{"id":1924,"date":"2022-02-01T15:20:44","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T23:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ucrarts.ucr.edu\/?page_id=1924"},"modified":"2026-02-13T16:35:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T00:35:33","slug":"off-the-block","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ucrarts.ucr.edu\/off-the-block\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Block"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”padding-5-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” 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Applications for the Summer 2026 workshop are now live!<\/strong><\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][nectar_btn size=”medium” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” text=”Click to Apply” url=”https:\/\/ucrarts.ucr.edu\/off-the-block-2026\/”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

Overview<\/h2>\n

Now in its 17th\u00a0<\/sup>year, OFF THE BLOCK is an annual summer documentary filmmaking workshop organized by UC Riverside. OFF THE BLOCK exposes high school student filmmakers to the history of film and the documentary format as well as equipping them with the artistic concepts and technical skills necessary to complete their own documentary. Beyond learning practical filmmaking skills, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and team building, as well as positive self-expression through the arts. The award-winning program was created in direct response to the profound need for youth arts initiatives in the Riverside, CA area and is the only summer media literacy and documentary filmmaking program in the region. It is offered completely free-of-charge and all necessary filmmaking tools and supplies are provided to students.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is staffed by curators, faculty, and educators from both UC Riverside and Riverside City College. OFF THE BLOCK staff, through their teaching experience in higher education, draw upon the CA state educational curriculum to develop effective and dynamic workshops and activities to impart film and media training onto students. During the program, students break into groups of 3-4 and are joined by a mentor (a program staff-member) who guides them through the filmmaking process. While working with their mentor and group partners, students also regularly convene all together to review footage, discuss ideas, and workshop their films. Beyond learning practical filmmaking skills, students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and team building, as well as positive self-expression through the arts.<\/p>\n

Over the past 17 years, the stories and projects that our high school students have produced have tackled difficult issues and revealed unique histories. These stories are told through a multitude of documentary techniques but have as their backbone stories from local citizens and community members.<\/p>\n

Summer 2026 Workshop<\/h2>\n

Applications for the summer 2026 workshop are now live!<\/p>\n

To apply, please visit: https:\/\/ucrarts.ucr.edu\/off-the-block-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Off the Block for Schools<\/h2>\n

The award-winning summer documentary workshop is now offered as an in-school workshop that can be customized for your class needs. Directly based on California CTE Standards and drawn from college-level curriculum, the outcome of this workshop is students gaining an understanding of documentary film production as well as knowledge of how careers and educational opportunities in related disciplines are achieved. <\/span>For rates and more information, please contact Lindsey Hammel at lindsey.hammel@ucr.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sample Work<\/h2>\n