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These have been the best two weeks of my life. I’m posting this on my babysitting account bc it’s where I do all my reviews so I don’t get the algorithm btw. The people here aren’t spoiled preppy brats they’re the best friends I have ever made so quickly if not ever. I made two movies I’m so proud of. My dorm and roommates were fantastic, the food was great, the res life activities were great, the staff were so welcoming and funny and I made more inside jokes than ever. As a kid without many friends who gets paper balls thrown over her head in class to the trash can I have never had a better experience with a group of people. Thanks to all the staff who made it amazing and I hope I can go back next summer for the advanced program. I’ll miss all my friends so much. You might see this review and think “it can’t be that great that’s just circumstance” but EVERYONE this session had this amazing of a time. Believe me, you’ll have an amazing time. If I could rate it 6 stars I would.
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SOCAPA summer camp reviews
Sometimes it's better to hear it from someone else. Read what real students and parents say about our summer camps and pre-college programs, in their own words.
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Showing 22 reviews for Film in Los Angeles
Clear filtersI literally found SOCAPA by Googling “summer camp for kids who don’t like camp.” It turned out to be a great fit for our art-oriented son who was very interested in film and wanted to explore filmmaking. He started with the virtual screenwriting program and enjoyed that enough to try the 3-week basic filmmaking summer program in LA. He had a great experience! He learned a lot about filmmaking and confirmed his desire to pursue it in college, met some new friends with interests similar to his, and loved the campus and LA scene. We were glad to find a summer experience for him that he could truly enjoy. We also love that it gave him an opportunity to “try out” his intended college program and experience a slice of college life prior to applying to colleges.
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Both of my sons have attended filmmaking camps there for more than one summer. They returned on their own initiative. The program is organized, well-run, professional, and responsive. The staff and instructors were nurturing, encouraging, talented and inspiring. We have attended more than one showcase and been highly impressed by the caliber of the students' work and their obvious enthusiasm and delight at being together as part of the camp experience. Bonds were definitely formed among them. My sons continue to be in touch with their SOCAPA friends. My oldest son was inspired to apply to film school as a result of his SOCAPA experience. A SOCAPA instructor wrote him a recommendation, and he will be attending a university film school in the fall! I would definitely recommend sending your children to this camp.
I had just graduated from my middle school and my mom signed me up for a one week film camp in California because I am super into that stuff. I showed up and was immediately met with open arms and love from the entire staff and student body. The lessons were engaging and absolutely fascinating. I was able to transform a passion for movies and making videos into understanding the process of filmmaking in a very real way. But beyond what I learned, and I learned a hell of a lot, I made friends that I still talk to after two years. After the camp ended, we would group Skype all the time. The bonds and relationships you will make at this camp are astonishing and everlasting. The next year I did the two week camp and met who I would consider some of the best friends I have ever had. I am going to SOCAPA this summer for three weeks this time and I am beyond excited for what’s to come. This place is amazing, please trust me.
The SOCAPA program provided a wonderful experience for my stepson. Although he enrolled at the last minute, SOCAPA extended itself in making accommodations for him. He was able to join two classes, screenwriting and filmmaking, and also participate as an actor in three of the projects. I was impressed by the seriousness and quality of the instruction, the support to the students that the instructors gave, and the diversity of the program itself, which included acting, filmmaking, and photography.
Different students participated in different parts of the program, but the mix made the whole greater than the parts. The fact that there were young people from all over the US as well as from abroad added another very positive dimension to the program. There was great camaraderie, and my stepson made many friends from all over the world. He is still in touch with many of them.
Although he was a day student, I saw enough through his eyes to know that the students in the residential program were well taken care of in terms of safety — while giving them enough freedom to have fun.
All in all SOCAPA provided a high quality learning experience and a great summer.
Honestly such an incredible experience. I've gone to SOCAPA for about 5 years and it is one of the most welcoming places. It's a place were you can get away from any problems you have and just be yourself. I've made some of my best friends at this camp and still keep in touch with most of them today. I've learned an extreme amount at this camp. I found my style at this camp. I've been given opportunity at this camp. I found my dream at this camp. Anytime someone asks me about any good film programs I send them in the direction of SOCAPA because I honestly can't think of a bad experience, from the 5 years that I have, had at the camp. This past summer I interned at the camp and even as an intern I managed to make a film and help other students on theirs. This camp taught me about film festivals and how to get my name out there. All my success in the film industry I owe to SOCAPA and all the wonderful people that come out from it. If you are considering if SOCAPA is worth it? Take my word for it, IT IS.
