Charles C. Baum Film & Visual Storytelling Audition Instructions

The Film and Visual Storytelling department at the Baltimore School for the Arts is seeking students with a passion for film and the collaborative art of movie-making. At the core of the program are the principles of visual storytelling and an emphasis on writing.

Only current 8th grade students may apply.

The Film Audition is a two-step process:

  • Step 1 requires you to upload the requested audition material by December 3, 2024
  • Step 2 will take place in person at the Baltimore School for the Arts

STEP 1
Online Submission
Please submit all required audition material to this form. The Last day of submission upload is December 3, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Required audition material:
1. Storyboard
Hansel and Gretel, 6 panels. You can draw with a pencil or use any material to make it.

Create a storyboard for the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. The storyboard has to have exactly six panels, no more and no less. We are looking at your imagination and creativity in telling the story visually, not your drawing expertise. (Storyboard definition: a sequence of images, typically with some directions and dialogue, representing the shots planned for a movie or television production).

You need to upload a digital file. If your storyboard is not made with a computer program or app, please take a well lit picture with a cell phone of the storyboard and upload it to the google form. Make sure that all storyboard panels are visible in the picture you take. We need to be able to see your storyboard and its panels clearly.

2. Photograph
Set up a small scene: you arrange and stage objects, for example toys, books, cups, pencils, action figures, dolls, legos, boxes, etc for the photograph. Take a few photos with a cell phone, and upload your best photo to the Google form. Please, upload only one photograph. Think about composition, framing, angle, and a story when setting up the scene and taking the picture. Make sure the picture is well-lit.

3. Optional audition material
You can upload up to five additional files for optional material. You might want to show us some of your work that is film related, for example:

  • A screenplay or script
  • Photographs
  • Visual art works (drawings, models, costumes – make sure to take a well recognizable picture of the item with a cell phone and upload the picture to the google form)
  • For video work, please provide a google drive or YouTube/Vimeo link

STEP 2
You will receive an appointment letter with the date and time of your audition. If you have questions regarding your appointment please email highschoolauditions@bsfa.org.

What you will do at the audition at BSA:
Picture Story
You will look at 5 pictures and write a story based on the pictures. You will have up to 60 minutes to
write the story. We will provide a google document for you to type the story.

Conversation
You will have a conversation with a couple of film faculty members about, but not limited to, the following
topics:

  • Your uploaded Hansel and Gretel storyboard
  • Your uploaded photograph
  • Your picture story
  • Your favorite film
  • Your favorite book
  • Any video work you have done (you need to provide a google drive or YouTube/Vimeo link to
  • view videos up to 2 minutes)
  • Any work you have created in a team
  • Film-related items you want to share with us

Students will be evaluated based on the quality of the audition elements and their enthusiasm for this field.