Rolling enrollment open. Courses prorated.
Explore now.This hands-on filmmaking master class is designed for students who love storytelling, creativity, and self-expression. In a supportive and welcoming environment, students will learn the complete filmmaking process, from developing an original idea to creating and editing their very own short film. Whether students are new to filmmaking or already have experience, this course provides individualized guidance and encouragement while celebrating each student's unique strengths and perspective.
This hands-on filmmaking master class is designed specifically for students who are passionate about storytelling, creativity, and self-expression. In a supportive and welcoming environment, students will learn the complete filmmaking process-from developing an original idea to creating and editing their very own short film.
Whether students are new to filmmaking or already have creative experience, this course provides individualized guidance and encouragement while celebrating each student's unique strengths, interests, and perspective. Throughout the program, students will explore screenwriting, pre-production planning, on-set production techniques, and video editing, gaining practical skills while collaborating with peers and bringing their creative visions to life.
Our goal is to create a safe space where students can build confidence, develop new skills, express themselves creatively, and experience the excitement of seeing their ideas transformed into a finished movie. Students Gain: Hands-on experience with professional filmmaking techniques Increased confidence in creative expression and storytelling Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills through project-based learning Experience working independently and collaboratively Improved communication and presentation skills New friendships and connections with fellow creative minds.
This class celebrates creativity, individuality, and imagination while empowering students to tell stories that matter to them. By the end of the course, each student will have experienced the journey of becoming a filmmaker-from the first spark of an idea to the final cut of their own movie.
Whether Hands-on experience with professional filmmaking techniques Increased confidence in creative expression and storytelling Problem- solving and critical-thinking skills through project-based learning Experience working independently and collaboratively Improved communication and presentation skills New friendships and connections with fellow creative minds. This class celebrates creativity, individuality, and imagination while empowering students to tell stories that matter to them.
By the end of the course, each student will have experienced the journey of becoming a filmmaker - from the first spark of an idea to the final cut of their own movie.
Parents consistently tell us that the confidence their child builds in this course carries into school presentations, social situations, and everyday life. It builds vocal expression, body awareness, and the ability to stand in front of an audience without anxiety. That kind of self-assurance is something no textbook can teach.
For kids who feel like they have to mask or hold back in other settings, this course gives them permission to be expressive, creative, and fully themselves. The entire experience happens in a supportive environment where every kid gets to shine. Parents watch their child come alive in ways they have not seen before.
YSA is a UC-registered online publisher and WASC-accredited Supplementary Education Center, which means our courses can count toward official college credit requirements. State schools can recognize the courses your student takes here, adding real legitimacy to your homeschooling journey or building on top of your student's existing transcript. That unlocks two ways to enroll: For Credit -- Your student earns official, accredited credit toward their transcript. For-credit students complete weekly assignments that build toward their transcript grade. Outside-of-class work ranges from 1-2 hours per week. Perfect for families who want documentation that reflects what their child is actually capable of -- to show the world how brilliant they are. For Enrichment -- Your student takes the very same course purely for the love of learning. No grades, no outside-of-class work, no credit attached. Just the content, the community, and the growth. Same course. Same mentor. Same experience in class. You choose what fits your family.
If you homeschool, this works seamlessly. If your student attends another school full time, we create a report card and transcript that we share with you, and you share with the school. It is up to your primary school to accept it and add it to your student's official transcript.
Build vocal expression, body awareness, and stage presence in a low-pressure environment where the mentor models everything first 
Develop the confidence to perform, present, and express themselves in front of others without anxiety or self-consciousness 
Experience the full creative process from character development to performance, building teamwork and collaboration skills naturally 
Grow in self-expression and emotional intelligence in a safe, inclusive space where every student gets to shine 
Hello! I'm Robert, a professional videographer with over a decade of experience bringing stories to life behind the camera. I've always been fascinated by the art of storytelling, whether it's through film, television, video games, or creative writing. When I'm not working on video projects, you'll probably find me exploring history, learning about space, diving into a new game, or discovering some other fascinating topic. I love sharing that sense of curiosity with my students and helping them find subjects that spark their own excitement. My goal is to create a welcoming, supportive environment where students feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, sharing ideas, and exploring their creativity. Whether we're analyzing stories, learning new skills, or creating something entirely original, I want students to discover that learning can be both fun and rewarding. Most importantly, I hope every student leaves class not only with new knowledge and creative skills, but also with greater confidence in their own unique way of thinking and learning. Some of the world's most interesting ideas come from people who see things differently - and I can't wait to see what your child creates!
WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING
Parents don't just see happier kids. They see sharper thinking, stronger friendships, and a child who actually wants to log on.
