Claymation is a form of stop motion animation where characters and/or set pieces are sculpted from a malleable substance (such as clay), arranged on a set, and then photographed repeatedly with minute position changes in between shots. Upon viewing, the mind perceives the series of slightly changing frames as motion.

Yes! We offer live action camps and green screen opportunities this summer in addition to our claymation camps. Workshops cover basic to advanced shot types, scriptwriting, shooting, directing, and editing.

Our programs are open to students in grades 1 through 8 (ages 7 through 14).

Signing up is easy! Please visit our Register page, click on the program you are interested on, and follow through checkout.

Class size varies based on the program, the school calendar (for after-school enrichment programs), and class length. Due to the demanding nature of this creative process though, we maintain a minimum student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1.

Class length varies based on the program, but typical duration is one hour per class for after school enrichment classes, and 8 hours for day camps. We also offer before and after care for an hour prior/after our day camps. Summer camp programs run 9am-3pm Monday through Friday for a week. We often offer additional before-and/or-after-care options to extend the day from 8am to 6 pm as well.

Originally developed at Polaris@Ebert Elementary School in Denver, CO, a magnet school for the gifted and talented, the Digistars Make-A-Movie Workshop programs have been professionally designed to inspire and encourage creativity through the artistic demands and production skills demanded by digital storytelling.

Most of our instructors are graduates of university-level film programs and have professional experience in the film industry, and all are specially trained in the Digistars’ tried-and-true curriculum and method.

Our programs offer college-level “Production 101” knowledge tailored to students in grades 1-8. We cover the vocabulary of filmmaking, the pre-production work of developing a story, and the post-production effects needed to create quality short films. Students learn the basics of how to write, storyboard, direct, act, film, and edit a short live-action or animated film using Apple iPad technology. These skills extend beyond filmmaking and can be applied throughout an academic and professional career.

Well, yes… and no. Yes, the kids use Apple iPads to film and edit their movies, but we also spend time developing storylines and creating characters and sets away from computers. These are not coding or computer skills classes. Digital storytelling integrates the arts with technology in a fun and exciting way.

No! We provide everything needed. All your child needs to bring is a smiling face and an enthusiasm for movies.

We think all kids should have the opportunity to learn how to make movies! We offer after-school enrichment programs as well as during-school programs designed to encompass the class curriculum and provide a robust educational experience. If Digistars isn’t currently available at your school, please contact us at melaniemamw@gmail.com. If available, please provide the contact information for your organization’s enrichment coordinator. If we can’t come to your school, be sure to attend the sessions at our studio near downtown Denver!

Visit our NEWS section and scroll down through the posts to find the page for your child’s program. Click on the video, and choose to watch it on YouTube by clicking on the YouTube icon in the lower right corner. In the YouTube URL, replace “http://www.” with “ss”. You will be directed to a page with a download link (it may take a moment to load).

For example, if the YouTube URL for the video is:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr4l5qsMTkI

Alter it to read:
ssyoutube.com/watch?v=Gr4l5qsMTkI

and press Return to load the download page. Then click on the download link.

We are an inclusive, non-demoninational program that does not discriminate based on gender, color, orientation, or age in our hiring or in our programs. Digistars instructors are asked to refrain from engaging in any religious or political activities during our programs, and while we encourage our students to have a creative vision, creating inapproriate or offensive content is discouraged.

The Make-a-Movie Workshop Ltd. tax ID #: 47-1574707

(doing business as “Digistars®”)

Digistars cancellation policies

After-school Enrichment Programs

Full refund if cancelled at least 1 day before the session starts; no refunds given once the session begins.

Vacation Day Camps

Full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before the camp begins. Within 24 hours, no refund will be given but the camper will have the option to transfer the registration into a day camp on a different date.

Summer Camps

Full refund if cancelled at least 1 week prior to start date. 50% refund if cancelled within 7 days of start date.

*There is no charge to change sessions in any program.