Levi's Film Workshop Inspires (Free) Filmmaking

CC with Levi's Film Workshop manager Kris Payne.

What better way to get little (and big!) Angelenos interested in their hometown industry than providing complimentary tools to make movies? The Levi's Film Workshop, nestled into the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Little Tokyo, has done just that.

CC and I checked out the space last week and were super impressed by what we found. Everything was accessible, hands-on and -- best of all for us -- kid-friendly. (Not only that, but CC's pic was even featured in a story about the Workshop in the L.A. Times.)

The Workshop pop-up shop, which sits just past the exit area of the museum, will be open through August 8 and provides amateur and expert filmmakers with camera and lighting rentals, editing suites, a giant green screen, classes, a stop-motion animation area and many other goodies all for free. Yes, free. As in nothing.


In a stroke of luck and helpful coincidence, the camera on my iPhone was acting wonky, so I borrowed a Canon digital camera from their rental area. (All the pics in this post are from that camera.) But the rental counter offers everything from Canon EOS 7D digital cameras to Super 8 video cameras to Flips to Sony TDR10 camcorders.

As per usual, CC felt right at home, and the Workshop attendants were more than patient -- and eager to show off their wares. CC placed inked animal stamps on film cells, posed in front of a green screen (above) and spun her My Little Pony around on a phonotrope (below).


All in the name of creativity. And access. According to a Levi's rep, the company wanted to make specialized equipment available to everyone -- inspiring visitors young and old, wealthy and not-so-much to go out and make something amazing.

Levi's Film Workshop
Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 N. Central Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Monday & Friday); 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (Thursday); 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Saturday); 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sunday); closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays