Growing up, I always swayed towards the intellectual as opposed to the creative.  I took practically every Advanced Placement class offered and shied away from art, ceramics, and theater.  It wasn’t until my 20′s that I discovered my love for art (particularly Impressionism) and theater.  And it wasn’t until I started writing this blog that I discovered my love for photography.

I realize that we just happen to live in a city that offers much in the way of diverse, creative experiences and I’m thankful for that.  Because of the opportunities offered here (many of which are free), my husband and I have strived to expose our children to the arts.

Yesterday I took my son and daughter to The Geffen Contemporary at The Museum of Contemporary Art to preview Levi’s Film Workshop.  The Levi’s Workshops are “a series of venues dedicated to creative production and collaboration.”  The Film Workshop, which will be at the MOCA until August, celebrates filmmaking (which is very appropriate, considering it’s Los Angeles location).

I have to admit that I wasn’t prepared for all that is housed in this relatively small space. Everything you need to make a film is available for public use including equipment rentals, a green screen, editing suites, educational workshops and more.  The goal is simply “to encourage creative collaboration within the community.”  The workshop is staffed and can offer private instruction and advice.

What’s particularly neat about the venue is the fact that people of all ages and all walks of life can visit and get involved in some way.  Here are just a few free things you can do at the Workshop:

1.  Make your own movie.  Simply rent out a Flip cam and start shooting.

2. Take a class.  Classes are held on Sundays and topics include Super8, 16MM Basics, home media mashup, and more

3.  Edit your film. The workshop features Mac Pros with 27″ LED cinema display screens, each of which is equipped with pro-grade video, animation, compositing, audio and design software (Adobe).

4. Create a slow-motion video

5. Turn your VHS tapes into DVDs

There is so much to do at the workshop, much of which is entirely free.

If you’re in the area, I encourage you to visit and bring your children.  My son at almost 4 enjoyed it so much, he didn’t want to leave.

For more information or to view the calendar, just visit Levi’s Film Workshop.

No compensation was received for this post.

Pardon the photos which were taken with my iPhone.