Ext. Boster Castle Studios — Columbia, Missouri
Don't just learn filmmaking. Make a movie.
18+ BONUSMissouri Film Apprentice OpportunityThe big idea
Spend a weekend learning through filmmaking classes and hands-on production at Boster Castle Studios, then put those skills to work helping create an original short film.
You'll learn the fundamentals, pick the parts of filmmaking you want to try, and join the crew on an original short film. It goes from idea to a red carpet screening on Sunday night, and you're there for every step.
48 hours. One film. You're part of the crew.
Imagine yourself on set
Movies get made by people solving problems together under the lights. This weekend, you're one of those people.
Int. Boster Castle Studios — Sound stage
The lights come up. The room goes warm. A boom mic swings into place over two actors finding their marks.
The camera moves in for the shot. Someone checks the light on an actor's face. Someone resets a prop.
In the corner, a fight scene is walked through at half speed. Every punch is planned. Every reaction is timed for the lens.
Something isn't working. The crew huddles, solves it, resets.
Director
Quiet on set. Rolling... and ACTION.
And you're right there in it.
Cut to: Sunday night.
What you'll experience
🎬 Production 101 + Missouri Film Apprentice Opportunity
Get 4 hours of Production 101 training designed to teach you how a real film production operates—from set procedures and crew responsibilities to working effectively as part of a production team.
Participants age 18+ who successfully complete Production 101 will be able to register as a Missouri Film Apprentice, giving them an additional credential/pathway as they pursue opportunities in Missouri's film industry.
Why is that valuable? Productions participating in Missouri's SHOW MO Motion Media Tax Incentive are required to employ a specified number of Missouri registered apprentices and/or qualifying Missouri-resident veterans.
Learn how a film set works. Help make a real movie. Build your credits. And if you're 18+, take a real step toward future film-production opportunities.
Missouri Film Apprentice registration does not guarantee employment or selection for any future production.
Call sheet — pick your department
After you register, you'll rank the three areas of filmmaking you're most excited to try.
Perform an assigned character or role on camera.
Help translate the script into performances, shots and the overall creative vision.
Help organize the people, resources and decisions necessary to complete the film.
Help develop the story, scenes and dialogue into a shootable script.
Help keep the set, schedule, people and day-to-day production moving.
Help capture the movie through camera operation, framing, lenses and camera support.
Help create the look and visibility of scenes using professional film lighting and grip equipment.
Help create the visual world through props, wardrobe, set dressing and décor.
Help create appropriate practical effects and controlled visual effects needed for the story.
Help match performers with characters and roles.
Learn how controlled action, fight and physical sequences are designed and performed safely for camera.
Help turn raw footage into the finished story.
Help capture dialogue, ambient sound and other audio during production.
Tell us what other area of filmmaking interests you.
Please note: Role preferences are not guaranteed. Assignments will be based on production needs, experience, auditions, safety and availability.
For actors
Then come ready to audition.
Participants interested in acting will have the opportunity to audition for the film. Walk in, read for a part, and show the team what you can do. Auditions may happen Friday and/or Saturday morning, depending on the production schedule.
Selecting Actor as a preferred role does not guarantee a principal or speaking role. Casting decisions are based on the characters the film needs, auditions and production requirements.
For directors
Participants especially interested in directing may be invited to join Friday's pre-production meeting. You'll see how a film starts taking shape before principal photography begins.
Friday details are being finalized and will be shared with applicable registrants.
Story submissions
Got a story you've always wanted to see on screen? Registered participants can submit a short-film concept before the event.
Adam, Stephen and the production team will review every submission. One idea, or pieces from several, may become the foundation of the film.
Submitting an idea does not guarantee it will be selected. The production team keeps final creative control so the story can actually be produced within the weekend, the available locations, cast, equipment, safety requirements and the 5–10 minute target length.
From idea to screen
Tentative schedule (Central Time): Friday, November 6, optional production meeting, 6–9 p.m.; Saturday, November 7, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, November 8, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Times may change. A call sheet with the updated schedule will be sent before the event.
