Teaching, Storytelling, and Lifelong Creativity: My Experience with the Silver Screen Filmmakers Club

Over the past year and a half, I had the incredible honor of designing and facilitating workshops as part of the Silver Screen Filmmakers Club. Through five cohorts and 25 weeks of classes across multiple locations, I had the joy of guiding participants, aged 65 and up, through the process of creating short documentary films.

(ID: The Fall 2024 Silver Screen Filmmakers Club Cohort at their short film showcase at Indiana University Northwest.)

By the end of the program, we produced 30 unique short documentaries and 10 sizzle reels, each reflecting the stories, perspectives, and creativity of our amazing Silver Screeners.

(ID: Tracey Jones stands with her great granddaughter in front of her film poster.)

Additionally, each of the 100 participants created movie posters for their projects learning the basics of graphic design in Canva.  

(ID: Jessica Renslow stands before a projected PowerPoint as she teaches.)

Teaching this course was a reminder of how powerful it is to bridge generations and technology. I taught participants how to shoot films on their phones, work as production and post-production teams, and edit collaboratively using cloud-based software. We also explored the history of filmmaking, combining practical skills with context and inspiration. Watching people gain confidence, problem-solve, and discover their voices on camera was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

(ID: Jessica Renslow teaches a class room full of people over the age of 65..)

I am deeply grateful to our partner organizations (VOCART, Indiana University’s Center for Urban Regional Excellence, and the Miller Beach Arts & Creative District) for supporting this work and helping us create accessible, engaging learning spaces. Their guidance, resources, and enthusiasm made it possible to reach learners in meaningful ways.

(ID: Three silver-haired women discuss their shot list as they practice filming with their phones.)

Each cohort met in person and remotely, culminating in a public Short Film Showcase after the course finished. It was amazing to see the community come together to celebrate the work of our Silver Screeners. Collectively across these 5 events we had over 400 community members attend and they were a true testament to the creativity, collaboration, and dedication of everyone involved.

(ID: A very pregnant Jessica Renslow speaks to a full house at the Spring 2024 Silver Screen Filmmakers Club Cohort.)

As someone who spent a decade working in Hollywood and has been producing documentaries and narrative films for over twenty years, returning to my hometown of Gary, Indiana to teach was both humbling and energizing. This program reminded me that storytelling is universal, and that age is never a barrier to learning or creating. I am inspired every day by the ingenuity, humor, and curiosity of the participants.

(ID: JJ sits in her wheelchair, and her husband stands behind her at the poster wall at the short film showcase..)

I also want to thank the Indiana Arts Commission’s Lifelong Arts Initiative for funding this program and supporting creative engagement for older adults across the state. It has been such an honor to be able to be professionally trained by IAC to be a certified Creative Aging Teaching Artist. Programs like this show that bridging the digital divide isn’t just about technology, it’s about empowerment, connection, and equity.

(ID: The Silver Screeners work on editing their films.)

Looking back on this experience, I feel honored to have been part of such an incredible journey. Teaching these workshops from people across the greater Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland region, reinforced my belief that creativity and storytelling are lifelong pursuits and that the power of a story can be transformative, no matter your age.

(ID: Jessica Renslow shows an editing technique at Indiana University Northwest.)

These classes were offered completely free to participants thanks to the generous support of several Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) programs. I was honored to receive two Teaching Artist Fellowships from IAC, which helped fund my time and curriculum development. Additional support came from two different IAC opportunities (a grant awarded to VOCART for service organizations and a grant provided to Indiana University for libraries and higher education institutions).

(ID: The Spring 2024 Silver Screen Filmmakers Club Cohort discuss their projects at the MBACD.)

Together, these resources made it possible to remove financial barriers and ensure that older adults could fully engage in the workshops and bring their stories to life. Hopefully more funding will be available in the near future, so I will be able to have another workshop launch. I can’t wait to continue facilitating similar courses and to see where the next cohort of Silver Screeners takes their stories. You can view highlights from the 5 Silver Screen Filmmakers Club cohorts, their films and posters here.