Smallwood Multimedia Boot Camp

The Smallwood Multimedia Bootcamp is an opportunity for rising juniors and seniors (current sophomores and juniors) from Northern Nevada to receive concentrated instruction in video production, audio techniques, and media editing skills. During the five-day boot camp, students develop quality projects and skills that can be added to digital portfolios for college applications and internship/job seeking.

This is a free opportunity for students thanks to a generous grant from the Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation.

Video production emphasis

Students are introduced to a wide range of professional video techniques and tools. Students will practice and implement these concepts in their own productions. Some of the skills that will be covered in this year’s bootcamp include cinematography, special effects, sound design, 2D graphics, 3D asset creation, photogrammetry, and MORE.

Instruction will take place in the @One, located on the first floor of the University's Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center and led by an award-winning multimedia production faculty.

Students will also have the opportunity to visit and tour multimedia spaces from different departments across campus.

Limited space availability

The camp is limited to fifteen (15) participants selected by the Multimedia Bootcamp committee. Criteria for selection will be determined by applicant eligibility requirements, work samples, letter of interest and references.

Each day will consist of multimedia instruction, a lunch break, and an open lab for additional editing or feedback.

Applicants don’t need to provide a robust digital portfolio, just some exemplary work samples (see application). We accept students with digital media experience in video, photography, graphic design, computer science, web design, audio, or other.

For those interested in attending the University of Nevada, Reno after graduation, students will have access to a dedicated liaison with the Office of Prospective Students.

Overnight camp opportunity (optional)

Multimedia instruction will happen for all campers from 10am-5pm daily including two workshop sessions and a lunch provided for free. In 2024, for the first time, Smallwood Bootcamp offered an overnight camp option. This option is to alleviate back and forth transportation for campers traveling from a distance. It also allows campers to partake in an immersive on-campus experience akin to collegiate campus life at the University of Nevada, Reno. Breakfast and dinner will be provided before and after camp instruction. Overnight campers will have their own single-occupancy rooms. With the supervision of a dedicated chaperone, evening activities are designed to promote creativity and comradery.  Overnight campers will follow curfews and wake-up schedules.

A refundable $100 security deposit will be requested upon acceptance of overnight application. Exemptions may apply.

Application

High school sophomores and juniors from Northern Nevada will be accepted to the Multimedia Boot Camp based upon review of application and recommendation from a teacher or administrator. We seek students with the greatest potential and interest in the field. Applicants must have a 3.0 weighted GPA in their academic core courses.

The application should include:

• Student Application Form
• Sample of student's work in relevant areas including video, animation, interactive media, forms of digital media graphics, web design, etc
• Sample work can be uploaded using the Student Portfolio Upload page, or sent via email, DVD, flash drive, web link, hard copy, or cloud storage (Google Drive, Box, DropBox, etc)
• The direct contact of an academic reference, such as a teacher or an adviser, who can speak to your skills and interest as a multimedia content creator. (It's important to inform this academic reference that you are including them in your application.)