FILMMAKING STARTS HERE

Current high school students choose from one of three tracks (you're choosing one focus): Filmmaking, Screen Acting, or Music Production.

Each track runs 8AM to 4PM Monday through Friday for two weeks.  Las Vegas: June 2 to 13, or June 16 to 27. Northern Virginia/D.C.: July 14 to 25.

All tracks run simultaneously with a premiere screening finale for friends and family. Scholarships and premiere screening info below.

Space is limited for individual trainee attention. First come, first served, so register for your Mastertrack today!

Current high school students are trained in film production from prep (preproduction) through production (filming): crew roles and hands on practice of each role, on multiple films, in real time. 

• Week one, trainees learn:

1. Screenplay formatting
2. Script breakdown and lining
3. Previsualization (shotlist and storyboarding)
4. Production Scheduling (stripboarding and call sheets)
5. Releases (talent and location releases)
6. Cinematography 1 (composition basics, rules, and techniques)
7. Cinematography 2 (Tech specs: aperture, ISO, shutter speed, frame-rate, and more)
8. Ligting Techniques
9. Sound Recording (Production sound operation: Shotgun mics, lavalieres, boom poles, field recorders)
10. Slating (scene, shot, take, and how to)
11. Script Supervising (on set shot for shot organization)
12. Order of Operations and Set Etiquette (“Lights, camera, action! Except that’s not how it goes.)
13. Casting/Audition process
    

• Week two, trainees crew up and put into practice filming:

1. Set Up (equipment and set decor)
2. Assistant Camera and 2nd Assistant Camera (slate)
3. Sound Recordist and Boom Operator
4. Lighting Assistants (grip)
5. Script Supervisor (shot management and continuity)

Trainees will receive multiple official crew role credits on at least two films in the on-screen credits and on IMDb. Credits should appear on IMDb no later than Labor Day 2025. Trainees will also receive crew roles with credits (for one day of work) on the Mastro Films feature film, slated to be filming alongside Mastertracks. Scheduling of the feature film is subject to possible changes. If feature film scheduling changes occur, Mastertracks trainees will have the option of a crew role on a rescheduled date.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & FAQs:

-Trainees must have their own laptop for notes/preproduction tasks.

-Trainees must bring their own lunch, snacks, and covered, refillable, water bottles. (Due to food allergies and preference restrictions, food cannot be provided.) Water refill stations provided.

-Each two week track is capped at 20 trainees total, no exceptions! When 20 trainee limit is reached, program is full.

-Completion of "Mastro Films' MASTERTRACKS" training courses and accompanying IMDb credits are great assets on college applications and budding professional resumes, which most high school aged students do not acquire. Official credits on a feature film or studio backed short films are not easily gained; MASTERTRACKS trainees will stand out with these IMDb credits. With that in mind, please understand that MASTERTRACKS courses are not just for exploration, they are introductory, intense, immersive, industry training. This is a serious and intensive learning opportunity for those interested in the field of filmmaking. The experience will be a great building block for any young person's career in film (or multimedia of any kind) as Las Vegas prepares to become Hollywood 2.0 with the arrival of Sony and Warner Bros. Studios.

Reserve your MASTERTRACKS FILMMAKING spot today: 

Register: LAS VEGAS                   Register: NORTHERN VA/D.C.

Current high school students receive one week of intensive screen acting class with professional acting coach. This is a great opportunity for young thespians to grow their skills from the stage to the screen! No experience required! All actors are cast in at least two films to be shot week two. 

• Week one:

1. Intro to Acting: Styled methods and techniques. Scene breakdown and memorization. Who’s who on the set. Set etiquette.
2. Learning how to deliver a natural performance: Breathing. Listening. Relaxing.
3. Story: It’s not about you! Give the other actors their expressive freedom. React, react, react.
4. Blocking and Camera: Hitting your marks. Camera and Eye-lines. Lighting and how it helps or hurts you.
5. Preproduction: Casting Sessions
6. Preproduction: Table Reads; Create your character; backstory, motive
7. Let’s do this: Practice, practice. Confidence. Adapt to changes on the fly. Have fun with it.

• Week two:

1. Production: Films shooting Monday through Thursday; extras on Mastro Films' Feature film on Friday.
2. Wrap party and finale screening finale.

Actors will receive one official actor role credit on at least two films (two acting credits) in the on-screen credits and on IMDb. Actors will also receive an "extra" credit (for one day of work) or be selected for a small speaking role on the Mastro Films feature film, slated to be filming alongside MASTERTRACKS. Scheduling of the feature film is subject to possible changes. If feature film scheduling changes occur, MASTERTRACKS actor students will have the option to appear on the rescheduled date. Official credits should appear on IMDb no later than Labor Day 2025. Actors must provide official name as to appear in on-screen credits and IMDb. Actor photos uploaded by personal or professional representative (talent agency/management) IMDb pro account, not Mastro Films.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & FAQs:

-Trainees must bring their own lunch, snacks, and covered, refillable, water bottles. (Due to food allergies and preference restrictions, food cannot be provided.) Water refill stations provided.

-Each two week track is capped at 20 acting students total, no exceptions! When 20 acting student limit is reached, program is full.

