For High School Classrooms + STUDENT GROUPS

The Shootable Story

Turn the Scene in Your Head Into Something You Can Actually Shoot.

A hands-on filmmaking workshop for high-school students — professional coverage, practical story development, real student-made films, and Q&A with working filmmakers.

Fully interactive
Devices provided
Typically 45-60 min (tailored to class length)
Works in your space — no equipment needed

No required fee. We work within school and program budgets.

Bring This to Your Students:

Submit Inquiry →

Presented by

Students Shoot It Themselves

The Core Idea

Make the Movie With What You Already Have.

A shootable story starts before the camera comes out. Students learn how to look at the people, places, props, tools, and limitations already around them — then write toward those resources instead of waiting for a perfect production.

Use What You Have AT YOUR DISPOSAL

Find the resources already around you.

Write WITH YOUR RESOURCES IN MIND

Shape the scene around what can actually be made.

Cover the Scene WITH SKILL

Learn the basic shots that give an editor what they need to put the scene together.

What Students Actually Do

Learn It. Shoot It. See How It Comes Together.

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Learn Basic Coverage

Students learn the five basic components of professional Hollywood film coverage.

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Shoot It Themselves

Students break into small groups and use portable recording devices provided by CT Story Labs to capture the coverage they just learned.

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Share the Results

Groups compare what they made and see how different creative choices change the scene.

“I feel pretty confident. I realized you don't need to be a genius to make a movie. You can be a guy with a camera, and you still make a good movie. It's a lot more collaborative than I thought.”

Doug GRising Junior

Screening + Q&A

Then We Show Them Where This Can Go.

The workshop also includes a short screening that connects the lesson to finished work.

The Web Series

#FareLife: The Web Series

Students watch a short episode of #FareLife, the independently produced web series behind the CT Story Labs production model.

Student-Made Film

He Just Likes You

A short film made by high-school filmmakers through CT Story Labs — proof of what students produce with this exact method.

Students do not just hear about filmmaking. They see professional and student-made work — then get to ask how it was done.

Built for Real Schools, Not Ideal Conditions

No Film Lab Required.

🎥Portable Recording Devices Provided

🏫Existing Classrooms Work FINE

✨Beginners Welcome

✓Flexible to School Policy

There is nothing for teachers and administrators to prepare. No specialized film lab or student-owned equipment is required, and the experience can be adapted to your school's policies and available space.

You bring the room and the students. We bring the lesson, recording devices, materials, filmmakers, and screening.

Brian Hogan teaching story fundamentals to a class

What Students Take With Them

Practical Tools They Can Use After We Leave.

A high-school student writing at her desk in class

01
The 5 Components of Coverage SWIPE FILEThe core building blocks of professional Hollywood coverage.
02
Shot Scale & Movement GuideA visual reference for framing and camera movement they keep.
03
A Repeatable MethodA way to create compelling scenes over and over again using simple, available equipment.

Why CT Story Labs

Built by People Who Actually Make Films.

CT Story Labs grew out of the production model behind #FareLife and gives emerging filmmakers a place to learn by doing real creative work alongside experienced filmmakers and educators.

Professional FilmmakersEducatorsReal ProductionsStudent-Made Work

Brian HOGAN

Writer | Director | Educator

Allie O'BRIEN

Producer | Educator

Tyler STIRLING

Editor | Educator

Bring It To Your School

Bring The Shootable Story to Your School.

Tell us a little about your school or student group and we'll follow up personally about availability, format, and fit.

Thank You for Your Inquiry

Someone from the CT Story Labs team will get back to you personally within 2 business days.

CT Story Labs Main Website