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SKILL BUILDING | PROJECT DEVELOPMENT | CUSTOM TRAINING

Educating Young Creatives In Filmmaking & Digital Media

Student Filmmaking Education & Mentorship

Hi, I'm Stephanie––film & media educator––and I provide individualized  1:1 education for students of all ages in filmmaking and digital media. From one-off skill building to full-service production projects, I work with students as their creative partner to help them share stories with meaning and impact.

Student standing in front of green screen while Stephanie slates for a scene

1:1 Custom Mentorship

Provide young creatives with a personalized media mentorship experience to help them achieve their personal goals & aspirations. 

Discover & Grow

Help your student expand their skill set and uncover their potential through the world of media, film, and production. 

Be A Voice For Change

Empower an aspiring storyteller to use their voice, share meaningful narratives, and inspire others through their creative work!

WAYS I SUPPORT FUTURE FILMMAKERS

I offer custom educational experiences for ALL LEVELS & ages.

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Skill Building

Have a young creative who'd like to learn a new skill? Whether they're interested in...

  • Editing in Adobe Premiere

  • Stop motion animation techniques

  • Photography & cinematography skills

  • Audio production essentials

  • Screenwriting

  • or Mastering a specific software

 

I offer customized training programs that are designed to meet their unique goals. With extensive experience in each field, I can develop a personalized curriculum to ensure they gain the skills they need at their own pace.​​

Portfolio Projects

Is your student eager to bring their big vision to life? From pre-production planning to post-production editing, I work with my students every step of the way to help them develop, shoot, and edit their story. This includes:

  • Professional Short Film Production

  • Feature Length Screenplay

  • Complete Podcast Season

When the project is complete, I'll even help them arrange a public screening to, creating a memorable and celebratory experience.  These projects typically span a semester to a year, providing valuable hands-on experience and are ideal for building a portfolio or college applications.

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Workshops & Groups

Want to provide your students with an engaging and hands-on media experience? I offer a variety of workshops tailored for classrooms, after-school groups, or youth programs. Popular workshop topics include:

• Stop-Motion Animation

• Screenwriting Fundamentals

• Photography & Camera Techniques

• Podcast Production

Workshops range from single day to ongoing weekly session and can even be tailored to support integrated learning, such as using stop-motion animation to explore science concepts or storytelling to enhance language arts.

Looking for something custom?

I offer custom apprenticeship programs that include 1:1 tutoring, production support for short-term projects, and specialized trainings that combine multiple skills. This option is perfect for individuals seeking personalized guidance or for organizing group workshops and events.​

Summer Creative Portfolio Projects

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Together, we’ll turn their passion into a polished portfolio piece that your student is proud of—one that tells their story in a way that stands out on their college application.

A Creative Portfolio Project is a personalized, one-on-one mentorship experience designed to help students develop a professional-quality media project. Whether it’s a short film, screenplay, podcast, or video series, I provide hands-on guidance and serve as their creative partner every step of the way.

 

Applying to Film School? Let’s Build a Standout Portfolio.

If your teen is preparing a creative portfolio for college applications, I offer individualized support to help them craft compelling work. From writing personal statements to developing engaging screenplays, I ensure each application is polished, authentic, and unforgettable. Whether they’re applying to NYU, AFI, USC, or another top program, we’ll build a strong, strategic application that showcases their storytelling skills and passion for film.

Creative Portfolio Projects aren’t just for aspiring filmmakers–they’re for any student who wants to make an impact

Whether your teen is passionate about science, history, or literature, we’ll create a compelling Digital media project that highlights their unique voice and interests.

EXPLORE SUMMER OFFERINGS

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Comprehensive College Application Prep for Film School 

Is your teen applying to NYU, USC, or another top film program? We’ll create compelling creative portfolios, develop strong personal statements, and even produce a short film highlighting their storytelling and technical skills. 

Package Includes

  • Concept Development & Production – Develop and refine creative projects

  • Personal Statement & Essays – Craft compelling application narratives

  • Resume & Artist Statement – Showcase achievements and artistic vision

  • Application Timeline & Strategy – Stay organized and on track

  • Interview Prep – Build confidence for admissions interviews

​Recommended For: JUNIORS, SENIORS

*Portfolio projects are tailored to each student's unique goals and creative vision. Pricing is based on the specific needs and scope of the project. After discussing your students' objectives and project ideas, I will provide a personalized quote to ensure the best fit for their aspirations.

Portrait of Stephanie Choriatis

Hi, I'm Stephanie! I'm an award-winning film producer and media educator with over a decade of experience in narrative and non-fiction filmmaking.

I received my MFA in Film & Creative Producing from Columbia University and my BA in Film & Video from Grand Valley State University. I've had the pleasure of working with institutions, including Columbia University, the New York Film Academy, and The Gateway School, where I’ve taught and mentored students in screenwriting, nonfiction filmmaking, video production, and more.

I'm proud to share that my students’ work has been accepted and screened at festivals such as The Big Apple Film Festival, The Lift-Off Film Festival, and The All American High School Film Festival, and many have gone on to study at top schools like NYU, The New School, Pace University, and Barnard College.

When I’m not teaching, I work as an independent producer. I’ve had the joy of contributing to productions for National Geographic, Apple+, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and Tribeca Film Festival, and have produced projects ranging from documentaries, podcasts, and educational media projects that have earned recognition at film festivals worldwide.

I’m passionate about inspiring and empowering the next generation of storytellers to create stories with impact by nurturing their creativity and technical skills with my personalized, hands-on approach!

