Everett, Wash.
Published: Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Camp puts kids behind camera

Participants at a Sept. 12 and 13 camp at Warm Beach won't be making lanyards. They'll be making movies.

By Krista J. Kapralos
Herald Writer

 WARM BEACH -- The man who first made his name in the film industry after he was caught on Mount St. Helens while it erupted in 1980 plans to share his secrets with aspiring filmmakers at a moviemaking camp next month.

Michael Lienau of Camano Island was part of a film crew that scrambled up the mountain to get the first shots of the volcano's eruption. Three hours later, the crew was lost and scared. That's when a second eruption shook the mountain.

The crew escaped, and Lienau was hooked on filmmaking.

In 2005, Lienau, with his wife Shari and their nine children, began traveling around the world with the Lifeline Expedition, an organization that offers apologies for the African slave trade. Lienau, with help from his children, produced "Yokes and Chains," a documentary about the effort.

Lienau doesn't insist that aspiring Spielbergs kick-start their careers in similar dramatic fashion. Instead, for the sake of safety, he hopes future filmmakers will learn the ropes at the weekend course he's offering at Warm Beach Christian Camp and Conference Center.

"This is something to help people like I was helped when I was young," he said. "It will offer some basics and confidence to go out and start making movies. We want to infuse people who have the desire but don't know where to start."

Actor Grant Goodeve, known for his role as the oldest son on "Eight is Enough," will co-teach the workshop with Lienau. The two-day workshop will be an intensive, hands-on experience both for the inexperienced and those who hope to broaden their skills both in directing and producing movies.



Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.

Lights, camera, campfire



Topics at the two-day Movie Camp will include:

n Pre-production and organization

n Introduction to scriptwriting

n Budgeting and scheduling

n Production, including equipment, lighting and sound, and casting actors

n Digital post-production skills, including linear editing, computer-generated effects and sound editing

n Hands-on experience with a state-of-the-art digital cinema camera.

A certificate of completion will be awarded to each participant. All participants must be 14 or older. The camp is appropriate for adults as well as teenagers. The camp is Sept. 12 and 13. Participants must apply to attend the camp. To apply, go to www.warmbeach.com. Cost: $294 per person to commute, or $359 per person to stay at the camp.
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