Hollywood will come to Birmingham this weekend in the Magic City when the students of On The Set Summer Film Camp debut their movie Making Moves at the Lyric Theatre on Sunday, November 6.
The awards show will be hosted by actor Carl Anthony Payne (Martin, The Cosby Show), and the movie will star actress Terri J. Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show, Greenleaf) who served as this year’s camp mentor and the On The Set campers. I recently spoke with On The Set founder and executive director David Tucker Jr.
Tell me about On The Set.
On The Set Summer Film Camp is the only one of its kind. Meaning that this is the only film camp that’s utilizing live on-location sets with real Hollywood actors. The camp was founded in 2008. Any child between the ages of 10–18 years of age is eligible to audition or interview for a summer position. The campers learn cinematography, audio operation, lights, directing, producing as well as acting. The knowledge they pick up from our celebrity mentors influence is priceless.
Why did you decide to start it?
After selling my second feature film, parents that attended the premiere wanted their kids to talk to me and learn what we do, so I decided to create the camp.
What can attendees of the 2016 Premiere and Awards Show expect?
The 2016 movie Making Moves, which is written by our long-time staff writer and producer Erika “E.Free” Freeman, is the most grittiest movie we’ve ever produced. We really tackled some hard subjects, such as teen pregnancy, drugs and crime in the inner city.
This year’s film is billed as the most controversial one ever produced by On The Set. What do you want viewers to learn from it?
We wanted to show our young people that we are aware of their everyday obstacles on the subjects we touched. We also wanted to show them a positive outcome regardless of their current situation.
How can students participate in next year’s camp?
We have auditions and interviews the last Saturday in June at the Medical Forum Building. Actors should come prepared to perform and directors and cinematographers can bring examples of work (not required) and prepare to be interviewed.
What’s next for David Tucker Jr. and On The Set Summer Film Camp?
The film camp wants to continue to grow as do I. We have plans to attract youth from other cities and possibly set up shop in more locations outside of Birmingham.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Support us on November 6 at 5 pm at the Lyric and see firsthand the impact our program has on the community.
To learn more about On The Set Summer Film Camp, visit the website.
