Teen Workshop: Creating Untold Stories with Ben Proudfoot

Join Ben Proudfoot, two-time Academy Award®-winning filmmaker and the founder and CEO of Breakwater Studios, for a teen-centered documentary workshop pulling back the curtain on his unique style and approach to cinematic humanist storytelling. His short films highlight unsung heroes and their impact on history and everyday life, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s attorney and speechwriter Clarence B. Jones in The Baddest Speechwriter of All, co-directed with Stephen Curry, or ordinary people stepping in during times of disaster in his latest film, The Buffalo Miracle. In 2012, shortly after graduating from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, Ben started Breakwater Studios, which now employs a team of creatives and has garnered critical acclaim, tens of millions of views, and real-world change.

In this workshop, Ben will screen previous work and break down his filmmaking process from choosing unique subjects, prepping for success in pre-production, to his signature interview style. Students will not only have the chance to ask the director about his career and advice for getting started in filmmaking, but also will be given space and support to brainstorm their own ideas for subjects of untold stories. Bring a notebook and a story to meet legendary filmmaker Ben Proudfoot and grow your unsung hero storytelling muscle!

Attendee Information

This workshop runs for two hours and is open to students ages 13–18; space is limited. This workshop is for students only, parents and guardians may drop off their students.