Your producer
This weekend happens inside Adam Boster's world: his studio, his crew, his way of making movies.
Adam leads Boster Castle Studios in mid-Missouri. He started making films in college, spent nearly a decade working in film, television and music in Los Angeles, then came home to make movies in Missouri. His credits cover nearly every job on a set: producer, director, writer, editor, actor, stunt performer, special effects and sound.
Boster Castle Studios is a full-service production company with sound stage space, a two-story green screen stage, a prop and costume shop, and editing suites.
Sources: IMDb · Boster Castle Studios · Columbia Missourian
Cast & crew
Fight choreography & stunts
Stephen C. Ray, known to his students as Master Ray, is the owner and head instructor of F.I.T. Martial Arts. On this production he's writing, producing, directing, acting, and leading fight choreography and stunts.
Ever wondered how a movie fight looks real without anyone getting hurt? Stephen will show you how a sequence is built beat by beat, how performers sell a hit, and how the camera angle does the rest, all done safely.
From the people who've worked with Adam
I've been working with Adam Boster & Boster Castle Studios since 2018 when Adam cast my 1969 Mercury Comet as the main bad guy car in Lost Treasure of Jessy James. Since then, they have used My Comet, and 3 other cars I own in other productions they have done, as well as casting me as an actress and in some instances had me stunt driving my own cars in scenes. They are always professional and courteous, and giving clear directions about how scenes are going to go. Wonderful people to work with!
I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience with Boster Castle. Every member of their crew is kind, helpful, and incredibly dedicated. Their talent is obvious, but what truly sets them apart is their attention to detail and unwavering focus on safety. As a parent of a child actress, peace of mind is everything. The Boster Castle team notices the little things and always ensures that filming is conducted with safety as the absolute top priority. They are highly organized and work tirelessly—even through 12-plus-hour days—to make sure everything runs flawlessly. Every project they touch is stunning, reflecting both their excellent on-set procedures and the beautiful final product they deliver on film.
Int. Screening — Sunday night
After a whirlwind weekend of making a film, it all comes together at a red carpet screening.
You'll have watched scenes go from ideas and scripts to lights, cameras, performances and production. Then you walk into the screening, the lights go down, and the film you helped create comes up on screen. And you'll know:
"I helped make that."
Registration
November 7–8, 2026 · Columbia, Missouri
Payment in full at registration · 24-hour refund policy
Who it's for
You don't need any film experience. If you've ever wondered how movies actually get made, this weekend is for you.
Open to participants ages 10 and older. Participants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present.
FAQ
No. The experience is designed to give participants hands-on exposure and foundational training.
The experience is open to participants ages 10 and older. Participants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present.
You select your first, second and third preferred categories. Roles are not guaranteed, and assignments depend on production needs, auditions, experience, safety and availability.
Participants interested in acting may audition Friday and/or Saturday morning. Selecting acting does not guarantee a principal or speaking role.
Participants especially interested in directing may be encouraged to participate in Friday pre-production activities. Final details will be provided to applicable registrants.
Yes. Registered participants may submit short-film concepts for consideration. Submission does not guarantee selection.
The target is approximately 5–10 minutes.
Participants will receive an official on-screen film credit, with eligible credits submitted to IMDb.
The completed film is intended to be available on YouTube.
You may still participate, but registration is the same price and you will miss the portions of the experience that happen while you're away.
The weekend culminates in a red carpet screening of the film.
Cancel within 24 hours of registering for a full refund. After that, participant cancellations are nonrefundable. If the organizers cancel the event, everyone receives a full refund. Refunds are electronic; contact [email protected].
No. Payment is due in full at registration.
Boster Castle Studios in Columbia, Missouri. Registered participants will receive the location and arrival details they need.
Tentative times (Central Time): optional Friday production meeting, 6–9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m. Times may change. We will send a call sheet before the event starts.
The next time you watch a movie, you could understand what it takes to make one.
But after this weekend, you'll have something even better:
You'll have helped make one yourself.
48 hours. One film. You're part of the crew.
$349 through October 21Only 50 participants