as a friend?
Often, yes. Just let the team know when you enroll or at drop-off. Crews are small, and instructors do their best to keep buddies together while still mixing in new faces.
Do parents stay during the day?
No need. This is a drop-off day camp, so you hand off at 9am and head out. You’re welcome back Friday at 3pm for the premiere. Enjoy the quiet while your kid makes movie magic.
How early should I enroll?
Sooner beats later, especially for this final week. Sessions cap at 12 kids, and the last week of summer tends to fill first. If your child wants in, grab the spot while it’s there.
What if my child has a food allergy?
Flag it when you enroll. Snacks are provided, and the team will work with you on anything your child needs. Since you pack the lunch, you stay in full control of the main meal.
What if the weather is bad that week?
It won’t matter. Every activity happens indoors at Solar Studios, which is climate-controlled and built for production. A July heat wave never touches the schedule.
Is the Friday premiere open to the whole family?
Yes, and it’s the best part. Parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends are all invited to the red-carpet premiere at 3:00 PM Friday. Come early and grab a good seat.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel 14 or more days out for a full refund. Cancel 7 to 13 days out for a 50% refund. Inside the last week, you get full credit toward a future session. The policy is built to be fair.
The July 27–31 week at Solar Studios is the last summer film camp session in LA, and it delivers a real movie in five days. Your child ages 7 to 14 writes, shoots, acts, and edits. Then they premiere it for the people they love.
Summer’s almost in the rearview. But there’s still time for one great week. A week where your kid makes something real, makes new friends, and walks a red carpet on Friday.
The screening ends, the school year starts, and the film stays. That’s a trade worth making. Strike while the iron’s hot, because the final week won’t wait.
Reserve your child’s spot for the July 27–31 Los Angeles session today. A handful of seats are still open. Give your kid the summer ending they’ll actually remember.
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