The COOL Cooperative

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The COOL Cooperative

We offer summer programs, after-school programs, and hands-on training in film production. We work with students 12-23 years of age.

The COOL Cooperative is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, after-school film education and workforce development for middle school and high school students
in New Orleans. Our students academics, job opportunities and self esteem all benefit from our curriculum. In middle school we focus on team building, self esteem and the foundations of film production and theory all while helping them fully realize films

from the seed of an idea to a final product. In high school we pivot towards a more production and technical skills focused curriculum while championing and producing students individual passions and projects. As they leave high school we help our students secure their futures in the Louisiana film industry.

06/12/2026

This week, our Grip & Electric students took a field trip to the UNO Film Department for hands-on training in one of the most essential areas of filmmaking. Grip & Electric (G&E) teams are responsible for shaping and controlling light, powering equipment, and helping create the visual look and mood of every scene on set.

Our Film Tech Fellow and camp teacher, Niko, gave students an inside look at the equipment, techniques, and teamwork that go into bringing a production to life behind the scenes.

A huge thank you to UNO for welcoming us and helping inspire the next generation of filmmakers! We can't wait to see our students put their new skills into action when filming begins next week. 🎥✨

06/08/2026

Week 1 of camp is officially underway, and we're off to a fun start! 🎬✨

This week, campers decorated doors, played games, explored camera techniques, and got hands-on experience in the art department—and we're just getting started!
Our Marketing Manager partnered with one of our students, who is in charge of capturing all the behind-the-scenes moments throughout camp.

In fact, the video you're watching right now was filmed by one of our talented students!

We can't wait to share more of their amazing work as the summer continues. ✨

At COOL Camp, our students don’t just learn about filmmaking — they MAKE a film. Over the course of June, campers work alongside industry professionals to create a short film from the ground up, gaining real on-set experience in a collaborative and supportive environment.

With only 35 campers, a low camper-to-counselor ratio, and a team of dedicated film professionals, COOL Camp gives young storytellers the chance to truly shine.

ABOUT THE COOL COOPERATIVE
The COOL Cooperative is a local 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping middle and high school youth with film-industry specific workforce development. We offer summer programs, after-school programs, and hands-on training in film production.

www.thecoolcooperative.org

05/29/2026

We are excited to welcome our Production Designer, Emily Kingston to our COOL Camp summer film!

At COOL Camp, our students don’t just learn about filmmaking — they MAKE a film. Over the course of June, campers work alongside industry professionals to create a short film from the ground up, gaining real on-set experience in a collaborative and supportive environment.

With only 35 campers, a low camper-to-counselor ratio, and a team of dedicated film professionals, COOL Camp gives young storytellers the chance to truly shine.

05/20/2026

📣 CASTING CALL: Camp Film “Zydeco Shuffle” principal filming June 15th - 19th. Lead roles must be present every day.

Attention Students

Our summer camp film, “Zydeco Shuffle,” is officially accepting audition tapes! We are looking for dedicated and creative individuals to join our latest project. If you have a passion for performing, we want to see your work.

Please see the attached roles and descriptions. Pick the roles you would like to read for and make sure you have someone to read the other lines for you.

Myla- (Lead: 15, female -black) A strong, talented young Black teen with emotional depth beneath a guarded exterior. Her identity is tied to consistency, partnership, and excellence. When that stability is disrupted, she internalizes the hurt as betrayal. (Two sets of sides: MylaSides & Leilani_Myla Sides. Please record both.)

ZAI- (Lead: 15, male -black) Confident, thoughtful, but emotionally avoidant. His decision to step away from their partnership is rooted in care, but his inability to communicate creates unintended harm.

LEILANI- (16, the epitome of black girl joy). Zai’s older sister. The emotional bridge. She represents truth, empathy, and perspective. She grounds both characters in reality.

DARIUS- (15, male, carefree)

MRS. DEROUSELLE (Late 40s, a nurturing soul, Black) A cultural anchor. Through subtle use of Creole French, she embodies generational wisdom and emotional awareness. Her
presence reinforces that this story is not just about youth— but about lineage, culture, and
care. (fluent French is a bonus, but must be able to pronounce phonetically.)

How to Submit
Please upload your video to a site that will allow you to share a video link and submit by emailing to
[email protected]. Video Deadline: All digital submissions must be uploaded by May26th.

A Note to Performers
This is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills and be part of an exciting production. Please have fun with your performance and do your very best! We can’t wait to see what you bring to these characters.

Break a leg!

Here's the link to the audition sides and instructions:

05/18/2026

We are beyond excited to welcome filmmaker and educator Bianca Siplin as the director of our 2026 COOL Camp summer film, Zydeco Shuffle, written by The West Sisters! 💜✨

A heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship, change, and growing up, Zydeco Shuffle is in incredible hands.

