SEE | The Soul Cinematic Universe

SEE I The Soul Cinematic Universe is a four-week new technology film arts camp that is open to the Cleveland community (ages 13-17). Participants will be guided by seasoned accredited film professionals (Fox Sports/Bally Sports, Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV) and will learn tools on par with industry standards. The environment is fun, yet challenging and at all times seeking to empower students with the vision to imagine...everything. Our goal is to empower the voices of visual artist and teach them to spark conversations through their art while illuminating them to new technologies which will allow them to create content despite financial limitations. The culmination of the program is the presentation of a group virtual production short film, centered around The Summit (the civil rights event orchestrated by NFL Hall of Famer Jim Brown), by leveraging Motion Capture Technology and Epic Games' Unreal Engine. Additionally, several live action short films will be produced around the subjects of Mediation, Violence Prevention and Restorative Justice. The films will be screened at the prestigious Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival in September along with a community roundtable discussion sparked by the subject matter introduced in the films.

SEE I The Soul Cinematic Universe is inspired by the words of the late African American filmmaker Gordon Parks, “I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera.”

Individual Shorts Program

The goal of the individual shorts seeks to empower the community by bringing awareness against injustice, violence and reducing the need for police activity. To that end, the individual short film production course will produce no more than (6) six Short Films. Selected from Student scripts, participants will have their choice of choosing from one of (3) three themes. “Mediation” will center around resolving conflicts that offer an opportunity to discuss their community’s unique concerns and needs. “Violence Prevention” speaks to using evidence informed strategies of reducing violence through community centered initiatives that address trauma. Lastly, “Restorative Justice” allows participants to tell stories about healing by bridging the gap between community members who have been harmed and the people responsible for the harm.

Virtual Film Production

Virtual Production is a fast-growing technique in the film and television industry. It offers filmmakers new ways to create engaging content with greater flexibility and efficiency. It combines traditional filmmaking methods such as live action camera footage with motion capture and facial recognition. To that point, the participants will take part in producing a short cinematic experience employed using Virtual Production. The theme for this year’s Virtual Film Production class is The Cleveland Summit and its rich, diverse history. In 1967, NFL legend Jim Brown, along with NBA greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell came together in Cleveland to support "The Greatest", Muhammed Ali and his stance in protesting the Vietnam War, one of many historical moments in the Civil Rights Era. Using Unreal Engine, participants will film a cinematic experience on a virtual set. Through this, both the participants and their prospective audience will learn a valuable lesson about a key historical moment in the nation’s history.

A camera can be a Weapon. Make Them See You.

1. Kickoff Online Registration Portal Goes Live: February 2024
2. Host Camp Orientation Meeting: March 2024
3. Release the “Completing a Short Film” Zoom Lessons for students: April 2024
4. Host the Summer Camp: June 10, 2024 - June 27, 2024
5. Visit to Cleveland Civil Rights Trail Markers: June 2024
6. Week Long Camp Break for Holiday: July 1, 2024 - July 4, 2024
7. Summer Camp - Participants begin Final Edits and Film Screening for Participants: July 8, 2024 - July 11, 2024
8. Student Films Presented at the Greater Cleveland Film Festival and Host a Roundtable Discussion Event: September 21, 2024
9. Meet with organizing committee to debrief camp and prepare Final Report: September 28, 2024

Film can foster change. Especially in the inner city. It can open people up to discussion and to think about things that they would not consider otherwise. Our hope is that through these films, our community will begin to have discussions that address and solve these problems. To that point, the individual films open the door for discussion around mediation, violence prevention and restorative justice for the community.

MadWerkz Studios is a 25-year-old (100% minority-owned) visual effects and creative content boutique and we are one of the largest African American boutique of our kind in the industry. Our team of Directors, Producers, Artists, and Developers regularly coordinate projects involving Marvel, Warner Bros, Lionsgate, EASports, and Ubisoft. As seasoned professionals that are dedicated to giving back to the community, when presented with the opportunity to help spark life into the next generation through creativity, we embrace it. MadWerkz

Additionally, the history of the Civil Rights movement is important. Especially the fact that Cleveland, and specifically its inner-city neighborhoods, played a fundamental part in the growth and success of the Civil Rights Era. The celebration of (4) four African American athletes who came together to risk their lives (and their careers) for the cause of Civil Rights and to speak out against the war in Vietnam is an important topic that should not be lost to time. The chance for youth to be introduced to that history in a way that educates, entertains and shows them the enormous possibility behind film is one we wish every child in our community had.