HFI hosts a variety of educational programs designed for filmmakers.
Youth Media Initiative Drawing on the inspiration of the PSAs created by youth of Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Haydenfilms Institute created an eight-week PSA curriculum known as the Haydenfilms Youth Media Initiative. HFI partnered with the Reading Youth Violence Prevention Program, which aimed to reduce violence in
Reading, Pennsylvania, by 5% by 2014. Through this curriculum, 50 youth from Reading, 14 to 18 years of age, received instruction in various skills in filmmaking and production at
Kutztown University from October to December 2012. During the program, the students wrote, directed, and starred in 20 public service announcements for 10 Reading-based nonprofit organizations. In May 2013, the 20 PSAs were featured in a 60-day online film competition hosted exclusively on the HFI website. The public was able to view and vote on each student-produced PSA, and the top three winning student teams shared a $10,000 scholarship for
further education endeavors. The event was reported on by Youth Today and WFMZ, Channel 69 News.
Business of Entertainment Panel In April 2014, HFI hosted a two-day Workshop and Business of Entertainment Panel which provided an opportunity for high school students to get hands-on experience behind the camera. Creating their own original 30 second commercials for Advantage Point Student Apartments, these students had the chance to learn teamwork, while experimenting with media and technology, which the fulfilled. They were also able to meet and hear from Academy Award-winner,
Ron Judkins.
Filmmaking Labs Haydenfilms Institute implements three six-week-long filmmaking labs which educate students in distinct areas of filmmaking. Students of all levels learn and gain exposure to various disciplines related to the craft of film, such as directing,
cinematography, production design, editing, and the theory and practice of acting. These sessions aim to strengthen participants’ skills as industry professionals and introduce them to the gripping world of cinema.
Commercial Camp Similar in format to the Youth Media Initiative, HFI's summer commercial camps offer students an intensive immersion in film creation and production. Participants create several short commercials for sponsoring companies which then enter an online film competition hosted by HFI. All of the completed commercials are made available for the companies to use at their discretion.
Haydenfilms Institute Academy Internship Program Haydenfilms Institute runs semester-long internship programs that give college students the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment while contributing to an independent film organization. Internship opportunities are offered in 3, 6 or 9 credit programs, and provide a range of 150–450 hours of experience in film and
video production services, professional writing,
computer science, and
marketing. == References ==