- [Narrator] Funding for this program has been provided by.

(upbeat guitar music) - Hi, I'm Olivia, and welcome to Young Creators Studio.

This season, we're coming to you from Mt.

Cuba Center in Delaware.

Kids from all over New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania have been hard at work creating their student films, so stick around to see what we have in store for you today.

- [Emy] I'm coming with you!

- Are you?

Well, where are we going?

- Start the car, bucko!

We'll know when we get there.

- At this point, you just have to do it.

- Do what?

- Tell him.

- [Aurora] Tell him.

- Yes.

Confess.

- Hey, Bruce, you ready for the game?

- What are you doing here?

- You mean, why am I not in there?

(upbeat rock music) - Growing up isn't easy.

Middle school and high school are big transitional periods that prepare us for adulthood.

That's why coming of age stories are so popular in movies, TV, and even literature dating back to the 18th century.

In today's show, local filmmakers will explore coming of age themes such as relationships, independence, and identity, so stay tuned.

(pencil scratching) (upbeat soft rock music) (upbeat soft rock music) ♪ Tell me, babe, where are you going?

♪ ♪ Prairie wind goes on blowing ♪ ♪ Tumbleweed shadow, I'm tied to you ♪ ♪ Tell me, babe, what are we gonna do?

♪ ♪ 'Cause you've got me in bad spell ♪ ♪ Spinning in a curtail ♪ ♪ Where to get the magic?

♪ ♪ I just gotta have it ♪ (upbeat soft rock music) ♪ In the light, I had a vision ♪ - What are you doing in my car?

- Coming with you.

- No, but like how, what are you doing here?

- Coming with you.

You have my list.

- Your list?

But this is my list.

- Exactly!

I'm coming with you.

- Are you?

Well, where are we going?

- Start the car, bucko!

We'll know when we get there.

So you're telling me we've already traveled to another country, eaten raw fish, and met a celebrity?

- [Older Sister] Yep.

- Ooh, have we had a boyfriend?

- [Older Sister] Not exactly.

- Not exactly?

But we're so pretty!

- We are, and Sydney agrees.

- Sydney.

Who?

Oh, Sydney!

Is she pretty?

- [Older Sister] Very.

- With all of those checked off, there's really only a few more.

Oh, yay, these are the good ones!

- The good ones?

The good ones.

I'm telling Syd you said that.

Fine, that's coming from you.

Just eight years ago.

Stop, stop, stop!

Pull in here.

Oh, it's perfect!

- It?

- It!

It's perfect, it's perfect!

But it's perfect!

- The perfect tree doesn't have to be in someone's yard maybe.

There's plenty of good trees in the woods.

Why don't we go there?

- But, but, but it's perfect!

Come on!

It's a perfect tree.

Emy, come down.

- [Emy] No, it's the best tree ever.

Please!

- Come on, we're gonna get in trouble.

There.

You did it, you climbed the perfect tree.

Now can we please go before we get in trouble?

- Come on.

We have to do it together.

It's our list.

- But you're so small, and I'm so big.

- Come on!

Please!

It's so much fun.

Come on, there you go.

Almost there.

You got it.

You got it!

Come on!

You're doing great!

(both giggling) Yes, I knew you could do it.

(soft guitar music) (both giggling) - You mind getting out of my tree?

There are a lot of trees around.

Just go somewhere else.

(both giggling) - [Both] Whoa!

(upbeat music) (both giggling) (upbeat soft rock music) - It's just not worth the risk.

- It's not worth?

Of course, it's worth the risk.

You guys are basically dating already.

- No, but what if he rejects me and then everything turns really awkward and then we both never speak to each other ever again for the rest of our lives?

- Trust me, that won't happen.

- How do you know?

- Because he likes you.

- I don't want to talk about it anymore.

- You're the one who brought it up.

- But what if he doesn't like me?

- He does.

You're just in denial.

- No, because there's this one girl in his chemistry class that he keeps talking about.

(whimsical music) - Okay, correct me if I'm wrong.

You guys are in two of the same classes.

You guys work at the same place, share similar passions, have been friends since elementary school, basically spend your entire free time with one another, send good morning texts, have matching profile pictures on Instagram.

At this point, you just have to do it.

- Do what?

- Tell him.

- [Aurora] Tell him.

- Yes.

Confess.

- I can't.

- [Ellie] Yes, you can.

- No, I can't.

- Yes you can.

I've seen you do it before.

- That was in, like, second grade.

- You can.

- How?

- You should ask him out to that dance on Friday.

- I feel like it's a little late for that.

- Fine.

Doesn't he like going to art museums?

- What does that have to do with anything?

- Take him to an art museum.

Boom, problem solved.

- What?

- Okay.

Imagine this.

(slow piano music) - I think the streaks of sunlight coming through the stormy sky creates such a dramatic mood, along with, of course, the diagonal implied lines created by the shapes of the waves and the bobbing of the ship's sails, which just perfectly encapsulates the bustling commercial energy that this port had since it was chosen to be the first government owned shipyard in the United States.

