Cleveland State University
SCHOOL OF FILM & MEDIA ARTS
Odyssey Program
Pre-College experience for young filmmakers age 13-18
Teaching tomorrow’s storytellers
Want to be the next Wes Anderson, Ava DuVernay, or Greta Gerwig? Made possible by a generous gift from Lee and Ageleke Zapis, the Odyssey Program at Cleveland State University’s School of Film & Media Arts inspires a new generation of creative talent with a range of offerings for high school students interested in learning the art of filmmaking. From one-day Saturday workshops covering a variety of filmmaking topics to immersive in-person one and three week summer camps, the Odyssey Program provides experiential learning opportunities for young film fanatics of all skill levels.
The Odyssey Program was made possible by a generous gift from Lee and Ageleke Zapis.
“It’s an incredible way to connect with others who love film and the art of filmmaking just as much as you.”
In FILMMAKERS INTENSIVE Odyssey participants create their own original films from start to finish in a fun and collaborative environment. CSU Faculty teach screenwriting, directing, cinematography, lighting, editing, and sound. In addition to creating their own film, campers act or crew in each other’s project.
Residential and Day Options: Sunday, June 15 – Friday, June 27, 2025
In Stories and Scripts campers participate in creative workshops to spark story ideas and scenarios, then write film scenes utilizing professional scriptwriting software. Writing exercises will focus on creating characters, identifying genre, and learning scene structure. Each student will have access to their own account in the professional screenwriting program Celtx.
Residential and Day Options: Sunday, July 6 – Friday, July 11, 2025
In Acting & Directing students focus on the collaboration between actors and directors through creative film projects. Students learn performance and directing skills in a series of workshops, including camera technique, script analysis, improvisation, monologues, and scene work. Each camper films a selected scene or monologue for the final showing.
Residential and Day Options: Sunday, July 13 – Friday, July 18, 2025
TWO CAMPS! Crew-up with friends new and old and take the 5-Day Film Challenge! Students will produce an original short film from concept to final credits from a series of prompts and guidelines provided by CSU Faculty.
Residential and Day Options:
JUNE Challenge: June 8 – July 13, 2025
JULY Challenge: July 20 – July 25, 2025
The Experience
Students see behind the scenes and learn how the industry actually works through special guest lectures and site visits to real-world media environments. Outside of class, residential students get a preview of college life by staying in the dorms and experiencing Cleveland’s robust cultural offerings through scheduled trips and activities. Live local? Register for the day camp option and save on room and board costs.
Make Films. Make Friends.
- 1375 Euclid Ave, Suite 600 Cleveland, Ohio 44115
- odyssey@csuohio.edu
- (216) 687-5087
- csufilmodyssey
- csufilmodyssey
- CSU Film Odyssey