Frame by Frame: The A24 Aesthetic
(Spring 2026)
Student Age: 18+
Time: 4:00–7:00 PM
Dates: February 2–April 6, 2026
Session Length: 8 Classes. One Day/Week, Mondays
This course will be held at our Media Arts Lab.
Cost: $425
Camp and Course Policies at the Lab
Frame by Frame: The A24 Aesthetic
This course explores the unique filmmaking aesthetic of A24, one of the most influential independent studios of the 21st century. In this course for adult learners, we’ll survey a selection of A24’s most daring and influential films: from the tender realism of The Florida Project to the chaotic intensity of Uncut Gems, the stylized satire on consumerism in Spring Breakers, and the political urgency of Civil War, and more. Through screenings and discussions, we’ll examine how these films challenge traditional storytelling, blur the boundaries between genres, and give voice to underrepresented perspectives. Along the way, participants will engage with advanced cinema studies concepts, including auteur theory, realism and stylization, spectatorship, and the phenomenology of film. These frameworks will deepen their understanding of how and why A24 has become a representative of a new cinematic aesthetic. Whether you’re a lifelong cinephile or simply curious about the cultural impact of A24, this course will offer a richer appreciation for films that continue to reshape the art of cinema.
February 2 – Mid90s (R) – 2018
February 9 – The Florida Project (R) – 2017
February 16 – NO CLASS
February 23 – Moonlight (R) – 2016
March 2 – Ex Machina (R) – 2014
March 9 – Spring Breakers (R) – 2012
March 16 – Uncut Gems (R) – 2019
March 23 – Sing Sing (R) – 2024
March 30 – NO CLASS
April 6 – Civil War (R) – (2024)
Instructor
Detroit Hamell, M.A.
Detroit Hamell earned a master’s degree in Cinema Studies from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Film Studies from Pace University in Manhattan. He is currently earning a second master’s degree in Adolescent Education from Pace University, with certification in English Language Arts and Theater Arts. He plans to pursue a doctorate in Cinema Studies. His journey with cinema began at the Jacob Burns Media Arts Lab in 4th grade, where he cultivated his passion for storytelling and filmmaking. Since 2018, he has worked as a teaching assistant at the Media Arts Lab, inspiring young students to explore the fundamentals and joys of filmmaking. Detroit’s work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Jacob Burns New Lens Award, Best Director and Best Picture at NYLIFF, and Best Director at the Revolution Me Film Festival. He is also a published poet, a collection of which was honored by the Sarah Willis Award.
