The Camera Camp FAQ

Please register by visiting our website at https://www.manhattanbeachstudios.net/mb-studios-summer-camps/ or by calling us directly at 310.800.1999. We love working with families and siblings and offer early signup discounts. Spots fill up quickly, so we recommend registering early!

Our unique camp experience is located on our soundstage at Manhattan Beach Studios where amazing productions and shoots happen on a daily basis. We are located in Manhattan Beach, CA right on the Media Campus lot. Close to the 405 and 105 highways and a very short drive from Los Angeles International Airport. The studio is secure and camera monitored for safety and security. 

Our camps are day camps, running generally from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM.

Camp programs vary. All sessions are one-week but we offer additional sessions to really help round out more advanced elements of the crafts.

Filmmaking Camp and Acting Camp are available for 1 week or 2 weeks. The Photography Camp and On-Camera Media Training Camp are 1 week camps but the photography camp will offer additional excursions to enjoy various subject matters, and the media training camp will offer additional one-on-one coaching.

Yes, we require signed waivers for every child prior to their attendance. They will be available in early Spring. These waivers include:

• General Conduct Guidelines
• General Liability
• Consent to Give Medication at Camp (If applicable)
• Medical Information, Treatment, and Release of Medical Information
• EpiPen and Inhaler Release (if applicable)
• Account Policy

For all camps, your child should bring:

• Water bottle to stay hydrated.

• Snacks for the morning (we break around halfway for a quick snack).

• Comfortable clothing for activities.

• For Photography Camp, if your child has a camera, they can bring it, though we also provide cameras for use during the camp.

Our camps are designed for kids and teens, typically between the ages of 12 to 18 years old. Specific age requirements may vary by camp, so please check the details of each camp for age-appropriate groups. Please contact us if you’re child is outside of this age group, we will try to make exceptions whenever possible.

Yes. These are production, camera, filming, acting and media camps. Being on camera is an essential component when it comes to education in this area. The purpose of being on camera is to educate – and apart from sharing the camp experience in a highlight reel, is not for any other purpose. 

Our camp runs until 12:30 PM, so we do not provide lunch. We recommend sending your child with a healthy snack to keep them energized during the day.

All camps are in-person. We offer hands-on training and experiences in our well-equipped facilities. Additional coaching/one-on-ones, Q&As and other camp features may be conducted virtually but this is hands-on fun!

Each Camp ends at 12:30 unless optional afternoon excursions are elected. We provide a 30 minute window for picking up your child before additional fees are charged.

Parents are invited to come to the studio any time before or on Monday morning to see the location of the studio, meet the team, and ask any questions. We do not allow parents to stay in the studio while camp is in session although we offer a sitting room right outside the main studio. On the last day of camp, we welcome you to join us during the Open House or Showcases, where you can see the projects your child has been working on during the week.

The process for administering medication is as follows:

Medication is kept in a lock box. Each day at the appointed time, the camper is provided the medication and the staff administers the medication. We keep a logbook of each day that it’s administered, along with details.
Parents/Guardians will need to do the following: at check-in, provide the staff with the medication in the original container with the pharmacy label and the following:

Name of Parent
Name of Participant
Telephone Number
Name of medication(s)
Best time to administer to student
Dosage

We do not offer overnight camping at this time, only day camp.

We adhere to strict background checks of each staff member. There are no less than two camp leaders on site. As this is a movie lot, the studio is camera monitored, the camp has a security gate with access permitted only by lot clearance and there are always security personnel on site. 

The camp leaders have decades of experience and a love for teaching. We are industry professionals and educators with a passion for showing kids how to have fun in production! 

The Camera Camp is not a special needs camp; we want to make sure that the children in the studio environment are able to take care of themselves behaviorally for their protection and safety. If you decide to register for the course there will be a section where you can add any pertinent information that can assist our on-campus staff in making this a positive experience for you and your child. Please give us as much information as you feel necessary and feel free to contact us.

While the “hold” deposit is non-refundable, we offer a full refund up until thirty days prior to the first session and a partial refund up until 14 days before the camp start date. For cancellations less than 14 days before camp, the space is locked in for you and the balance is non-refundable. 

Just a healthy interest and a desire to learn and have some fun. Second sessions typically require attendance at the first session or a more advanced background.

At the end of each week, kids will have either started on their portfolio that they can continue to build on, or have added projects to their existing portfolios. Kids in our programs will receive a certificate of completion from The Camera Camp.  At the end of the week, we will offer suggestions and resources for the kids to continue to learn and build upon the knowledge of the week.

But there’s more!  We are constantly running excursions, online sessions, coaching and so much more. We hope you remain part of our MBS family whether it’s to stay in touch, or intern on real-world projects. Campers in the acting and media space also will be exposed to extraordinary coaches and commercial agents. We view our fun camp as part of a journey. 

The Camera Camp welcomes back kids to the studio anytime throughout the year if they’d like to come by and/or work on a personal project with our resources! We can also organize events and programs for kids at other schools or organizations. If you are interested in organizing a customized program at your school, please contact us at: 310-800-1999.