Oh, by the way, I'm unexplainably and inexplicably in love with you.

- Okay, no.

First of all, that's not how he talks.

Second of all, just no.

That's not how it would happen at all.

- Okay, so then, what would happen?

How would he talk?

- It probably wouldn't be planned.

- Hey.

- Hey.

How's your day been?

- Pretty good.

How about you?

- Good.

Yeah.

I've actually been meaning to talk to you about something.

I've liked you for a while now.

- Really?

- Yeah.

I mean, you know.

- That's actually really funny because I hate your guts and I never actually liked you in the first place.

Plus, your shoes are ugly.

- Why are your shoes ugly?

They're not that ugly.

- I don't know, I think they're ugly.

- Your shoes are fine, Aurora.

- I know.

- What if he appeared like right now?

- What?

- What if we ran into him?

Like right now, while we're talking about him?

- Ellie, I admire your imagination, but what?

- Hey.

- Oh my God.

Please tell me this is a hypothetical situation.

- So what were you and Ellie doing before I got here?

- Well, you know, just exploring the city.

I haven't been here in a really long time.

- Really?

That's a shame.

It's so pretty here.

I should have brought you here more often.

- Oh, are you going to that dance on Friday?

- I was, but I feel kind of awkward going without a date, which is kind of funny because I've been meaning to ask you.

(heartbeat thumps) Do you think Ellie's into me?

She's perfect, but I can't tell if she's actually into me or not.

I thought you would know since you're her friend at all.

- Oh my fu- (upbeat soft rock music) (upbeat soft rock music) (upbeat soft rock music) - [Mother] Bruce, are you ready?

We gotta go!

- Yeah, coming.

(upbeat soft rock music) (crowd cheering) (crowd cheering) (crowd cheering) (voices echoing) (high-pitched ringing) (slow ominous music) - Hey, bud.

You all right?

Listen, I've got some unfortunate news.

- What news?

- You have a severe concussion.

It'd be best for you to stay out during the season.

- Wait.

No, no, I can't, I can't be out.

I'll lose all my scholarships.

- I'm sorry, but in your current conditions, playing could lead to some more severe injuries.

- But I can still play, right?

- It'd be best of your interest to stay out.

Trust me.

(soft ominous music) (slow ambient music) (Bruce sighs) - Honey, it's been a week.

You need to go to school today.

You need to go to school today.

- [Bruce] Mom, I can't.

- I know you're upset, but it's not good laying in bed all day.

(slow ambient music) (slow ambient music) (slow ambient music) (bell rings) - Bruce, hey.

I'm sorry to hear what happened to you.

How are you doing?

- I'm doing all right.

- Well, I'd love to discuss something with you.

Can you come to my office after school?

- Yeah, yeah.

All right - Great.

I'll look forward to it.

- Hey, you ready for this Friday's game?

- For sure.

What's up?

What's Spring Grove's record?

- I'm pretty sure it's six and one.

- [Both] Let's make that six and two.

- Hey Bruce, you ready for the game?

Dude, I forgot.

I didn't know.

- It just happened last week.

(jazzy music) - Hey, Bruce.

Glad you came.

- So what'd you wanna talk to me about?

- Here, come and have a seat.

So the school board wanted to make tomorrow night's game one for the history books, and I thought, after hearing about your situation you'd be the perfect person for the job.

- What do you mean?

- Well, the school board wants to introduce a mascot, and I thought it'd be great if you were the man behind the suit.

- [Bruce] With all due respect, sir, I don't think that that's a very good idea.

- Well, considering your passion for football I thought- - I have a passion for playing football, all right, but I can't do that anymore.

Now why would I want to torture myself by acting a fool on the sidelines while my friends live my dream?

- Bruce, I didn't, I didn't mean to offend you, and I'm sorry.

However, I thought that maybe the experience would be a great fit for you.

- Well, here's the key to the suit.

I hope you reconsider.

(jazzy music) - Man, this season blows.

It's like all our home games are away games.

- Dude, I know, dude.

Did you hear that Bruce turned down the mascot position?

- So many more people would show up if we had one.

- [Number 75] Dude, I know.

- Hello, Dallastown.

In this episode of JNU, I'm going around the hallways to see who has school spirit for tonight's game.

Let's get a move on.

Are you excited for tonight's football game?

Are you excited for tonight's football game?

- Man, our team (bleep) sucks.

What?

I'm not going to that (bleep).

- Are you ready for tonight's?

Are you ready for tonight's football game?

- [Student 1] No.

- Are you ready for tonight's football game?

- [Student 2] No, our team sucks.

- Wow, it's like no one has school spirit for tonight's game.

I just hope something can happen to bring us all back together.

(door slams shut) (soft guitar music) (soft guitar music) (soft guitar music) (soft guitar music) (soft guitar music) (guitar music intensifies) - Bruce, I'm glad to see you changed your mind.

Here.

- Thanks.

