Spring Break Film Camp Provides Outlet for Creativity in Birmingham-Area Students
In a unique initiative, nearly 50 Jefferson County students participated in the third annual Dundrill Heights Spring Break Film Camp. Held at the YMCA Youth Center in downtown Birmingham, the film camp provided a novel and creative outlet for students during their spring break.
The Film Camp Initiative
Cinematic Creations, headed by filmmaker Valton Johnson, brought the film camp to life. The focus lay on teaching interested students about various aspects of film-making, including screen writing, acting, ballet, poetry, and dance.
The camp derives its name from Johnson’s movie project titled “Dundrill Heights.” Notably, “Dundrill” comes from his wife — LaCherie Price Johnson’s — family name. LaCherie was also an active participant in the camp. Johnson expressed his expectation from the students, stating that he wished for them to write their script, act out the scripts, and shoot their own scripts and movies.
Guest Appearances and Recognitions
The sessions concluded with an awards ceremony dedicated to categories including best actor/actress, best writer, and best cinematographer. Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson (D) and actor/artist Javon Johnson (no relation to Valton and LaCherie) were present. Javon is known for his role of butler Richard Hallsen on Tyler Perry’s “The Oval” and shared his experiences with the students.
Tyson emphasized on the potential of such camps in recognizing talent and stated, “There’s great talent that comes out of the state of Alabama.” She added that such institutions serve as toolkits that inspire youths to pursue their passion and follow their dreams.
Empowering Youths
Besides working as an actor on-screen, Javon also writes, directs, teaches and produces. He stated his aim to give back to the students because he distinctly remembered his initial struggles in his acting journey. He added, “Anytime you give young people a voice, it’s very important… This platform is set up to give them an opportunity to express themselves and tell the stories they want to tell. We never know how far this might take them.”
Looking Forward
Valton Johnson and his team managed to carry out 11 such film camps last year, which impacted around 1,100 students. Through these camps, they aim to prepare the students for the TV industry.
For more information on the Dundrill Heights Film Camp, people can visit www.cinematicreations.agency.
