Summer Session: Students share what YDA has been like in a pandemic

Thanks to COVID-19, this summer’s YDA program has a different look: eight students and three instructors, with most interaction taking place virtually. One day a week, though, they meet at the Rampart Range campus of Pikes Peak Community College. The small group sits in a large room 12-15 feet apart wearing masks.

Delaney Mauve and Millie Bramschreiber are among the participants. They recently shared their thoughts about their YDA experience thus far. Both heard about the program from friends. “I learned about YDA through a family friend who happened to be an alumni of the program and highly recommended it to me,” Millie said.

Delaney explained, “Film has always been an inspiration to me and I want to be a part of making them.” She added that one day she hopes to use what she learns through YDA to make her own film. This was echoed by Millie who said, “I have always been intrigued by film and am considering a career in it, so this seemed like a perfect place to start! Within these next few weeks, I hope to learn about the technical parts of creating a film, as well as build connections with my peers in YDA.”

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Although both expressed some disappointment at the turn of events created by the pandemic, they acknowledge they’ve still found the program worthwhile.

“I’d prefer it to be more hands on, because I feel like I really gain the experience that way,” Delaney said. “But after being in the classes I’ve still been able to effectively learn. It is an honor to have the ability to take this class especially in light of the pandemic.”

The emphasis this summer is on storytelling. Delaney said she had a story in mind before the session began, but has made some changes to her original idea. “I applied already with some of the story I would want to film, after the first few classes,” she said. “I was able to delete most of it and make it more meaningful.”

The storytelling aspect has particular appeal to Millie. “Film is such a unique medium that encourages storytelling in ways that no other art can,” she said. “It allows untold stories to be shared and shows the world perspectives that might not have been heard before.”

She, too, changed her original story idea once the program was underway. “When I first applied, I wanted to make a film about the recovery of a community after a suicide, but that has shifted to a heavier focus on education of mental health and its effect on suicide rates.”

Through Zoom meetings with the entire group and small break-out sessions with only a few others, YDA has adapted. The hands-on components are missing, but the students still have the opportunity to work with professionals in the film industry and getting to know others with similar interests.

“The Friday screenings make connection with peers and mentors much easier than online,” Millie said. “YDA thus far has been an incredible experience and my knowledge of the film industry has increased exponentially. I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity to learn and share my stories!”

Millie Bramschreiber, current student in the YDA Class of 2020