See what my STUDENTS have CREATED

February Stop Motion Workshops at Elements Workspace
"Cultivate" film by Alex Baglio
"American Baker" - Center Filmmakers 2015-2016
"Somebody Else" by Blair Bodine
My Middle Eastern Mosaic - Navigating Middle Eastern Dipolomacy: Insights from Ariella Viehe
Burger Heist
The Iceberg Heart
Climate Change Documentary

HEAR FROM STUDENTS & PARENTS

“Thank you for your email and for being such an AMAZING TEACHER. I loved every discussion section and greatly appreciated your enthusiasm for the subject, as well as your encouragement of other students. Thank you for the most compelling discussions of my college career.”

- Izzy | Student

"I wanted to say a big thank you and let you know how much Katie has LOVED working with you! I was blown away seeing the film and all the hard work that when into it.   What a wonderful experience for the students! Having you as a teacher, mentor, supporter, etc. has been a very important part of Katie’s school experience this year & I greatly appreciate all you have done for her." - Lorraine | Parent

“Stephanie, you are a Godsend I seriously cannot thank you enough” - Masha | Student

"Thank you for supporting the entire class through this process and with such an amazing result. The film is fantastic, and I do hope the kids will know the joy of having it appear in festivals and screenings in the future. Most of all, a heartfelt thank you for championing Eli and nurturing his talent in filmmaking.  We hope he will come to appreciate it as much as other people have and that he will want to nurture the talent in himself. " -Paula | Parent

"Stephanie is a lovely person and a great instructor. She is very positive and clearly excited to be teaching, and she is very supportive of her students as they navigate new tasks and challenges.”

- Student

"Thank you SO much for your incredible work with this class.  The product that was the result of your and the kids' endeavors was extraordinary.  You obviously inspired the group to do their best, and they did!" -Steven | Parent

“Thank you tremendously for helping me in the rough time you truly made a difference!... We are truly grateful to have you as our teacher and I wouldn't know how to govern the situation without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” - Meimei | Student

“Stephanie is very supportive and gives good feedback. She really cares about helping her students grow artistically. She also genuinely cares about what her students want from the course and adapts the course based on student feedback” - Student

HELPING STUDENTS TELL STORIES WITH REAL-WORLD IMPACT

Unlike large media programs, I offer a completely personalized, hands-on approach with each student. I don’t just teach—I become their creative partner, fully invested in developing their ideas and approaching their work with the same level of care and sophistication I would bring to a professional project.

 

I'm committed to helping my students create something meaningful that truly represents THEM.

 

Together, we'll create projects that go beyond a college application or portfolio. I'll teach them what they need to know to tell stories that they can be proud of. They'll walk away with a piece that they can continue to share and build on long after our time together.

Have a young creative that's interested in learning a new skill, bringing a project to life, or something inbetween?

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

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Let's CREATE together.

UPCOMING CLASSES

  • How much does it cost to work with you?
    I offer free consultations for us to get to know each other and understand what kind of help each child/student needs. My hourly rate for in-person sessions is $125 and $95/hour for virtual. The range of hours for the project is assessed based on each individual's custom needs. However, if you're looking to book me for a larger project, I can give you a custom quote. For group workshops the starting rate is $250/hour for a minimum of 2 hours.
  • How often can you meet with my child/student?
    Every collaboration is different! We'll talk about your child/student's goals and determine what frequency is best for them and their schedule. Typically, I recommend that I meet with my students at least once a week for 2 hour sessions to keep our collaborations fresh and always moving forward. I am also open to meeting with students more frequently for more intensive projects. If we are meeting for a filming day, that may require a full day–– which we would plan for far in advance.
  • How long will it take to complete a project?
    It depends on the scale of the project! For short films or a full podcast season, I would recommend a full semester (Sep - Dec, Jan-May, etc). The average minimum time I spend working with a student is 4-5 months during the school year or 3 months during the summer-–which would be a more intensive style program. I also offer custom programs for short-term projects or one-off tutoring sessions.
  • Do you offer workshops or trainings for classes, parties or events?
    I do! I have experience hosting fun workshops for classroom settings and even birthday parties. If you're interested in a special workshop or group training experience, please fill out the contact form below and let me know what you have in mind.
  • What are your teaching qualifications?
    I received my MFA in Film & Creative Producing from Columbia University and my BA in Film & Video from Grand Valley State University. I've taught at institutions, including Columbia University, the New York Film Academy, and The Gateway School, and have mentored students in screenwriting, nonfiction filmmaking, video production, and more. You can view my Statement of Teaching Philosophy here:
  • What productions have you worked on?
    My experience spans across all mediums, including film production, audio engineering, podcast production, screenwriting, photography, etc. I've worked on productions for Apple TV+, National Geographic, Showtime, etc. as well as educational content for Manhattan Prep and Kaplan Test Prep. For more info, you can find me on LinkedIn or IMBD!
  • What if my child/student needs help with something I don't see on your website?
    Feel free to reach out! I'm all about creating an experience that is completely tailored to each child/student's needs. If they want to learn a skill I haven't listed or have a project that seems out-of-the-norm, I'd love to hear about it. Tell me what your child/student has in mind using the contact form below and I'll tell you if it's something I can help you with. If I can't help, I'll try to point you in the right direction.
  • If I'm interested in working with you, what are my next steps?
    I like to start with a free consultation to get to know you & your child/students, as well as learn more about what their interests and goals are. If you're ready to take the first step, please fill out the form below and I'll get in touch to schedule a time to chat!

Get In Touch

Interested in partnering together to support your child or students' learning journey? I'd love to hear more about their needs and goals. Send me a message below to start the conversation.

 

Ready to get started? Skip the wait and schedule a free consultation where we can discuss the best services to help your child or student succeed.

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Empowering Students Through Film & Media Education

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