Summer Camps
The BYFA delivers activity packed Summer Camps in its regions around the production of a feature length film. The Summer Camps operate over five weeks during the summer holidays with full residential status, and our students are trained in a wide variety of skills in front of and behind the camera. Students camp on near the film sets, either outside in tents provided by BYFA or in buildings at the camp.
Up to 300 students can be accommodated at any one time at each Summer Camp. During the week all meals are provided for students.
Feature films are produced every year to a high standard ready for distribution the following year. Key roles in making the film are all undertaken by the young people, guided by industry and educational professionals. BYFA has worked with a number of very successful and well known professional actors such as Brian Blessed, Todd Carty, Pauline Quirke, Chris Ellison, Alexei Sayle, Clive Mantle, David Yip, Hildergarde Neil, Gareth Hale, Norman Pace, Ray Lonnen, Ros Blesssed, Richard Brimblecombe, Carol Harrison, Norman Lovett, Phil Cool, Susan Skipper, Joanna Bobin, Liam Tobin and Duncan Meadows.
As well as making a feature film, there is a series of acting and filmmaking workshops and an opportunity to create several short films too. Once completed and professionally distributed, the feature film is made available to purchase on DVD.
What people say about our camps
"The BYFA has changed me in loads of ways. It has helped me build my confidence and acting skills- I found a lot of emotion in the workshops. Working behind the camera was the most amazing experience I have ever had. We were just like a happy family. If I had one wish it would to do the experience over and over again." Stephanie Simpson, Age 17, Actor.
"BYFA offers a unique opportunity for our students to participate in the making of a feature-length film. No-one else out there offers that!" Sarah Probert, Shrewsbury College of Arts & Technology.
"I love being on set and really contributing to the production of the film. You get a massive rush whenyou see a scene come together." Sam Roelich, age 21, 3rd Assistant Director
Watch our films now
Summer Camps coming back soon!
How much is it?
Summer Camps are FREE to all students who enrolled at courses at BYFA member institutions and cost between £200 and £600 for everyone else, depending on how many weeks you wish to do. Find out if your college is registered and more about costs below.
When is it?
Camps normally operate on a residential basis Monday to Friday for five consecutive weeks ending on the last Friday in August just before the August bank holiday weekend. There is one camp located in each region, and this is is announced early each year as part of pre-production. Students can attend for a minimum of one full week up to the complete five weeks.
What skills does it cover?
A huge variety of skills and areas are covered by the many different departments throughout the Summer Camp.
Read more about the departments involved
What equipment do you use?
The equipment available will be project specific as technical demands vary from film to film. On past projects we have shot on 16mm, DV ProHD and RED cameras and utilised a vast array of lighting, grip and sound equipment so as to meet the demands of the films. All projects are edited on Final Cut Pro software.
"I’ve loved being on set and really feeling like I am contributing something to the production of the film. I am more familiar with how shots are set up and film and I will definitely use this knowledge on future projects. I love the rush you get when you see a scene come together." Sam Roelich, Age 21, 3rd Assistant Director.
Photos from Summer Camp
Diversity/Eligibility
Summer Camps are open to anybody from 14-25 years. We guarantee an opportunity to actively participate in production for all students who apply. If you have any special requirements please get in touch in advance so we can make appropriate arrangements or adjustments byfa@co-operative.coop.
Studying on Summer Camp
Activity on the Summer Camp can be used for assessment on certain courses and all students at BYFA complete evaluations relating to Personal, Learning & Thinking Skills and national benchmarks provided by Skillset.
