During the first week, the youth and coordinators were on the campus of Watkins College of Art, Design & Film, becoming acquainted with one another as well as with the basic concepts of filmmaking, architecture, and urban design. Lawanda Bradley, Youth Action Coordinator for the Oasis Center, took the lead in facilitating the activities for the week, masterfully bringing everyone together and building excitement for the rest of the program.

In the morning sessions, the youth discussed the characteristics of a livable community, identified the amenities and needs of their individual neighborhoods, and discovered how their neighborhood fits into the fabric of the city.

The afternoon sessions were filled with discussions on the basics of moviemaking. Youth discussed their favorite films, the many careers that are involved in the creation of a film, and in particular, the documentary film genre. The film crew led these lively discussions and gave demonstrations on how to use the cameras NCDC provided for weekly homework assignments.