Bekasi, Indonesia. Global Prestasi Junior High School successfully conducted a two-day Cinematography Camp on 20–21 July 2026 in collaboration with Jakarta School of Photography (JSP). The programme was designed to introduce GPJHS students to the fundamentals of cinematography, acting, film production, and digital media while encouraging creativity, collaboration, communication, and responsible decision-making.
The programme involved Grade 8 students, supported by facilitators from Jakarta School of Photography (JSP). Through a combination of theoretical sessions, demonstrations, hands-on practice, and group-based film production, students were given the opportunity to experience the filmmaking process, from concept development to the final presentation of their short films.
The first day of the Cinematography Camp, held on 20 July 2026, focused on introducing students to the fundamental concepts and techniques of filmmaking, including camera angles, framing, composition, camera movement, recording equipment, and visual storytelling. The sessions also introduced students to the importance of planning and communication when developing a film.
In addition to cinematography, students explored the fundamentals of acting and character development. They learned how facial expressions, body language, voice, and character interpretation contribute to effective storytelling. They also practised acting through short performance sessions as part of the acting class.
The learning activities were delivered through demonstrations and interactive practice, allowing students to move beyond theoretical understanding and begin applying the concepts they had learned.
The students enjoyed the learning process. “We had fun practising acting and learning how to show certain emotions in different situations,” said Malik, one of the students.
On 21 July 2026, students moved from learning the fundamentals to putting their knowledge into practice through a short-film project.
The students worked collaboratively in production teams to create their own short films. Each class was divided into two groups, with around 12–13 students in each group. In total, 10 groups produced different short films.
Working as film production teams required students to take on different responsibilities, including acting, directing, camera operation, script development, and other production-related roles. This collaborative process encouraged students to communicate effectively, distribute responsibilities, manage time, and make decisions as a team.
The central theme of the short-film production was “Being Responsible for Our Decisions and Our Future.” Through this theme, students were encouraged to explore how everyday choices can influence their future and the people around them. The filmmaking process therefore served not only as a creative activity but also as a meaningful learning experience that connected storytelling with character education.
Following the filming process, students continued with video editing and post-production. They learned how raw footage could be organised and transformed into a coherent short film through editing, sequencing, sound, and other finishing elements.
“The process was difficult because we had to manage the team and make sure everyone could perform their roles at the same time,” said Dea, one of the students, during the filming process.
By the end of the session, each group had completed its own short film and was ready to present the results of its collaborative work.
The programme concluded on the afternoon of 21 July with an awarding session to recognise the Best Short Film from each class.
The awards provided an opportunity to recognise the students' creativity, teamwork, storytelling, and commitment throughout the production process. More importantly, the celebration highlighted the learning journey behind each film rather than focusing solely on the final product.
The students' enthusiasm throughout the production process demonstrated that filmmaking can be an effective medium for developing a wide range of skills, including creative thinking, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, digital literacy, and responsibility.
The Cinematography Camp provided students with an authentic opportunity to experience the creative process behind film production. Rather than simply learning about filmmaking through theory, students were challenged to transform ideas into visual stories and work together to produce a tangible final product.
“The Cinematography Camp was a very exciting experience because we were not only learning how to make a film, but also learning how to work together and make responsible decisions,” said Rex when asked about his experience.
Another student shared, “I enjoyed the filming process the most because everyone in the group had a different role. We had to communicate and help each other to finish our film,” said Mika.
Through the Cinematography Camp 2026, Global Prestasi Junior High School continues to provide students with learning experiences that connect academic knowledge with practical skills and real-world applications.
The collaboration with Jakarta School of Photography (JSP) enabled students to gain direct exposure to the creative media industry while developing essential skills for the future. The experience demonstrated that education can take place not only through conventional classroom activities but also through meaningful projects that encourage students to create, collaborate, communicate, and reflect.
Ultimately, the Cinematography Camp was more than an introduction to filmmaking. It also served as a valuable preparation for the students' major project in Semester 1: the Film Festival. Through this programme, students will collaborate over approximately three months to produce higher-quality short films and further develop their filmmaking skills.
Global Prestasi Junior High School looks forward to continuing to provide innovative and experiential learning opportunities that empower students to become confident, creative, responsible, and future-ready learners.
Author: Rio Heryasta
Editor: Lady Yesisca
Documenter: JHS Teachers
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