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Lights Camera Discover

Tempe, AZ · EIN 465004833 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE O50 · Youth Development · Small ($100K-$1M) · lightscameradiscover.org
revenue
$336K
expenses
$449K
net assets
$53K
employees
0
program ratio
99%
mission · from form 990

Youth Programs

profile · synthesized from sources

Lights Camera Discover is a nonprofit organization that provides underserved youth with opportunities to develop skills in performing and digital arts, including filmmaking, photography, acting, screenwriting, and animation. The organization aims to build confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork, while also fostering entrepreneurship and social awareness. They operate through workshops, after-school programs, and bootcamps.

named programs · 16 · from sources

what they call their work

Acting
Introduction to acting basics, including character analysis, improvisation, visualization, breathing, and relaxation.
Animation
Training in the animation process from concept to screen, using animation software and studying traditional and digital techniques.
Chicago Bootcamps
Monthly bootcamps held on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in Chicago.
Editing
Course covering digital editing using professional software like Adobe Premiere, focusing on non-linear editing, multi-track audio, and special effects.
Filmmaking
Hands-on experience in creating, organizing, and shooting silent and scripted films.
Florida Bootcamps
Monthly bootcamps held on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in Florida.
Houston Bootcamps
Monthly bootcamps held on Saturdays from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm in Houston.
LCD PrintLab Creations
A student-led custom printing venture offering services like custom t-shirts and cups, providing hands-on experience in the printing industry and entrepreneurship.
Phoenix/Tempe After School
After-school programs for students in Phoenix and Tempe, Monday-Thursday from school release time to 5:30 pm.
Phoenix/Tempe Bootcamps
Monthly bootcamps held on the second Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in Phoenix and Tempe.
Phoenix/Tempe Summer
Summer camp programs running from June 1 to July 10, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, in Phoenix and Tempe.
Photography
Instruction in digital photography and basic techniques, exploring the relationship between perception and the camera lens.
Screenwriting
Workshops covering story structure, character development, plot, and setting for motion picture screenplays.
Tempe Animation Bootcamp
A specific bootcamp held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm in Tempe.
Tempe Event Production Bootcamp
A bootcamp held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 8 am to 3 pm in Tempe, where students learn about media capture and support for large-scale productions in a real event environment.
Tempe Lights Camera Budget Bootcamp
A bootcamp held on Saturday, April 10, 2026, from 10 am to 2 pm in Tempe, focusing on youth financial literacy.
activities · 5 clusters

what they do

  • Young Filmmaker Training & Media Production 5 activities
    • Digital and Performing Arts Education for Youth
      Lights Camera Discover provides free and fee-based programs to students and families, as well as schools and community groups, offering instruction in filmmaking, animation, performance, photography, acting, screenwriting, and website design. These programs often incorporate lessons on anti-bullying and social awareness, with students creating individual and group projects, including public service announcements.
    • Film, Animation, and Performing Arts Education Programs
      Offers free and fee-based hands-on programs in filmmaking, animation, screenwriting, acting, digital photography, and digital editing for students and youth, including instruction in professional software such as Adobe Premiere. Programs emphasize digital storytelling, anti-bullying, and social awareness, and result in student-created individual, group, and public service announcement projects.
    • Filmmaking and media production instruction
      Provides hands-on instruction in filmmaking, including screenwriting, acting, digital photography, animation, and editing using professional software such as Adobe Premiere. Students gain experience creating, organizing, and shooting silent and scripted films.
    • Youth digital storytelling and animation program
      Offers an ongoing, award-winning year-round program that trains local youth in digital storytelling and animation, incorporating anti-bullying and social awareness lessons. Students create individual and group projects, including public service announcements to combat bullying.
    • Youth digital storytelling and animation programs
      Offers year-round, award-winning programs that train youth in digital storytelling and animation, incorporating anti-bullying and social awareness themes. Students create individual and group projects, including public service announcements, through instruction in filmmaking, screenwriting, acting, and animation techniques.
  • Youth-Led Performing Arts Production & Leadership 5 activities
    • Event Production Training
      Lights Camera Discover provides an Event Production Bootcamp where students gain experience with professional media teams in a real event setting.
    • Event Production and Financial Literacy Bootcamps
      Offers specialized bootcamps including an Event Production Bootcamp, where students learn about professional media teams in live event settings, and a "Lights Camera Budget Bootcamp" focused on youth financial literacy.
    • Event and Media Production Training
      Provides experiential learning through an Event Production Bootcamp where students gain real-world experience working with professional media teams during live events, building technical and collaborative skills in media production.
    • Event and production skills bootcamps
      Offers specialized bootcamps including an Event Production Bootcamp, where students learn about professional media teams in real event environments, and a financial literacy program called "Lights Camera Budget Bootcamp" for youth.
    • Youth Financial Literacy Program
      Offers a "Lights Camera Budget Bootcamp" focused on building financial literacy skills among youth, integrating practical budgeting education within a media production context.
  • Youth and Community-Centered Art for Civic Engagement 1 activity
    • Community and school-based arts programming
      Delivers free performing and digital arts programs to students and families, and offers facilitated programs to schools and community groups for a fee. Programs operate in Pensacola, Chicagoland, and Houston.
  • Youth Financial Literacy Education 1 activity
    • Youth Financial Literacy Training
      The organization offers a "Lights Camera Budget Bootcamp" specifically designed to teach youth financial literacy.
  • Uncategorized 6 activities
    • Arts and media workshops for schools and community groups
      Provides facilitated workshops in performing and digital arts—including filmmaking, photography, acting, screenwriting, website design, and animation—to schools and community organizations for a fee, operating in Pensacola, Chicagoland, and Houston.
    • LCD PrintLab Creations – student-led printing venture
      Operates a student-led custom printing business, LCD PrintLab Creations, that offers products such as custom t-shirts and cups, providing hands-on entrepreneurial and production experience.
    • Regional Program Operations
      Delivers arts and media education programs in multiple regions, including Pensacola, Chicagoland, and Houston, serving local students and community groups.
    • Student-Led Custom Printing Services
      The organization operates LCD PrintLab Creations, a student-led venture that offers custom printing services for items such as t-shirts and cups.
    • Student-Led Print Services Venture
      Operates LCD PrintLab Creations, a student-led custom printing venture that produces items such as t-shirts and cups, providing entrepreneurial and vocational experience.
    • Student-led custom printing venture
      Operates LCD PrintLab Creations, a student-led venture offering custom printing services such as t-shirts and cups, providing practical entrepreneurial experience.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$336K
Contributions & grants$336K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$449K
Program expenses99%
Admin / overhead0%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$49K
Grants paid out$362
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$55K
Cash$2K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$53K
Liquid reserves0.1 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +349.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

board members · 1
  • Okema Charles — Director
relationships · 1

who they work with

  • City of Tempe Funder — Project partially funded by the Community Arts Grant.