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My son participated in this program the last two summers. It was OUTSTANDING. Excellent instruction, hands-on learning, in a very professional setting. This is the best program of its kind we have ever encountered. My family highly recommends SOCAPA!
Our son is interested in filmmaking and screenwriting and aspires to someday direct.
He thoroughly enjoyed his experience last summer at Socapa LA and found it beneficial on many levels.
It was an engaging setting for him and validated his interest in the entertainment industry.
I believe this to be a great environment to further develop skillsets and help a young person determine if they do wish to pursue this path.
I did the 2-week core filmmaking program last year in the LA campus, and I had the time of my life! I learned so much from incredible teachers who are actually in the film industry, which is even better that just having amazing teachers because they can give even better advice because of their experiences. I met amazing people who were just as passionate and interested in film as me, which created such an amazing atmosphere, and I still talk to them all the time. I've done other film camps before, but I definitely enjoyed this one the most, because I could tell that both the other kids and the instructors really wanted to be there and get the most out of it that they could. I loved it so much that I'm coming back this summer to do the screenwriting program in Manhattan!
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My son attended the SOCAPA Core Filmmaking camp in Los Angeles last summer and learned SO much. He came home even more excited about producing films and honed his skills in writing, editing, shooting, sound and overall production. The staff were very supportive and trustworthy. This summer, he had several choices of film camps to attend and decided that SOCAPA is THE best and only place for him. We are sending him to the NYC program this year and feel confident that SOCAPA is preparing him for a future creating what he loves. Not to mention, preparing him to apply to the competitive University film programs! Three weeks at SOCAPA will provide him with 3 new completed film projects of high caliber for his resume, plus valuable experience working with like-minded and inspiring new friends.
Excellent program! Our daughter learned so much during her time there and made many wonderful connections which continue today. She participated for three summers during high school and was recently accepted to her dream college for film production. This program is well worth the money, and I can not recommend it enough!! Thank you SOCAPA!!!
My son has been attending SOCAPA since the summer before his 9th grade year and he will be attending again this year going into his senior year. He has gained incredible skills, met life-long friends, and loved every minute of the independence and education he has received.
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Had a blast at SOCAPA LA last summer! I had been doing video productions for four years but had never done scripted shorts. SOCAPA's Core Filmmaking taught me a lot about how to write, direct, shoot, and edit short films. I had a lot of fun and made many great friends in the process. All of the staff members in LA were very friendly. The campus ended up feeling like a giant family by the end of the three weeks and I still keep in touch with many of my classmates. Can't wait to do the Advanced Filmmaking course this summer in New York
My son took one of the filmmaking classes and not only learned a tremendous amount about the end-to-end filmmaking process, but also had a great time with the other students. Additionally, I can not say enough positive things about the staff! They were exceptionally attentive to needs of both the students and the parents. My son will be returning to the camp again next year. I can not recommend SOCPA's programs highly enough.
I did the 3 week core film program for 3 weeks and it was the best 3 weeks of my life. I learned so much about writing, directing and editing and I also built life long relationships with some of my peers. The staff are all so nice, fun, and helpful. Overall, going to Socapa was the best decision I have ever made.
My daughter (14 at the time) went to LA from NJ for this camp for three weeks last summer and loved it. She did the film camp and the things that she was exposed to were amazing. The films she made, remarkable. She’s going back to the advanced camp this summer - and attending their winter program in NYC starting next week. Great program!
I've been to SOCAPA 3 summers in a row and I'm greatly looking forward to returning this year as an intern. The atmosphere is friendly and encouraging, and the students and staff are passionate and inspiring!
I went to SOCAPA last summer, and I will be returning again this year. The experience I had last year was unbelievable, it revealed in me a real passion for film. In the Filmmaking course I took, I was surrounded with smart students, friends, and teachers. This allowed me to make three films in three weeks, and each got more powerful than the previous one, while at the same time being all very different. I recommend SOCAPA to anyone who wants an enlightening experience.
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This has been transformative for my son, Dylan, who is 13 years old, and wants to be a movie director. He did one week in 2018 and was so sad to see it end, so he is doing 2-3 weeks in 2019 !
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My 14-year-old daughter attended SOCAPA and she absolutely loved it! I only heard positive things about her experience. She came home with a new sense of self, new friends and a new energy for her passions.
My son loved the core film making camp and is so excited to attend the advanced program this summer! I highly recommend this camp.
I went to SOCAPA for film and I thought it was a great program for those who really have a passion for film. I was able to learn many important things including how to edit using Premiere what the lingo is for directing and how to use a camera. During the camp I made three films from start to finish which was a great learning experience. I started by writing a script, then I directed group of people in making the film, and finally I edited the final part. SOCAPA was a great experience.
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