Introduction to Filmmaking, a free class given by the East End Student Film Project, began at Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport on Feb. 2. For 10 weeks, sixth- through 12th-grade teens will learn about modern film techniques. Class participants hail from Cutchogue, Greenport, Mattituck, Shelter Island and Southold.

"I joined this class because I wanted to learn how things are created," said James Shine, a 12-year-old from Southold. "I like making videos with my friends."

Brittany Santacroce, an 18-year-old from Southold, and her two sisters, Rebecca, 16, and Olivia, 12, are home schooled and want to learn more about filmmaking. With a camera at home, each of the three sisters has tried a hand at small film projects, like music videos. "In my family, I'm the one to take the video camera," Brittany said. "There's something about it that gives you an outlet where you don't have one."

Evolving technology like YouTube and digital cameras allows anyone to broadcast homemade movies to millions of people, said Paul Henry, a founder of EESFP. Though filming is becoming more popular, East End teens who wish to pursue film seriously have limited access to professional training and equipment.

On the North Fork, film classes were only available at Mattituck High School, according to Mr. Henry. Popular interest and the growing marketplace for filmmaking prompted EESFP to look for a solution for local students, leading EESFP members to design a free filmmaking course last year.

More than 30 local teens signed up for EESFP's filmmaking workshop, which is being taught by resident artist Joel Tomar Levin. Learning to "see the world in a cinematic way" and creating "a dialogue with the world" are two course goals, Mr. Levin said. Every Saturday for two to three hours, students will meet at the library and learn about filmmaking.

Trial by fire is the mentality guiding students in the new class -- they will begin shooting right away. Mr. Levin and a series of mentors will teach students about new technology and advanced editing software -- like DVD cameras and Apple Mac editing suites with Final Cut Pro -- to introduce them to the world of filmmaking, Mr. Henry said.

"First, I just want to start exploring ideas and see where kids want to go with their work, what kind of themes and ideas they want to explore," Mr. Levin said.

For their first assignment, students will create a five- to 10-second film featuring a series of still shots on one subject, from various angles, as an exercise in montaging. In the upcoming weeks, students will be exposed to filming concepts and documentaries -- like Chris Marker's "La Jetee" and Robert Flaherty's "Nanook of the North," he said.

About six mentors will be working with students as the course progresses, Mr. Levin said. Additional mentors will come and give guest lectures on specific filming topics. Once students decide on a focus for their final project, a documentary, each will be matched with a mentor.

Since 2006, EESFP has hosted two successful film festivals that premiered more than 60 films created by East End students. "What Makes a Wolf," by Leonardo De Luzio, a summer resident of Cutchogue, won first place in the high school division in September, as previously reported. Alex Olinkiewicz, of Shelter Island, won second place for his documentary on Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, called "In My Mind." Ultimately, Mr. Henry and other members of EEFSP hope that students in this new class will submit their documentaries in the next film festival.

"We're very committed to the kids and giving them the best equipment," Mr. Henry said. "The beautiful thing about this is there's no boundaries."

Another student filmmaking course will kick off this summer, but no specific start-up date is set yet. For more information visit www.eesfp.org.