Listen, I'm, I'm sorry I- - There's no need for an explanation.

You're here now.

Come on.

- [Announcer] Introducing Willie the Wildcat.

(soft rock music) (classical string music) (classical string music) (classical string music) - All right, we're gonna stop there for today 'cause you're gonna continue this actually with your homework tonight.

We've got about 10 minutes to go, so go ahead and get started on that tonight for homework, all right?

- Hey, can I borrow a pencil?

Thanks.

- Hey, Steph.

- Why do I have to tell her?

You tell her.

(carrots crunching) Well, Steph, Julia and I think that this whole ranch thing has gotten out of hand.

You just need to take a break.

- What are you talking about?

A break?

- It's kind of embarrassing.

No one wants to be friends with someone who only eats ranch.

- It is not embarrassing.

This is like totally normal.

- Can you just submit that your passion for ranch thing has just gotten too much?

- No, 'cause it hasn't gotten outta hand.

It's totally normal.

It's pretty normal, okay?

What are you guys doing?

- Just listen.

Let us speak, okay?

Maddie and Julia contacted me today about your little blow up at lunch.

- What are you- - As your family friends, we think it's best if you give up ranch dressing.

- Where is this coming from?

I mean, ranch has never hurt me.

It's never hurt you guys either.

- Yeah, but it's getting embarrassing.

You always have ranch on your hands, and we can never have a conversation with you because there's always ranch in your mouth.

- We just want the old you back.

- The old me?

This has always been me!

I mean- - Lower your voice.

Give it a try for us at least.

- Try?

Try what?

- Try to give up the ranch.

(classical piano music) (carrots crunching) - Stephanie?

Is that you?

- What are you doing here?

- You mean, why am I not in there?

- My family says I can't have ranch anymore.

- Really?

- They say it's embarrassing, you know?

- You value their opinion?

- Of course.

- You value their opinion over your own?

Over yourself?

(classical piano music) (classical piano music) - So what did you have for lunch today?

- Um, I have a PB and J.

Carrots.

Hummus.

(classical piano music) (Steph sighs) - Oh, sorry.

I didn't mean to disturb you.

- No, you're good.

- Wow, you really like ketchup.

- Sure do.

You want some?

- No, I'm good.

- You're not a mustard guy, are you?

- No, I actually like, uh.

No, I actually love ranch dressing.

(exciting orchestral music) (exciting orchestral music) (exciting orchestral music) (exciting orchestral music) - [Employee] Stop, stop, you didn't pay for that!

- Hi, it's Olivia again.

Are you curious on how to make amazing videos like the ones you just watched?

Well, you're in luck because Steve, manager of media instruction at WHYY, has some awesome creator tips for you, so check it out.

(upbeat rock music) - Shallow depth of field can be achieved by using a fast lens, a large aperture, and the distance of your subject and background.

I will explain each of these factors and how they affect depth of field.

So if you're ready to learn how to shoot shallow depth of field video, let's get started.

(upbeat music) While it isn't too hard to achieve, you have to understand some basic camera settings to get started.

To begin, let's talk about depth of field.

A large or wide depth of field is when your entire image is in focus, which is good for shooting landscapes.

A small or shallow depth of field is when a subject or object stands out more sharply than its background and its foreground surrounding it.

You would use a shallow depth to field to show detail and have your audience pay attention to what's on screen.

Or if you're shooting an interview with an unpleasant or busy background, you could blur it out to focus on the subject.

(upbeat music) To achieve this look, you have to adjust your aperture, which is the opening to the lens that lets light into your camera.

It primarily controls the brightness of your image.

The smaller the number, the more light you allow in, and the more light you allow in, the shallower your focus becomes.

On the other hand, the higher the number, the less light you allow in and the wider your focus becomes.

It's not so hard to remember if you really think about it.

The smaller the number, the more it blurs, the more attention is brought to your subject or the object in the frame as well as having more separation between the subject and the background will blur even more smoothly.

(upbeat music) This effect is best used with a mirrorless camera or any camera with interchangeable lenses.

This is because certain lenses create shallower depth of field, such as prime lenses, 35 through 80 millimeters.

They're considered fast, which means they have a smaller F-stop number such as 1.4, which lets in a lot of light and creates a shallower depth of field.

Your F-stop is the measurement of the aperture.

A large F-stop will let in less light to create a wide depth of field.

With this knowledge, you're on your way to shooting cinematic video.

Until next time, keep creating and have fun.

(upbeat rock music) - Thanks for watching Young Creators Studio.

Today's films were a great reminder that no matter how old you are, everyone has gone through transformative experiences such as these in their youth.

To watch more student films, go to whyy.org/youngcreatorsstudio.

I'm Olivia, and I'll see you next time.

(upbeat rock music) - Wow, you really like ketchup?

- Sure do.

You want some?

- No, I'm good.

- You're not a mustard guy, are you?

- I hate your guts and I never actually liked you in the first place.

Plus, your shoes are ugly.