-Completion of "Mastro Films' MASTERTRACKS" training courses and accompanying IMDb credits are great assets on college applications and budding professional resumes, which most high school aged students do not acquire. Official credits on a feature film or studio backed short films are not easily gained; MASTERTRACKS trainees will stand out with these IMDb credits. With that in mind, please understand that MASTERTRACKS courses are not just for exploration, they are introductory, intense, immersive, industry training. This is a serious and intensive learning opportunity for those interested in the field of screen acting. The experience will be a great building block for any young person's career in film, theater, or multimedia of any kind as Las Vegas prepares to become Hollywood 2.0 with the arrival of Sony and Warner Bros. Studios.

Reserve your MASTERTRACKS FILM ACTING spot today:

Register: LAS VEGAS                   Register: NORTHERN VA/D.C.

Current high school students are invited to participate in a ten-day music production for film track over two weeks. This intensive program will train students in the art of digital music production with a focus on composing music for film. Through hands-on experience in various aspects of the music production process, trainees will be able to apply knowledge in every music genre and any professional audio field.

• Week One:

1. Film Music Fundamentals: Explore the role of music in film and the elements of a film score.
2. Music Theory for Film: Learn essential music theory concepts relevant to film scoring.
3. Composition Techniques: Develop skills in melody, harmony, rhythm, and form for film music.
4. Orchestration: Understand the principles of orchestrating music for various instruments and ensembles.
5. Film Analysis and Music Synchronization: Analyze films to identify appropriate musical cues and synchronization techniques.
6. Music Production Software: Gain proficiency in industry-standard music production software.
7. Recording and Editing: Learn recording techniques, editing tools, and sound design for film.
8. Music Libraries and Sound Effects: Explore the use of music libraries in film scoring and sound effects in sound design.

• Week Two:

1. Film Scoring: Hands-on original film scoring, applying the skills learned in the first week.
2. Collaboration with Filmmakers: Collaborate with filmmakers to create music that complements their visual storytelling.
3. Music Supervision: Understand the role of a music supervisor in the film production process.
4. Music Licensing: Learn about music licensing and copyright issues related to film scoring.
5. Career Paths in Film Music: Explore various career paths in the film music industry.

Trainees will receive official Original Score/Composer credit in original films on-screen credits and on IMDb. Credits should appear on IMDb no later than Labor Day 2025. Trainees will also be able to submit an original piece for consideration on Mastro Films' feature film, slated to be filming alongside MASTERTRACKS. Trainees will be sent a scene from the film (at a later date) to compose and submit a piece for consideration.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & FAQs:

-Trainees must bring their own lunch, snacks, and covered, refillable, water bottles. (Due to food allergies and preference restrictions, food cannot be provided.) Water refill stations provided.

*NOVA/D.C. Trainees must have their own laptop with ProTools Studio for Student ($10/month) installed. Laptop minimum tech specs HERE.*

-Each two week track is capped at 20 trainees total, no exceptions! When 20 trainee limit is reached, program is full.

-Completion of "Mastro Films' MASTERTRACKS" training courses and accompanying IMDb credits are great assets on college applications and budding professional resumes, which most high school aged students do not acquire. Official credits on a feature film or studio backed short films are not easily gained; MASTERTRACKS trainees will stand out with these IMDb credits. With that in mind, please understand that MASTERTRACKS courses are not just for exploration, they are introductory, intense, immersive, industry training. This is a serious and intensive learning opportunity for those interested in the field of music production. The experience will be a great building block for any young person's career in audio, sound, or multimedia of any kind as Las Vegas prepares to become Hollywood 2.0 with the arrival of Sony and Warner Bros. Studios.

Reserve your MASTERTRACKS MUSIC PRODUCTION spot today: 

Register: LAS VEGAS                   Register: NORTHERN VA/D.C.

Family and friends of MASTERTRACKS summer trainees please join us for the grand finale: the red carpet event, showcase, screening spectacular!

Students of all program tracks will complete their weeks of intensive training with a crescendo wrap party and then walk the red carpet with family and friends as Mastro Films' private paparazzi capture the event for the newly crowned MASTERTRACKS alumni to keep and use as they wish. Professional red carpet stills add a dynamic layer to your IMDb photos. 

Together we will watch the films and celebrate the culmination of 60 individual artists' talents and hard work weaved together to create a tapestry of motion pictures. Having scripted, organized, cast, produced, scored, and brought your films to life, you will be proud of the work you've accomplished and family and friends will be amazed at what you have achieved in just two short weeks!

Don't forget your MASTERTRACKS alum swag. Upon completion, alumni receive the official MASTERTRACKS Summer 2025 alumni tee (not for sale, only awarded to official completed program alum!)

THREE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE PER TWO WEEK SESSION

Our sponsors have graciously provided a scholarship for each track at each two week Mastertrack session. Interested scholarship applicants submit an essay (no minimum or maximum length) about your personal interest in your chosen training track. Let us see your passion, or your pragmatic practicality. Not all of us are right brained artĩsts, many are processors or technicians. Tell us all about your interests and reasons for wanting to learn and hone a craft or trade. Email your essay along with your name, current school and grade, in which track you are interested,  AND for which two-week session/dates you will be registering, with the email subject "Scholarship25" to Mary@mastrofilms.com to apply for a sponsored scholarship today. Final scholarships application deadline March 31. Scholarship recipients will be announced April 7.