Camp Instructors Filmmaking, Summer Camps

Camp Instructors Filmmaking, 2026 Summer Camps

Reports to: Director of Education

About Us:

The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) gathers audiences, students and filmmakers to experience the joy of film, and to learn about the craft, ourselves, and each other. As a nonprofit cultural and educational institution located in Pleasantville, NY, the JBFC is dedicated to presenting the best of independent narrative, documentary, and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community.

Learn more about the organization .

Position Objectives:

The Jacob Burns Film Center is seeking Filmmaking Camp Instructors to join our team of educators at its Media Arts Lab Summer Camps. The Camp Instructor is responsible for leading a group of 9-10 students through the filmmaking process, and facilitates the creative process with the help of two Camp Counselors. Each group of filmmaking campers produces two short films (3-5 minutes each).

All creations have a strong emphasis on storytelling, peer feedback, and collaboration. The Camp Instructor creates and maintains a safe, fun, collaborative, and empathetic environment.

The Camp Instructor manages two Camp Counselors, who will assist the group in supportive roles, by clearly communicating the daily plan, ensuring learning goals and timelines are understood and met, and setting a positive example for camp leadership. The completion of a First Aid/CPR course and some additional training hours will be required prior to the start of Camps and will be compensated.

For more information about our summer camps, please explore our Filmmaking Camp.

Responsibilities:

• Create (with support from the Director of Education) weekly curriculum to teach 4th-12th grade students basic Filmmaking or Stop-Motion Animation
• Guide and lead creative media-making projects (storyboarding, filming/animating, editing), and ensure delivery of finished short films or animations by the end of the week
• Host your group’s portion of a Friends and Family Screening at the end of each week at our theater
• Coordinate class equipment, space, and material needs in collaboration with the Camp Coordinator and the Equipment Manager
• Oversee the setting up and breaking down of classroom studios by Camp Counselors
• Support campers’ creative use of equipment and software
• Communicate daily with the Camp Coordinator, specifically regarding camper needs and accommodations
• Manage two Camp Counselors as they support class activities, help identify and attain learning goals, and participate in the production of final group projects
• Establish and maintain a safe, healthy, and fun environment for campers

Required Qualifications:

• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Experience teaching children and young adults
• Demonstrated experience in Filmmaking or Stop-Motion Animation production
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Experience working as part of a creative team toward project-based goals

Applicants Should Demonstrate the Following:

• Leadership and initiative in guiding students through the creative process, with the ability to meet weekly camper project deadlines
• Love of film and arts education
• Flexibility to lead and work as a member of a creative team
• Experience with Adobe Suite (Adobe Premiere)
• Experience with professional filmmaking and stop-motion animation equipment
• Adeptness at working with different learning styles and personalities
• Proficiency at multitasking and spur-of-the-moment problem-solving
• Outgoing and energetic personality

Ideal Applicants Would Have:

• Mastery of Adobe Creative Cloud (or equivalent)
• Deep technical knowledge of cameras, related equipment, computers, and the technical aspects of a production workflow
• Experience working in a day camp or full-day education setting
• Experience…