At the NSLC on Film Production & Screenwriting, you’ll develop an original story and bring it to life on screen as you explore the creative and technical sides of filmmaking. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative projects, discover how directors, cinematographers, screenwriters, and editors work together throughout the production process. Write and workshop scripts, make creative decisions behind the camera, and collaborate with your team to produce a short narrative film.
Program Highlights
Inside Film at NSLC
Explore filmmaking and screenwriting firsthand this summer. NSLC pre-college programs combine academic learning with real-world opportunities, giving you the experience and perspective to make more confident decisions about college and your future career.
Explore through hands-on learning.
Develop the skills and knowledge you need for a future career in film with experiential simulations.
Explore SimulationsLearn from industry leaders.
Get real-world perspectives and insider knowledge straight from the experts.
Explore Guest Speakers
Go behind the scenes.
Discover the inner workings of the field through immersive trips and tours.
Explore Trips & ToursIt exceeded my expectations, both with how much we learned about film and the social aspect. I didn't know it was possible to be this disciplined while having the best laughs of my life.
Bella, Florida
Hands-on Simulations
Experience the filmmaking process
through hands-on workshops that mirror real-world production. Develop an original concept, write and workshop scripts, and collaborate with your team to produce a short narrative film. Explore the production process from directing and cinematography to editing, and gain insight into how creative and technical roles work together to bring a story to screen.
48 Second Film Festival
Armed with only a movie quote and a film genre, you and your team will race to write, record, and edit a short film before time runs out.
Filmmaking Foundations
Discover the principles of producing, directing, shot design, and cinematography needed to create your film.
Develop a Screenplay
Explore the fundamentals of story structure, script formatting, and composing believable dialogue between your characters.
Assemble a Crew
Learn about the positions that make up a film crew and the equipment each person needs to capture a scene.
From Script to Screen
Shoot your narrative film with your production team and learn editing techniques to perfect your project.
Guest Speakers
Gain industry insights.
Interact with guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds that bring practical knowledge and real-world experiences to the Film Production & Screenwriting program.
See Past Guest Speakers
Warner Brother Studios
Sony Pictures Studios
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Santa Monica Pier
Trips & Tours
Go beyond the classroom.
Gain a new perspective on filmmaking through field trips that uncover how the industry works behind the scenes. A mix of educational and sightseeing tours allow you to explore the city surrounding the university.
See Trips by Location
Leadership
is in our name.
Each NSLC program contains a leadership curriculum designed to teach skills that can apply to all areas of life. Workshops on personality styles, communication and listening, resilience, and empathy set the foundation for a successful future, no matter where it may lead.
Watch VideoLife on a College Campus
Dates, Locations, & Tuition
NSLC provides an immersive pre-college experience that prepares students for life beyond high school, allowing them to study in university classrooms, learn to navigate a campus, and experience college life firsthand. When submitting an application, students will select a residential or commuter option: residential students stay on campus in supervised dormitories, while commuter students follow daily arrival and departure times designated by their chosen location.
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
$4,595 Residential
$3,925 Commuter
Summer 2027
Jun 23 - Jul 1
Jul 5 - Jul 13
Tuition Resources
Earn College Credit
NSLC has partnered with American University to offer an online college credit opportunity for students across all our programs and locations. AU’s faculty-taught courses are completed at home outside the dates of your program and tailored to complement your area of study.
Learn MoreRelated Programs
Students interested in Film Production & Screenwriting also expressed interest in these programs.
Film Production FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering if NSLC’s Film Production & Screenwriting program is right for you? Explore below, read our general FAQs, or reach out to our team. We’re happy to help!
You don’t need to have made a film before attending NSLC’s Film Production & Screenwriting program. You’ll explore the fundamentals of storytelling and production through workshops and collaborative projects, with opportunities to try different responsibilities on a film crew. Whether you’ve already experimented with making videos or are exploring filmmaking for the first time, the program can help you develop your interests and learn new techniques.
Film production focuses on the practical process of making movies, including screenwriting, directing, cinematography, sound, and editing. Film studies takes a more analytical approach, examining films through their history, cultural significance, visual language, and storytelling techniques. College programs may combine elements of both, but their emphasis can vary. NSLC’s Film Production & Screenwriting program gives you hands-on experience with filmmaking, helping you decide whether you enjoy the creative and technical work behind the camera.
The film industry includes screenwriters, cinematographers, editors, producers, sound designers, production designers, and many other professionals. Each role contributes something different to the finished film, from developing the story to shaping its visual style or coordinating production. At NSLC, you’ll explore how a film crew works together, giving you an introduction to several career paths and helping you discover which responsibilities interest you most.
You don’t need professional equipment or formal training to start making films. Try writing a short scene, filming it with your phone, and experimenting with camera angles, lighting, sound, and editing to see how each choice affects the story. You can also join a school film club, collaborate with friends, or take a filmmaking class to gain experience working with others. At NSLC, you’ll build on those interests by exploring the production process, from developing a screenplay to filming and editing a short narrative film.
Film school is one way to develop technical skills, creative experience, and an understanding of the industry, but it isn’t the only path. Some filmmakers study film production or related subjects in college, while others build experience through independent projects and work on productions. Different careers may require different types of training. At NSLC, you’ll explore the filmmaking process firsthand, giving you a better understanding of which skills you’d like to develop and whether studying film in college appeals to you.
If you enjoy telling stories, working creatively with others, or figuring out how images and sound can communicate an idea, filmmaking may be worth exploring. You don’t have to know whether you’d prefer writing, directing, or editing before you begin. At NSLC, you’ll experience several stages of production, helping you discover which parts you enjoy and whether you’d like to pursue filmmaking further.
Your future starts here.
Join our mailing list to get a brochure and stay in touch.