★★★★★
"My son wrote, shot, and edited his own short film with Mr. Rob, and watching him screen it for the group was the proudest moment of his year."
Bianca S.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob met my daughter exactly where she was as a beginner and never once made her feel behind. She now calls herself a filmmaker."
Grant E.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son wrote, shot, and edited his own short film with Mr. Rob, and watching him screen it for the group was the proudest moment of his year."
Bianca S.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob met my daughter exactly where she was as a beginner and never once made her feel behind. She now calls herself a filmmaker."
Grant E.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e son struggles to finish projects. Mr. Rob broke filmmaking into steps he could actually manage, and he crossed the finish line with a real movie."
Lorena C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The collaboration is what got my daughter. Mr. Rob has the group build each other's films up, and she made her first true creative friends."
Nathaniel B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e son struggles to finish projects. Mr. Rob broke filmmaking into steps he could actually manage, and he crossed the finish line with a real movie."
Lorena C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The collaboration is what got my daughter. Mr. Rob has the group build each other's films up, and she made her first true creative friends."
Nathaniel B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob treats every student's idea like it is worth making. My quiet son found his voice behind a camera this semester."
Yvonne D.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have done a lot of enrichment, and Mr. Rob's filmmaking course is the one my daughter would not let us cancel. She lives for those sessions."
Adrian P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob treats every student's idea like it is worth making. My quiet son found his voice behind a camera this semester."
Yvonne D.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have done a lot of enrichment, and Mr. Rob's filmmaking course is the one my daughter would not let us cancel. She lives for those sessions."
Adrian P.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My son wrote, shot, and edited his own short film with Mr. Rob, and watching him screen it for the group was the proudest moment of his year."
Bianca S.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob met my daughter exactly where she was as a beginner and never once made her feel behind. She now calls herself a filmmaker."
Grant E.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"My 2e son struggles to finish projects. Mr. Rob broke filmmaking into steps he could actually manage, and he crossed the finish line with a real movie."
Lorena C.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"The collaboration is what got my daughter. Mr. Rob has the group build each other's films up, and she made her first true creative friends."
Nathaniel B.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"Mr. Rob treats every student's idea like it is worth making. My quiet son found his voice behind a camera this semester."
Yvonne D.
YSA parent
★★★★★
"We have done a lot of enrichment, and Mr. Rob's filmmaking course is the one my daughter would not let us cancel. She lives for those sessions."
Adrian P.
YSA parent
If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:
You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.
You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.
No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.
We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.
All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.
It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.
Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.
WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents
Learn more about YSAQUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE
Everything you need to know before enrolling your child.
Specific requirements are listed in the Materials section above. Most of our film and production courses use free or low-cost tools that run on any computer. Our mentors walk students through setup and provide alternatives when needed. The focus is on storytelling, creativity, and production skills - not expensive gear.
Yes. YSA families join from 47+ states and 17 countries across 6 continents. All you need is an internet connection. We schedule sections across multiple time zones so families worldwide can find a time that works.
Filmmaking Masterclass meets once per week for 50 minutes, every week from August through December. Your child joins the same tight-knit group of up to 8 students and the same mentor all semester long. Same friends, same mentor, a new challenge every week.
Our gifted and 2e students experience such asynchronous development that hard age limits rarely tell the full story. If your student should be aged up or aged down, contact us at support@youngscholarsacademy.org or click the chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. We do this all the time.
Please don't confuse reactive distance learning with what happens at YSA. When a kid is engaged in a course they chose, with a mentor who gets them and peers who share their interests, the screen disappears. They're not on a screen. They're with their people. Parents tell us their children fight to log on to YSA.
If your child isn't loving a course by the end of the first week, swap into a different course. Same semester. No questions. Not the right fit within the first month? We'll stop payments, switch courses, or issue credit toward any future course. The credit never expires. And you keep every bonus you've received. Over 93% of YSA families don't just stay. They add more courses.
No. Cameras are always optional. Always. Many of our students start with cameras off and turn them on when they're comfortable. Our mentors engage every student equally, cameras on or off.
No. If you're here, you're in the right place. We don't require paperwork, evaluations, or labels. Whether your child has been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, whether you suspect it but haven't pursued testing, or whether you just know your kid's brain works differently and nothing else has fit, they're welcome here.
Yes. YSA is an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs including Arizona ESA, Utah Fits All, ClassWallet, My Tech High, Florida Step Up, and others. Enroll directly to secure your child's spot, submit the invoice to your ESA, and your payment method is refunded when funds transfer. Many families pay zero out of pocket.
Click "See Available Times" on this page, pick the section that fits your schedule, and your child's spot is secured immediately. No phone call. No placement test. No prerequisite.
Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.
An internet connection and a can-do attitude!