Do you love Film? Photography? Animation?
Ever dream of directing your own movies or being on TV?
At Youth Beat you can learn digital skills from industry professionals and work with other creative YOUTH to make awesome media—for free & year round!
Summer 2026
Spend your summer creating short films, learning animation, making friends from throughout OUsd and having fun!
june 15th - july 23rd, Monday - thursdays 12-5pm (No Program on Juneteenth & July 4th)
We are very excited to flex our creative muscles with you this summer. We remain dedicated to continuing our dynamic programming. Designed to keep you engaged and expressing yourself through media arts while forming community, making friends and having fun.
Our FREE & PAID Summer Intensives take place over six weeks and culminates in a community celebration and screening. We have six focused cohorts running simultaneously; Future Filmmakers 1 & 2, Animators 1 & 2, YB CAB & YB Next Alumni Internship. Participants choose their cohort based on their personal interest and level of experience.
We are an OUSD ECCCO Internship Site - $1000 Stipend
We are proud to partner with the OUSD’s Exploring, College, Career, and Community Options Program (ECCCO) as a 2023 Award Winning Internship Host Site. Any OUSD student coming from a participating school can earn a $1000 Stipend. In order to qualify for the $1000 stipend you will have to go through the necessary application steps. APPLICATIONS DUE: April 16th, 2026
Attend an information seminar at your school.
Apply for the Internship through the GroupTrail Common App. You will receive a link to this after you attend the information seminar.
Respond to all emails and attend a zoom interview with a representative from YouthBeat.
If you are selected you will be informed by April 18th through email and GroupTrail.
Agree to attend all summer sessions including the additional Friday Seminar hosted by your Linked Learning Advisor, fill out necessary paperwork, and respond yes to acceptance!
Join us for an awesome summer internship!!!
Future Filmmakers 1
Learn the fundamentals of video production while becoming a part of a vibrant supportive community of other young filmmakers from Oakland. By the end of it you will walk away with a portfolio of work you can use towards a future career, internships and college applications. By participating in Future Filmmakers 1 you are eligible to apply for Future Filmmakers 2 in the Fall. No pre-requisite or prior experience required. You must have participated in Future Filmmakers 1 or have equivalent experience to join Future Filmmakers 2.
Animators 1
This course covers the fundamentals of stop motion and computer animation. You will receive a tablet and computer to work with. Enabling you to dive deeper into learning Adobe Photoshop, After Effects & CC Animate. In addition to learning the fundamentals you will expand your skills in drawing. No pre-requisite or prior experience required. By participating in Animators 1 you are eligible to apply for Animators 2 in the Fall. No pre-requisite or prior experience required. You must have participated in Animators 1 or have equivalent experience to join Animators 2.
Future FIlmmakers 2 & After Effects
Future Filmmakers 2 & After Effects applicants must have been with YouthBeat for one year of programming or have 1-2 years experience in an OUSD Media Pathway.
Future Filmmakers 2 students will dive deeper into the three stages of production and build on their beginning media skills. They will explore the next level of cameras, camera movement rigs, lighting and audio engineering, as well as editing techniques.
The After Effects class expands students knowledge of the 12 principles and fundamentals of Animation. Students will learn how to create dynamic titles, simple animations, and eye-catching visual effects while building confidence in digital storytelling and creative media production.
2025/2026 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING
project-based, accredited courses in film and animation.
This upcoming 2025 school year we will continue to offer you a dynamic learning experience in the media arts while forming community, making friends and having fun. We follow the OUSD school calendar and are now accepting applications for year round after school FREE programming. Students earn 5 OUSD Elective Credits Per Semester including during our summer program.
The programs are based at KDOL-TV (286 East 10th Street in Oakland), next to MetWest High School.
We Provide FREE Bus Passes & Snacks!
Future Filmmakers II
TUESDAY/THURSDAY 4:30-6:30PM / Starts Sept.2nd 2025
For this program we are currently accepting applications from students with previous experience in filmmaking and video production and who can submit examples of media already created.
Provides 5 art or elective credits through the Oakland Unified School District per semester.
Future Filmmakers 1
TUESDAY/THURSDAY 4:30-6:30PM / Starts Sept.2nd 2025
Learn the fundamentals of video production while becoming a part of a vibrant supportive community of other young filmmakers from Oakland. The class lasts for the full school year and by the end of it you will walk away with a portfolio of work you can use towards a future career, internships and college applications. By participating in Future Filmmakers you are eligible to apply for the Youth Beat Advanced Program. Provides 5 art or elective credits through the Oakland Unified School District per semester.
After Effect & Some Motion Graphics
MONDAY/WEDNESDAY 4:30-6:30PM / Starts Sept.3rd 2025
For this program we are currently accepting applications from students with previous experience in animation and who can submit examples of media already created or second year students who’ve participated in Animators 1.
Provides 5 art or elective credits through the Oakland Unified School District per semester.
Animators I
MONDAY/WEDNESDAY 4:30-6:30PM / Starts Sept.3rd 2025
This course covers the fundamentals of stop motion and computer animation. This class lasts for the full school year, or can be taken as a single semester. Once enrolled you will receive a tablet and computer to work with. This will enable you to dive deeper into learning software such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects.
Provides 5 art or elective credits through the Oakland Unified School District per semester.
YBNext SUMMER ALUMNI INTERNSHIP
paid summer internship for youth Beat alumni
Prerequisite: Must have completed our Filmmaking or Animation Program
Open to Four Youth Beat Alumni. Applicants must be 19 years and older.
TIME: Monday-Thursday 11:30am-5:30pm
DATES: June 15th - July 23rd (6 weeks)
ORIENTATION: Dates TBD
PAY: $1500 stipend for completing 6-week internship
OVERVIEW: As a Youth Beat Alumni Intern you will work closely with a YB Mentor & the Bridge students. You will participate as a Teaching Assistant & YBPro junior producer and more. Complete Description coming soon.
If interested please send your resume and cover letter to sagesse@youthbeat.org
Youth Beat Student Advisory Council 2025
If you are a current student or Teaching Assistant with Youth Beat you are invited to apply to join our Student Advisory Council. This council is a body of current YB students and recent alumni leaders who help shape the course of Youth Beat culture, programming, events, outreach & recruitment, educational equity, events and more. Our objective is to create a space where students, alumni and mentors can keep in touch, collaborate and have a voice in Youth Beat’s mission. Stipend available.
Youth Beat School Site Programs
We are proud to partner with the following schools to offer a wide array of media arts programming taught by industry professionals trained in creating SEL environments. Our programming includes Dual Enrollment Video Production Courses, Photography, Animation, Digital Media, Photography, Podcasting and more. Interested in bringing Youth Beat to your school? Email sagesse@youthbeat.org! Check out our Classroom Stories HERE!