Bianca is an award-winning director, producer, and founder of Inner Phoenix Productions whose work uplifts Black families, women, and children through powerful storytelling rooted in history and lived experience.

From award-winning films to directing youth theatre productions across New Orleans, Bianca brings passion, creativity, and a deep love for arts education to everything she does — making her the perfect fit for COOL Camp!

At COOL Camp, our students don’t just learn about filmmaking — they MAKE a film. Over the course of June, campers work alongside industry professionals to create a short film from the ground up, gaining real on-set experience in a collaborative and supportive environment.

With only 35 campers, a low camper-to-counselor ratio, and a team of dedicated film professionals, COOL Camp gives young storytellers the chance to truly shine.

We can’t wait to see the magic Bianca and our campers create this summer!

05/14/2026

🎬 Check out this clip from our very first Student Filmmaker Panel!

For this year’s Student Film Slam, we wanted to hear directly from our students. We opened up a sign-up sheet and invited anyone who worked on our student film The 4th Player to speak about their experience creating the film.

For many of our students, this was their first time ever speaking on a panel — and they absolutely rose to the occasion. At The COOL Cooperative, we want our students to feel confident not only in their filmmaking skills, but also in talking about their creative process and sharing their voices.

The full panel will be uploaded soon, but in the meantime, enjoy this clip of our students discussing their favorite part of filming The 4th Player! 🍿🎥

What is The COOL Cooperative?

A free weekend + after-school program for middle & high school students that gives immersive film-education led by real industry pros.

05/13/2026

🎬 Let’s take a second to celebrate the incredible work our students accomplished this year!

This year’s Student Film Slam featured 9 original student films spanning horror, documentary, comedy, and educational storytelling. We are endlessly proud of the creativity, talent, and dedication these young filmmakers brought to the screen.

✨ Featured Films ✨

🎥 The 4th Player
Genre: Horror Comedy
Director: Rebecca Guajardo
Logline: After a night of trick-or-treating, three kids come home and discover a supernatural game awaits.

🎥 Night Hag
Genre: Horror
Director: Dwight Nelson
Logline: After the death of her brother, Grace begins to have horrifying, time-bending nightmares that eventually become too much to bear.

🎥 The Rougarou
Genre: Horror
Director: Marion Forbes
Logline: After a horrific hurricane, an insurance adjuster befriends an elderly man and learns the terrifying truth behind the legendary Rougarou.

🎥 Her Game
Genre: Documentary
Director: Evan Moller
Logline: We follow four female flag football players in New Orleans to discover why the sport is rapidly growing in our city.

🎥 Benji at the Film Flea Market
Genre: Documentary
Director: Kat Durel
Logline: Benji attends the COOL Cooperative Film Flea Market to meet local filmmakers.

🎥 Benji Learns Camera
Genre: Educational
Director: Kat Durel
Logline: Benji wants to make a movie but isn’t sure how to use a camera until cohort student Laila steps in to help.

Baton Rouge Magnet High School
🎥 Echoes In The Classroom
Genre: Documentary
Director: Errol Luttrell
Logline: A look at the history of jazz in Louisiana and how it shaped a local music teacher and his accomplishments.

New Harmony High School
🎥 Jazz Fest: Blessings & Barriers
Genre: Documentary
Director: McKenzie Marsali

👏 Thank you to every student, mentor, family member, and supporter who helped make this year’s Film Slam possible.

The future of filmmaking is bright!

05/11/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who braved the rain and made our 4th Annual Student Film Slam such a success! 🎬☔️

Coming together as a community to celebrate and watch the 9 student films we produced this year is what it’s all about. We’re so proud of these young filmmakers and grateful to everyone who showed up to support them.

More to come soon — but for now, enjoy some photos from an unforgettable day ✨

05/08/2026

🎬 We can’t wait to see you tomorrow at our 4th Annual Film Slam!

Over the Spring semester, our students gathered an all-female crew to create this insightful and heartwarming documentary. 💜

Film: Her Game
Genre: Documentary
Director: Evan Moller
Logline: We followed four female flag football players in New Orleans to discover why this sport is rapidly growing in our city.

🗓 Saturday, May 9th
⏰ 10AM–2PM
📍 ASHÉ POWERHOUSE Theater

🎟 FREE + Open to the Community!

Experience the magic of cinema created by students right here in our community. From powerful short films to innovative storytelling, this showcase is all about uplifting the next generation of filmmakers.

✨ What to Expect:
• Inspiring student film projects
• Celebration of our student filmmakers
• Opportunities to connect with local organizations
• Film industry resources
• Concessions pop-up

Whether you're a filmmaker, actor, or simply love a good movie — this is your space.

Bring a friend, meet fellow creatives, and celebrate the future of film with us! 🎥

👉 RSVP now to reserve your spot — link in bio!

COOL Cooperative 4th Annual Student FILM SLAM

Address

New Orleans, LA

Website

http://thecoolcooperative.org/

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