Project Moonshine is a non-profit organization designed to teach filmmaking skills to students by allowing them to document important events happening in their community.

Each project has its own application process and forms are available on our website as well as through arts organizations and school districts where projects are taking place.  Those who are chosen to participate in the filmmaking process will be given digital video cameras and will be responsible for filming the events and gathering public opinion.  In addition to fine-tuning their filmmaking skills, students will have the unique opportunity to interact with their community and become directly involved with artistic events happening in their area.   The project will also serve as a public forum where local residents can express their feelings about art in relation and the surrounding community.

The first phase of each project consists of a series of educational workshops where students will gain a historical and theoretical background in documentary filmmaking and learn the basic knowledge of how to operate a digital camera.  Additionally, there will be various screenings of important documentary films from Albert Maysles, D.A. Pennebaker, Errol Morris, Lars Von Trier and several other influential directors.

During the next phase students will be given cameras and will pair up with a production coordinator to document the artist(s) and/or event(s).  Each project will differ in many respects in terms of style and emphasis, but will focus primarily on local artists and public opinion.

Once production is finished the students’ footage will be compiled and edited into a feature-length documentary film that will reveal the essence of the artist(s) and/or event(s) and identify their strengths and weaknesses.  It will be a unique way to educate youth in the art of documentary filmmaking through a direct involvement in a community’s artist events.

Please keep in mind that these projects are independent from the artists and events that we are documenting and will take an objective approach.

For more information on Project Moonshine, contact Michael Albright (michael.albright@projectmoonshine.org)