Summer Lab

Program: June 10 - July 24, 2025
Next Application Deadline: May 2

Program Overview

Summer Lab is co-sponsored by the Academy For Creative Media at UHMC. 

This advanced filmmaking program offers an in-depth immersion for motivated high school students eager to elevate their storytelling and production skills in an exciting, project-based environment. Small teams will each be tasked with writing and producing an original short narrative film, receiving detailed guidance and feedback throughout the process. We will be joined in-person and virtually by industry professional guest speakers, including Hisako Film Lab founder Destin Daniel Cretton (writer/director of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming Spider-Man 4). 

The program takes place between June 10-July 24 and consists of both whole-group class sessions at the UHMC campus as well as off-site filming locations organized independently within teams.

Eligibility: Age, Experience

Students entering grades 10-12 for the 2025-2026 school year and upcoming graduates (class of 2025) are eligible to apply. Must be age 15 and up. Open to students on Maui only. Applicants will ideally have previous filmmaking experience and understand basic digital camera settings and editing software. However, serious applicants with less film experience are welcome to apply.  

Application/Acceptance Process

Acceptance to the program is on a selective basis. Not everyone who applies will be invited to participate. After submitting an application, students may be contacted for a brief virtual interview. Acceptance status will be announced through an email to applicants.

  • Early Deadline: Application due May 2. Acceptance status announced by May 12.

  • Late Deadline: Application due June 2. Acceptance status announced by June 4.

* Late deadline applicants accepted as space is available. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

$0 Cost, Attendance, General Requirements

  • Attending the program is absolutely FREE.

  • Attendance is mandatory for all class sessions and all location filming. Before applying, review the program schedule to determine your availability to participate. Please notify instructors ahead of time for any scheduling conflicts you foresee.

  • Students will be responsible for transportation to and from our regular meetings sessions at the UHMC campus, as well as off-site filming locations during the Production (filming) phase. Limited transportation may be available to arrange from instructors as needed.

  • Students will be responsible for personal meals during class sessions.

Schedule Breakdown

Regular meetings sessions will take place Tues, Wed, Thurs each week except during Production Week (Week 4) which will have flexible hours as students create their own production schedules for filming off-site.

Week 1: June 10, 11, 12 / 9am-2pm at UHMC
Pitching Story Concepts, Writing, Equipment Review, Guest Speakers

Week 2: June 17, 18, 19 / 9am-2pm at UHMC
Writing, Pre-Production, Guest Speakers

Week 3: June 24, 25, 26 / 9am-2pm at UHMC 
Finalize Writing, Pre-Production, Casting, Guest Speakers

Week 4: June 30 - July 7 / PRODUCTION WEEK! (Off-Site Filming or Classroom Open Hours)
Teams will finalize Pre-Production and create their own Production schedules to film off-site on any day of the week. UHMC classroom available as needed.

Week 6: July 15, 16, 17 /  9am-2pm at UHMC
Post-Production, Rough Edit Review, Create Posters

Week 7: July 22, 23, 24 / 9am-2pm at UHMC
Post-Production, Final Edit Review, Project Completion! 

*The above schedule is a sample; actual itinerary may vary. 

Premiere Party!

Students will premiere their films at a special red carpet screening night open to the public! More details to be announced.

Contact

Questions? Send to: Brad Kester | bk@hisakofilms.com