Hard at work on their scripts.
This Is What Creativity Looks Like
HMSS 2022: And We’re Off!
The second season of HMSS has begun with more than 15 campers excited to make some magic!
On the first day of our writing workshops, two-time Emmy award-winning journalist and digital media teacher Cynthia Booker dropped in to give the campers a hands-on filming experience. Thank you, Cynthia!
5 Questions for Lance Godard, HMSS Co-Founder
We recently sat down with Lance Godard, one of the Heights Middle School Shorts Co-Founders, about the formation of HMSS, the three top skills that campers need, and more.
Who are you and why did you co-found a film camp?
Among other things, I’m a Cleveland Heights parent who’s been involved for a long time in efforts to give our CHUH students creative opportunities to learn and have fun. We started by providing after-school programming to RoxEl students, which led to us getting scholarships for a few students to attend University Circle’s summer camp. We then had an opportunity to start Heights Performing Arts Camp with Ensemble Theatre, a free three-week summer camp where campers would create theater productions: they would write plays, then act in and direct them.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we were forced to move Heights Performing Arts Camp to a virtual format where the campers made movies instead of plays to tell their stories. That worked out really well, so we decided to go all-in on films, and created Heights Middle School Shorts. The first year went great – I’d recommend everyone reading this watch the films made in 2021 – so we knew we were on to something.
What are the three essential characteristics of a successful HMSS filmmaker?
I think the three most important qualities of a successful camper at HMSS are creativity, resourcefulness, and patience. Creativity is necessary to come up with a story to tell in the first place, and to write dialogues and block out scenes that can be turned into an interesting film. Resourcefulness, because a lot of the time the campers have to find ways to make their scenes work with the things they’ve got: the props, the locations, the actors, etc. I was very impressed last year to see how our campers were able to convey ideas and feelings and moods with the very limited resources they had.
Continue reading “5 Questions for Lance Godard, HMSS Co-Founder”5 Questions for Jalon Blue, Assistant Instructor
We recently sat down with the HMSS Assistant Instructor, Jalon Blue, to talk about his love for film and photography, his favorite movie, and more:
What do you do when you’re not teaching at HMSS?
When I am not teaching at HMSS, I am at Hiram College. I’m in my third year, majoring in film and photography. In my free time, I am usually practicing my photography skills or hanging out with friends and family.
When did you become interested in photography and film?
I became interested in film during my sophomore year in high school when we had career tech day at Cleveland Heights High School. I saw the film booth and it grabbed my attention, and I have been in love with the art form ever since! I became interested in photography during my sophomore year of college when I took my first photography class and loved it.
Continue reading “5 Questions for Jalon Blue, Assistant Instructor”5 Questions for Matt Hribar, Film Instructor
We recently sat down with HMSS Film Instructor Matt Hribar to talk about what he does when he’s not at HMSS, his favorite films, and more:
What do you do when you’re not teaching at HMSS?
It might be easier to ask what I’m not doing! I’m always writing, creating digital content like sketch videos and podcasts, or working in live entertainment around the city. Plus I love working out, eating good local food, and generally going on adventures!
How did you decide to get into filmmaking and performing arts?
I’ve always been a storyteller — when I was in high school I was making music videos to original music (which I still do to this day!), and I even did a “reality show” that I posted on YouTube. So you could say I’ve always been into performing arts.
What are the three essential characteristics of a successful HMSS filmmaker?
Continue reading “5 Questions for Matt Hribar, Film Instructor”5 Questions for Cliff Sweeney, Principal Instructor
We recently sat down with HMSS Principal Instructor Cliff Sweeney to talk about why he became a teacher, the three characteristics of a successful Heights Middle School Shorts camper, and more:
What do you do when you’re not teaching at HMSS?
When I’m not teaching at HMSS I am working at Boulevard Elementary School here in Cleveland Heights, helping students in the community to become better leaders in a society that’s forever changing. I am also a husband and father who is constantly trying to recreate myself for their betterment.
Why did you become a teacher in the first place?
I became a teacher to help inspire and cultivate young creative minds and give them a platform to display their talents.
Continue reading “5 Questions for Cliff Sweeney, Principal Instructor”“Dream about Track,” by Camrynn Snead
Dream about Track was written and directed at Heights Middle School Shorts 2021 by Camrynn Snead, a student in the 6th grade at Roboxo Middle School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
“Vanisher,” by Shane Hido
Vanisher was written and directed at Heights Middle School Shorts 2021 by Shane Hido, a student in the 6th grade at Monticello Middle School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
“Lottery,” by Ronald Gardner III
Lottery was written and directed at Heights Middle School Shorts 2021 by Ronald Gardner III, a student in the 8th grade at Monticello Middle School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
“The Dark Behind The Light,” by Ella Watterson
The Dark Behind The Light was written and directed at Heights Middle School Shorts 2021 by Ella Watterson, an 8th-grade student at Monticello Middle School in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.