Inside PBS Blog

Have you ever had a great idea for a short film, but weren't sure how to get started making it? Do you go to your local art house theater to check out the short films nominated for the Oscars each year? If so, then WGBH Lab is the site for you. The Lab is an online outlet for amateur filmmakers and fans alike to brainstorm ideas for short films, get help from professional filmmakers, and critique each other's work - not to mention possibly be screened on air or online.

WGBH in Boston is one of PBS' largest producing stations, which allows them to have the resources to experiment with projects like the Lab.

The site makes it easy for anyone with Internet access and basic editing software to create a short. If you've got your own camera, you can shoot and upload original footage.

Professional advice from filmmakers like Katrina Browne can help you start the process:

No camera? No problem. Just browse the Lab's collection of archival footage - aka the "sandbox' - for clips on everything from technology and work to war at sea. Then watch this webinar for tips on how to mix existing material to create a new story.

At designated points throughout the year - called "Open Calls" - you can also pitch your film concept to WGBH and if they like it, WGBH will give you the money and guidance to make it happen. The current Open Call is geared at student filmmakers, in partnership with the WGBH education website Teachers Domain, and is focused on exploring how climate change is affecting communities.

The last Open Call was for the WGBH Election Lab, which received hundreds of politics-themed submissions around the 2008 election. Here is one of my favorites, a story about a guy who bears a striking resemblance to none other than Uncle Sam:

So what are you waiting for? Check out the lab and start creating!

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