Parks & Rec To Offer Cinematography Program

The has been entertaining the community from the stage for years.

Now it’s time for the big screen.

The parks and recreation-powered arts group has teamed with a local filmmaker to bring “Cinematography” to Havre de Grace residents.

“We looked into the rec programs in the state and nobody is doing it,” Havre de Grace resident and program manager Ken Coughlan said. “If you want to do it in this state, you have to enroll in a formal film school.”

Coughlan moved to in 2004 after starting in film in the early 2000s, working in voiceover, sound and acting.

“I started out in front of the camera and I’m slowly moving behind the camera,” said Coughlan, who also works with the Lewis Lane Singers.

He and his wife, Mary Kay, have been making short films through a D.C.-based company since 2004.

 “I’m going to be teaching. My wife does film and stage makeup,” Coughlan said. “We’re bringing a lot of people from our experience, and guest teachers in everything from screen writing, stunt work, a gentlemen to come in to teach acting on the screen vs. on stage, film editing.”

Students will create a five- to eight-minute film.

“The hope is after the workshop and they get the film under their belt, they’ll keep going,” Coughlan said.

The program is open to anyone age 14 and older and costs $30 for the full session.

“It’s open to anyone,” Coughlan said. “You do not need to be enrolled in any other programs.”

All program activities will be held at the .

An enrollment period will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Friday afternoon for late enrollees. Following an orientation at 7 p.m. on Friday, class begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Most classes will be held Saturday mornings, though some may shift to the afternoon, Coughlan said, depending upon the available time for the guest teachers.

More information can be found on the Havre de Grace Drama Guild website, or by emailing Coughlan at HDGDramaFilms@yahoo.com 

An unveiling of the short film will be held Dec. 14 at the .

TELL US: Will you be getting involved in cinematography? Leave a comment.