Heights Middle School Shorts – Page 5 – Stories • Films • Music

June 13, 2021June 13, 2021

Writing Workshops Conclude with Drop-in from HBO’s Vice-President, Production

The rubber hits the road tomorrow as our campers move from writing their stories to turning them into movies.

At the conclusion of the writing workshops on June 4, most of the students had turned their short stories into storyboards that will guide them through filming. As they move into Heights High for the final two weeks of camp, they’ll start figuring out shooting locations, casting their films, and – of course – rewriting scripts.

Our special drop-in guest at the final workshop session was Natasha Foster-Owens, Vice President, Production at HBO, who manages the physical production aspects of Insecure, A Black Lady Sketch Show, I May Destroy You, Divorce, Mrs Fletcher, The Wizard Of Lies, I Know This Much Is True, and Real Time With Bill Maher as well as several other projects in development at HBO.

May 14, 2021May 14, 2021

And … Action!

We’re live! This is what creativity looks like:

April 29, 2021

Netflix Comes to Cleveland: The Job Opportunity Edition

The Group Effort Initiative, an organization that exists to create a pipeline for Black, Indigenous, people of color, and people from marginalized and excluded communities to get real experience towards a lasting career within the entertainment industry, has put out a call for Production Assistants to work on an upcoming Netflix production to be filmed right here in Cleveland.

April 19, 2021April 19, 2021

Sneak Peek at Heights Middle School Shorts 2021

Heights Middle School Shorts is taking shape! We’re finalizing the venue, blocking out the schedule, and putting the final touches on the course curriculum all in preparation for a May 1 rollout at our Parent and Camper Meet & Greet.

Until then, here’s a sneak peek at Heights Middle School Shorts 2021:

Writing Workshops (Saturdays in May and early June)

The writing workshops will be held at Lake Erie Ink from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays beginning May 8 and ending June 5 (no workshop will be held during Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 29).

At the workshops, campers will learn the basics of storytelling, dialogue, and writing for film as they draft and block out their films. At the end of the workshops, we’ll expect each camper to have a storyboard setting out his or her film so that we can begin filming as soon as HMSS meets again on June 14.

March 22, 2021March 22, 2021

COVID-19 Safety at the 2021 Heights Middle School Shorts

Summer is coming, and we’re confident that, by May 8 when writing workshops start, Northeast Ohio will have begun to develop some herd immunity thanks to the aggressive vaccination efforts of officials in the region. That’s good news for our kids, our families, and our instructors.

But it doesn’t mean that everything will be ‘back to normal’ in Cleveland Heights and at Heights Middle School Shorts and that we no longer need to exercise caution. We’ll still require campers to wear masks in the classroom and on shooting locations (though actors and actresses will not be required to wear masks unless doing so is part of the film script). We’ll still ask participants to ‘social distance’ at all times. We’ll still insist on regular hand-washing and the frequent use of hand sanitizer. And we’ll still clean and disinfect desks and other frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.

How will we practice ‘social distancing’ at camp?

March 15, 2021

Open Enrollment Has Begun!

We’re excited to announce that the 20 free-of-charge spots at Heights Middle School Shorts have been filled, and that we’re now accepting open enrollment applications on a first-come, first-served basis.

These openings will fill fast, so interested students and their families should act quickly to submit their applications and pay the deposit to reserve a spot.

All 6-8th grade students in the CHUH school district are encouraged to apply.

We’re looking for campers who:

February 28, 2021March 1, 2021

HMSS Celebrates Black Artists in Film and Television

Heights Middle School Shorts is inspired by these artists of color – and all the others – who have paved the way for the rising-stars-in-the-making from our own backyard of CHUH, many of whom will become Heights Middle School Shorts Campers.

Please join us as we continue to honor them all, and give a special shoutout to the Queen, Ms. Cicely Tyson.

February 23, 2021

Five Questions for Cliff Sweeney, Lead Writing Instructor through Lake Erie Ink

We recently sat down with HMSS writing instructor Cliff Sweeney where we talked about why he became a writer, the three characteristics of a successful Heights Middle School Shorts camper, and more:

1. How did you decide to be a writer?

I realized at a young age that life was both amazing and rough at different times. People are dealing with so much that 24 hours can go by in a blink without cherishing a day. I like writing stories, lyrics, and plays to put out into the world for people to relate to, which allows for one to slow down and appreciate life’s ups and downs.

2. What would you say are the three most important characteristics of a successful Heights Middle School Shorts camper?

Dedication to their crafts and willingness to do the little things to get better every day. The willingness to collaborate – the ability to listen to others’ ideas and opinions as well as accept criticism. And a willingness to express themselves, to give feedback – if it made you laugh we’re going to laugh (and speak about it) If it made you cry we’re going to cry. Use your emotions and senses to tell your story.

February 15, 2021

Five Questions for Antonio Harper, Lead Film Instructor

We recently sat down (socially distanced, of course!) with HMSS film instructor Antonio Harper, who shared his perspective on what makes a successful camper, what excites him about the camp, and more:

1. How did you decide to get into filmmaking?

I didn’t realize that film was something that I wanted to do early on. I always had a passion for writing and telling stories (when I could sit still enough to do so) and at first I would make comic books and act out the comics with my toys, something that would translate to storyboarding later on. My dad always loved taking me to movies and watching classics that would come on at night.

I started off making videos for my family vacations and didn’t realize that film was a “career” path until mom had me attend a Cleveland Heights summer camp where I had signed up for the “Stocks” program. My mom saw an “Interactive Media” program run by the High School’s program teacher, Mr. Glass, and signed me up unknowingly. After the first day I was amazed that this was something I could pursue, and the rest is history. As I got older I found that film was the best way I knew how to communicate with others.

February 8, 2021February 9, 2021

5 Reasons to Attend Heights Middle School Shorts

Thinking about applying to Heights Middle School Shorts? Here are five reasons you should:

1. You Will Learn from Great Instructors

We’ve got an impressive group of instructors lined up at Height Middle School Shorts for our Summer 2021 camp: a Heights grad with a film and television degree who’s worked on a major production, an actor and teacher who’s been performing on Northeast Ohio stages for more than ten years, a former songwriter with extensive experience helping kids cultivate their creative writing talents, and a music instructor who’s worked in local theater productions.

Just the right mix to bring HMSS campers the practical experience and perspective they need.